BaT Endorsements -- Governors

Once again, we focus on the Southern states.

Alabama

BaT endorses Bob Riley, Republican. (The incumbent Riley, which the exception of a failed tax increase his first year in office, has proved himself quite capable of leading the state. He has benefitted from booming tech and automotive industries, but he continues to recruit similar companies to establish a presence in the state. And his administration has been squeaky clean thus far. His Democratic opponent, Lt. Gov. Lucy Baxley, has shown voters no reason to vote for her ... or even against Riley. At least she's on the right side of the concealed permit issue.)

Arkansas

BaT endorses Mike Beebe, Democrat. (Beebe, the current state attorney general, is poised to lock up Arkansas for the Party of Clinton. If he defeats Republican Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas will be represented by a Democratic governor, a Democratic state legislature and two Democratic senators. Three of the state's four U.S. representatives are also Democrats. Hutchinson is best known as the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Establishing this new giant of an agency was a daunting task, and Hutchinson didn't exactly shine. Airport security, anyone? Ports? Anyone? Bueller? At least Asa is not his sleazy brother, who dumped his wife of 29 years for his Senate aide. Did we mention the brother is a former pastor?)

Florida

BaT endorses Charlie Crist, Republican. (Currently the state attorney general, Crist brings a wealth of governing experience to the contest. "Chain Gang Charlie" also has an interesting personal life, although at least he keeps his alleged affairs legal ... barely ... unlike that other Florida politician. Regardless, Crist has performed admirably as attorney general.)

Georgia

BaT endorses Sonny Perdue, Republican. (Perdue has made reform efforts, and he has given people in the Peach State little reason to "punt" him from office. He leads in the polls despite the politically unpopular Confederate battle flag decision.)

South Carolina

BaT endorses Mark Sanford, Republican. (Anyone who brings live pigs into the state House chamber to protest his own party's "pork projects" is alright with us.)

Texas

BaT endorses Kinky Friedman, Independent. (Who can resist supporting a Jewish singer best known for "A**hole from El Paso -- a parody of "Okie from Muskogee" -- for Texas governor? They've done worse. "One of his stated goals is the 'dewussification' of Texas." He also supports gay marriage: "I support gay marriage. I believe they have a right to be as miserable as the rest of us." Now this could get fun.)