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Rendell Apologizes For 'No Life' Comment

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Dec 4, 2008 6:10 pm US/Eastern

Rendell Apologizes For 'No Life' Comment

Reporting
Jon Delano
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― Governor Ed Rendell made the comments that got him into hot water at the National Governors Association meeting in Philadelphia on Tuesday, attended by fellow Governor Janet Napolitano, President-elect Obama's choice for Homeland Security Secretary.

Rendell didn't realize a nearby microphone was still on.

"Janet's perfect for that job because for that job, you have to have no life. Janet has no family. Perfect. She can devote, literally 19-20 hours a day to it," Rendell was caught on camera saying.

Rendell says what he meant to say was that -- to do a job like Homeland Security Secretary -- you can't afford to have a personal life.

"What I meant is that Janet is a person who works 24-7, just like I do. You know, she has no life; neither do I."

Some have criticized Rendell's remark as sexist because Napolitano has never been married and has no children. Rendell says what he meant is that it's often difficult to balance the demands of a family with the demands placed on a high level civil servant.

"The fact that my son is grown makes it much easier for me to do my job as governor were he a toddler or even a high school student."

And Rendell says far from making fun of Napolitano, he respects her dedication.

"She works, literally, 24-7 as governor. She doesn't have the encumbrance like I don't, having a child at home. And she'll do a great job because Governor Ridge told me you have to live that job every minute -- live that job every minute."

Napolitano has had no official reaction, but a spokeswoman for her says that she considers Rendell a good friend and didn't take offense at the remarks. 

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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