Top 5 States of Confusion

It’s not easy being an elected official in a time of crisis, but a select few governors are having a particularly tough time. And some of them are even trying to get reelected. Politico looks at the 5 worst-off states:

• California: No surprise here. The state's issuing of IOUs is just the one item on "a list of maladies longer than its famed coastline." At least Arnold Schwarzenegger can't run for another term.

• New York: David Paterson's lack of support—just 15% of voters say they'd vote for him in 2010—looks good compared to the "political mayhem" gripping the sensationally dysfunctional state senate.
• Arizona: When Jan Brewer replaced Janet Napolitano, the GOP gained total control of the state—but the resulting standoff over taxes has lawmakers "trying to iron out a budget compromise in order to avoid a government shutdown."
• New Jersey: Four months from Election Day, Jon Corzine is down in the polls, and new budget cuts "aren’t likely lift his dismal approval ratings."
• Michigan: Jennifer Granholm's 33% approval rating actually beats last year's 20%, but "there appears to be little good news on the horizon."

(More recession stories.)