That’s right, the guy behind the anti-war resolution in the legislature thinks he has a shot at being governor.

State Sen. Tim Mathern, a Democrat from Fargo, announced today he has formed an exploratory group to help in the planning of a bid for his party’s nomination for the job of governor.

“With only six months before the Democratic-NPL and Republican conventions, it is time individuals and political parties come forward with ideas for citizens to consider,” Mathern said in written statement.

Mathern, the public policy and non-profit development director at Prairie St. John’s, has been a state senator since 1986.

Does Mathern have a shot?  It’s bloody unlikely.  While state Democrats may have made up some ground in the last election due to dissatisfaction with Republicans, it’s worth noting that much of that dissatisfaction had to do with Republicans taxing-and-spending too much.  Which doesn’t exactly translate into heavy demand for an anti-war class warrior of the John Edwards/Howard Dean school of politics.

Plus, he was apparently on News & Views today talking about his plans for socialized medicine in the state.  He didn’t exactly say that, of course, but it’s what he meant.  He may as well have been talking about Hillarycare.

Frankly, I’m really disappointed.  Because at this stage of the game I would have voted for a Democrat as governor of this state just to get Hoeven out of office.  But replacing Hoeven with Mathern?

Not a chance.