America's 5 Best Governors (according to Time)

[im10ashus]

Do you agree?

Mike Huckabee/Arkansas


Kenny Guinn/Nevada


Janet Napolitano/Arizona


Kathleen Sebelius/Kansas


Mark Warner/Virginia


Read the story here:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1129494,00.html

[mattclearing]

1. What, no Arnold?

:D

[WI_DEM]

2. I wouldn't know for sure

except that because of the press coverage on VA, I do know that Warner has a very high approval rating. My own Democratic governor, Doyle, has been somewhat of a disappointment and may have a hard time winning in '06.

[FreedomAngel82]

4. Same here in Tennessee

Last time I saw our democratic governor had a 49% approval raiting.

[KSLeftyMom]

3. YES I agree about Sebelius!

She has been a wonderful governor. Flawed, yes, like any human being. But she appears to always strive to do what is right and has Kansas interests in mind when she makes decisions -- and not her political career.

And she spoke out rather harshly against the idiots who want un-Intelligent Design taught in our schools...

She's brilliant!

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. I loved her statements on the Skule Bored. Superb, fearless.

Actually, the whole list seems to have good people on it.

[im10ashus]

6. I like what I have read about her.

It was surprising that a Kansas democrat won there, given the 2-to-1 margin of republicans versus democrats. Although, Bloomberg won here in NYC, and we are like, 5-to-1 democrat here. Go figure.

[MuseRider]

9. We often have Democratic Governors.

At least more often that you would suspect. I think that Sebelius is more liberal than she has had to govern. I don't know her that well but I know a lot of her staff and they say she is pretty liberal. :shrug: I am signed on to her campaign and waiting the call to help so I can tell you all more after I spend some time with them.

[BOSSHOG]

13. My Mother in Law asked me what I wanted for Christmas

I told her I wanted an autographed picture of Governor Sebelius. My mother in law, an ass kicking democrat will come through for me. I tell her I want a hug and a home cooked meal but that's never enough for her to give. My mother in law is a Saint.

[Skidmore]

14. Aww, Boss, where can my daughter find one like you.

I wanna be a saint too.

[BOSSHOG]

18. I've been happily married for 32 years

My mother in law is an incredibly warm and loving and giving person. She is not nosy, does not get into anybody else's family business, is one hell of a great cook, goes to Church every day but does not impose religion onto anybody. My father in law was(is) a Saint as well. He died last Christmas morning. So this year is gonna be a little tough. When it comes to in-laws, I'm incredibly lucky (except for that one sisterinlaw) and I know it. Good luck to you and your daughter.

[MuseRider]

23. Your MIL

is what Kansans used to be. Lots of church but little proselytizing. Too bad she is of a dying breed here.

[MuseRider]

22. Ahhhh

that is cool! I really like Kathleen. I can't claim to "know" her but I have sat next to her when our sons were involved in things together, I have spoken with her several times and I have many, many friends who are directly working for her including her "silent" campaign manager who is a close friend. I hope to have the chance to get to know her better very soon. Classy, classy lady she is.

Are you coming this way for the holidays? If you do you must let me know. It would be fun to meet you and we could always arrange for a few Kansas DUers to get together.

Edit for spelling and clarification

[BOSSHOG]

24. The wife is going to spend a few days with her mother

during Christmas. I am staying here to contend with more Hurricane related stuff and my own health issues. My joints can barely handle south Mississippi winters let alone Northern Kansas ones. I hope to be up that way by summer. I always like to see Governor Sebelius with a bunch of school kids around her desk which makes the weekly paper from my wife's hometown. I'd support her in a heartbeat. I'll trade you haley barbour and two congressmen for her right now. Great to hear from you.

[MuseRider]

27. No deal!

I understand about the joints. I am already feeling the cold and it isn't really here yet!

Do let me know when you are coming. Maybe I can arrange a meeting with Kathleen for you. I could try anyway, I'll bet there is a great chance of it then you could have a picture of you with her!

Edit to add there are few real perks to being a native Topekan but having access through friends to the governor is one of the perks I might have (never tried)! Hell, I could introduce you to Fred too. Now we could do some real fun things with that!

[BOSSHOG]

28. Thank you very much for that kind offer

Topeka is right down the road from my mother in law. I'd love that. To sweeten the pot, I'll throw in a gallon of New Orleans Gumbo and a months supply of Cafe A'ulait and beignets. Take my governor, please.

[MuseRider]

31. Tempting but no deal!

Eeeee, how I love the gumbo and Cafe A'ulait and beignets but it is still not enough. Give it up, not gonna do it but it is tempting.

Perhaps one day we will share her as VP or President? :shrug: You never know and I have no idea how far she wants to go.

She sure would make an elegant and very smart national leader.

[GrumpyGreg]

10. It's like Massachusetts and it's Republican governors. Weird!

[Trish1168]

34. Most of our GOP govs are moderates....Romney ran as a moderate

Only recently has he taken a hard right turn. He made promises about respecting abortion laws etc. Now he's in 'a different place' according to him. His right turn on social issues will make it impossible for him to run here again. He would be booted out. His Lt gov (Kerry Healy) has opposed him on a number of social issues.

Republicans in Massachussetts are like democrats in the rest of the country. Our liberalism pulls the whole local GOP here to the left. Social conservatives do exist here (nut jobs are everywhere)....but are way outnumbered (though their numbers are growing.....we have quite a few churches into the brain washing - prosylatizing business and they are having some success).

