Ed Rendell for mayor? Of New York City?

The New York Times is reporting that "high-powered advisers to Mr. Bloomberg -- and even the mayor himself" are looking for the next person to run New York City.  Among the names floated: U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.  New York Daily News owner Mort Zuckerman, outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Gov. Ed Rendell.

The story quotes Rendell as calling mayor of New York City the second most difficult job in the country."  It doesn't specifically say what the most difficult job is but we're guessing it is president of the United States, not MSNBC political pundit (Rendell's current job.)

Rendell, a New York native, told the newspaper he doesn't know much about the city beyond Manhattan.  But he also told Bradley Tusk, the Bloomberg adviser who broached the subject, to feel free to poll New York City voters to see what they think about a Rendell run for mayor.