Jim Ramstad has been a public servant longer than many Minnesotan's have been alive. After two decades in congress, he decided, before the last election cycle, to step down and allow someone else the opportunity to serve. He was probably the most popular politician in the State amongst his constituents. He was also a rare specimen amongst his colleagues, a man for whom bi-partisonship was more than just an abstract term, and who, on more than a few occasions, showed the courage to stand up to the leadeship in his own party when he thought a direction was wrong for America.
Traveling twice a week between Washington and Minnesota, along with the grind of congress, and maintaing some time for oneself is demanding. He, of all people, had earned time for himself and his family. But for me personally, the disappointment in his departure from congress was reversed and replaced with optimism when he announced he was considering becoming a candidate for Governor.
Last week, he decided against running. I don't know all that went into his decision. Perhaps after reflection he decided he was just tired. Perhaps he has other opportunities. Perhaps he just wants to spend time with family and friends. But I have this nagging fear that perhaps the knowlege that he might not be conservative enough for party leadership, that he didn't pass all the litmus tests, that he may have needed to buck the endorsement process and win a primary, and that he may have needed to win a general election without the full support of the political machinery, could have entered in. I hope not.
In my 61 years on this planet, I have watched great men be denigrated by the very people who should have embraced their leadership and accomplishments; because they weren't liberal enough, or conservative enough, or (insert your own adjective here) enough. I have seen people labled RINO's (Republican in name only), or DINO's (Democrat in name only), or the more hateful labels of Apple or Oreo because they did not blindly follow the positions of those who were the most rabid, or spoke the loudest.
It doesn't take courage to follow the crowd. It takes courage to have integrity, and be true to yourself. Personally, I believe that standing up to those you look to for support, when they are wrong, is what contributes to making a leader great.
Jim has been a great leader. He would have made a great Governor.