Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell loses it, calls Leslie Stahl an idiot and a simpleton

Pennsylvania’s Governor Ed Rendell finally gets it right. He’s known for making outrageous comments that are, shall we say, perhaps not thought out as well as they might be. Think of him as Joe Biden on steroids. But in this case, it’s tough to disagree with the outspoken Democrat.

The background: Rendell wants to expand gambling in the Keystone State. Leslie Stahl is appalled that he thinks people should be responsible for making their own decisions as to whether or not they want to participate. The Nanny State mentality demands, of course, that people be protected from themselves.

By the end of the interview, Ed is snarling, yelling and insulting. And Leslie is Leslie, which means she deserves whatever scorn he wants to heap on her.

It’s the best 60 Minutes interview in a long time.

Here’s a transcript of the build-up to Ed’s outburst:

Rendell: “The biggest downside is that some people lose their paychecks. But understand, Lesley, they’re not losing their paychecks because Pennsylvania instituted gaming. These people were losing their paychecks in Atlantic City, in Delaware at the racetracks, or in West Virginia.”

Stahl: “So why not lose it here . . .”

Rendell: “Well, if they were going to lose it anyway, let’s get the upside. We were getting all the downside and none of the upside.”

Stahl: “The counter-argument is that you’re creating new gamblers. And lots of new gamblers.”

Rendell: “We’re not creating new gamblers.”

Stahl: “Well, ’cause it’s down the street.”

Rendell: “Those people play the lottery. They bet on football. How much money is bet on the Super Bowl.”

Stahl: “People are losing money for the state to get its revenue. They’re losing money.”

Rendell: “Let me answer this. You . . . you’ve . . . I’ve always . . . I’ve known, uh, for two or three decades, you’re a very smart person.”

Stahl: “But not now.”

Rendell: “But you’re not getting it.”

Stahl: “I’m dumb now.”

Rendell: “You’re not getting it. Those people would lose that money anyway. Don’t you understand? You guys don’t get that. You’re simpletons. You’re idiots if you don’t get that . . . That’s the answer and it’s the right answer.”

Source: Philly.com