Jennifer Granholm was the governor of Michigan from 2002 to 2010. Those eight years were some of the most turbulent in the history of the state. Governor Granholm led Michigan through a number of factory shut-downs, a serious recession with skyrocketing unemployment, and, of course, the auto bailout in 2008. Governor Granolm and her husband, Dan Mulhern, describe these challenges and much more in their new book, "A Governor’s Story: The Fight for Jobs and America's Economic Future."

The stage is set for the swearing-in ceremony of Florida governor, Rick Scott. The republican rode a wave of anti-incumbent fever to become the new governor of Florida. Voters wanted an outsider and that's exactly what they got. However, along with his outsider status, Scott has the baggage of being the former head of Columbia/HCA, which was at the center of a Medicaid fraud scandal.

As one of his final acts in office, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says he will pardon the man known as "Billy the Kid," delivering one of America’s best known criminals the pardon he had anticipated for much of his life. The move comes a mere 130 years after the gunslinger’s death. We speak with author/historian Mark Lee Gardener, and discuss why Richardson might want to make such a public pardon to a historical criminal, and ask why the prospect of a pardon is causing such a stir.

As one of his final acts in office, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson says he will pardon the man known as "Billy the Kid," delivering one of America’s best known criminals the pardon he had anticipated for much of his life. The move comes a mere 130 years after the gunslinger’s death. We speak with author/historian Mark Lee Gardener, and discuss why Richardson might want to make such a public pardon to a historical criminal, and ask why the prospect of a pardon is causing such a stir.

As Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo heads to Albany, he'll be entering a context created by his own family (father Mario Cuomo held the position for over a decade), as well as what people on both sides of the aisle acknowledge is a legislative mess. The public perception of the New York governor's office has been in flux ever since Eliot Spitzer resigned, after his prostitution scandal. Andrew Cuomo, New York’s attorney general, ran on a reform ticket, pledging that he’d get notoriously-gridlocked Albany back in working order. Can he do it? 

Voters in Florida have been party to two unusual races this election season. The Senate race has the incumbent Republican Governor Charlie Crist is in a three-way race as an independent against Tea Party-supported Marco Rubio and Democratic Congressman Kendrick Meek.

Vying for the governor's office are Republican candidate Rick Scott, running head to head against the state's chief financial officer, Alex Sink, the only Democrat to come this close to the office in decades, in a race that has the candidates accusing one another of fraud.

This against a backdrop of a state in dire straits. Florida's unemployment is fourth highest in the country at 11.9 percent, the foreclosure rate is second highest in the country. More than 20 percent of the state's residents are uninsured.

Long-term debt obligations. Bond interest rates. Pension liabilities. These words may make your eyes glaze over, but it might be time to sit up at attention. State governors from across the country met in Boston last weekend at the National Governors Association meeting, and their fiscal woes were at the top of the agenda.

Yesterday was the biggest primary day of the year so far, with closely watched races in California, Arkansas, South Carolina, New Jersey, Iowa, and Maine, among other states. The coast-to-coast campaigns for governors, Senate and House seats showed the strength of the Tea Party as well as the well-known power of money.

We take a closer look at races across the country. In California, Carly Fiorina beat out Congressman Tom Campbell for the Republican nomination and will now face Senator Barbara Boxer in the fall. A GOP victory would mark the first time California has sent a Republican to the Senate since 1988. In that state's governor's race, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman secured the Republican nomination and will go on to challenge Democrat Jerry Brown in the fall.

Alabama and New Mexico hold political primaries today.

In Alabama, a number of noteworthy races: Rep. Parker Griffith will appear on the ballot for the first time as a Republican, after switching from the Democratic party in 2009. But will Alabama Republicans accept him as one of their own? Also in Alabama, Democratic Congressman Artur Davis is attempting to become the state's first African American nominee for governor. He's running against Agricultural Commissioner Ron Sparks.

Texans headed to the polls in large numbers yesterday to vote in the primary election for gubernatorial candidates. The Republican race was particularly heated, as incumbent Rick Perry faced challenger Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. After a close race, Sen. Hutchison conceded the election. For the Democrats, former Houston Mayor Bill White won the nomination.

In a high-profile Republican primary contest for governor, incumbent Rick Perry is being challenged by Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. Texans generally tends not to favor the incumbent, but in this race, Governor Perry has flipped the script and convinced some voters that his anti-Washington attitude differentiates him from Sen. Hutchison.

Our State of the Union series continues with Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty has been a fierce critic of health care reform and President Obama's economic policies. The governor is reportedly considering a run for the presidency in 2012.

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter recently announced he won't run for reelection in 2010, leaving wide speculation about who will succeed him. Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper was in the midst of recording an interview with The Takeaway Wednesday afternoon when Ritter called Hickenlooper to talk about what the job entails.  Hickenlooper took the call, called us back, and strongly implied that he's considering running for governor.

Marcus Mabry, international business editor for our partner The New York Times, and Jonathan Marcus, diplomatic correspondent for the BBC, take a look at the week ahead as President Barack Obama continues his trip through Asia, making stops in China and South Korea. They also examine what's ahead this week for health care reform, the start of Hamid Karzai's second term as president of Afghanistan, and the Republican Governors Association's annual conference.

WNYC political reporter Bob Hennelly joins us with a look at the race for the New Jersey governor's seat. Incumbent Democrat Jon Corzine has faced a steep battle to retain his seat, and President Barack Obama has joined in his fight. But is Corzine's struggle a sign of decreased popularity for the president?

South Carolina's had a rough week. It's earning a national reputation for having the most scandalous governor to remain in office and a congressman, Joe Wilson, who treats a presidential address like a college improv comedy show. Mark Quinn, host of South Carolina ETV and Radio’s Public Affairs Program, The Big Picture, tells us what South Carolinians are feeling about their elected officials.

In case you missed it, watch Wilson's outburst in this clip from Wednesday night's address:

The “Lion of the Senate” was known for tussling fearlessly with all comers. He wasn’t scared to take fights right to the top, as in his famous speech in 2007 at the National Press Club, challenging President George W. Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq.

Ted Kennedy rarely backed down, and least frequently from his Republican challengers. Conservatives frequently opposed Kennedy's initiatives, but as Republicans reflect on his legacy, their respect for the late senator is clear. One such Republican, former Massachusetts Governor William Weld, joins us to share his thoughts. ...(click through for the full interview transcript)

Watch a video of Senator Ted Kennedy at the National Press Club in January 2007.

 

The next two weeks may determine whether President Obama's health care reform plans go through. As the health care battle has gone to the states, many of the nation's governors (who are attending the National Governors Association this weekend) say they worry that Congress will force states to pick up extra health care expenses. Joining The Takeaway this morning with the current status of the bill is Todd Zwillich. And also joining the discussion is the new Chairman of the National Governors Associations, Jim Douglas, the Republican Governor of Vermont.

For the most of the punditocracy, Sarah Palin’s resignation as Governor of Alaska last Friday remains a mystery. But for those on Team Sarah, her move was the right one. Joining us to discuss why Sarah Palin's move makes sense is blogger Jimmie Bise, founder of Sundries Shack, and Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of the Susan B. Anthony List and co-founder of its project Team Sarah.

Sarah Palin has been a lot of things: hockey mom, a Miss Alaska pageant winner, a high school point guard, and a Republican Vice Presidential candidate. But in a few weeks, one thing she won't be is Alaska's Governor. On Friday she surprised the nation when she announced her resignation from the post. Joining The Takeaway to discuss Alaska's reaction to the news, and to guess what Ms. Palin will do next, is Larry Persily, former aide to Governor Palin and a long-time Alaska journalist.