Gov. Schunk? Ventura plan to resign early and promote Schunk is a bad one

Gov. Jesse Ventura's trial balloon that he might resign from office a few days early to give the state its first woman governor is one that deserves to be shot down.

The idea is a typical, attention-getting Ventura stunt, one worthy of pro wrestling. The move would serve no purpose other than to keep the spotlight on Minnesota's governor during the waning days of his lame duck administration.

Some day a woman will be elected governor in Minnesota but this Ventura idea would rob that deserving woman of the distinction she will likely earn at the polls. Minnesota's women politicians don't need a last-minute Ventura resignation to put one of their own in the governor's mansion.

The idea should be rejected because it's condescending to women, not because Lt. Gov. Mae Schunk hasn't performed ably in her job. It would be different, perhaps, if Schunk had been a longtime legislator who was finishing a long state government career. Then the move might be justified as a tribute. Schunk's done a good job in a position with limited power but for Ventura to manipulate her into the governor's post would merely be Ventura's last attention-getting ploy in office.