Report card for first-term governors

This article from stateline.org gives Beebe some high marks -- higher than any other freshman governor. As a matter of fact, he's about the only governor serving in his rookie term who hasn't stepped in it already. Here's a list of some missteps -- some appear critical and some trivial -- from a few of the 11 new governors:

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) bought $12,000 drapes for his office and frequently travels in the state police helicopter to events around the state. In addition, he traded in the state Crown Vic for a Caddy;

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D) angered labor supporters with his first veto. Other than this, which many supporters allege amounts to a stray from a campaign promise, Gov. Ritter appears to be pretty effective, especially on his energy policy, which has brought several items of legislation to his desk already this legislative session;

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) has seen his approval rating dip to 29 percent — lower than that of President Bush. The FBI is investigating whether Gibbons, while he was a congressman, helped a friend land lucrative military contracts. In addition, Las Vegas police investigated allegations that Gibbons grabbed and propositioned a casino cocktail waitress but didn’t file charges.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) has raised hackles in Albany with his biting name-calling. He has been quoted calling health-care lobbyists “crybabies” and reportedly told a top Assembly Republican, “Listen, I’m a (expletive) steamroller and I’ll roll over you and anybody else.”

Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter (R) has spent considerable time fighting fellow Republicans in the Legislature. He's vetoed two measures that many believe were simply as a show to flex his political muscle.

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) got into hot water before his inauguration in January over plans for a glitzy inaugural ball for which lobbyists were asked to pay as much as $500,000. Crist canceled the event.