KY Gov. Andy Beshear answers speculation of him being VP pick, if he’s been contacted

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Gov. Andy Beshear came hot out of the gate on national television Monday morning, strongly endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign and even previewing how he might perform as her running mate.

Beshear joined TV hosts on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” to extol Democratic President Joe Biden’s record, take shots at Republican vice presidential nominee Sen. J.D. Vance, R-OH, and endorse Harris.

“I’m excited to fully endorse Vice President Harris for the next President of the United States,” Beshear said. “The vice president is smart and strong, which will make her a good president. But she’s also kind and has empathy which can make her a great president.”

Beshear’s appearance came on the heels of significant discussion surrounding him as a contender to become a vice presidential running mate alongside Harris in her campaign for commander-in-chief.

When asked if he’d be open to joining the ticket as Harris’ running mate, Beshear said that he would take another job only if “I could further help my people and to help this country.”

The governor’s response to a follow-up question made it sound like his interest was piqued.

“I think if somebody calls you on that, what you do is is at least listen,” Beshear added.

The 46-year-old governor also deflected when asked specifically if Harris’ team had contacted him yet about being her running mate.

“Well, I don’t know how that process is going to work. It’s flattering to be a part of it. And I take it as a compliment though, to what we’ve done in Kentucky.”

While Beshear spent much of the interview complimenting Harris and Biden over the work they’ve done and the campaign ahead, he also took the time to preview a political hit on Vance. The Ohio Senator rose to fame with his book “Hillbilly Elegy,” a memoir that has been praised by many but also taken some flack over its rendering of Appalachia, where Vance’s family is originally from.

“J.D. Vance ain’t from here. Now, the nerve that he has to call the people of KY, of Eastern KY, lazy. Listen, these are the hard working coal miners that... created the strongest middle class the world has ever seen. We should be thanking them, Not calling them lazy.”

How to watch Andy Beshear MSNBC interview

Morning Joe is a political talk show hosted by Joe Scarborough that airs every weekday morning on MSNBC. A replay of Beshear’s full interview has already been posted on the show’s website.

Morning Joe is among Biden’s favorite television shows, according to the news outlet Axios.