KERNAN PONDERS HIS NEXT MOVE

Ex-governor reflects on public, private livesas a beloved Hoosier leader and family man.

Joe Kernan has always been a team player, from his early days growing up as the oldest of nine children, to his service in the Vietnam War, to his leadership of the state after the death of Gov. Frank O'Bannon in 2003.

In an interview from his home in South Bend, Kernan was characteristically candid about his personal and public lives.

It is clear Kernan, 58, loves South Bend. He moved there when he was in the fifth grade and stayed through his graduation from the University of Notre Dame in 1968.

A year later, he enlisted in the Navy and became a reconnaissance attack navigator. In 1972, his plane was shot down by enemy fire, and he became a prisoner of war.

"That was a tough day, but it also was a very tough day on my family," he said.

Kernan continued to serve in the Navy after his release, returning home in 1974 to marry his classmate at St. Joseph High School, Maggie McCullough. He took a job with Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati but soon knew it wasn't right for him.

"Maggie and I made the decision pretty shortly thereafter that we were just gonna go back home, that whatever it was we were going to do was gonna be in South Bend," he said.

What he eventually ended up doing was getting involved in politics. After serving in several city offices, he ran for mayor of South Bend in 1987 and won. He also won re-election in 1991 and 1995. As the longest-serving mayor of South Bend, he's pleased with what he's accomplished for the city. Although he wouldn't point to any one thing, he is proud of strengthening the police and fire departments and many neighborhoods.

He hadn't any intention of leaving South Bend until his friend, Frank O'Bannon, asked him to be his lieutenant governor.

"I had tremendous respect for him. And at the end of May in 1996, he asked me to run with him, and because of that friendship and respect that I had for Governor O'Bannon, I said yes."

The pair won handily and were re-elected in 2000. But in September 2003, O'Bannon suffered a massive stroke and died. On Sept. 13, 2003, Kernan was sworn in as governor of Indiana. He had previously announced he had no plans to run for governor in the upcoming election. However, he felt a duty to continue what he and O'Bannon had started.

"Maggie and I had a chance to reflect on all of the things that had changed since I had made the announcement that I was not going to run, and I made the decision that I would, because I wanted to stay involved in working to keep Indiana moving forward, as governor," he said.

Though he didn't get that chance, losing the November election to Mitch Daniels, Kernan keeps his head up and stays involved with his beloved hometown. He recently spoke about his record, his plans and his advice to young people about running for public office.

Y-Press: You were the oldest of nine children. What effect did that have on your interest in politics?

Kernan: As the member of a big family, you learn how to share with each other and work with each other and be there for each other.

My mom and dad were always interested in politics, and I think it rubbed off on me and my brother and sisters. They always believed that it was important to participate in your community, in any of a variety of different ways, from being involved in our school to coaching Little League to helping in our neighborhood. They always believed and taught us that politics and government were very important.

Y-Press: We know that you served in the Navy from 1969 to 1974, and were a prisoner of war for 11 months. Did your military service have any effect on your running for office?

Kernan: My 5 1/2 years of service are an important part of who I am. I loved my time in the Navy, and I think that the different experiences that I had, from flying to learning how to be a manager and work with people, to being a part of a team were all very important to me and still are today.

Y-Press: What do you feel is your greatest achievement as governor or lieutenant governor?

Kernan: I will always look back on the time surrounding Governor O'Bannon's illness and passing away, and the way that we came together as a state, as Hoosiers, and put politics aside to make decisions that were in the best interests of Indiana. And I will always be proud of us as Hoosiers for the way that we pulled together during that difficult time.

Y-Press: What is the most important decision you've ever had to make politically?

Kernan: I guess I would go back to the first decision that I made to run for office, which was in 1987, to run for mayor in South Bend. It was not something that I ever imagined that I would do, and some friends asked me to think about it, and Maggie and I talked about it at great length. I consulted with family and friends and people whose judgment I trusted and made the decision to run. And that's what I guess I would say is most important, because it's what ultimately led to everything else that I was able to do.

Y-Press: Why should anyone run for public office?

Kernan: It has to be a personal decision and something that you're comfortable with. And if you get to that point, then what is most important is to work with good people who are willing to help you and support you in that effort. But I believe most important is that you care about your community, and are willing to get involved and to do what's in the best interest of the people that live in that community.

Y-Press: What is the most important quality a person seeking public office should have?

Kernan: I would say commitment. You've got to be committed to working hard and being true to yourself.

Y-Press: What qualities do you think a good leader possesses?

Kernan: My experience has been that good leaders lead by example. You have to be willing to work hard. You have to be focused on what your objectives are, and you have to be willing to be a part of a team. And you have to do what you believe is right.

Y-Press: What do you think the best part about being in public office is?

Kernan: It's the opportunity that you have to make a difference in people's lives. That can be very broad, such as helping to make our schools better for all of our children, or it can be very focused on a person or a family that requires particular assistance.

Y-Press: Is there any kind of downside to being in public office?

Kernan: Those things are personal, things like having 24-hour responsibilities, the loss of some of your privacy, the sacrifices that families of those who are in office or running for office make. We all handle those things in different ways, as do our families, and you have to be constantly making decisions about whether it's worth the tradeoffs that there are.

Y-Press: What advice would you give young people who want to get more involved with politics?

Kernan: Understand the issues that are of importance, whether it's in your school or your city or state or country.

Y-Press: What advice would you give to kids who are thinking about running for an elected position?

Kernan: Have fun. Enjoy it, and do your best, and do what you think is right. Work with other people who you trust and respect.

Y-Press: What are your plans for the next few years?

Kernan: I'm in the same position I was in 1975 when we moved back to South Bend. I didn't know what I was going to do, and I find myself there again today. I don't know exactly what it is that I'll be doing, but I look forward to it, whatever it is.