Without too much notice, word came last week that retired Gen. Eric Shinseki, former Army chief of staff and a proud son of Hawai'i, is not interested in running for governor next year.

Shinseki has many distinctions, but this is not one of them. The ranks of those declining to run for governor next year are legion. It is assumed that incumbent Lingle Lingle has the name recognition, money and momentum to blow any opponent out of the water.

But what is interesting is why anyone would look at the personable Shinseki (prominently among them Sen. Dan Inouye) as a potential candidate.

For want of a better word, the rationale might be leadership.

In our post 9/11, post-Katrina world, it has become increasingly obvious that what we want from our elected officials is that illusive thing called leadership.

It might also be called command presence. Or decisiveness.

Case in point: Former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani went from being a near laughingstock to a hero based almost solely on his performance after the attacks of 9/11.

As we sit here awaiting the next terrorist attack or the next hurricane, we are going to look more closely for signs of true political courage and leadership before we next vote.

So looking ahead to the next election, the campaign for governor and all the other races, what are the new qualities we are looking for and who will have them?

As always, the incumbent will have a big advantage. In the governor's race, Lingle is already in charge. For others, it is a bit more difficult. Big Island Mayor Harry Kim has the chops; he was civil defense director through earthquakes, eruptions, tsunami and more for years.

Then there is former Ho-nolulu Police Chief Lee Donahue, who — according to columnist David Shapiro and others — also is interested. You can't have been a cop for four decades, rising to chief, without some serious command presence rubbing off.

One interesting challenge will be whether any of our elected officials has the courage to demonstrate true leadership not when terrorists or hurricanes strike, but before. Will our mayors, governor and other political leaders have the guts to shut down neighborhoods, divert traffic, ship people off the Islands, seize the docks and make other drastic moves in the anticipation of trouble?

Or, before any looming disaster, are any of our political leaders willing to take the heat that would come from imposing such sensible safety measures as tough setback rules for oceanfront development, mandatory "safe" areas in hotels, offices and other public buildings and so forth?

These are expensive, unpopular ideas. But they could save lives and property.

Surely, such moves present serious political (perhaps even legal) dangers. Guess wrong and you're toast. But that is the game today.

Who can demonstrate they are ready to play?

Jerry Burris is The Advertiser's editorial page editor.

Reach Jerry Burris at jburris@honoluluadvertiser.com.