Beshear Waits to Court Teachers and Catharsis in Cardinal Stadium
Why hasn't Andy Beshear waited this long to talk about public education, the scene at the UofL opener, and of course some links....
Chris Hatfield
On Thursday afternoon, Andy Beshear posted a video to Twitter that included one of the first mentions during his campaign of Matt Bevin's "War on Public Education." This video followed Beshear's release of his plan to increase teacher pay, offer student loan forgiveness to educators and more.
To this point, it's been astonishing how little Andy Beshear has mentioned Matt Bevin’s treatment of public education and teachers.
Bevin's back-and-forth war with teachers in this state has been well-documented. So much so, that I don't even feel the need to link stories about it here. It was one of the precursors that led to his plummeting approval rating, all the way down to being the least popular governor in the United States.
Still, Beshear has opted to focus on more complex issues like healthcare and courting votes in coal country. I don't think he needs to do that to defeat Matt Bevin. It's simply not that complicated.
Winning these messaging wars are going to become increasingly crucial for Beshear as we head into debate season. For everything you can say about Matt Bevin, one thing is clear is that the man can talk. For everything you can say about Andy Beshear, he isn't the best speaker. He has gotten better, but I've often joked about how often he looks like a robot speaking. That hurts him in Kentucky. People want someone relatable, someone that looks like they'd be nice to drink a beer with it.
Believe it or not, I think that Matt Bevin is better at being that person. I expect him to win debates against Andy Beshear. I expect him to make Beshear out to be career politician (even if it’s built on falsehoods). I expect him to hammer home that Andy Beshear wants to introduce legislation in Kentucky that will “stop beating hearts.” He will talk about how Andy Beshear will make suicides happen in casinos. How Andy Beshear will kill more people by having every Kentuckian overdosing on the weed (despite supporting Medical Marijuana). Bevin will suggest that the very act of electing Andy Beshear would be to rebuke Jesus Christ himself.
The Republican manifesto of fear-mongering that has made them very successful in elections will be in full effect. It will be just as successful for Bevin. Whether you agree or not, it wins voters.
I guess what I'm saying is that the most critical thing about this election is to make the election about Matt Bevin. To be more precise, make it about how Matt Bevin has alienated the majority of his base. And that base prominently includes the teachers of Kentucky.
I believe they'll be enough voters on the fence about Matt Bevin (even those that support Donald Trump). These are the ones who will allow Beshear to win their vote. That opportunity won't last long, and he must capitalize on it, preferably before debate season comes around. I hope this new path is a sign of things to come in the future for Beshear; it's his path to victory. You don't need a brain surgeon to tell you that.
Louisville Links
We’ve talked on the podcast about the impact of Louisville’s budget cuts overwhelmingly hurting the west end. One casualty...Louisville’s youth jail; a cut which will send black boys across the state far from home. The Courier offers a critical look into what’s going on. GD
I’m gonna show this photo of Papa John to everyone I speak to in the next ten days so I’m showing it here too. It’s a real life Chapelle skit. CH
This week Michigan State received a paltry $4.5 million dollar fine for their role in allowing Larry Nassar to sexually assault countless young women. You’re likely aware that the first whistleblower in that case, Rachael Denhollander lives in Louisville. In a moving CJ op-ed, her husband Jacob shares his stories. GD
Keith Wynne is good at explaining Louisville Football schemes. CH
Gabe Duverge
Its hard to fathom a more symbolic first drive for Louisville football’s season. A methodical 88 yard march that included nine run plays and just one pass. A crescendo across the field culminating in an eight-yard Jawon Pass touchdown run.
As the Cards made their way down the field you could sense the breath-holding turning into true excitement. This is…working? When Pass entered the endzone the stadium erupted as if he had won the game.
Damn it felt great to feel good again.
Much has been made about calling this a “moral victory,” especially from our friends who gave a 2-10 coach his own Maker’s Mark bottle. Certainly, the idea of a moral victory carries with it a sour taste in your mouth. It was nice…but not nice enough.
But I’d argue Monday’s effort was more than that. It was landmark in the journey for this program. For the first time in what feels like forever, there is visible light at the end of this tunnel.
This doesn’t mean we’re expecting to be in a bowl come December. But it means we’re making progress and that’s more than we can ask for.
Outside the Snyder
I’m always skeptical of national articles about Kentucky problems. In this case, Rolling Stone did the right thing by hiring an Eastern Kentucky writer to cover the Harlan County miner protests. There’s fun tidbits that you’ve probably not heard before including transgender anarchists standing alongside the miners. GD
As a climber myself, I was familiar with Alex Honnold before he went mainstream. You’re damn right this is a humble brag. This piece from ESPN’s body issue is delightful on one of the most fascinating athletes of our generation. CH
Few writers can capture the entrenched culture that accompanies sport like Spencer Hall. His college football openers have always helped me understand why we care about a ball on a field so damn much. His latest on the Southern University Human Jukebox is no different. GD
It’s hard to think of a more iconic ESPN pair than Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann. Their Sports Centers were everything to grade school Chris, and this piece on the show is a terrific look back. CH
Alright alright alright. Matthew McConaughey has always been one of my favorite characters in the culture. If you’re in any way interested in why the man is now the “Minister of Culture” at the University of Texas, you better click this link. GD
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See ya next week!