Thirty-seven Races
One of Ronald Reagan’s great legacies is that states count. We’ve had some devolution of power from the Federal Government back to the states. So it matters who the governor of each state is. Firstly, it matters who the governor is because states are most often responsible for generating new and appropriate public policy. Look at California – if that state’s policies were different, it would be in much better shape.
Secondly, and very importantly, the governors who are elected this year will preside over redistricting. Having the census this year means that we must reapportion and redistrict both the U.S. House and both houses of the state legislature over the next two years. Thirty-nine governors have a role in reapportionment. Suppose Republicans gain 45 seats in the House this year, which would give us a five-seat majority, and then we get gerrymandered out of 30 seats in redistricting. Governors can veto the redistricting plan – that matters.
It also matters who the governor of a state is during a presidential election. If you have an attractive, aggressive, hard working Republican governor in a state, it’s worth a couple of points in the presidential election of 2012.
Finally, very rarely do you get a new Republican senator elected in the place of a Democrat, if the same day you lose the governor’s race in that state. That’s hardly ever happened in the past 17 years. Twenty-seven states this year have both a governor’s race and a senate race.
This November, thirty-seven gubernatorial elections will take place across the country. It is of paramount importance that we elect the right candidates for these offices.
- Comment (5)
- · Quote
- · UnfollowFollow (2)
Comments :
Aug '10
Re: Thirty-seven Races
This is a critical tipping point in American history, more so than most people imagine. Our very survival is in the balance. So much more than just politics is involved. There are spiritual issues at stake which dwarf everything else, just as there were when America was founded.
Do Republicans as a whole grasp the real nature of this epochal change? I don't know. Many do, but are there enough, and do they know what to do once they have power back?
The 'progressive-statists' will continue to fight.
Re: Thirty-seven Races
This is absolutely huge. Gerrymandering and countergerrymandering have hardened the culture of the political class into a carapace. Without governors who can help break that habit, Republicans will be stuck fighting a no-win rearguard action.
Jul '10
Re: Thirty-seven Races
There are so many good GOP governors/potential governors out there. Despite the overwhelming size and power of the federal government, much more of what affects our lives is still a function of state government. Let's get out there and elect us some kick-butt governors. (GO Tom Emmers!)
Jul '10
Re: Thirty-seven Races
Just a sec. Gov. Barbour, in what way is it a "legacy of Ronald Reagan" that states matter? I agree that they ought to. But what did our beloved St. Ron do to make that so? I'm not being snide. I am seeling education.
Jul '10
Re: Thirty-seven Races
Can we really expect all Republican governors to end gerrymandering, rather than continue the tradition so that we gain even more seats in 2012? I think a more focused and individual-based analysis is necessary, as we can't make such assumptions simply based on the party of the winners of the 2010 gubernatorial elections.