There Goes Swifty Part II

Massachusetts Governor Jane Swift's decision not to seek re-election was an easy one. The White House will take care of her. Mitt Romney becomes the Republican gubernatorial nominee (without a primary fight). And she avoids something close to total humiliation.

How bad might it have been? The following poll numbers from a recent survey of Republican primary voters tell the story. Romney led Swift by 67%-14%. Swift's favorable-unfavorable ratings were 11%-60%. That's 60% unfavorable among Republican primary voters. You'll live a long time before you see another incumbent governor with numbers like that amongst the party faithful.