Fifth-generation Norris can win, and serve

Why do you make primary choices? How do you choose from several quality governor candidates?

Politically? Win-at-any-cost? Even so, winners of primaries aren't always best for general elections.

The best fundraiser? Youngest? Tallest? Best looking? Looking for comfort, compatibility? Someone your age, gender, socio-economic class, race, religion? Policy positions closest to yours?

Understandable, after this legislative year, for a Democrat to focus on winning candidates.

But once they're there? Being a wise, compassionate, effective, politically savvy and accomplished governor requires very different qualities and skills from those of a winning candidate.

What are they? For an Iowa governor: someone with whom Iowa farmers are comfortable; experience in the governor's office and Iowa agencies; party leadership; understanding Iowa's relationship to the federal government, international markets and organizations.

By these standards? It's John Norris, hands down. He was a fifth-generation farm boy in southwest Iowa; has been chief of staff to an Iowa governor, a federal Cabinet member and a congressman; was chair of the Iowa Utilities Board and Iowa Democratic Party; was a presidential appointee to federal and United Nations agencies; and worked with a U.S. senator. He's experienced at winning, and one fine guy.

Nicholas Johnson

Iowa City