While the odds may have been in its favor, it was not a sure thing that Democratic governors would support President Obama's health care reform proposals en masse. Governors from both parties had worried about what reform would mean for the states -- espcially with respect to increased Medicaid costs.

Today, though, the leadership of the Democratic Governors Association announced that after "productive conversations in the past week with House and Senate leaders," the president has their full support on health care.

"We had productive conversations. The lawmakers heard our concerns and they understand where we're coming from," said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, a former DGA chairman and current chair emeritus. "While I want to see more details, I feel good about where this is headed and I want to see reform passed this year."

"Governors are doing our best to help families struggling to pay for health care. We're all grappling with state budgets that are strained with the spiraling cost of health care," said Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer, chairman of the DGA. "We need health insurance reform this year, and we support the President's goals."