36 Governor Races Bound to Redraw Politics

[cal04]

Three dozen contests for governor next fall promise to shake up the nation's political map, with Republicans fighting to hold on to several critical states and the results offering clues to the bigger prize ahead — the White House in
2008. Governors gather in Washington this weekend for four days of talks among themselves and with President Bush, but their own re-election campaigns will underscore the meeting of the National Governors Association. Sessions with fundraisers, pollsters and political strategies begin and end most days.

Democrats are in good position to gain states, at least on paper. Republicans need to defend more of the 36 executive mansions up for grabs — 22 to just 14 held by the Democrats. Tough contests already are shaping up in big-population states including California, New York, Florida and Ohio, all now held by the GOP.

Open seats provide the best opportunity for a party switch and Democrats have only one to defend, while term limits or retirements mean Republicans are leaving eight seats open (New York, Florida and Ohio are amomg them).
Democrats see reason for hope in President Bush's weak poll numbers, and in the administration's difficulty explaining its policies in Iraq and response to Hurricane Katrina. The latest political storm, over security at U.S. ports, just adds to their optimism.

"What's different is voters getting tired of ineffective Republican policies, huge deficits, credibility, Katrina," said New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, head of the Democratic Governors Association. "Competence. I think the competence issue is our strongest suit." While debates always rage over how much national politics affect gubernatorial races, there's no question that governors have an impact on national politics. Four of the last five presidents had previous experience running a state, and governors can help presidential campaigns by marshaling big organizations and getting out the vote.

more

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060225/ap_on_el_gu/governors2006