From Nebraska: Don Walton with the Lincoln Journal Star.

North Dakota: Dale Wetzel, Associated Press.

For West Virginia, having Hoppy Kercheval on there is a joke. He gave the maximum contribution to his boss, Republican John Raese, when Raese was running for the Senate in 2006, and then tried to defend himself as a serious journalist. He's just a hack.
I suggest someone from The Charleston Gazette or AP writer Lawrence Messina.

Tennessee: Rick Locker, The Commercial Appeal
Bill Dries, Memphis Daily News

For Louisiana, don't forget Bruce Alpert, the best in the business, out of DC, with one global exclusive after another...

claudia: "May he rest"?

Jimmy Breslin is still alive.

By my count, there are just three women on this list, though I may have missed one or two with ambiguous names.
Not sure of the significance, if any, but it's interesting. Any thoughts out there?

for North Carolina, let's not forget the Charlotte Observer's Jim Morrill.

I don't read the newspapers much any more, but in New Mexico the blogs to read are Joe Monahan (leans Dem) and Heath Haussamen (leans R). Also, during the legislative season, there is Steve Terrell.

Links are:
http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/
http://haussamen.blogspot.com/
http://blogs.freenewmexican.com/terrell

Oregon? How about John "The bald faced truth" Canzano?

Are you out of your mind not including ROBYNN TYSVER of the Omaha World Herald?
She has busted her ass covering the politicals over in Iowa.
Don't forget the gal from Nebraska.

Ricky From Omaha

PS I agree with Don Walton of the Lincoln Journal Star getting a mention.
He knows quite a bit about the Nebraska political scene.

Are you out of your mind not including ROBYNN TYSVER of the Omaha World Herald?
She has busted her ass covering the politicals over in Iowa.
Don't forget the gal from Nebraska.

Ricky From Omaha

PS I agree with Don Walton of the Lincoln Journal Star getting a mention.
He knows quite a bit about the Nebraska political scene.

To ctownwoody and will pate: We do not have Molly and McNeeley to cover the Lege any more, although McNeeley is still "with us" and has written a biography of Bullock that just got published. Selby is not an "idiot" but he is no McNeeley.

I will take a look at Karen Brooks stuff, thanx.

Thanx to mclean1 for the "Steer" to Burnt Orange Report.

I was going to ask "what about New Mexico" but I can't honestly think of anyone I'd recommend.

What about Maryland?

Vermont!! Check out the Vermont Daily Briefing at http://vermontdailybriefing.com/ . I read it often. The blogger, Philip Baruth, provides sharp, biting commentary on state, local, national, and international issues. He conducts interviews with local and national political figures (mostly, but not entirely, Democrats and Progressives). He and a team of voice actors produce high quality audio skits (mostly comic or satirical in nature). Nationally, he's currently firing on all cylinders for Obama.

Texas: Selby is an idiot. Replace him with Karen Brooks of the Dallas Morning News.

For Minnesota it has to be Pat Kessler from WCCO.

Pennsylvania: Agree that Dick Polman of the Philly Inky is the best when it comes to politics overall and in general. For Pennsylvania state politics, John Micek of the Allentown Morning Call is tops.

I second Kathy Barks Hoffman, AP's Lansing bureau chief, in Michigan. And Dave Nitkin of The (Baltimore) Sun is a Maryland commodity. He was even sued by the governor!

I'd like to put in a vote for Don Walton of the Lincoln Journal Star for Nebraska.

In Virginia, Colston Newton who works for the papers in the Northern Neck should be mentioned. Nobody has as much knowledge of politics in eastern Virginia as he does. He provides terrific context in his reports, mainly because he's actually known all the players since the late 1950s.

CC, How about Wayne Barrett of the Village Voice? He's known more about New York politics than anyone since Jimmy Breslin. And Jimmy, may he rest, was the best of all.

On radio, for New Yorkers west of the Hudson, NPR's Karen DeWitt seems to have a lot of insight on what's happening in Albany.

Derek Wallbank is a great up-and-comer in Michigan at the Lansing State Journal. Watch out for him.

Michigan: Kathy Barks Hoffman, AP's Lansing Bureau

This list is a little light on radio, which is often a spot for great political reporting.

In Minnesota, MPR (Minnesota Public Radio) has a number of good people, but the godfather of them is Gary Eichten. Going on his Midday show is a rite of passage for any candidate.

Also, Rachel Stassen-Berger of the Pioneer Press is pretty good. And she's Harold Stassen's granddaughter too.

For Colorado, I'm surprised no one has mentioned Bob Ewegen of the Denver Post. As an example, check out his column that will be published tomorrow (Sunday):

http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_7831465

You definitely need to add Tim Skubick for Michigan! I had a few chances to meet and talk with him in college, as well as watching his show on PBS when I could. He is THE political reporter in MI.

NORTH DAKOTA--Janell Cole, Fargo Forum. We may have escaped your notice, since we only have to deal with legislative nonsense once every two years

Oklahoma: I agree about the Tulsa World's Randy Krehbiel. He covers elections and politics for the paper. The Daily Oklahoman is a joke, as stated above, so the World tends to be the favored paper for the state.

Texas: The Texas Observer has a movable feast of excellent local writers who contribute until they have to work somewhere else to keep body and soul together.

Some excellent blogs have arisen such as the Burnt Orange Report. My local county one is Eye on Williamson which has done terrific reporting on the lege and it's impact on Williamson County. For sheer fun regarding Brazos County, Kiss My Big Blue Butt features the scanning of county commissioners expense reports, etc.

Rob Christensen is NOT the "best" political reporter in NC. He's more of a commentator now anyway, only writing one column of opinion per week.

Fellow N&O scribe Dan Kane is the best reporter in terms of breaking news and getting good scoop.

Lets get a little global...

Sydney, Australia: Peter Harcher of the Sydney Morning Herald

Oklahoma: Randy Krehbiel of the Tulsa World

How about for the South Florida region at the Miami Herald Mr. Tom Fiedler (don't know if he does much writing anymore) and also on WPLG channel 10 Michael Putney. They seem to be intune with the South Florida political action. Or how about for your local backyard in VA, MD, and DC Mark Plotkin on WTOP radio. Just some thoughts.

Here's one that needs to be added:

Michigan, Tim Skubick, Lansing State Journal, WKAR. He knows everybody and has sources all over Michigan state government. He has been covering state politics since at least 1972. He also had a very interesting book, See Dick and Jen Run, on last year's governor race.

TFO,

Thanks for the heads up. And apologies for the misspelling of Ed's name. It's Fixed now.

Chris

Arkansas: Max Brantley, publisher of Arkansas Times

Texas: Always, always, always reserve a spot for Molly Ivins

Just a note regarding Tennessee. Down here, we spell Ed's last name "Cromer".

No surprise that nobody in Oklahoma recommended anyone. Oklahoma is home to what the Columbia Journalism Review called "the worst newspaper in America" (The Daily Oklahoman).

No affiliation is better for newspeople. I would prefer nuetral, like bull O'Liely. hahahahaha

But the labels men put on themselves is important. if any of these people call THEMSELVES democrats or republcains, I for one would like to know.

I would like political affiliations, if any. please. So I know if I'm gettig news opinion or gop political propoganda.

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