The Next Steps
By 
Kentucky politicos are having a moment. Here’s the “Yay” case for Beshear as VP:
Sen. Robin Webb, D-Grayson: ”He’s certainly marketable. I mean, he’s handsome, he’s articulate and all those things… And I think reality’s set in that they’re not going to win with anyone other than a Democrat with the ability to work across the aisle, to not be polarizing, to be a uniter.”
Kyle West, former Jefferson County Democratic Party executive & Unite Kentucky PAC founder: ”Andy Beshear is the only choice that makes the most sense if Kamala takes over the top of the ticket. Not only will Jacqueline Coleman be a great governor for the commonwealth, Andy would be a perfect foil to Vance – he’s so wholesome, you basically can’t attack him without being extremely weird and off-putting (see Daniel Cameron’s failed attempt to go hard against him in ‘23). I think a Harris-Beshear ticket is the only hope we have of winning big against Trump-Vance, as any other choice starts opening up vulnerabilities at a time when we can hardly afford it.”
Dan Bayens, Republican media strategist: ”Andy Beshear is a proven winner in a part of the country where Democrats are struggling to connect with voters. He’s disciplined and rarely strays off message.”
Gillian Branstetter, communications strategist at the American Civil Liberties Union posted on social media site X: “I like Andy Beshear because an opponent ran ads targeting his veto of a trans care ban and he had the sense to stand by it rather than squeamishly panic like some blue state Dems in much safer offices I could mention.”
Weird times when we’re playing up the white governor dude as “articulate.” Here’s the “Nay” case:
Jake Cox, former campaign manager for Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, and commissioner of agriculture Ryan Quarles: Governors Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Cooper of North Carolina, or Whitmer of Michigan are all battle-scarred, nationally vetted, and – most importantly – in charge of states that will decide the outcome of this election. National politics is a box-checking game, and, unfortunately for Andy Beshear and his local sycophants, silver spoon-fed nepo-babies with zero accomplishments aside from a milquetoast demeanor and a slew of administrative scandals do not make a national leader. “And sure, Beshear can perpetuate his annoying lies taking credit from people who actually govern but that won’t translate to a national level when he’s up against leaders who have flexed their political muscle and won real Democratic policy goals.”
Rebecca Blankenship, Kentucky’s first openly transgender elected official and former Democratic State Central Executive Committee member: “There is probably some risk in choosing somebody who’s relatively unvetted at the national stage like Gov. Beshear. It’s not out of the question, in my view, that baggage could emerge for Gov. Beshear that has not been important to Kentucky voters but would be at the national level. “I’m also not sure to what extent voters from out-of-state have accurate perceptions of his record. It’s really difficult to point at anything other than medical marijuana after 2021 or so and say, ‘That’s a direct result of Gov. Andy Beshear’s efforts.’”
Chris Kirkwood, University of Kentucky political science Ph.D candidate: “What I’ve heard as a case against him is that he’s much more religious than other potential candidates. Some worry that that might turn off portions of the Democratic base. He also doesn’t really bring a key state to the table. Sure he’ll help in the South, but adding Cooper might secure North Carolina or Shapiro could secure Pennsylvania. Beshear is essentially only good as a blunt tool, whereas Cooper and Shapiro both help to secure their respective states and are good as broad instruments as well.”
Rep. Savannah Maddox, R-Dry Ridge: ”Andy Beshear has succeeded at obscuring the components of his political beliefs which do not resonate well with Kentuckians. He is perceived as a moderate Democrat, when in reality he is supportive of left-leaning priorities such as gun control, unrestrained government spending, LGBTQ activism and green New Deal initiatives.”
Of course it’s awfully hard for me to be neutral about this… I think that concerns that Beshear isn’t ready for prime time are legit; he has faced the kind of scrutiny and kind of attacks in Kentucky that he would face on the national stage. Many folks outside Kentucky don’t realize that he’s a dynastic politician (his dad was governor), although I don’t think that will hurt very much on the national stage. I do think that he contrasts well with JD Vance (“I know a hell of a lot more about Appalachia than you do, Senator Vance”) and while his educational pedigree isn’t shabby (Vanderbilt undergrad, UVA law) this would be the second straight Democratic ticket that did not involve the Ivy League in any way.
So… who we looking at, folks?