Final answer:
Ted Strickland, Tim Pawlenty, and Bill Richardson were all governors in 2008, which is the correct job title for these individuals during that time.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 2008, Ted Strickland of Ohio, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, and Bill Richardson of New Mexico all held the job title of governor. Governors are elected officials who lead state governments and are responsible for implementing policies and managing the affairs of their respective states. In the 2008 U.S. presidential election, these individuals were serving as governors of their respective states. Governors are key political figures in state governments, having an active role in promoting policy agendas and working with or sometimes in opposition to their state legislatures. This is demonstrated by multiple sources, one being the reference which mentions that governors use their office to gain national attention and potentially ascend to higher political offices.