Few Democratic Governors Are Safe

[thundley4]

Democrats are certain to lose their majority this year — if not in Congress, than among governors.

Democrats, who lost two governorships last fall, now hold a bare majority in statehouses — 26 out of 50. But Republicans are confident of making further gains, which would give them a symbolically important advantage in the states.

Several Democrats are retiring in states such as Kansas, Tennessee and Oklahoma that Republicans view as natural pickups. And the GOP likes its chances in Midwestern states such as Michigan, Ohio and Iowa, where the weak economy has hurt the incumbent Democrats.

There are very few Democratic governors who are considered safe bets for re-election at this point. One big factor may be President Obama.

NPR

While I like the idea of Republicans gaining governorships, I don't see much importance of it on the national level. Anyone know why it's important?

[Chris_]

NPR

While I like the idea of Republicans gaining governorships, I don't see much importance of it on the national level. Anyone know why it's important?

It's important because 2010 is a congressional redistricting year (redistricting happens every ten years, concurrent with the census), and all congressional redistricting is done at the state level, with the governor basically in charge of the effort.......the lines are redrawn for each congresspersons district, and in the case of Democrat congresspersons, with Republicans in charge of the process, they stand a chance of having their district modified to favor a Republican win in that area....

doc

[IassaFTots]

I am a little bit concerned about Texas though.  There is a significant amount of frustration with Perry, and White has a pretty big following.  I think it is going to be a tough one.

[thundley4]

It's important because 2010 is a congressional redistricting year (redistricting happens every ten years, concurrent with the census), and all congressional redistricting is done at the state level, with the governor basically in charge of the effort.......the lines are redrawn for each congresspersons district, and in the case of Democrat congresspersons, with Republicans in charge of the process, they stand a chance of having their district modified to favor a Republican win in that area....

doc

The redistricting part makes sense. I had forgotten about that.

[NHSparky]

NPR

While I like the idea of Republicans gaining governorships, I don't see much importance of it on the national level. Anyone know why it's important?

Because you'll see a rollback of the tax-and-spend policies of the Dems, for starters.  And if they don't go hat-in-hand to the feds and instead learn to make do with what they have, that's good not only on a state but also on a national level.

[Tess Anderson]

Governors are also in charge of spending billions of federal dollars.

I am a little bit concerned about Texas though.  There is a significant amount of frustration with Perry, and White has a pretty big following.  I think it is going to be a tough one.

Do you? I don't think White has much of a change to win as a democrat in Texas this year - the people of that state have always come off as ambivalent about Perry to me, he does tend to grate on the nerves.

[NHSparky]

The redistricting part makes sense. I had forgotten about that.

While it's not the governors doing the redistricting, but the legislatures, it's still important.  Given the political climate, don't be surprised if several states don't switch parties.  Granted, it won't matter in most heavily liberal states like MA, NY, or CA, but will in states like Florida and Texas.

[IassaFTots]

Governors are also in charge of spending billions of federal dollars.

Do you? I don't think White has much of a change to win as a democrat in Texas this year - the people of that state have always come off as ambivalent about Perry to me, he does tend to grate on the nerves.

Mind you, I am just basing it on my own personal universe, and multiplying it by a bazillion, so not scientific by any stretch of the imagination.  

Here is what I know:

1.  People are weary of Perry, the gardasil thing pushed quite a few over the top.

2.  I "hear" from people who live in Houston, that although White is a democrat, he is almost a republican, based on Houston standards.  Not being well-versed in Houston politics, I don't know what that means.  
His website doesn't mention anything on handling our border issues, which bothers me, but a lot of people aren't like me.  

[Eupher]

While it's not the governors doing the redistricting, but the legislatures, it's still important.  Given the political climate, don't be surprised if several states don't switch parties.  Granted, it won't matter in most heavily liberal states like MA, NY, or CA, but will in states like Florida and Texas.

And Ohio, another swing state.

[NHSparky]

although White is a democrat, he is almost a republican, based on Houston standards.  Not being well-versed in Houston politics, I don't know what that means.  

Danger, Will Robinson!  Danger!!!!

Sounds like a Mass. Republican to me--IOW, not very meaningful at all.

[NHSparky]

And Ohio, another swing state.

I was focusing on states which are going to have significant shifts in the 2010 Census, but I get the idea...

http://coloradopols.com/diary/11133/redistricting-projections-nationwide

Gives a pretty good rundown of who is gaining and losing EC votes, and the state legislative breakdown in each.

[IassaFTots]

Danger, Will Robinson!  Danger!!!!

Sounds like a Mass. Republican to me--IOW, not very meaningful at all.

A-yup. 

[Eupher]

I was focusing on states which are going to have significant shifts in the 2010 Census, but I get the idea...

http://coloradopols.com/diary/11133/redistricting-projections-nationwide

Gives a pretty good rundown of who is gaining and losing EC votes, and the state legislative breakdown in each.

Thanks for digging that up. Good resource. 

[debk]

TN has a Dem governor but he's out this year due to term limits.

There's a strong GOP candidate who is currently mayor of Knoxville....Bill Haslam.

Has a ton of private business experience. His dad started Pilot Oil and he's not only worked in the business from a young age, but left for a while to be president of Profitt's, at the time a regional dept store chain.

Nice guy, long time family man, with a pretty squeaky clean reputation. Has enough money of his own, that he probably cannot be influenced.

Don't know how well he will do on the western half of the state though....

[NHSparky]

Thanks for digging that up. Good resource. 

Not bad for a bunch of liberals fellating each other.

[ReaganForRushmore]

I am a little bit concerned about Texas though.  There is a significant amount of frustration with Perry, and White has a pretty big following.  I think it is going to be a tough one.

The Texas Governor's race will be extremely dirty. White is running on his experience as Mayor of Houston. While he touts this as a major accomplishment, his successor, Annise Parker, is now having to clean up his mess. His Administration left Houston bankrupt, to wit
-executed loans for his pet projects from pension funds, which retirees and employees stand to be screwed big time, and
-touted 5 taxes cuts for the public, but neglected to state that the subsequent reappraisals resulted in substancial property tax increases as well more user fees.

Harris County is the key. That county accounts for 20% of the entire Texas vote....and it still trends heavily Republican