So here is my opinion about which of the 4 govenors is best.

First of all, I think that exitement and the high turnout that goes with it, is a huge advantage for dems this year. On that note a woman is the obvious choice, because it would provide a larger sense of history than Obama/Richardson, at least in my opinion.

Second, take a look at these approval numbers, (granted from 2005, but all 5 US Femal Dem Govenors where in office at the time.)

http://www.surveyusa.com/50 State2005/50StateGovernorAp proval0905SortedbyState.htm

As you can see Gregoire and Minner are below 50%, but Napalitano is at 60% and Sebelius is at 59%. Overall Sebelius has 2% lower negatives so she has a 25% net positive approval while Napalitano has 24% net positive approval, (meaning 24% more people think she is doing a good job than people who think she is doing a poor job).

In other words, both Napalitano and Sebelius are super popular and would thus improve the chance of winning their state.

Since Arizona is a larger state than Kansas, I would lean towards Napalitano as my running mate. Though it can be said that McCain running at the top of his ticket might hold more sway compared to Napalitano at the bottom of the dem ticket.

If that were true then Sebelius may offer a better bet at winning Kansas, especially with evangelicals in that state not likely to come out in large numbers for McCain.

However, based on the 2000 and 2004 pres elections, in which Arizona was a swing state and Kansas was overwhelmingly red, I would advise Obama choose Napalitano to be his running mate, since she might be able to offer the final push, when combined with Obama's passion, to take AZ into the blue column in 08.

Your thoughts?

by adamg on 02/17/2008 04:38:11 AM EST