Math points to Democratic gains in 2006 governors' races

[ProSense]

Math, wow! I say reality (assuming the public wakes up) points...

Math points to Democratic gains in 2006 governors' races

By SCOTT SHEPARD, TOM BAXTER
Cox News Service
Friday, February 24, 2006

WASHINGTON — With gubernatorial elections in 36 states this fall, experts see an opportunity for Democrats to rebuild their party in Republican-leaning states and, in the process, gain an edge in the 2008 presidential contest.

"These are going to be very important races for the Democrats going into '08," said Jennifer Duffy, who tracks governors races for the Cook Political Report. Increasing the ranks of Democratic governors, at the very least, is going to have "some psychological importance after years of being behind the ball," she added in an interview.

Republicans concede that the GOP faces an uphill battle in this year's statehouse contests. "The math is not in our favor this year," Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has repeatedly acknowledged to reporters since becoming chairman of the Republican Governors' Association, the organization that promotes Republican interests in gubernatorial events.

The math is this: of the 36 governorships on the ballot in November, 22 are currently held by Republicans. And seven of those Republican governors are retiring, are prohibited by state law from serving another term or are simply not seeking to stay in office.

more...

http://www.oxfordpress.com/news/content/shared/news/stories/GOVS_2006_24_COX_W8002.html

[skipos]

1. "The math is not in our favor this year"

Yup. 5 years of republican damage is taking it's toll on America.

[Talismom]

2. The only problem is that we're dealing with a new kind of math

that few want to acknowledge the existence of...voting into the ether and "counting" with creative software. I saw what it did to the vote in Cleveland in '04 and no one can convince me that it didn't happen or that it won't be happening again.

The other issue is the growing # of DINOs--corporatists with D instead of R after their name. Big money seems to have bought the country and the gilded age is returning, so election statistics and trends are all but meaningless, IMHO.

edited for spelling

[ladjf]

3. Good. The key thing about the governorships is that they

appoint the attorney generals who then rig the elections if they are so inclined.

[nickinSTL]

4. uh...I don't know about your state...

but in MY state, the attorney general is ELECTED.

Which is why we have a Dem attorney general (Robin Carnahan) and a Repub governor (Matt Blunt).

[ladjf]

6. You could be correct. I was particularly thinking about the AG

situations in Fla and Ohio. I thought that they were selected by the Gov.

[ISUGRADIA]

9. FL and OH AGs are elected (offices up this year)

most AGs are elected, only a handful are appt. by the governor

[nickinSTL]

7. oops...our attorney general is Dem. Jay Nixon

Robin Carnahan is our Secretary of State. :blush:

[Debi]

5. Where the hell do they get their 'facts'?

<snip>
However, one of the best pick-up opportunities for the GOP this year is Iowa, where Democratic incumbent Tom Vilsak is barred from seeking a third term. Republican congressman Jim Nussle and businessman Bob Vander Plaats have decided to run as a ticket rather than compete against each other for the gubernatorial nomination. Nussle believes it will focus party attention up and down the ticket. Nussle, though, polls neck-and-neck with Democrat Chet Culver, the current secretary of state, but well ahead of the other Democrats in the race.

<snip>

Vilsack isn't barred from running again, he's opted not to run (and is looking at an '08 presidential bid) Hell, Terry Branstad served four terms and considered a fifth (thank goodness that didn't happen).

Although it is true that the latest poll shows Nussle (R-neanderthal-land) and Culver (D-and the candidate I'm supporting for Governor) 'neck and neck' Two other Dems. are still in the running against Nussle (and although Fallon is ten points down, last polling had him 15 points down - pretty big pick up in one month):

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2006/State%20Polls/Febr...

Jim Nussle (R) 40%
Chet Culver (D) 41%

Jim Nussle (R) 41%
Michael Blouin (D) 36%

Jim Nussle (R) 42%
Ed Fallon (D) 32%

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If they have their Iowa facts messed up, how bad are they on the other states? GOP pick up my :kick:

On Edit:

Oh, and Tom VILSACK has been Iowa's Governor for eight years, served as President of the DGA and is currently head of the DLC. I may not like the man, but at least I know how to spell his name :grr:

[tritsofme]

8. Illinois is a possible GOP pickup

Our governor is in big trouble politically.

[AX10]

10. 27-29 Democratic Governorships is most likely.

Also, don't forget the congress too.