(RALEIGH) -- One of the most popular figures in the Democratic party campaigned with Lt. Governor Walter Dalton on Tuesday. Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell joined Dalton at stops in Greensboro and Cary in support of Dalton's bid to become governor.

Rendell said he researched Dalton's record before he came to North Carolina, and he called him a visionary on education and other issues.  "His early college program, it's one of those things when another governor reads about you say to yourself darn why didn't I do that.  It's very, very impressive what  he's done. His linking of the job training, using the community colleges to train in the skill sets that business in North Carolina needs," said Rendell.

Rendell also stopped in Raleigh to sign his new book about politics, called "Nation of Wusses".