THIS is going to be an even-handed column. On one hand, I worry about being so presumptuous as to give the governor advice. On the other hand, why should I stop now? Cayetano should copy
Georgia governorBen, listen up. There is still time to make some pretty good lemonade out of the bucket of lemons you have been handed.
Granted, you didn't have much to work with going into your first term. The economy was already in the tank. You are CEO of a state with a reputation for mediocre education, suspicion of capitalism and a real fear of innovation.
Plus, let's be honest here, even your supporters describe you as an advocate, not a leader.
But, enough about you; let's talk about how to get out of this mess.
Go South. Especially, go to Georgia and pay a call on Zell Miller, the amazingly popular veteran governor just featured in a flattering New York Times profile.
Miller is a Democrat in the only state that hasn't elected a Republican governor since Reconstruction.
According to political scientists, Miller is the nation's most popular governor, with an approval rating of 77 percent.
The trick, according to the New York Times, is that Miller, an honest man and former college professor, runs a clean administration aimed at keeping a focused agenda that demonstrates real progress to all Georgians, not just the poor.
Using data gleaned from public opinion surveys, Miller set out to improve the economy and the public schools.
Miller's real accomplishment is getting a lottery passed in a traditional, heavily religious state.
He ran eight years ago on the lottery issue, promising that the money would only be used to supplant, not replace, educational funds. After he won, the state assembly passed it and the voters approved it by a 52 to 48 ratio.
The lottery funds Miller's big educational program, HOPE, which stands for Helping Outstanding Students Educationally. It flat out guarantees full college tuition to any public or private university in Georgia for any Georgia student who maintains a B average in high school.
The lottery can only be used to supplement existing educational programs. Schools cannot rely on lotteries to fund education. State reports claim that educational funding from the state budget has also risen at the same rate as the state budget. So Georgia schools aren't using the lottery as a budget crutch.
HALF of the money goes to prizes, 12 percent goes to selling the lottery and other expenses, with only 7 percent going for prekindergarten programs, and 5 percent dedicated to scholarships.
But even with that Georgia has given 300,000 scholarships and 60,000 4-year olds have gone to prekindergarten. That's the kind of people-oriented result that wins elections.
Miller's news secretary said the lottery is considered to be the main reason for Miller's success. "It is considered his lottery, it got him elected governor and it is one reason why his popularity is so high," Rick Dent said in an interview.
Cayetano has continued to send mixed signals on the issue of gambling and lotteries. He has said he didn't object to gambling. At other times he appeared receptive to a lottery, while he has also said he opposed gambling. Now he is interested in a referendum on the issue.
A trip down South might be the best step for an election victory in November.