There's no way to prove this, but if moderate Republican John Schwarz had run against Democrat Jennifer Graholm in 2002, she might not be finishing two terms in office this year.

The former Battle Creek state senator and ex-Congressman was moderate in his dealings with both political parties, he had experience that was well beyond that of then Attorney General Granholm and if given the chance, the voters might have gotten beyond her charisma to see a guy who had the right resume to be governor with no need for on the job training that she obviously required.

But Dick Posthumus got the GOP nomination and now Schwarz is left to flirt once more with running for governor but as an independent candidate.

He's been here before, lots of times.

"The climate for an independent is about as good as it's ever going to be," he correctly surmises as the voter anger and dissatisfaction with republicans and democrats is off the charts.

That's why Schwarz reveals, "I think about it every other day. Persons have asked me to consider it and we talk about it, yes."

"Money is the question," he again correctly deduces.

Ross Perot had money, ran as an independent for president and got 19% of the vote and helped to elect Bill Clinton president the first time.

Former wresller Jessie Ventura got himself elected governor in Minnesota and he was as independent as you can get.

In other words, it can happen but Schwarz needs guys like Phil Powers, who talks a good game about changing the culture in Lansing, to open his check book to launch such a bid.

Time is running out. Schwarz is not getting any younger but his ideals and approach to government are not out dated and could have appeal to an electorate that wants a government that works for them and not the two political parties.

But Schwarz is still a realist and says there's only about a 50-50 chance his flirtation with an indepenent candidacy will turn into something more than just that.