The first time I ever heard...

...the expression "fire in the belly," it was from Fritz Mondale:

In 1975, Minnesota Sen. Walter Mondale, a Democrat, said he didn’t have the “fire in the belly” to run for president in 1976. Mondale also said he didn’t want to spend two years of his life in Holiday Inns. - See more at: http://mitchell.areavoices.com/2011/02/22/thune-at-peace-with-decision/#sthash.9EdVTCJ1.dpuf

In 1975, Minnesota Sen. Walter Mondale, a Democrat, said he didn’t have the “fire in the belly” to run for president in 1976. Mondale also said he didn’t want to spend two years of his life in Holiday Inns. - See more at: http://mitchell.areavoices.com/2011/02/22/thune-at-peace-with-decision/#sthash.9EdVTCJ1.dpuf

In 1975, Minnesota Sen. Walter Mondale, a Democrat, said he didn’t have the “fire in the belly” to run for president in 1976. Mondale also said he didn’t want to spend two years of his life in Holiday Inns. 

But, apparently, Mondale wasn't the first Minnesotan to use that description about himself:

In 1973, Mr. Humphrey said in a newspaper interview that he wondered whether Mr. Mondale had ''the fire in the belly'' it takes to become President, and when he dropped out of the 1976 Presidential race, Mr. Mondale himself said he did not ''have the overwhelming desire to be President which is essential for the kind of campaign that is required.'' 

Either way, I think most observers would agree that to run for president in this day and age requires at least some "fire in the belly."

I thought of that when I read this about Jeb Bush this morning (my emphasis):

Bush himself is reportedly concerned with the “family business” baggage a Bush v. Clinton race would offer a country so disgusted by politics. Former President George W. Bush said this week of his brother, “I heard him say he doesn’t like the idea of a political class. ... The idea of ‘Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama, Bush’ troubles him, which speaks to his great integrity. I said, ‘Well how’s this sound: Bush, Clinton, Bush, Obama, Clinton?’ ”

The decision will be based on how he feels, Jeb Bush admitted in February. “I’m deferring that decision to the right time, which is later this year, and the decision will be based on, can I do it joyfully, because I think we need to have candidates lift our spirits,” he said. Asked about timing, he said, “There’s a time to make a decision. You shouldn’t make it too early, and you shouldn’t make it too late. There’s a time. There’s a window.”

That doesn't sound to me like a guy with the requisite "fire in the belly." Even if Jeb were to run, he just doesn't sound all that enthusiastic about it. Would he really be able to do whatever it takes to win? I just don't see it.