Courier Journal endorses Steve Beshear for Governor.
The Courier-Journal has announced its endorsement of the Democratic ticket for Governor. The Beshear/Mongiardo ticket is the recipient of the endorsement. Previously, the newspaper endorsed the ticket of Northup/Hoover for the Republican ticket. Here is what the C-J had to say:
Democrats should nominate Beshear
Most of the major candidates for governor in the crowded Democratic primary in Kentucky offer the welcome promise of a sharp and constructive break with the lackluster and ethically challenged ways of the Fletcher administration.
However, one candidate stands out: Steve Beshear. We urge Kentucky Democrats to make him their choice. He would bring courage, independence and progress to Frankfort, as his civic record clearly proves.
Together, Mr. Beshear and his running mate, Dr. Daniel Mongiardo, offer both the wisdom that comes with experience and the promise of generational change.
As attorney general and lieutenant governor, and in his work as a successful private attorney, Mr. Beshear has demonstrated the kind of toughness needed to break the partisan logjam in Frankfort and to move the state energetically in new directions.
When he was the state's chief legal officer, Mr. Beshear took difficult and conscientious positions, despite the political consequences. He didn't let personal ambition keep him from doing the public's work.
Rather than play to the grandstands or shift responsibility to the courts, he made the appropriate and tough decisions -- an approach that would be especially welcome in Frankfort now, after the dispiriting merit-system scandal, multiple investigations, grand jury charges and gubernatorial pardons of the Fletcher years.
Mr. Beshear also used his time as lieutenant governor to get things done, including creation of the Kentucky Tomorrow Commission. He did what serious state officials should do: contemplate the future, define problems and recommend solutions.
As a gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Beshear offers solid plans: expanding childhood and preschool programs; forgivable college tuition loans; revamping state economic development efforts to focus on growth of Kentucky-based companies; greater access to affordable health care, particularly by expanding the reach of Medicaid and the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program.
In tackling health issues, state Sen. Mongiardo, a Hazard physician, would be an especially helpful lieutenant governor.
Mr. Beshear proposes paying for new programs in part through revenues generated by an expansion of legalized gambling, if voters approve. In this area he should, and will, move carefully. It may be difficult to craft, pass and implement a responsible approach, and there may be less reward than advocates of expanded gaming anticipate. If he becomes governor, Mr. Beshear should exercise caution in embracing this alternative. But he recognizes that essential state services require adequate revenue, and that neighboring governments now pay their bills in part with huge piles of Kentucky entertainment dollars.
There are other intriguing candidates in the race, but none matches Mr. Beshear's appeal.
Millionaire businessman Bruce Lunsford served admirably as Development Cabinet secretary during the administration of Gov. John Y. Brown Jr., and his business career certainly gives him valuable executive experience. His comprehensive "Blueprint for Change," especially his call for universal health care, infuses welcome ideas into the campaign.
But Mr. Lunsford is dogged by controversies stemming from consequences of the drastic restructuring of the hospital and nursing home company he ran, from his 2003 endorsement of Ernie Fletcher and from the record of ethical lapses of his running mate, Attorney General Greg Stumbo.
State Treasurer Jonathan Miller offers a progressive voice, but his experience seems too thin for a jump to state government's top job. He is, unfortunately, more likely to harm Mr. Beshear's chances than to elevate his own.
House Speaker Jody Richards is an honorable public servant, and his passion on education is genuine. But he has not shown the raw political muscle and willpower needed in the governor's chair.
Former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry is simply unfit for the office he seeks. His record as a public official and as a physician contains numerous lapses, and he often seemed missing in action during his tenure in the state's No. 2 job. Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith and Harlan contractor Otis "Bullman" Hensley provide entertainment value only.
The choice is clear. Kentucky Democrats should turn to Steve Beshear.
Like I stated in my earlier post, from what I'm hearing out there, Dan Mongiardo is doing a lot for their ticket -- not to take anything away from Steve Beshear.
