Jan Brewer Still Hasn't Made Up Her Mind on Run for Unconstitutional Third Term

Governor Jan Brewer still hasn't made up her mind on whether she's running for a likely unconstitutional third term.

We say "likely unconstitutional" because the Arizona Constitution says a governor can't hold office "for more than two consecutive terms," and we're under the impression three is more than two.

See also:
-Jan Brewer May Actually Be Serious About Running for Third Term

Fox News' Greta Van Susteren was the latest person to get a definitive answer on Brewer's intentions for next year, since Brewer has been claiming since early 2011 that it's possible for her to run for governor again.

The governor seems to think that since she took over for former Governor Janet Napolitano three years into a four-year term, it doesn't count against her -- which doesn't appear to be the case.

Here's exactly what the state Constitution says:

"No member of the executive department shall hold that office for more than two consecutive terms. This limitation on the number of terms of consecutive service shall apply to terms of office beginning on or after January 1, 1993. No member of the executive department after serving the maximum number of terms, which shall include any part of a term served, may serve in the same office until out of office for no less than one full term."

That whole "any part of a term served" part seems like it should be clear enough.

One opinion that's been given to Brewer is that you have to be elected to a term. Thus, when she took over for Napolitano, she wasn't serving a term -- she was just doing, you know, governor stuff or whatever.

And for some reason, Brewer keeps threatening the third term. At least, she won't rule it out.

Here's the transcript from that part of the conversation between Van Susteren and Brewer yesterday:

VAN SUSTEREN: All right, there in governor -- in Arizona, the governor has two terms, but you filled Janet Napolitano, who was governor, became secretary of homeland security, so it's unclear whether that counts or not. But I'm curious, do you intend to run for reelection as governor?

BREWER: Well, I haven't made up my mind yet. I've got lawyers telling me that I could, if I chose to. I have plenty of time. I usually have never announced that I was running until maybe February before the election. I got a job to do. I got plenty of time.

VAN SUSTEREN: Which way are you leaning?

BREWER: I love my job, though.

VAN SUSTEREN: Which way are you leaning?

BREWER: I love my -- I love my job!

VAN SUSTEREN: So is that a hint?

BREWER: I don't know if that's a hint or not, but I do enjoy my job, I really do, and I think that I've done a good job for the state of Arizona.

VAN SUSTEREN: Governor, always nice to see you. Thank you for joining us.

If you take a look at the video, this exchange was much more awkward than it reads in a transcript.

It kind of sucks for all the other Republicans who'd like a shot at being governor, but they'll have to wait some more to see if they'll have a shot.

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Follow Matthew Hendley on Twitter at @MatthewHendley.