One more run for two old friends?

Oscar Goodman and Jim Rogers are what we in the media like to call "good quotes."

They speak openly and colorfully, and in doing so make pretty much every story they're in more interesting.

That's not just to the benefit of journalists, who frequently bemoan the lack of dynamic personalities in government and politics. If a story is more interesting, you're more likely to read it and take an interest in the subject.

Through the sheer force of their personalities (critics would say egos), Goodman and Rogers have significantly raised the profiles of the Las Vegas City Council and the Nevada System of Higher Education -- Goodman as mayor and Rogers as chancellor.

They've screamed, shouted and joked. They've advocated the outrageous and the visionary. Their leadership has, on occasion, taken the form of a steamroller. But they've made many a disengaged taxpayer pay attention.

And now they're both on their way out of public service. Goodman is halfway through his third and final term as the city's elected chief. Tuesday marked the end of Rogers' five years at the helm of Nevada's public colleges and universities.

Thanks to this stomach-churning recession, neither is going out happy. Some of Goodman's downtown redevelopment dreams have been delayed by the disappearance of capital and credit, and Rogers nearly freaked out over the Legislature's refusal to provide higher education with the kind of funding increases that rolled in during better economic times.

All this doesn't sit well with either of them. And they don't hide in a corner when things don't go their way. The question is, will these two old friends pool their resources and energy to make one last run at changing Nevada on their terms?

Goodman is weighing a 2010 run for governor as an independent. Rogers said he'd spend the first year of his pseudo retirement doing "everything I can to make sure we end up with a new governor." Hmmm. Sounds like a potential partnership.

The two worked together in the middle of this decade pursuing a shared vision of a downtown academic medical center. Both have denounced the state's tax structure, which relies primarily on sales and gaming levies to support public schools, higher education, social services and the justice system. They were born within a few months of each other, with Goodman about to join Rogers in turning 70.

They're independently wealthy attorneys (although Rogers made his fortune owning TV stations). Each is a master at schmoozing and bullying, depending on what the situation calls for. Both have infuriated the political establishment and been lauded as fearless figures for speaking their minds and actually achieving goals. Both despise Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons.

If Rogers would start drinking a bottle of gin a day, they'd practically be soulmates.

"He does get things done despite the fact that he's blunt and speaks freely," Rogers said of Goodman and, unintentionally, himself. "And he's a stand-up guy. If Oscar tells you the way something is, that's the way it is. If he says you'll have his support, you'll have his support."

They're uniquely positioned to make a big splash in the state's biggest race -- provided Goodman goes ahead with his independent run.

For starters, the contest will be dominated by Southern Nevadans. North Las Vegas Mayor Michael Montandon and former state Sen. Joe Heck of Henderson will challenge the woefully unpopular Gibbons in the Republican primary. Clark County Commissioner Rory Reid and outgoing Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas want the Democratic nomination. Goodman is more popular than any of them.

Additionally, because lawmakers moved Nevada's primaries all the way back to June, Goodman could wait out the springtime scuffles and save his money for the general election. He would need that time to build his name recognition around the rest of the state.

Despite his admiration of Goodman, Rogers wants to see the field thin out before picking his horse. His nightmare scenario has Gibbons winning the GOP primary on the strength of the rurals and the Reno area, then winning re-election because Goodman siphons so many votes from the Democratic nominee.

"I don't know who's going to line up," Rogers said. "I have no doubts or questions or problems with Oscar. I just don't want to see Gibbons win. I could support Oscar. He'd be an infinitely better governor than Gibbons."

Goodman could win the governor's race, but not in the fashion he's accustomed to. His days of claiming 90 percent of the vote as the smiling, positive, partying nonpartisan are over. He'd have to take positions on divisive issues and distinguish himself from two well-funded, well-organized, major-party candidates.

So where would Rogers come in? Campaign finance laws won't let him hand a $2 million check to Goodman. But his name, his voice and his continued clout in the higher education system make his support far more valuable. Whoever he backs will get a nice bump. He'll see to that.

I don't agree with a lot of Goodman's and Rogers' ideas, but I know their intentions are good. Some people see them as a couple of rich, attention-craving blowhards. In a corruption-plagued state, I see them as two guys who can't be bought.

And I know that unlike a lot of candidates, Goodman wouldn't duck debates or campaign under false promises.

Next year's election would be a lot more interesting with both of them involved. And nothing bad comes from that.

Glenn Cook (gcook@reviewjournal.com) is a Review-Journal editorial writer.