Across the country yesterday, newly elected or reelected governors began to take office. Before the 2006 elections, 28 of 50 state governorships were held by Republicans, and 22 by Democrats.

After the Democratic landslide of November 2006, 29 governorships will be held by Democrats, and 21 by Republicans, a swing of 7 seats.

Two of the best known Democratic governors... Eliot Spitzer of New York and Bill Richardson of New Mexico... were sworn in yesterday, New Years' Day.

Gov. Eliot Spitzer of New York
Ever the hard-driving public servant, Eliot Spitzer was sworn in for his first term as New York governor just after midnight, and began working even before the public pomp and ritual and his impressive inaugural address.

In it, Spitzer articulated "a progressive vision" for New York state, that includes:

* "more accountability from students, teachers and parents"

* health care reform "that finally puts patients first at a cost that all families can afford"

* "stricter ethics rules"

A subject given lavish attention in Gov. Eliot Spitzer's Inaugural Address was that of immigrants. Knowing that immigration reform will take center-stage politically in 2007, Spitzer orated:

"Under the shadow of liberty’s torch, generations of weary travelers have sailed into New York harbor believing that of all the places on Earth, this was the land where people could come and find the chance to make their world anew...

Today's immigrants enrich our state with their vitality and their vision, in the same way as the immigrants of the last century. All these different tongues translate into the incomparable work ethic of New York."

Mark my words: Eliot Spitzer is a rising national star in the Democratic Party. I'm quite enthusaistic for the agenda he laid out in his inaugural speech.

Be sure to take the time to read it.

Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico
Ever a man to enjoy the moment, former 7-term Congressman Gov. Bill Richardson, reelected to a second term and regarded by many as a 2008 presidential hopeful, apparently threw one helluva inaugural party with 8,000 invitees.

All free of charge, paid for "from Richardson's campaign coffers," per the New Mexican newspaper.

Like Spitzer, Richardson was sworn in just after midnight on January 1, after which the governor hosted a champagne party for 500. After Mass and the public ceremony late New Years morning, Gov. Richardson's celebratory festivities continued with an afternoon Peoples' Inaugural party at the state Capitol Rotunda in Santa Fe.

The evening "Boots 'n Bolos" gala for the governor's 8,000 invitees was held at adjoining posh hotels, and featured tapas, Santa Fe's famed 5-star cuisine and New Mexico musicians playing late into the night.

Said Richardson campaign manager Amanda Cooper, "The governor's been very grateful for the people of New Mexico." Indeed!

Reported The New Mexican about Richardson's 16-minute speech:

"In outlining his roadmap for a second term, Richardson pledged to extend health care to all New Mexicans and he made a renewed commitment to improve public education... New Mexico ranks among the worst in the nation for its rate of uninsured. Roughly one in five residents, or nearly 400,000 people, lack health care coverage.

The administration intends this year to propose extending medical assistance to more adults through the Medicaid program. A task force studying health coverage models is to make recommendations for a statewide plan that could lead to universal health care by 2008. "

And about those 2008 aspirations? Gov. Richardson remained smilingly mum, although in 2006, he's visited New Hampshire, Iowa and other Democratic early primary states.

But at the governor's inauguration, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Bosson joked aloud what many New Mexicans were thinking yesterday:

"Our sincerest congratulations, governor, on what we hope will be four more years.

If it proves to be less, then we say, 'Vaya con Dios' (Spanish for Go with God), and we'll see you in Washington."

Recommended Reading
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer's Inaugural Address
Profile of Eliot Spitzer, Governor of New York
Profile of Bill Richardson, Govenror of New Mexico & 2008 Presidential Possibility