What isn't mentioned is his tendency to run his mouth without regard to facts or feelings. Examples are suggesting homicide to handle the teacher problem, calling teachers slugs, referring to a key state agency as "That hillock of patronage", etc., etc., etc.
Keating would quite likely have been in GWB's cabinet, perhaps even his VP running mate had it not been for his verbal diarreah. They used to call that "alligator mouth, hummingbird butt".
The other pubbie to hold the governors office twice, although not consecutively, was non other than Henry Bellmon, the senator who cast the deciding vote to return Panama to self rule.