Rendell's kind words for Christie

Gov. Media Gadfly Ed Rendell offered support to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie today at a forum in New York hosted by Bloomberg for Christie's efforts to tackle the state's pension problems. Pensions "are not supportable in their current state," Rendell said according to an account of the forum by -- you guessed it -- Bloomberg News. “If Governor Christie is going after them, it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

It's not often you see the former head of the DNC praising a Republican talked about as future White House material, but Christie's physique and brash, quippy style in some ways make him the GOP's Rendell. (Maybe next he'll start opining on the Devils' playoff chances.)

But just in case you think he went all Republican, Rendell made clear that Wisconsin-style union-busting is not the answer:

“The idea that unions always win is ludicrous,” said Rendell, 67. “If the public is willing to take a strike and suck it up, you will win that collective bargaining every time.”

(H/t Alex Roarty's Twitter feed.) Photo by PG's Andy Starnes, Rendell in Braddock in 2008.