No! Kentucky pundits, politicos make case against Andy Beshear as VP candidate

Now that President Joe Biden has stepped aside from seeking the Democratic nomination for his reelection, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is one of a handful of potential names to join the new Democratic ticket, particularly as a VP nominee alongside current Vice President Kamala Harris.

It’s uncertain what happens next. What that ticket looks like could be decided by Biden himself, Democratic power brokers in Congress, his delegates or, in the event this drags on for weeks, on the floor of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago next month.

Plenty in Kentucky’s political orbit have thoughts about Beshear.

That includes many who say

he’s overhyped by national pundits less familiar with his governing style in the Bluegrass State. Others say the assets that helped him in Kentucky aren’t so translatable to the national stage.

“Andy Beshear is definitely an influential big fish in a small pond. I think he would get eaten alive if he moved to the ocean,” said Tres Watson, a former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky.

Brad Shattuck, a Lexington-based strategist, said he “couldn’t think of a starker contrast” with former president Donald Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance, given Vance’s humble beginnings and Beshear’s rearing as the son of a governor.

So what are all the knocks on Andy Beshear?

The Herald-Leader reached out to several people involved in Kentucky politics to get their perspective. Here’s what they had to say about Beshear’s record and his potential future:

Tres Watson, former Kentucky Republican Party spokesperson: ”Andy Beshear’s biggest problem is his greatest political asset: Luck. He ran against a wounded Matt Bevin, and he ran against a Cameron campaign that was poorly run and had the abortion issue hanging over it. I don’t know if that’s translatable.

“Beshear has had some uneven debate performances, so I think how he performs when the spotlight burns brighter is an open question. Another question is what does the Beshear fundraising arm look like when he’s not in his own state? He doesn’t come from a state that’s winnable, and it’s not like Kentucky is a hotbed of Democratic donors. What would he really bring to the ticket other than some sense of racial and gender balance?”

Anna Whites, Frankfort Democratic attorney: “In Kentucky, we may have a false idea that everyone knows Andy. If it’s Harris at the top, she’ll need a male, so that does narrow the field – I just am not sure the choice would be Andy.

Idrees Kahloon, Lexington native and Washington Bureau Chief for The Economist: ”He has governed with a Republican super-majority, making his accomplishments somewhat thin. Also, national Democrats have fallen out of love with the small-state governors that served them well in the 1990s. They prize fundraising ability, name recognition and pugnacious appearances on cable news and social media.”

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.”

Brad Shattuck, Lexington GOP strategist: ”What most national folks don’t realize is that the successes of the past four years are a direct result of GOP super-majorities in the state legislature. Republicans pass strong conservative legislation, Beshear vetoes it, both chambers override, and Beshear takes credit. Beshear was great at holding Kentucky back while taking credit for Republican legislation that lowered taxes and put Kentuckians back to work after his own draconian COVID lockdowns.

“The bench for the Democrat Party must be more like a tiny stool if Beshear’s name is in consideration. If Democrats want someone who was born on third base and profited from billing opioid clients, he’s their guy. I couldn’t think of a starker contrast with Republican Sen. J.D. Vance, whose story is rooted in poverty with a family struggling through addiction.”

Dan Bayens, Lexington Republican media strategist: “The big downside in running with Kamala Harris: He would likely foreclose any opportunity to compete statewide in Kentucky again.”

Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington: ”Federal, state and local races have very different issues. I think voters were willing to cross for him as governor but may not be willing to do so on federal issues. Thus, not sure his appeal nationally is as strong as it may appear.”

Jeffrey Tyler Syck, political science professor at the University of Pikeville: ”Beshear’s weakness as a potential vice president is that it is unclear if his ability to reach across the aisle and win Republican support extends beyond the borders of Kentucky. It certainly may, but it is also possible that his unique blend of folksy charm and liberal Christian ethics are peculiarly appealing to voters in the Bluegrass.”