May 22, 2016
Source/Comedy Central
Stephen Colbert shakes Ed Rendell's hand during 2012 episode of Comedy Central's 'The Colbert Report.'
Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell found himself in familiar hot water earlier this week after he suggested Donald Trump's chances in the Keystone State will be hurt by an abundance of "ugly women" opposed to his misogyny.
Ever since the publication of "A Nation of Wusses: How America's Leaders Lost the Guts to Make Us Great," Rendell has become an increasingly frank interview, gladly willing to risk his reputation for a day in order to make a point. He did so earlier this month with a warning to Bernie Sanders supporters who would dare disrupt the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
But Rendell quickly realized his blunder this time around and issued a prompt apology.
"What I said was incredibly stupid and insensitive," Rendell told reporters on Wednesday. "When I read it in the article, I said, 'Did I say that?' It was just dumb, and stupid, and insensitive, and if I offended anyone, I apologize."
Well, Rendell's old friend Stephen Colbert caught wind of the remarks and decided to weigh in during a monologue on his 'Late Night' show.
“I think Rendell is way out of line, America is filled with beautiful women,” Colbert said. “Especially after President Trump launches ‘Operation Uggos to Gitmo’. Seal Team Six, ugh, give me Seal Team Ten.”
It's unlikely there's any love lost between Rendell and Colbert, who interviewed the outspoken politician on his old Comedy Central show just before the 2012 election.
"I like tough talk," Colbert said at the time, holding up Rendell's book. Putting aside the rhetorical pairing of "greatness" and "toughness" embraced by both Trump and Rendell, some of what the former governor had to say then remains just as much a theme in the 2016 election.
"I titled all my chapters, [and one is], 'Stand and defend. There are some things worth losing for,'" Rendell said. "If you run for office and you don't believe there's something important enough that you're going to risk your job for it, then don't run in the first place."
