Former Clinton Ally Now Obama Surrogate in Florida

The Florida Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson (or "JJ") Dinner will be headlined by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell.

Rendell was a strong supporter of Senator Clinton's presidential campaign and was responsible for keeping Obama's numbers down in Philadelphia, allowing Clinton to win Pennsylvania by nine points.

The e-invite from the FDP says "Barack Obama wants you to know he regrets that his busy schedule prevents him from joining us this weekend, but he is proud to have Gov. Rendell represent him at the biggest Democratic event of the year in Florida."

This is an important move as former Clinton supporters turn into Obama surrogates (one time Clinton supporter, Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, has been touted as possible VP for Obama).