Rendell: Right Decision By Kane To Resign
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell said Attorney General Kathleen Kane made the right decision in deciding to step down from her office after being convicted of perjury and obstruction charges.
Rendell, during an interview with Rich Zeoli on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, said continuing to hold the office while she wages an appeal would be would be too difficult.
"I think Attorney General Kane did the right thing by resigning. She believes that she is innocent and I know that for a fact that she has a deep personal belief but, I think, with the conviction it just would've been too much for her to bear that burden and too distracting for work of the office. It's a very important office, so I think she did the right thing resigning."
He continued to insist that Kane had no reason to step down prior to Monday night's verdict.
"If you believe in your innocence and you believe the jury is going to find you not guilty, then you can make a case, if I resign, it's like admitting my guilt. That's the way she felt. I'm not sure that other people wouldn't have done the same thing."
Rendell also believes the scandal surrounding Kane could play a central role in the election for a new Attorney General between Republican John Rafferty and the Democrat, Josh Shapiro.
"If John Rafferty can raise some money, he could certainly make an issue of a Democratic Administration and the Attorney General's office and, although Josh Shapiro has no ties to that, it might be something that could be used effectively by the Republicans. I don't know if Rafferty has raised enough money to mount a serious TV campaign."