When Roe v Wade gets overturned and southern states get taken over by the (anti)Christian taliban, I'll be glad to be here.

[im10ashus]

36. It's the same all over the Northeast.

A Republican in New York or Massachusetts is like a Democrat in Georgia or Louisiana. For the most part. It's amazing to see these "moderate" Republicans distance themselves from the shrub. 2006 is going to be REAL interesting. :-)

[GrumpyGreg]

40. I have a very lib Northeast daughter who's job is taking her to

the South and she acts like she is being sent to the Third World---pretty funny !

[atommom]

38. I was glad to see Sebelius there, too. She's doing a good job,

though it has to be frustrating dealing with the wingnuts on the BOE and in the Legislature.

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. Good to see Sebelius listed

I think she's a great governor.

[SteppingRazor]

7. Interesting... three out of five are Dem. governors of Red states...

not sure what that means. Just making the observation.

[im10ashus]

12. True, that.

It's very common, from my experience. Indiana, where I hailed from, traditionally had Democratic governors and was widely a Republican bastion. Same here in New York where I now reside. A Blue state and yet we have a Republican governor AND mayor of NYC.

[understandinglife]

8. Gov Christine Gregoire of WA State should be on that list.

Peace.

[stewert]

11. Top 10 Approval Ratings

Of the top 10 Governors by approval ratings as of October 2005, 5 are Republicans and 5 are Democrats.

http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2005/50StateGovernorApproval1005SortbyApproval.htm

But the bottom 5 are all Republicans, including Arnold.

[im10ashus]

16. Good chart.

Thanks for the link!

[LuCifer]

46. I can't believe Jeb!® BUSHitler isn't in the BOTTOM 5.

And His Brother's Keeper comes in at 19! PAH-LEEEZ.

:puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke::puke:

WORST
GOVENOR
EVER

[AnneD]

15. Mom lives in AZ ....

tends to be GOP (but espouses DEM principles-I am working on it)and she just loves Napolitano. I think our presidential candidates SHOULD come from the ranks of governors. And yes, the first thing I noticed was that most were DEM's.

[im10ashus]

21. * was a governor.

I'm just saying. :-)

[AnneD]

45. This is true

however, in Tx our Gov has precious little real power- we only let him have I line item veto and we only let the legislature meet every other year. That is why Bush could look so good-we didn't give him any power to screw thing up. You need to see what power the Govs have. Texas has the weakest Gov.

[im10ashus]

47. That's good to know.

It's different for every state and I am not familiar with Texas politics. Thanks for the lesson.

[sinkingfeeling]

17. I don't know of anything 'great' that Huck has done in Arkansas.

Raised our income tax by putting a 3% surcharge on it. Got some schools to consolidate, but don't thing they've figured out how to fund school repair. He has a 56% approval rating.

[AngryAmish]

19. What?!? No Blago????

How could that be?

[davidinalameda]

33. she's listed as one of the worst

:shrug:

I guess being bent over and screwed by the Bushies was her fault

[AngryAmish]

39. That would be Blanco

i was talking about Blagovich.

[Halliburton]

20. yeah and time declared powerline "blog of the year"

[Initech]

25. From a related article - "Few have stumbled as badly as Arnold has..."

:spray: :rofl: :spray: :rofl:

[Blue_In_AK]

26. What, no Frank Murkowski?

Number 49 for the 49th state.

[madokie]

29. Oklahoma's Brad Henry has to be in the top 10 anyway.

No links, just a happy okie with my Governor.

[Flubadubya]

30. Not here in Arkansas... No Way Huckabee...

What a complete louse this guy has been. He finally has to leave office next year... he's term-limited. Phew!

Just like Bush in Washington (who took all of Clinton's good work and trashed it), the Huckster took Clinton's legacy in Arkansas and trashed it. Feh! Best governor my ASS!! :mad:

BTW, Huckabee has already been sticking his finger in the air for a Prez run in 2008. Looks like this article is just a "grooming aid".

Also, I think Blanco has gotten a raw deal, probably. She hasn't really been in office that long in Louisiana 'til Katrina comes along and the Rethugs manage to pin it on her. I really don't know that much about the rest of her record, but I'll bet she got named one of the worst just because of the notoriety of Katrina. :shrug:

[madokie]

32. I agree, I would like to add Oklahoma's Brad Henry

He deserves mention because we were told for quite some time that steve largent was going to be our next gov after keeting. I can't point to any one thing but I can point to the fact he is popular and doing the people's business in an honest and fortright manner. No airs, what you see is what you get.

[Danmel]

35. At least Pataki isn't there

Don't know enough about the top 5 to render an intelligent opinion, but am glad to see old lackey Pataki isn't there.

[im10ashus]

37. I agree.

As a New Yorker, I would have spit nails, if he were on that list. He did make this list (thanks to stewert for posting):

http://www.surveyusa.com/50State2005/50StateGovernorApproval1005SortbyApproval.htm

He's no. 32 out of 50. Seems about right to me.

[proud2BlibKansan]

42. LOL Baby Blunt from MO

is #47.

:rofl:

He really does suck.

[proud2BlibKansan]

43. Sebelius' picture isn't coming up on my computer

[im10ashus]

44. Thanks for posting.

I am not sure why that isn't showing up on the page. It was fine earlier. Oh well. :-)