A small army of candidates is already running, or talking up a run, for governor in Michigan in 2010. There are seven announced or possible Democrats, and eight announced or possible Republicans.

(Rep. Pete Hoekstra picked a tough day to announce his candidacy yesterday, as Obama’s announcement of the government’s effective takeover of GM dominated the news cycle.)

Why the interest? Well, the logical successor to term-limited Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Lt. Gov. John Cherry, is polling fairly blah. He’s only getting 26 percent in a possible Democratic primary matchup. What’s more, he trails all Republican contenders.

Oh, and as for potential Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Nugent . . . he tells my buddy Cam that it’s up to Mrs. Nugent.