Gov. Ed Rendell could be an advocate and asset for Pennsylvania as a member of a President Barack Obama Cabinet.

Rendell, who frequently has been mentioned as a possible Secretary of Transportation or Energy, has made issues involving those two departments among his top priorities as the Keystone State's chief executive.

But political implications aside, the governor's decision to rule out a federal job — between Jan. 20, when Obama takes office, and January 2011, when Rendell completes his second term and by state law must give up the reins of state government — makes sense from a state-leadership and operational standpoint.

Rendell's duties, if he were to leave office prior to the end of his current term, would revert to Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll.

That normally would not be an issue of concern. However, Knoll, 78, has been battling neuroendocrine cancer since last summer.

If Rendell were to depart and Knoll, while holding the governorship, were unable to give hands-on attention to issues due to her fragile health, that could have troubling implications. It's understandable that Knoll would be reluctant to resign, knowing that doing so would turn over the executive branch to Republican leadership. If Knoll is unable to finish her current term, President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati of Jefferson County, a Republican, would become lieutenant governor. If Rendell then were to step down, Scarnati would succeed Rendell.

"Given the tumultuous economic times, he (Rendell) is unlikely to hand over the reins to those who have diametrically opposed philosophic views on the role of government," said Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo.

But the situation regarding Knoll's health — whether she would be able physically to handle the gubernatorial duties once she succeeded Rendell — is a more important consideration than the politics involved.

All considered, Rendell should serve out the rest of his term, then weigh any opportunities that might be available at that time in the federal administration.