2002 Governors: The Best Of

We elected a lot of new governors in 2002, and I was wondering who everyone thought had been doing the best job. Please post and say why you voted for who you did.

(Note-this applies only to new governors)

Additional Note-There were twelve new Democratic governors with only ten slots, so make sure to post below for the Other option (I'll tabulate them in). The other governors are:

Phil Bredeson (Tennessee)
Ted Kulongoski (Oregon)

WARNING: Democratic victory is closer than it appears.

I would so do her.

Dude!

Here in Oklahoma is doing a decent job so far. He has a hell of a mess to clean up that our departing Neo-Nazi piece of shit,the Dishonorable Frank Keating left in his wake. It is going to be an uphill battle to try and undo the damage the previous administration,who's agenda was all about worker abuse for corporate gain,did.

A helpful hint: If you are a worker in OK,especially a regular hourly type worker DON'T get hurt on the job. My wife was injured on the job back in July and was treated like a piece of yesterday's garbage after 12 years of service to her company. She had to get an attorney just to get adequeate medical treatment,which ultimately cost her job in the process. Hopefully with a little pressure,we can get this mess straightened out so others in this state don't have to suffer the same fate.

I met the last administration, and they looked down their nose at you and thought you were meant to wait on them like an underling. I've also met Brad Henry, PRE and POST election, and the man is genuine. HIs wife is precious, and I think his girls are adorable...And his little one looks just like Melissa Gilbert when she was really little.
Duckie

She is the best governor I have ever lived under, in any state. Well, Vilsack in Iowa is pretty cool but Napalitano ROCKS! (she is so cool that I fear that she will not be re-elected). But DAMN, she is doing some ballsy stuff.

First Democratic Governor Maine's had in 16 years. It feels good.

Sure wouldn't vote for Mitt Romney:)

I'm a little peeved at Rendell for some of the stuff he's been doing during the 2004 Senate election in PA, but I still have to give the guy some credit. When thousands of PA Steelworkers were losing their pensions and health care due to the Bethlehem Steel issues, Rendell worked hard to get the Health Care Tax Credits passed in PA so retirees who aren't quite Soc. Sec/Medicare age can afford their health insurance.

Ironically - HCTC were being paid for by none other than Steel Tariffs. Thanks Bush for screwing that one up. But the state is still going to keep the program going. My parents would have had to pay $900/month just to get coverage on their own. For many Bethlehem Steel retirees, this was a major hardship and HCTC is making a difference in their lives.

He took on a horrendous state deficit problem that was 2 1/2 times as large as the incumbent Republican governor, George Ryan, had indicated, and has grappled with it with a remarkable degree of success: he has managed to maintain or increase State funding for human services, while cutting massive amounts of waste, eradicating redundant/useless boards, etc. . He has also managed to enact the first meaningful ethics legislation in State history.

A true :thumbsup: for this intelligent, spirited and brave young star of the Democratic party!

:dem:

I live in VA which is close and PA has a fine governor.