The official announcement video. Let’s try really hard not to barf through this, kids.
Oh, and we won’t make the obvious joke about this headline: “Beshear taps Abramson as 2011 running mate.” Or this one: “Beshear-Abramson, the comfort factor.”
Is there anyone else who thinks this will make Beshear a one-termer? There are tons of issues that’ll drag the ticket down. And not just Steve Beshear’s own issues. There are all kinds of problems with Mayor McCheese we won’t get into right now. But you’re welcome to speculate and gossip in the comments.
17 responses so far ↓
1 David Adams // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:34 am
There you go again, making me look up words in the Urban Dictionary.
2 The problem... // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:52 am
That visual says it all. It’s craptacular. Governor Monty Burns and Mayor McCheese certainly do not create a compelling visual next to each other and indeed have enough baggage to bring each other down. Beshear could have done better. For what he was trying to accomplish (or needed to accomplish), I think Leslie Combs or Martha Jane King could have done the trick (granted, neither have built up the cred necessary for a statewide campaign, but with a year and a half to prepare, it could be done better than with, say, Sarah Palin). I somehow picture Walnuts picking Kit Bond for a running mate and think it compares. Old and slightly less old is not a hopeful message for Kentucky’s future and does nothing to balance the ticket by adding someone from either eastern or western Kentucky (which I remind people Beshear really isn’t from to begin with, growing up there and moving to Lexington and getting elected State Rep. in the 76th doesn’t make you a Western Kentuckian any more than Hillary Clinton is an Illinoisan).
3 Just me // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:53 am
Election is still 2 years away and I’m already depressed as hell.
4 jake // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:02 am
Why would anyone be depressed??
5 WouldaShouldaCoulda // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:09 am
This is a tone-deaf selection by Beshear. This is clearly now a Louisville-Lexington ticket that does NOTHING for anyone west of I-65 or eastern Kentucky either. The Republicans must be licking their chops about this potential urban vs rural race.
6 Bob // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:10 am
The very model of “The Odd Couple.” Want to bet how long it takes Beshear to give a serious yank on Abramson’s chain to make it clear Hizzoner is the second banana? Or a second bet on whether Abramson ever realizes the role Kentucky’s Lt. Gov. really gets to play?
But for now let’s just celebrate the end of Abramson in the Metro as he shifts all his efforts (and that of his cronies) to raising money for the state run and to getting labor and minorities back in line for the sake of the votes he always has been able to count on–or maybe Abramson thinks Ky. is getting too old, too Black and too poor.
7 Critics Corne // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:15 am
Compared to Lt. Dan’s homespun, folksy video or Conway’s 7 minute epic to his own ego this was pretty good.
Here’s my question: Couldn’t the Gov find some who isn’t on the payroll to be in his video?
At approximately 1:13 into the video Gene Kiser’s smiling face is shown with the Gov standing on the street. Gene is a big shot at Homeland Security.
Unless these guys can raise stupid money early – Unlikely when there are seven (at least) candidates beating the bushes for money for the U.S. Senate and at least two expensive special elections on the horizon – I see this choice as increasing the chances of a democratic primary.
8 jake // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:16 am
This is not a Louisville ticket. Louisville doesn’t want Jerry – which is why he’s so obviously jumped and almost pulled a Palin.
9 Always Amazed // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:33 am
They need a new image consultant – Jerry should have had on a business shirt just like Breshear. Really, the green polo to try not to look like a city slicker? Doesn’t work.
Jerry looks tired. He looks like he’s ready to sit back and play second banana and rest up for his next big move. He definitely does not look like the energetic partner who Breshear proclaims to want or KY needs!
10 Always Amazed // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:34 am
Sorry….”Beshear”
11 jake // Jul 20, 2009 at 9:49 am
Not just a green polo… but a $120 Lacoste polo.
12 Junction Jack // Jul 20, 2009 at 11:23 am
I wanna get me a shirt, with the alligator on!
13 ToddSmith // Jul 20, 2009 at 11:45 am
They had to use a fisheye lens to get Jerry’s head completely in the frame.
14 Conservative // Jul 20, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Those alligator shirts are so 1980s preppie.
15 Just me // Jul 20, 2009 at 1:11 pm
I’m depressed because I would’ve liked to have seen Beshear choose someone with more credibility. The two of them standing together remind me of Abbot and Costello…not in a good way.
16 Steve // Jul 20, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Among all the amusings of their joint appearance, my favorite was when Beshear said Abramson easily could have won another term.
I suppose we should all thank him for selflessly sacrificing the cakewalk!
Image-wise, I noticed how much Abramson dwarfs Beshear.
It seemed like an ironic omen, ‘cuz it’s not going to be easy for Jerry to downsize himself into a second banana — not after starring in the title role as in-your-face autocrat here at home.
If the demographics of the General Assembly are any indication, a too old, rich, white and male ticket probably won’t bother most Kentucky voters — especially if the GOP serves up the same.
But I don’t see a strong Republican ticket on the horizon.
Maybe Trey Grayson would consider shifting gears to the gubernatorial race. By opting out of his presumptive run for governor, he would fulfill Jim Bunning’s wettest dream: to stay in the contest, lose to Conway and bitch-slap McConnell with the loss of a Republican Senate seat — in his own backyard!
It would be the ultimate beanball — with a Shakespearean twist.
Ahhhh … Kentucky politics … The Greatest Show on Earth.
17 Steve // Jul 20, 2009 at 2:16 pm
… “presumtive run for” senator, not “governor” …
Coffee break!
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