Even after Governor Jim Doyle dropped out, the race for Wisconsin governor generated plenty of surprises in 2009. “It’s interesting because of the personal stories of that, as well as for the way it shapes the political story that will run throughout 2010,” says UW political scientist Charles Franklin of the Democrats’ race for governor, which generated headlines as early as August, when Governor Jim Doyle stunned most observers by announcing he would not seek a third term. “You’d have to say the way the governor’s race has shaped up, both with Governor Doyle deciding not to run, and then the Democrats’ difficulty in keeping candidates in the race,” provided plenty for observers of state politics to talk about,” says Franklin. [Read more...]