Talk Elections

list them.

In no order:

Kathleen Blanco (D-LA)
Phil Bredesen (D-TN)
Dave Freudenthal (D-WY)
Brad Henry (D-OK)
Linda Lingle (R-HI)
Jodi Rell (R-CT)
Bill Richardson (D-NM)
Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)
Brian Schweitzer (D-MT)
Mark Warner (D-VA)

Edit for a few comments:

I don't really know a lot about some very popular governors.  In many cases, I just choose the most centrist ones.  I'm sure John Hoeven (R-ND) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) are excellent, as reflected by their almost universal popularity in their home states, but it just takes more to be a mega-popular Democrat in Wyoming like Freudenthal than a mega-popular Republican in the Dakotas.

1. M. Jodi Rell (R-CT)
2. Mark Warner (D-VA)
3. Togiola T.A. Tulafono (D-AS)
4. Brad Henry (D-OK)
5. Linda Lingle (R-HI)
6. Dave Freudenthal (D-WY)
7. Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS)
8. Brian Schweitzer (D-MT)
9. Juan Babauta (R-CNMI)
10. John Lynch (D-NH)

Nice list.  I'm interested in knowing more about Tulafono and Babauta - I've heard they aren't bad.

I wanted to put Lynch on my list, too.

Heh, thanks.  In looking now at your list, we had 7 of 10 the same.


I follow the possessions' politics relatively closely, and all I'm a big fan of most of their politicians (Govs and delegates to Congress).  Most of them have compelling personal stories and lead with a mandate that's the product of a certain rapport with the people that mainland governors rarely can garner.

(Just so we're clear, I'm talking about Guam, American Samoa, USVI, and the Northern Marianas.  Puerto Rico is a whole separate animal politically.)

Tulafono replaced Tauese Sunia when the latter died suddenly in office.  Sunia was a really good guy, and I admired Tulafono's ability to lead in the wake of that - perfect balance of respect for Sunia and strength to carry on.  Mainland successors generally aren't so able.

I just adore the Northern Marianas in most things, and the previous Gov, Pedro Tenorio, was my very favorite governor when I first got interested in politics in the mid-90's.  Babauta, I suppose, is an extension of that.

In no particular order

John Lynch (D-NH)
Jodi Rell (R-CT)
Mark Warner (D-VA)
Mike Easley (D-NC)
Phil Bredesen (D-TN)
Tom Vilsack (D-IA)
Brad Henry (D-OK)
Dave Freudenthal (D-WY)
Brian Schweitzer (D-MT)
Linda Lingle (R-HI)

Only a few other governors would receive consideration, most of them are pretty crappy.

Warner
Schweitzer
Henry
Rell
...
...
...
...
...
Ehrlich (Won't vote for him, but like him.  Weird, I know.)

To tell you the truth there aren't many governors that I'm found of it seems.

Ted Strickland(D-OH) Sorry… getting ahead of myself ;)

Tom Vilsack(D-IA): Despite the funny name he has won two terms and in a normally fickle state, his creation of the creation of the Iowa Values Fund along with increasing the number of children covered by health insurance by 300% and the creation of a state-wide drug-purchasing organization where all significant achievements and must recommend him as perhaps one of the countries’ more inventive, pragmatic and successful governors.       

Jeb Bush(R-FL)r: Another Republican, and however much you dislike him because of his second name that shouldn’t blind you to the fact that he’s about the most effective and successful governor in the south, he managed a large state and won some tough elections by wide margins, he is most defiantly one of the countries’ outstanding governors from either party IMHO. 

Mark Warner(D-VA): His victory in a November election in 2001 as a Democrat in a deep red-state was a significant achievement by its self, even more impressive was the fact that Warner in his four year terms forced through the republican legislature a radical reform of the state’s education system which inducted a tax increase that provided extra cash for public schools and on top of this he continues to record very high approval numbers despite what had been a wide spread belief amongst republicans that by attempting increasing taxes he would be committing political suicide.   

Brian Schweitzer(D-MT): Despite it being early on in his political career Schweitzer’s broad popularity in Montana and margin of victory in the 2004 gubernatorial election could mark him out as a future star. His down home style and his folksy mannerism, despite his libertarian leanings make him a real favourite of mine.       

Eliot Spitzer(D-NY)… Damn! Doing it again, well after January 2007 then for future reference.

