(CBS) Political Players is a weekly conversation with the leaders, consultants, and activists who shape American politics. This week, as the two Democratic candidates prepare for next Tuesday's potentially decisive contest in Pennsylvania, CBS News' Brian Goldsmith talked with the state's Democratic chairman, T.J. Rooney, a supporter of Senator Clinton, about whether Senator Obama has been covered--and tested--in the same way as his candidate.

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CBSNews.com: You’re chairman of the state party--and you’ve endorsed Senator Clinton. Most of the state chairs, and the state parties, are neutral. Why is Pennsylvania different?

T. J. Rooney: Well, there's nothing in our rules or bylaws that precludes me from endorsing. As I've expressed my personal opinion, I've said that the party itself has been scrupulously neutral. But you know, at the end of the day, I don't think I should be held to any standard that's different than any other Pennsylvania Democrat.

I have a strong preference. I've seen fit to express it. And there's nothing that says I can't or shouldn't.

CBSNews.com: What are you doing on her behalf?

T. J. Rooney: Well, I've been traveling the state, primarily with President Clinton, to small towns throughout Pennsylvania. I’m doing a lot of things, like speaking to good folks like yourself.

CBSNews.com: Let’s talk about some of what’s made news recently. Obviously, there’s the statement in San Francisco from Senator Obama. But does this really hurt him?

T. J. Rooney: Well, I think it's beginning to really manifest itself in terms of the damage that's been done. I'm sure Senator Obama had nothing but good intentions. But they were expressed really poorly and, most people would suggest, inappropriately.

You know, as I just mentioned, I've been traveling around the state with President Clinton. And we've heard about this in these small towns, and unsolicited. I mean, the president has not brought it up. I think one time he brought it up, a couple of days ago. But, unsolicited, people have come up, and they say, "Hey, listen. We want to make it clear. We are not a bitter people."

I mean, those folks who are deeply passionate about their religion, or deeply passionate about hunting and owning firearms, it's not out of some frustration. But rather, it's part of something in our culture. And it has been for generations.

So, while I know Senator Obama has a good heart, and probably didn't necessarily mean what he said, I think it just was kind of--for most Pennsylvanians that fit that description, that live in those small towns--I think it was kind of like a cold bucket of water being thrown on them. You know, many people were just taken aback.

And they're saying to themselves, you know, maybe what they're seeing along the campaign trail isn't what is real. And whether that's there or not, it's not for me to pass judgment. It's just an observation from traveling these last few weeks in these areas.

CBSNews.com: And what do you think the impact of the Reverend Wright scandal will be in Pennsylvania?

T. J. Rooney: Well, in the primary, it hasn't really been an issue. But I think where the Reverend Wright controversy could show up and do perhaps much more damage than has already been done would be in the fall election.

This Democratic race has been rather genteel. I mean, the criticism hasn't been nearly what it will be in the fall campaign. So, with respect to Reverend Wright, with respect to the comments that Senator Obama made in San Francisco about Pennsylvanians in small towns being bitter, I think the real damage from those remarks can really come in the fall.

CBSNews.com: Do you worry that these Democratic attacks on Senator Obama make the Republicans' job easier for them?

T. J. Rooney: With all due respect, the negative attacks really haven't been all that negative. And they really aren't attacks. There's been no mudslinging. I mean, this is a tea party compared to what the Republican attack machine is going to do to our nominee be it Senator Obama or Senator Clinton.

So pointing out facts like, Senator Obama’s got an ad up in Pennsylvania with millions of dollars behind it, saying he doesn't take money from oil companies. Well, you can't. I mean, for a hundred years, you can't take money from oil companies.

So, I pointed that out, that it was misleading, and the Obama campaign was quick to criticize me for being negative. My word. I mean, if that is considered a negative attack, what is going to come in the fall may come as a great surprise to some of these folks. This has not been, by any standard, a nasty primary campaign in our state.

By Brian Goldsmith
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