Republican governors in key states contradict Mitt Romney's take on status of the economy

While Mitt Romney keeps telling everyone that Barack Obama inherited a bad economy from his "predecessor" but then made it worse, some Republican governors are touting how much things are looking up in their hard-hit states. As Travis Waldron writes, in three states that could be pivotal in the 2012 presidential election'Virginia, Ohio and Florida'the governors are upbeat. All three states voted for Barack Obama in 2008.

In a press release issued Friday and titled "Florida's Economy: Headed in the Right Direction," Gov. Rick Scott stated:

Today's unemployment report adds to the series of encouraging indicators that Florida's economy is steadily moving in the right direction. With 243,594 job openings listed by various help-wanted websites and our unemployment rate down 2.2 points to 8.7%, more Floridians are finding new jobs throughout the Sunshine State.

In Virginia, Gov. Bob McDonnell said:

Virginia is growing strong again. Through a bipartisan effort in Richmond, and the hard-work, innovation and dedication of the people of Virginia, our economy is recovering. There is a lot to celebrate in our Commonwealth.

With unemployment at over a 3-year low, agricultural exports at a record high, and thousands of Virginians working again, this is a great time to recognize all the great things happening in our tremendous Commonwealth. Virginians have written an incredible story; this ad tells it. Together, we are growing strong again.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich has been touting Ohio's improving job situation for some time, saying in mid-April:

We have a web site called Ohio Means Jobs. There's probably about 80,000 jobs listed on there. ' Look through that, and you're going to find a lot of exciting opportunities. ' There's a lot of really exciting things in this state where you can go and work.

Kasich wouldn't give Obama any kudos for this improvement, saying instead that "the credit goes to the people that invest."

Shortly afterward, Jessica Kershaw, the Obama campaign's press secretary in Ohio, stated in an email:

"While we appreciate Gov. Kasich's willingness to break with his party and actually admit the economy is improving, one thing is clear: The economy in Ohio and nationally is back on the right track because of the policies of President Obama, not Gov. Kasich or his Republican legislature," she said. "Ohio is helping to lead the nation out of the recession because of President Obama's policies and is doing so in spite of opposition put forth by Kasich and the right-wing legislature. Period."

Like Kasich, neither Scott nor McDonnell will sign on to give Obama direct credit either. But their claims that the economy is improving puts sand in the gears of Team Romney's argument that it is not. That's a division that can't be papered over by saying the improvements are only happening in those states where Republicans are in charge.