Ed Rendell Dials Up Crist; Political Pointers For a Lurch Leftward?

Gov. Charlie Crist took some time this afternoon to talk with Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell by phone.

Crist spokesman Sterling Ivey told me via e-mail: "The governor is not sure what the call is about...it was a request from Gov. Rendell's office."

It was a curious call, to say the least. Does Rendell know anything about oil spills? Or independent campaigns for U.S. Senate? Not that we're aware of.

But Rendell does know a thing or two about hardball politics, and how to play them in a state that leans both left and right.

Chairman of the Democratic National Committee during the hard-fought 2000 presidential election, the hyper-partisan Rendell isn't shy about knocking his own party these days. Last month, he accused Democratic leadership of "cowering behind the shower curtain" as Republicans attacked the party as soulless.

"We have been out-spun and we are scared," he complained during a panel discussion hosted by "The Week" magazine.

Taking notes, Charlie? Who's on your call list next week? Arlen Specter?