Gov. Ed Rendell, in Pittsburgh yesterday to rally volunteers for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, said the latest controversy over what a presidential candidate said -- Sen. Barack Obama's comment that small-town Pennsylvanians cling to guns and religion out of frustration and bitterness over job losses -- "shows a pretty significant lack of understanding of the people in Pennsylvania."

"They have rifles because their fathers taught them to hunt at an early age," he said. Similarly, he added, Pennsylvanians' religious beliefs are part of a culture and tradition handed down from generation to generation across the commonwealth.

For Mr. Obama not to realize that "is pretty surprising" this far into the state's primary campaign, the governor said, and suggests that the senator from Illinois hasn't spent enough time in the state.

But Mr. Rendell also said he didn't think the controversy would make a huge difference, as he expected Mrs. Clinton would do well anyway in the state's smaller towns and rural areas.

Arriving to rousing applause from Clinton supporters at the senator's Downtown headquarters, Mr. Rendell outlined a game plan for the volunteers who will be going door to door as part of the campaign's "Walk It To Win It" canvassing.

He cited her proposal to sell bonds to raise money to rebuild America's roads and bridges, her health care plan that will include everyone and not just the poor and sickly, and her plans to increase spending for both education and defense.

"I think people can see a path to victory, but it's all a matter of turnout," he told them.

About 50 Clinton volunteers heard the governor speak, then signed up for canvassing duties on sheets of paper covering the office walls. They came from neighborhoods ranging from Bethel Park to McCandless, and Oakland to McKeesport.

One volunteer, Beverly Garrett of Highland Park, said she supports Mrs. Clinton because of her positions on health care and education, and her experience.

"I just think she has a great plan," Ms. Garrett said. "We're in a bad place right now and Hillary knows what to do. There won't be any ramp up time with her."

Ms. Garrett said she believes Mrs. Clinton has more support among other black women than most people realize. While carrying a Hillary sign in the St. Patrick's Day parade, "I was surprised at how many black women came up to me and said, 'I'm really for Hillary,' " she said.

Teresa Hood of Squirrel Hill has been knocking on doors in her neighborhood since January, offering information on Mrs. Clinton's policy positions.

"I'm for Hillary because she is a woman of commitment and she has experience. She doesn't just tell you, she shows you how to do it," said Ms. Hood.

But she's particularly enthusiastic about the excitement the race has generated.

"I'm glad Americans care about politics again," she said. "This is an epic event. I think we're not going to see anything like it again."