Louisville Courier Journal Attempts -- AGAIN -- To Do A "HIT" On Steve Beshear, Suggests For The Election He's "As Scarce As An Ivory-Billed Woodpecker".
Joseph Gerth | Governor Beshear forgets earlier position
As Gov. Steve Beshear tries to make himself as scarce as an ivory-billed woodpecker, it reminds us that sometimes politicians aren’t the same people they once were.
Once, Beshear was the underdog in an election. He didn’t hold a big lead in the polls and he fought unsuccessfully to gain traction with voters.
And unlike now, when he has limited his opponents to two debates and two other joint appearances, he was in favor of politicians actually standing toe-to-toe and defending their records.
Don’t believe me?
Ask Beshear.
“I think it’s time that candidates such as (U.S. Sen.) Mitch McConnell quit hiding behind the 30-second ads and come out and discuss issues all across this state,” Beshear said in 1996 as he challenged McConnell, then a two-term incumbent.
That was after McConnell announced that he would debate Beshear just twice (sound familiar?) and would do it only on his terms.
A big lead apparently changes people.
The Democratic governor has found time to attend ribbon cuttings for factories that have announced they are creating a handful of new jobs in Kentucky, and he’s made other stops around the state, but he can’t find time to talk face-to-face with Republican Senate President David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith.
Beshear even found time to attend a football game this weekend, but he couldn’t find time to go helmet-to-helmet with his opponents.
In fact, the last time Beshear appeared at a political event on the same stage with Williams and Galbraith was at Fancy Farm in August.
All he did there was talk about visiting American troops in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Some suggested he was hiding behind the flag, and Galbraith accused him of hiding behind the bodies of young servicemen.
Beshear has turned down debates sponsored by the Kentucky Press Association, the Louisville Forum and chambers of commerce across the state.
Last week, the Bowling Green Chamber canceled its debate when Beshear said he wouldn’t show.
He’s refused church picnics and community celebrations that he knew Williams would attend. Heck, he even reneged on his pledge to attend an event in Democrat-friendly western Louisville after Williams confirmed his appearance.
Beshear has agreed only to meet on Kentucky Educational Television and at a Kentucky Broadcasters Association and Kentucky League of Women Voters forum.
“I would hope he’s not afraid of facing the public and being questioned by news reporters,” Beshear said of McConnell in 1996 when he called for just two debates to be done in the Lincoln-Douglas style.
Despite portraying himself as the education governor, Beshear has refused a second debate on KET that would have been limited to education issues.
Williams says it’s because Beshear has no record of accomplishment and no ideas. Beshear, who once wanted McConnell to travel around the state talking issues, now says that just a couple of meetings are enough.
The ivory-billed woodpecker is believed by many to be extinct, but every few years there is a reported sighting that suggests the old bird might not have disappeared completely
Maybe the two debates that Beshear has reluctantly agreed to are intended to show that the other old bird still exists. It’s just harder to find him these days.
As Gov. Steve Beshear tries to make himself as scarce as an ivory-billed woodpecker, it reminds us that sometimes politicians aren’t the same people they once were.
Once, Beshear was the underdog in an election. He didn’t hold a big lead in the polls and he fought unsuccessfully to gain traction with voters.
And unlike now, when he has limited his opponents to two debates and two other joint appearances, he was in favor of politicians actually standing toe-to-toe and defending their records.
Don’t believe me?
Ask Beshear.
“I think it’s time that candidates such as (U.S. Sen.) Mitch McConnell quit hiding behind the 30-second ads and come out and discuss issues all across this state,” Beshear said in 1996 as he challenged McConnell, then a two-term incumbent.
That was after McConnell announced that he would debate Beshear just twice (sound familiar?) and would do it only on his terms.
A big lead apparently changes people.
The Democratic governor has found time to attend ribbon cuttings for factories that have announced they are creating a handful of new jobs in Kentucky, and he’s made other stops around the state, but he can’t find time to talk face-to-face with Republican Senate President David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith.
Beshear even found time to attend a football game this weekend, but he couldn’t find time to go helmet-to-helmet with his opponents.
In fact, the last time Beshear appeared at a political event on the same stage with Williams and Galbraith was at Fancy Farm in August.
All he did there was talk about visiting American troops in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Some suggested he was hiding behind the flag, and Galbraith accused him of hiding behind the bodies of young servicemen.
Beshear has turned down debates sponsored by the Kentucky Press Association, the Louisville Forum and chambers of commerce across the state.
Last week, the Bowling Green Chamber canceled its debate when Beshear said he wouldn’t show.
He’s refused church picnics and community celebrations that he knew Williams would attend. Heck, he even reneged on his pledge to attend an event in Democrat-friendly western Louisville after Williams confirmed his appearance.
Beshear has agreed only to meet on Kentucky Educational Television and at a Kentucky Broadcasters Association and Kentucky League of Women Voters forum.
“I would hope he’s not afraid of facing the public and being questioned by news reporters,” Beshear said of McConnell in 1996 when he called for just two debates to be done in the Lincoln-Douglas style.
Despite portraying himself as the education governor, Beshear has refused a second debate on KET that would have been limited to education issues.
Williams says it’s because Beshear has no record of accomplishment and no ideas. Beshear, who once wanted McConnell to travel around the state talking issues, now says that just a couple of meetings are enough.
The ivory-billed woodpecker is believed by many to be extinct, but every few years there is a reported sighting that suggests the old bird might not have disappeared completely
Maybe the two debates that Beshear has reluctantly agreed to are intended to show that the other old bird still exists. It’s just harder to find him these days.
Labels: General information
posted by KYJurisDoctor at 11:11 AM
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