VansOpinion - DAVE HEINEMAN MADE THE RIGHT POLITICAL DECISION

Before the filing period ended for those who desired to run for the seat being vacated by Congressman Doug Bereuter, I had a private meeting with then Governor Mike Johanns and made a suggestion which I felt was of great importance to Nebraska's future well-being. Whether or not Johanns became motivated to speak to Heineman on the matter afterwards I'll probably never know, but I do know the then lieutenant governor made a wise decision and stayed out of the congressional race. For that, we all should be grateful.

Early one morning, on his invitation, I met with then Governor Johanns in the mansion for coffee and a frank discussion on political matters. At the time, there were only a few who had expressed a desire to enter the primary race for the seat which had become vacant upon the resignation of Doug Bereuter who had left the post he had held for over 25 years to become director of a Chinese business organization. Dave Heineman's name has been kicked around by the press as a possible candidate. The media wolves were sharpening their teeth and waiting "in the wings" for the "fun to begin."

Heineman has been succeeded as State Treasurer by Loralee Byrd, his deputy, who later turned out to be a bit less than totally honest with public money and had been pressured to resign. Believe it or not, that had nothing to do with our now governor's decision to stay out of the congressional contest which, in my opinion, he would have won by a landslide victory.

Johanns was ineligible to run for another term as governor. The seat would have become vacant and the rumored heir apparent was and is the deified former University of Nebraska head football coach - now congressman, Tom Osborne. And now, as Paul Harvey might say, you are about to hear the rest of the story.

Probably no man has ever earned a level of respect of Nebraskans and of his peers in football and in congress equal to that Osborne enjoys. Coach Tom could have probably have run against God in the Republican primary for the third district congressional seat and might even have prevailed. (Note: Yes, God is Republican) But one thing for sure, Dr. Tom knew little to nothing about politics before becoming a congressman and, according to some, doesn't know a whole lot more even yet. His success in Washington, D.C. is directly attributable to his national image as a gentleman and as a winning football coach who proudly sponsors a mentoring program to help kids.

Very likely Osborne's major life achievement will not be his record as a winning football coach, but rather for serving as a worthy example emulated by a number of young men who he helped develop into outstanding citizens and his personal involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Members of congress have "mentored" Osborne and he as had sense enough to keep his head down and his mouth shut in the Nation's Capitol. Hence, by going about his business in a quiet and honorable way, he is doing a respectable job there. Osborne could be a congressman until hell freezes if he chose to be such.

Here is the suggestion I made to Governor Mike to pass on to his lieutenant. There are 435 members of the House of Representatives, 100 U.S. Senators and only one governor per state in our country. While serving in congress has perhaps a bit more national glory, serving as governor of a state is of horrendous "grassroots" importance to the people. A governor who "knows the ropes" politically can do more for those he represents than a member of congress. The reason is actually very simple, a governor has to know, on a first hand basis, the needs and desires of every area and every group of people in his state. To be successful, a governor has to be not only knowledgeable of how "Washington Works", but how to be a consensus builder of the first magnitude and know in some detail, how his state "works."

There is ample word floating around concerning Osborne's possibly not being in the best of health. There are also indications his wife might be a bit tired of and concerned about the pressures serving in congress are putting on her husband. I believe they both are ready to return to the Good Life of Nebraska, but the question is in what capacity - political figures or private citizens.

At this time in his life, perhaps Osborne might be starting to think seriously about his own mortality. He likes to fish and he has had heart problems. He is actually a private person but has for many years been in the "spotlight of life" 24-7-365. Does Tom really want to deal with four years or possibly eight, of being hassled by the members of our unicameral legislature? Right now, if given the right odds, I would bet Tom Osborne will not enter the governor's race!

My suggestion was to persuade Heineman to stay out of the congressional race and serve out his term as lieutenant governor. If Osborne does choose to run for the seat, he would have no better qualified and political savvy guy to serve with him than Dave Heineman. Osborne could probably win election and re-election to serve as Governor of Nebraska if he runs. If that should become the case, Heineman, a relatively young man, would have at least four and possibly eight years to become further entrenched and "connected" to run for the seat on his own at a later date.. If Osborne should run, win and at some point face an untimely death, Nebraska would be in good hands with Heineman on board. If Osborne chooses not to run, Heineman should be a "slam dunk" for election (or now re-election) to the post.

As it turned out, Johanns resigned to become Secretary of Agriculture and Heineman was elevated to the seat to fulfill Mike's unexpired term. Osborne still may run, but if he really loves Nebraska, his wife and the Good Life, he won't! In my less than humble opinion, we have never had a more ready, more qualified and more deserving man to be governor than David Heineman! He just got the job differently and a bit earlier than many of us had suspected.

If Heineman had entered the congressional race, he would have been elected and re-elected and re-elected. Who would Nebraska now have as governor? Kermit Brashear.....God forbid!

For the good of Nebraska, David Heineman put Nebraska first and he deserves our thanks for doing it. A couple of terms as our governor then several in the U.S. Senate and David Heineman will probably be ready to join Tom Osborne for a bit of fly-fishing.

I personally like Dave Heineman! Becoming "important" has not gone and will not go to his head. While he is a good deal busier than before, he is still the same friendly, quiet and humble guy he has always been. He is willing to listen to and learn from people from every "walk of life."

David Heineman is a good guy and I predict history will record him as a great governor.