Brad Henry(D-OK): In 2002 it seemed like Henry would be an aberration for a conservative state like Oklahoma he won with around 43% of the vote thanks largely to a significant showing by a conservative third party candidate, since then things have changed some what. He now holds a 72% approval rating and prominent GOP’ers are passing on challenging him for the Governorship, at the same time he has not fallen into the trap of fellow Blue-Dog Dem Gov.Phil Bredesen (D-TN) and pandered heavily to the right… while he has little exceptional to add to his record he’s been a good governor and will no doubt continue to be such, hopefull with lt.Gov Brad Carson after November 2006:)     

Arnold Schwarzenegger(R-CA): Contrary to popular belief he still could be the best governor in the USA his real problem is he’s put forward sensible reforms that have hit up against a very entrenched and entirely partisan democratic establishment. He’s a moderate with fresh and effective ideas which could really help solve a great deal of the problems California now finds it’s self in after years of irresponsible and ineffective leadership in Sacramento, for one there is a republican who is calling for the right kind of reform, in a place where it is desperately needed. If he survives the 2006 election (if he runs) which I still think he will, and by a surprisingly wide margin I might add, then I think it really could be the makings of him.

Mike Easley(D-NC): Another moderate Dem from the south, in 2004 when Bush racked up a double digit win in North Carolina and the GOP exploited those coattails to pick up an open Senate seat in the state (though I wouldn’t dismiss Burr’s efforts) Mike Easley running for re-election scored a double digit win for himself despite a number of republicans of this board confidently saying that he would loose. Like Brad Henry in Oklahoma, Easley has won in a GOP leaning state without opting for the “Bredesen Option”. Easley like his neighbour Mark Warner has introduced effective education reform most notably in the shape of the “more at four” program which helped particularly with at risk pre-kindergarten kids. Effective leadership in the face of a declining textile industry and even natural disasters has won him much acclaim and while he has never been afraid to confront the at times obstructionist state legislature he has cultivated a healthy bi-partisan approach to government in the state, as he is not running again in 2008, he’s being heavily mooted as an opponent to Liddy Dole in 2008 or even Dick Burr in 2010.

Jennifer Granholm(D-MI): Perhaps elected to face one of the most thankless periods in office even in a state that has been facing economic decline for the best part of the last thirty years, she has despite this done well. Granholm dramatically reduced spending, though the budget deficit she in inherited still remains thanks in no small part to the republican legislature Granholm’s budget plans have been curtailed some what but despite all this she remains a strong governor facing a tough set of circumstances and no doubt a tough battle in the fall of 2006.

Honorary Mention: Mark Sanford(R-SC)

1. Jim Doyle
2. Dave Freudenthal
3. Brian Schweitzer
4. Mark Warner
5. Ted Kulongoski
6. Mike Easley
7. Joe Manchin
8. Janet Napolitano
9. Bill Richardson
10. John Lynch

in no particular order:

bill richardson (D-NM)
mike easley (D-NC)
george pataki (R-NY)
jim douglas (R-VT)
jodi rell (R-CT)
ohil bredesen (D-TN)

least favorite:
kathleen blanco (D-LA)...horrible, horrible person

Jim Douglas just barely missed my list, too.

Why do you hate Blanco so much?

Jeb Bush
Brad Henry
Mike Rounds
Dave Freudenthal
Brian Schweitzer
Phil Bredresen
Mike Huckabee
Haley Barbour
Mark Sanford
Dave Heineman

Yeah Douglas just missed my list too.  As someone (I think it may have been SamSpade) said awhile back "Blanco is nothing more than a fat oaf."

im amazed that the democrats get all up in arms over saxby chambliss' campaign tactices, but they let kathleen blanco slide with her repulsvie tactics she used against a good man.

as for jim douglas, i still like him, but im very upset that he chose not to run for the senate.

Mark Warner (D-Va.)
Phil Bredesen (D-Tenn.)
Brian Schweitzer (D-Mont.)
John Lynch (D-N.H.)
Brad Henry (D-Okla.)
Jodi Rell (R-Conn.)
Bill Richardson (D-N.M.)

In no particular order...

S
How could you like this guy?  He's done nothing for Maryland except try repeatedly to get slot machines legalized.

any normal person would support slot machine legalization.

But that's the only real thing he's tried to do during his administration.

