Govs. Perry, Rendell Say They Are Not Interested In No. 2 Spot On 2008 Ticket

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Governor or vice president? <br/><br/>That's an easy choice, say two state leaders who have been talked about for a possible spot on the 2008 ticket. <br/><br/>``I got the best job

Sunday, February 25th 2007, 2:15 pm

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Governor or vice president?

That's an easy choice, say two state leaders who have been talked about for a possible spot on the 2008 ticket.

``I got the best job in the world. Ask President Bush,'' GOP Gov. Rick Perry of Texas said Sunday, dismissing speculation he might be interested in serving as a running mate to the eventual nominee.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat, also denied any interest in the No. 2 spot. ``I like to be my own boss,'' Rendell said.

The two were in the capital for a National Governors Association meeting.

Texas is among several states considering moving its primary election up to have more of an influential role in the nominating process. Perry said that idea is gaining momentum back home.

``It's an interesting concept, and I certainly want to see the legislation, but it's something that I think the Legislature is full well behind,'' Perry said.

In 2004, Texas primary voters found themselves casting only symbolic votes in early March. Legislation would move the primary to February 2008. Several other big states, including California and Florida, also are considering a similar shift.

Rendell said the current presidential nominating system makes little sense because it does not give large, populous states enough influence.

``Pennsylvania, which is one of the two or three most important states in the general election, we have no input at all into who the nominee is. Our primary is in late April. It's a mess,'' he said.

The governors appeared on ``Fox News Sunday.''

___

WASHINGTON (AP) _ ``Silliness.''

That's what Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards had to say about the publicity surrounding the donor spat between two of his chief rivals, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois.

The Obama and Clinton campaigns issued dueling press releases about a top Hollywood donor who once supported Bill Clinton but is now backing Obama.

Hillary Clinton's campaign demanded Obama return producer David Geffen's money after Geffen criticized both Clintons. Obama declined, and his spokesman criticized Clinton for accepting support from a South Carolina lawmaker who said Obama could not win because he is black.

``Oh, I think it's a bunch of silliness,'' Edwards said Sunday on CBS ``Face the Nation.''

He said the topic was not on the minds of voters during a stop Saturday in New Hampshire.

``I met probably over a thousand New Hampshire primary voters in the course of having a bunch of house parties. And you'd be shocked to hear the only people who asked me about this were reporters.

``I didn't have a single New Hampshire voter ask me about this. What they're asking about is what are we going to do about Iraq? What are we going to do about Iran? What are we going to do about health care? The things you'd expect them to be concerned about,'' Edwards said.