When you ask a politician whether he or she has any interest in running for a higher office, typically the response resembles the lyrics of that song from the musical "Oklahoma!" about the girl who "cain't say no."

They will be coy. They will say, "Never say never." They will hem. They will haw. They will issue a non-denial denial.

Here's a refreshing exception. Last week, while researching a story on potential Democratic candidates who might have an interest in running for Congress in a new, highly competitive district that appears to be on the verge of being drafted for Ventura County, I asked Supervisor Kathy Long of Camarillo whether she might have any interest in becoming a candidate.

Here was her response: "My big answer and firm answer is no, no, no!"

Not much ambiguity in that.

(NOTE: An earlier version of this post misidentified the musical from which the song "I Cain't Say No" appeared.)