Capitol View®

A year for incumbent governors?

University of Virginia professor Larry Sabato, one of the more oft-quoted "analysts" in MSM around these parts, is out with an essay today on the analysis of gubernatorial races. In Statehouses Gleam for Democrats in 2006 But all that Glisters is not Gold he places Minnesota in the Competitive States Leaning Republican category.

"Gov. Tim Pawlenty's road to reelection will be rocky, and he knows it, but this Democratic-leaning state will still be inclined to give him a second term."

Sabato sees Wisconsin as leaning Democrat.

"Maybe anyone who succeeded Gov. Tommy Thompson (R) would pale by comparison. First Lt. Gov. Scott McCallum (R) who got the post after Thompson joined Bush's Cabinet in 2001 and now Gov. Jim Doyle (D) who beat McCallum in 2002 never connected with the Wisconsin public. Doyle's ratings are mediocre, and while he may win a second term as the incumbent, he'll be hard pressed by either Congressman Mark Green (R) or Milwaukee executive Scott Walker (R). The sli ghtest lean for Doyle as the year begins."

But I wonder how the veto of the conceal carry legislation will play in November in the cheesehead state?