Mitt Romney (MA) Presidential material!
Donald Carcieri (RI) Why not?
Mark Sanford (SC)
Jeb Bush (FL)
Bill Richardson (NM)
Robert Taft II (OH) Give him a break.  It's not nice to be left out.
James Douglas (VT)
George Pataki (NY)
Haley Barbour (MS)
Robert Ehrlich (MD) He defeated Kathleen "Kennedy" Townsend.   
                               That's a good enough reason.

I admit I would have voted for him over her, but hopefully he won't be reelected.

^^^^^^

Well said.

I voted for him in 2000, but I will not in 2006.  Got this weird feeling he's going to win re-election though.

Who do you favor, O'Malley or Duncan?

At first I was leaning Duncan all the way.  Now Im an undecided voter for the primary.  I will probably make up my mind as soon as the candidates announce because I want to volunteer for one of their campaigns.  Right now Im leaning towards Duncan.  Out of all 3 candidates he is the best man for the job.

I would too.

But returning to the topic of the thread, what is your opinion of Ehrlich?

Love/Hate type thing.  I disagree with his politics, but I like his cocky attitude.  Theres no doubt, the man has balls.  He has vetoed several bills that should have guranteed he would lose re-election, but his approval rating and re-elect numbers remain steady.  He has shaken up Maryland politics and put Democrats on their toes.  I like that.

Mark Warner (D -VA)
Brian Schweitzer (D -MT)
John Lynch (D -NH)
Dave Freudenthal (D -WY)
Ed Rendell (D -PA)
Mark Sanford (R -SC)
Bill Richardson (D -NM)
Tom Vilsack (D -IA)
Kathleen Sebelious (D -KS)
Christine Gregoire (D -WA)
-------------------------------------------------------

In no particular order.....

What are you talking about? Could you explain? I think you mean her race (no pun intended) against Bobby Jindal in 2003. What could she possibly have done thats worse than calling an injured war veteran unpatriotic?

she pretty much said he was 'too young'.

now that might not sound like a big deal.  but imagine it being the other way around.  what if a candidate would say their opponent is too old to serve.  everyone would be offended.  the aarp would have a field day.

age discrimination works both ways.

Yes, just like it did in the 1984 presidential election.

Okay, for a minute there I thought you meant she did something really bad, but calling someone young or inexperienced is in a whole different category from questioning their patriotism.

hahahah 3 days later..........

1. Granholm-MI
2. Romney-MA
3. Schweitzer-MT
4. Henry-OK
5. Bredesen-TN
6. Easley-NC
7. Rell-CT
8. Freudenthal-WY
9. Riley-AL
10. Douglas-VT

And, I really like Schwartzneagger and Barbour as people, but really hate them as politicians.
And I agree that Blanco sucks.

Warner
Easley
Blanco
Henry
Huckabee...I'd vote for him over Kerry, Feingold, and Hillary
Schweitzer
Richardson
Vilsack
Manchin
Sebelius

Jeb Bush
Bill Owens
Mit Romney
Bob Erlich
George Pataki
Linda Lingle
Tim Pawlenty
Bill Richardson
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Dino Rossi

And I think President Gore will be remembered as one of our greatest presidents ever.

Major difference being that, at least in Florida, they counted the votes that were there.  New ballots just seem to be spilling out of the cracks in Washington.  Most of the them *gasp* Republican.

Both Gregoire and Rossi weren't very good candidates.  But, like Florida in 2000, there were some serious flaws in the Washington electoral process.  Though I think if you're going to claim that Rossi won, then you might as well say that Gore won in 2000.

Except that doesn't make any sense.  Simply because you believe one person was robbed of office you are obliged to believe another candidate in a different race, different state, and different year was also rbbed?  Not exactly.

I think listing Dino Rossi is hysterically funny.

Vilsack, Rell, Warner, Lingle...Bredensen...uh...that's about it.

Schweitzer
Warner

I guess Easley

throws some arrows at a dart board for some other names

Mine in no particular order:

Rell
Pawlenty
Vilsack
Sebelius
Richardson
Napolitano
Schweitzer
Hoeven
Rendell (call me crazy :))
Lynch

jfern, if a governor bush would have refused to pardon a black man for crime he didnt commit, oyud be all over it, posting one dailykos link after another.

when easley does it, he receives a mention as one of your favorite governors.