Osborne should run, be elected

In visits with people from other states, we are sometimes asked, "Why are you guys in Nebraska considering a former football coach as a candidate for governor? How does coaching a football team for a quarter of a century qualify him to be your state's chief executive?"

The questions, of course, refer to Tom Osborne, the U.S. Congressman from the Third District who formerly served as the head coach of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers. "Yes," the non-Nebraskans admit, "he was a great coach, as shown by the three national championships won by the Huskers during his coaching career. But what's that have to do with leading your state in these challenging times?"

The answer is plenty. In his 25 years as coach of the Huskers, Tom Osborne demonstrated to Nebraskans that he is a highly intelligent person. And, of equal importance, Dr. Tom showed us that he has high moral standards, is fair-minded and looks at all the options before deciding upon a course of action.

The tall, quiet, native-born Nebraskan brings to mind two film stars of an earlier era: Henry Fonda and Gregory Peck. Tom doesn't shoot off his mouth, but when he does speak he has something of significance to say.

So, yes, we want him as our governor and we believe other states would be fortunate to have a person of his caliber as a candidate for their state's highest office. Having Osborne as governor is a lot better than the situation in some other states. In too many cases, American states are besieged with career politicians or ego-driven stars who are more sizzle than substance.

We know Tom Osborne to be a person of proven principles. He stood in the glare of the state's spotlight from 1972 and 1997 and never wavered in his principles.

If Osborne decides, as we hope, to offer himself as a candidate for the 2006 governor's race, and, if, as expected, he is elected, the state will benefit from Dr. Tom's greatest talent: the gift of making fair, thoughtful decisions.

So, doubters of Tom from other states, don't disrespect us for wanting a former coach as our governor. We're the lucky ones. You're the ones stuck with fast-talking, program-promising politicians whose Number One priority is not your welfare, but their all-important election and re-election.

With another term in Congress looming, Osborne has plenty to occupy him in the months ahead. But, in the not too distant future, we hope he makes it official and enters the race for the governor's office in 2006.

No person better represents the best that Nebraska is, and can be. Tom Osborne should run for governor and the people of Nebraska should elect him overwhelmingly.