Ed Rendell backtracked previous statements on Friday about shutting down the Clinton Foundation should Hillary Clinton be elected president.
"When I said it should be shut down, I meant in terms of the Clintons' involvement with it," Rendell told MSNBC's Kristen Welker.
Prior to this, Welker asked Rendell about his previous statements about Clinton Foundation, where he said he "definitely" thinks they need to disband it.
He also said that it would be "impossible" to keep the foundation open without "the appearance of a problem."
"I definitely think if she wins the presidency they have to disband it. I know it’ll be hard for President [Bill] Clinton because he cares very deeply about what the foundation has done," Rendell, a close Clinton ally, told the New York Daily News. "It’d be impossible to keep the foundation open without at least the appearance of a problem."
Rendell said at the very least the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative would "have to go into a period of inactivity" if the Democratic nominee wins the presidency.
"You said earlier this week that the Clinton Foundation should be shut down if Clinton is elected," Welker said. "So, I'm wondering if you still stand by that."
Rendell did not.
He described the work that the foundation has done for other people, citing work done with those who have AIDS/HIV.
Then, he backtracked his previous comments, saying that "obviously" she could have no further involvement with it.
"I think if the secretary becomes president, she obviously can have no further involvement with it, can't ask for money for the foundation," he said.
Welker wanted Randell to clarify.
"So, to be clear, you think this move, it sounds like a good step but does it go far enough?" she asked. "is that a fair characterization?"
"That's correct," he said. "...But, they may decide to let partners carry on the work for the next four to eight years."