I expect the Herald-Leader to also endorse the ticket.
So share your thoughts with us, would you?
Democrats should nominate Beshear
Most of the major candidates for governor in the crowded Democratic primary in Kentucky offer the welcome promise of a sharp and constructive break with the lackluster and ethically challenged ways of the Fletcher administration.
However, one candidate stands out: Steve Beshear. We urge Kentucky Democrats to make him their choice. He would bring courage, independence and progress to Frankfort, as his civic record clearly proves.
Together, Mr. Beshear and his running mate, Dr. Daniel Mongiardo, offer both the wisdom that comes with experience and the promise of generational change.
As attorney general and lieutenant governor, and in his work as a successful private attorney, Mr. Beshear has demonstrated the kind of toughness needed to break the partisan logjam in Frankfort and to move the state energetically in new directions.
When he was the state's chief legal officer, Mr. Beshear took difficult and conscientious positions, despite the political consequences. He didn't let personal ambition keep him from doing the public's work.
Rather than play to the grandstands or shift responsibility to the courts, he made the appropriate and tough decisions -- an approach that would be especially welcome in Frankfort now, after the dispiriting merit-system scandal, multiple investigations, grand jury charges and gubernatorial pardons of the Fletcher years.
Mr. Beshear also used his time as lieutenant governor to get things done, including creation of the Kentucky Tomorrow Commission. He did what serious state officials should do: contemplate the future, define problems and recommend solutions.
As a gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Beshear offers solid plans: expanding childhood and preschool programs; forgivable college tuition loans; revamping state economic development efforts to focus on growth of Kentucky-based companies; greater access to affordable health care, particularly by expanding the reach of Medicaid and the Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program.
In tackling health issues, state Sen. Mongiardo, a Hazard physician, would be an especially helpful lieutenant governor.
Mr. Beshear proposes paying for new programs in part through revenues generated by an expansion of legalized gambling, if voters approve. In this area he should, and will, move carefully. It may be difficult to craft, pass and implement a responsible approach, and there may be less reward than advocates of expanded gaming anticipate. If he becomes governor, Mr. Beshear should exercise caution in embracing this alternative. But he recognizes that essential state services require adequate revenue, and that neighboring governments now pay their bills in part with huge piles of Kentucky entertainment dollars.
There are other intriguing candidates in the race, but none matches Mr. Beshear's appeal.
Millionaire businessman Bruce Lunsford served admirably as Development Cabinet secretary during the administration of Gov. John Y. Brown Jr., and his business career certainly gives him valuable executive experience. His comprehensive "Blueprint for Change," especially his call for universal health care, infuses welcome ideas into the campaign.
But Mr. Lunsford is dogged by controversies stemming from consequences of the drastic restructuring of the hospital and nursing home company he ran, from his 2003 endorsement of Ernie Fletcher and from the record of ethical lapses of his running mate, Attorney General Greg Stumbo.
State Treasurer Jonathan Miller offers a progressive voice, but his experience seems too thin for a jump to state government's top job. He is, unfortunately, more likely to harm Mr. Beshear's chances than to elevate his own.
House Speaker Jody Richards is an honorable public servant, and his passion on education is genuine. But he has not shown the raw political muscle and willpower needed in the governor's chair.
Former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry is simply unfit for the office he seeks. His record as a public official and as a physician contains numerous lapses, and he often seemed missing in action during his tenure in the state's No. 2 job. Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith and Harlan contractor Otis "Bullman" Hensley provide entertainment value only.
The choice is clear. Kentucky Democrats should turn to Steve Beshear.
Like I stated in my earlier post, from what I'm hearing out there, Dan Mongiardo is doing a lot for their ticket -- not to take anything away from Steve Beshear.
I expect the Herald-Leader to also endorse the ticket.
So share your thoughts with us, would you?
Labels: Democratism, Kentucky politics, Public Service
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 10:19 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home