Commentary
Kentucky politicians audition on national and state stages
Gov. Andy Beshear’s big audition didn’t get him a new role, but the continuing tryouts of people who might succeed him or seek other statewide office began a new round. Republican hopefuls were on stage before and during the political speaking at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic, which Beshear skipped — apparently because he was […]
The double standard is laughable
In the hours after Vice President Kamala Harris became the de facto Democratic nominee for president and Gov. Andy Beshear was lauded as a potential pick for vice president, I received a text message about Beshear from a MAGA man in my family: Maybe he can control her. Words I do not recall hearing, in […]
This Supreme Court has redefined the meaning of corruption
The U.S. Supreme Court is deregulating corruption, with arguably grim consequences for American democracy. The latest example of this troubling trend was the case known as Snyder v. United States. At first glance, this may have seemed like a narrow, wonky case about whether a part of the U.S. criminal code that outlaws bribery also […]
Veepstakes have evolved from where you live to who you are
Vice presidential picks can’t help a presidential candidate, but they can hurt one, according to political scientists. Presidential campaigns still spend a fair amount of time thinking about running mates and the ways in which they might boost the ticket – or at least not hurt it. Who will Vice President Kamala Harris pick as […]
No need to further victimize children through legislative ineptitude or gubernatorial stubbornness
Gov. Andy Beshear and Auditor of Public Accounts Allison Ball squared off earlier this month in a legal dispute over the auditor’s access to iTWIST, a database maintained by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services that “track[s] the state’s efforts to assist its most vulnerable citizens” and that was available to the ombudsman attached […]
Andy Beshear sees a path: running through J.D. Vance
Gov. Andy Beshear obviously wants to be in the White House – first as vice president. He went from coy to clear as soon as President Biden deferred to Vice President Kamala Harris and she started looking for a running mate. Until he endorsed Harris, Beshear said he would consider being on the ticket if […]
Expunge the overreaction: Concern about Kentucky’s process for purging voters is reasonable.
Kentuckians should be proud that Secretary of State Michael Adam received a Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Foundation for “protecting access to the ballot and ensuring that our nation remains a beacon of democracy.” In a time of rampant election denialism and threats against election workers, this state in 2021 expanded […]
As a fellow Ohioan, I have some concerns about J.D. Vance
Donald Trump announced Monday Ohio junior U.S. Sen. J.D. Vance as his running mate in the 2024 Election, and I have some concerns. Like J.D. Vance, I am also 39 years old; I also grew up in a struggling old industrial city in Ohio; I have also lost countless people close to me to the […]
Medical debt erased for 1,257 Kentuckians. Now let’s improve patient protections.
As health care costs continue to rise, so does anxiety about being able to afford medical treatment. Even those with good insurance can find themselves stuck with a surprise medical bill or mounting out-of-pocket expenses. The reality is that many Kentucky families are just one medical emergency away from a financial crisis. The specter of […]
Kentuckians mourning another mass shooting met by GOP lawmakers’ unfathomable cowardice
Over Fourth of July weekend, there was a mass shooting at a 21st birthday party in Florence (northern Kentucky, Boone County); four people were shot to death; three are recovering, including a 19-year-old girl. According to news reports, the 21-year-old shooter was on probation with a criminal history that included sexual assault of a 13-year-old. […]
Both candidates are old. Only one has shattered presidential norms.
As everyone opined in the aftermath of the Biden-Trump debate, our grandchildren (ages 4 and 5) were arriving to spend the Fourth of July holiday week with us, so we were careful in how we discussed the debate within their earshot. And we were certainly not tuning into TV pundits who, I later learned, spent […]
U.S. Supreme Court sets stage for industry lobbyists to write health, safety, environmental rules
The U.S. Supreme Court just ended something called Chevron deference, in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, Case No. 22-451. Should you worry? Alas, yes, the Supreme Court just threw our protections under the bus. Here’s how. In 1984 in a case involving Chevron, the Supreme Court decided that when an agency’s implementation of a federal […]