Yes, we promised not to dip our toes in the veepstakes debate anymore, but thanks to a great article out today, we just couldn't resist.

Stateline.org's Louis Jacobson takes a look at some of the first-term governors -- eleven in all -- elected in 2006, noting that just one, Nevada's Jim Gibbons, has faced trouble during his term. The other ten remain widely popular in their states, and at least a few are likely to show up on a national ticket at some point.

The five rookie governors most likely to find themselves in national office:

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R): After what looked like a difficult primary and general election in 2006, Crist seems poised to land on someone's radar at some point. Winning a swing state is essential to any electoral college map, and Crist is already fending off rumors that he's one candidate's pick for vice president in 2008.

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter (D): Democrats are bullish on the Mountain West, and Colorado is their best chance to pick up electoral votes in 2008. Lately, the state has elected a Democratic senator, elected Ritter by a wide margin, and looks likely to elect another Democrat to the Senate in '08. Ritter, a pro-life law and order type, could be just the vice presidential candidate for a more liberal top of the ticket running mate. Few will be surprised if the governorship is not his last stop in public office.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D): We've heard that at least some part of the reason Senator Barack Obama decided to run for president this year is the potential of a strong run from Patrick, the country's second African-American governor, sometime in the not-so-distant future. Yes, he's from Massachusetts, which doesn't have the greatest track record for electing presidents, but Patrick could add a lot to a national ticket -- or he could make a strong candidate for the top spot himself.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver (D): As energy issues become more important, and if Iowa's status as a swing state (carried by Gore in '00 and Bush in '04) continues, Culver could be a valuable addition as a vice president. The "big lug" could wind up boosting an Easterner's chances in the Midwest, though if a Democrat needs to solidify the Midwest, it might signal trouble for their campaign. Still, Culver is young enough to be able to wait a while to show up in a Democratic administration.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D): Spitzer seems like no one's vice president. And given the ridiculous amount of money he raised during his 2006 cakewalk (more than $40 million), if he ever ran for president he would be well-funded enough to be a front-runner. His only problem: His hard-nose tactics have invited comparisons to Rudy Giuliani's strategies as US Attorney and as Mayor, comparisons that won't be popular in a Democratic primary for president. But Spitzer may have ten years as governor to build a friendly persona to go along with his law-and-order image.

Many readers will take issue with the fact that Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland is off this list. We left him out because we dealt with him here the other day. Other readers suggested Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), though we can't imagine an Alaskan ever fitting in to the political calculus it takes to select a veep. Though, as we noted recently, she has knocked off an incumbent Republican governor and leads an incumbent Republican senator in a poll someone wasted their money on. Maybe Palin could be a surprise candidate at some point. But we still think that's highly unlikely.

Finally, it would surprise few if new governors like Maryland's Martin O'Malley and Arkansas' Mike Beebe were mentioned for short lists at some point.