KEMP FOR GOVERNOR? Matt Drudge had his trademark earthshattering-news-of-the-century gumball light flicking away a little while ago, as he announced:

18:01 ET: Kemp has property in Fillmore, CA and looking into residence, sources tell DRUDGE... 'Feels he could be a consensus candidate,' top source says... wires, newspapers, networks chasing.... MORE... KEMP: former Vice Prediential candidate (Dole) in 1996....former Secretary of HUD for Bush 41....Congressman from Buffalo New York, engineered big Reagan early 80's tax cut...

WORLD EXCLUSIVE: JACK KEMP THINKING OF RUN FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR

For what it's worth, I think that while Kemp would make a pretty good governor, and he's generally respected enough, even by the far left, that he'd be tough to slander (unlike Bill Simon). But if there are any televised debates, he'll be easy pickings. Al Gore ran roughshod over him in '96. (Remember Gore's inane "risky tax scheme" mantra? Kemp never even counterpunched. God that was brutal to watch.)

If Kemp really does want to be governor, he needs to get into debate and soundbite training with his advisors ASAP--he'll need all the help he can get.