Politicians measure success in different ways.

There are polls. There are legislative victories. And for Charles J. Fogarty there are crayon drawings.

In his State House office, Fogarty keeps two sketches from students who were asked to explain what the lieutenant governor does.

I think he pumps gas, wrote one first grader whose father ran an auto repair shop.

Four years later, in another school, Fogartys job description changed dramatically: To keep the world safe.

The lieutenant governors job has never been at center stage. And neither has Fogarty.

But now, as the lifelong Democrat makes a run for governor, hes forced himself into the spotlight.

Fogarty has been in public service for three decades. He has no problem talking to people in detail about policy issues. On the campaign trail, he dives right into small groups, introduces himself and is very personable.

But once he takes the podium, Fogarty is more subdued.

During a recent campaign speech, Fogarty was so calm that his press secretary kept putting his hand up to his ear, trying to signal to Fogarty that he needed to talk louder a lot louder.

Fogarty is not known for his charisma.

He knows this and often jokes about it. In a political satire two years ago, he came on stage to the tune of Wild Thing.

And when told that this article would focus on his personality, Fogarty said: I dont know if we want people to know that. We want to win this election.

Yet as he crisscrosses the state giving speeches, a dynamic orator who truly seems to understand the issues has emerged.

Fogarty has been forceful in debates and brought 1,000 Democrats to their feet at a recent party fundraiser although the standing ovation came before he spoke.

In his spare time and there isnt much these days Fogarty says he likes to relax at home, where he can kick off his shoes and not have to wear a tie.

Fogarty is reading a book by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman now and enjoys The Economist each week.

I havent been to a movie in a long time, he says.

Politics has always been part of Fogartys life.

I kind of grew up around it, he says.

His father, Charles, was briefly a state senator and went on to run the U.S. Small Business Administrations Rhode Island office. His uncle John E. Fogarty served in Congress for 26 years.

Scattered throughout his office are numerous photos of Fogarty with politicians. Theres Bill Clinton, Al Gore and even Republican Rudy Giuliani.

But the most notable picture is of Fogartys uncle standing with John F. Kennedy in the Oval Office. Below it is a note from Kennedys secretary, Evelyn Lincoln: This was on the presidents desk at the time he went to Texas. He said he would sign it when he came back. Thought you might like to know this.

Fogarty, 51, got his start in politics as a junior at La Salle Academy.

His uncle was friendly with then-Lt. Gov. J. Joseph Garrahy, who landed him a job as a State House page a job he held for his last two years in high school and through his four years at Providence College, where he majored in psychology. When Fogarty graduated, Garrahy was governor and Fogarty joined his policy staff.

He essentially has never left the states employment since.

But Fogarty says going into politics wasnt automatic.

In college, he first considered becoming a doctor.

Fortunately for the medical profession, that didnt work out, he said.

Fogarty says he does more for the field as an advocate than standing over somebody with a scalpel.

His political rsum also includes working for Roger N. Begin in the general treasurer and lieutenant governors offices and three terms on the Glocester Town Council.

In 1990, he won a seat in the state Senate. Fogarty had to quit his state job and briefly tried health care consulting. It didnt work out and he lived off his $10,000 Senate salary and savings for eight years until he became lieutenant governor.

So what would Fogarty do if he doesnt win the election?

My focus is on getting elected governor, he says. I cant let any other distractions get into my mind.

Fogarty has a close-knit family centered in Glocester.

Just down the road from his house is a school named after his uncle. Throughout town are signs for his gubernatorial bid.

I appreciate the hometown support, Fogarty says. If I cant win Glocester, I think its time to call it quits. These are the folks who know me best.

In 1983, Fogarty bought his great-aunts house. It had everything he was looking for: it was in town and had six acres of land.

The house is at the end of a winding, country road with no streetlights. Outside, Fogarty has signs in support of his race, and that of Elizabeth H. Roberts, who is running to succeed him, and a local state representative candidate.

This is a great spot, he jokes. Four cars must go by all day.

Fogarty has a brother, three sisters and 10 nieces and nephews. All his relatives, except one sister, live in Glocester.

His brother, Paul who holds his former state Senate seat lives on the family homestead. Growing up, the family gathered there every Sunday after church.

All the big family gatherings are held there. Every December, about 120 friends and family members gather at the farm, pick laurel and make wreaths.

We all grew up in a small rural town with our cousins all nearby, Fogarty said. We were a very close family.

Yet, Fogarty is a bit hesitant to talk about his personal life, especially his love life.

Asked why he is still single, Fogarty pauses, laughs and says: Well see what happens.

He then adds: I dont know if I have an answer for that one. Well see what happens. Suddenly, Im an old man.

For about six years, he has been dating state Sen. Maryellen Goodwin, D-Providence.

Shes my girlfriend, he says. Weve been dating steadily.

Thats about all hell say on the topic and moves on.

From first grade on, Fogarty attended Catholic schools, and religion is a large part of his life.

Our family reunions in Glocester start out with a Mass in the barnyard, he says. Its certainly a part of who I am and how Ive been brought up.

But Fogarty draws a line between what he thinks and what action government should take.

As an elected official, you do have to recognize the distinction between your personal beliefs on faith and your role as a public official. Thats not always easy, and it can cause tension, Fogarty says. Im very leery about government imposing personal morality on people.

Fogarty believes abortion is wrong, but I support a womans right to choose. I dont think government should make that decision for folks.

That stance has put him at odds with his priest and his girlfriend.

(Governor Carcieri is personally opposed to abortion. His campaign refused to say if he would support any legislation that would ban abortion.)

A large part of Fogartys campaign has been against corruption. Even after spending his whole career within the State House, Fogarty likes to paint himself as an independent actor.

I took on the leadership of my own party, he says, recalling his early years in the state Senate. We fought against them and when they werent reform-minded enough, a group of us freshmen undertook a task that a lot of people thought was foolhardy.

But, he said, that led to the elimination of pensions for lawmakers and ethics reform.

Fogarty supports same-sex civil unions, but not marriage. His stance was not always that way.

When civil unions first came up in Vermont, Fogarty says, I didnt really think it was appropriate. But Ive come to change my mind.

Ive heard their hopes and desires, he adds. When you look at principles, you have to look at people.

If a gay marriage bill would come across his desk as governor, Fogarty says he would not veto it.

I wouldnt veto it because that is a judgment issue. The elected people came to that conclusion, Fogarty says. Every time you disagree with them does not warrant a veto.

Fogarty said voters should choose him over Republican Carcieri if you believe that we can do better, that our state can really move ahead in the next four years.

Fogarty first thought about becoming governor eight years ago.

When you run for lieutenant governor, one of the things you really have to ask yourself: Are you prepared to be governor? Because you hope it doesnt happen, but you never know when circumstances may call upon you.

Fogarty says that while he is proud of his work as lieutenant governor, as governor, you have an even bigger platform, an even bigger bully pulpit that you can use to really change the agenda and set the example.