By Jerry Burris
Advertiser Editorial Editor

Sure, it's a good job with decent perks: A car and driver, free living accommodations, decent salary, travel, and hot and cold running assistants.

But being governor is not all about the easy life. Hardly. It's also about being all things to all people, the ultimate problem solver in a universe where many problems simply cannot be resolved.

Hawai'i puts particular stock in its governor. By custom and by law, Hawai'i's governor is among the most powerful in the nation. And we have long accustomed ourselves to the idea that if there is a problem or an issue, the state government — that is, the governor — can resolve it.

This phenomenon was driven home the other night in Kailua, where Gov. Linda Lingle conducted the first of a statewide series of "talk story" sessions with constituents.

This particular gathering was in the cafetorium of Kailua High School. It was humid, crowded and busy, as volunteers served a donated chili-and-rice dinner to residents from Kailua to Waimanalo, and aides gathered questions and comments for the governor.

The gathering had all the earmarks of a campaign rally, which in many respects it was. This is all about keeping Lingle attuned to the voters and keeping the voters aware of what the governor is up to.

Under a campaign-style banner declaring "Your Voice, Our Vision, Hawai'i's Future" Lingle calmly and confidently handled questions that ranged from sewage infrastructure issues in Waimanalo to the war in Iraq.

What was remarkable is how often Lingle was able to field the question and respond in ways that made it appear there was no issue more important in her mind. Almost invariably, she cited a study, a meeting, a conference, a report or an action that was directly on topic for the question asked.

On those few occasions when she didn't know the answer, she deftly threw the ball to one of her Cabinet members, most of whom were there.

If there was a dominant theme to the meeting, it was crime and drugs. Several people challenged Lingle to deal with such things as the selling of drug paraphernalia in local stores, "ice houses" in residential neighborhoods and the social needs of prisoners, while incarcerated and after release.

Forget for a moment that it is impossible for any individual, even the governor, to solve such daunting problems. Lingle took each question in turn, made careful notes and — without making wild promises — gave every indication she was truly listening.

A few disguised Democrats made it into the meeting and left muttering that Lingle appeared more slick than sincere. And there's no question she is almost supernaturally poised in situations such as this.

But politics is more than winning an election and then retreating to the air-conditioned confines of a state office. Bill-signing ceremonies and promotional trips to Japan are only a small part of the job.

Being governor is, in many ways, an endless, 24-7 campaign. That's particularly true when — as does Lingle — you intend to run again.