Maggie Kernan interview stirs speculation about 2004

INDIANAPOLIS -- Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan downplayed but did not quell speculation Monday that he might change his mind and seek a full term in office next year.\nKernan acknowledged that his wife, Maggie, had advised him not to rule out a run in 2004.\n"My advice to Joe is, things can change," Mrs. Kernan told the South Bend Tribune for a story published Monday. "I don't believe he should shut the door on it just yet."\nKernan cautioned reporters against "reading more into it than you should," and said nothing has happened over the past three weeks that "would cause me to change my mind."\nBut he left open the possibility.\n"Maggie said this is a joint decision, it's one that we will make together," Kernan said. "We have not had a chance really to talk about it, but she has expressed her opinion and she will continue to do so."\nKernan was sworn in as governor Sept. 13, just hours after Gov. Frank O'Bannon died from a stroke he suffered five days earlier.\nKernan stunned members of both major parties last December when he announced he would not run for governor in 2004. Democrats saw Kernan, who was lieutenant governor, as their best chance to extend a 16-year hold on the governor's office.\nWhen he became acting governor after O'Bannon's stroke, he told reporters he had not changed his mind about running and did not anticipate he would. When asked about it again after he was sworn in, he said, "I've already answered that question last week."\nKernan has stood aside as state Sen. Vi Simpson of Ellettsville and former state and national Democratic chairman Joe Andrew have run campaigns seeking the Democratic nomination for governor.\nBut many Democrats hope Kernan, who was South Bend's mayor from 1988-97, changes his mind.\nMrs. Kernan told the South Bend Tribune that life has been so hectic during the past few weeks that there has not been time to think about the future.\n"He's focused on a new job, getting staff in place, picking a lieutenant governor," she said. "But we're both aware of the decision and people's interest in it."\nMrs. Kernan, a vice president at 1st Source Bank in South Bend, said that deciding whether to run for governor "is pretty far down on the priority list."\n"There's no need to rush to a decision," she said, adding that her advice to her husband is not to hurry. "You might really like this. Don't paint yourself into a corner"