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OpinionCapitol reporter wages 2-1 Governor wonít run again.By T.W. Budig The St. Paul Pioneer Press recent published an exhaustive series on Venturaís career, focusing on the governorís unabashed moneymaking and concluding the tough-talking former Navy SEAL had never seen combat. Ventura, at times, has suggested heís heard the bullets whistle. What effect the series had on Ventura politically is debatable ñ those who like the governor probably still do. But the newspaper credibly raised some of the issues that cling to Ventura like burrs. All of this might be academic if Venturaís political future was known. Itís not. In recent weeks, Ventura has said heís ìleaningî towards seeking reelection and has judiciously dropped other breadcrumbs to keep the pundits guessing. Of course, Ventura would be nuts to hint that he didnít plan to run. A governor doesnít enter a legislative session by politically disarming. Still, Venturaís oft-noted attitudinal change in recent weeks ñ the relaxed, almost gentle persona that has evinced itself ñ has some wondering whether the governor hasnít made some important personal decision. He dismisses such speculation as more media rubbish; if he appears more relaxed itís because the administration has finished the state budget and bonding proposal, Ventura explained. Two tough jobs completed. Maybe. But it could be more than that. For one thing, Venturaís reelection is hardly a foregone conclusion. The governor no longer enjoys the stratospheric approval ratings of his early term but has seen the numbers weather and slip. Beyond the polls, this session could be tough on the governor. He has warned of gubernatorial spending cuts for legislative inaction and preaches a doctrine of structurally balancing the budget for 2004-05. Already, DFLers and Republicans have labeled the governorís tax increase proposals ìJesse taxesî or ìVentura taxesî and are likely to simply address this biennium's budget shortfall and leave the governor to twist in the wind. Erskineís own Hamlet, Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe, might leave the Senate battlements for the gubernatorial campaign trail and two women DFLers, State Auditor Judi Dutcher and Sen. Becky Lourey of Kerrick, could offer credible competition. Even Attorney General Mike Hatch could jump into the fray feetfirst. So Ventura is hardly insured a victory in November. Governors thrown out of office by the voters are not likely to find themselves sitting besides Jay Leno on the late night couch or otherwise long retain the burnished glow of office. No, then Mr. Ventura would just be another failed politician. Two to one he does not run again. If this is the case, Ventura could list a number of real achievements for his administration and otherwise stick his tongue out at the silky insiders who four years ago had everything figured out except the voters. It was the parties and myopic candidates that gave rise to Ventura as much as anything else. And to this day, many refuse to accept this. ©ECM Post Review |