 |
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE |  |
Former Nebraska coach considers running for seat in House
Posted: Thursday January 20, 2000 02:03 PM
By Jill Zeman Lincoln, Nebraska (U-WIRE) -- Former University of Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne is considering returning to the limelight. Osborne, a Republican, has expressed an interest in running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He said he will make a decision within the next few weeks. Osborne said his decision will be influenced by his family. His wife, Nancy, is not interested in moving to Washington, so if Osborne is elected, he will most likely commute, he said. Osborne stressed that he isn't running for office to prove a point. "I've got a few good years ahead of me, but running for office isn't something I need to do to feel fulfilled," he said. Osborne said he is dedicated to issues concerning youth, and this focus will be apparent if he runs for a seat in the House. "I will make young people and mentoring programs a priority issue whether I serve them through the political process or as a private citizen," he said. Osborne is playing it safe by supporting youth issues, said John Hibbing, UNL political science professor. By sticking to non-controversial issues, Osborne is likely to gain more support from voters, Hibbing said. Eventually challengers will need to confront Osborne on controversial issues, such as abortion, Hibbing said. "The people have the right to know how he would vote," Hibbing said. Osborne said he hopes his familiar face doesn't influence the way people vote. "It doesn't make someone a better politician just because they're a coach," Osborne said. UNL political professor Kevin Smith agreed. "Winning national championships doesn't automatically make you an effective legislator," Smith said. If Osborne enters the campaign, it will attract a lot of attention and give opponents a scare, Smith said. He said Osborne's greatest political asset is his name. "In the state of Nebraska, Tom Osborne is a sterling name," Smith said. Osborne said Nebraskans are familiar with him and his issues, which could help out in the election, if he chooses to run. UNL junior accounting and economics major and College Republicans chairman Jason Wiggins said he thought Osborne would be an excellent candidate for public office. "I think he embodies a lot of ideals that Nebraskans can identify with," Wiggins said. "He has a high moral character, and that's what's most important in a candidate." Osborne is reflective of Nebraska values and would be a formidable candidate, Hibbing said. Wiggins also acknowledged the strength Osborne would have in campaigning. "He has a celebrity status in this state," Wiggins said. "If he wants to run, I'm sure he would win." Osborne was skeptical about the voters' behavior. "I've been through a lot with the people of Nebraska," he said. "But who knows what they think about when they're in the voting booth."
| ||||||||||||||
