Ivan C. Potter

Editorial

Both Ernie Fletcher and Steve Beshear have commanded campaigns that “claim to be running against the Frankfort mess.” Each of these candidates talks of how they would attack the insiders of Frankfort and force through changes to better people’s lives. In doing so, each of these candidates have advertised themselves as a populist.

Many years ago, my very good friend Jerry Hammond talked of this danger. At this time in 1992, Jerry was one of the best labor union leaders and political thinkers Kentucky had ever produced. To hone his skills as a thinker, Jerry talked, argued, debated and read a wide range of political theorists. Jerry told me of time he spent with Kentucky political legend Edward Prichard (adviser to FDR and namesake of the Prichard Committee).

Jerry spoke of the many times he and Prichard would discuss political theory and trends. On one such occasion, Hammond had just confessed to Prichard that he might be a populist at heart. Prichard’s response was, “Oh, Jerry be careful of that stuff. It’s dangerous.”

Prichard was right. In today’s world, true populism is the last thing most public officials want. To turn over the structure of government to the people threatens the status quo. Yet, with each new tax or job lost, a new found fever of political unrest takes seed in the soul of another citizen.

I feel that the passion of political involvement is reviving in Kentucky. With the rise of the blogs and the internet, there is a new awareness and appreciation of what Ed Prichard was pointing out to Jerry Hammond. True political change will require hard decisions about the size, shape, and function of state government.

Of all who say they are the “outsiders” in this governor’s race, only one team will be able to convince the voters that they are capable of seizing control of Frankfort and modernizing the size, shape, and function of Kentucky state government.

Under Governor Fletcher, the Republican Party had an excellent opportunity to define themselves as true leaders for this century. Instead, Fletcher’s administration became drunk with power and thought themselves above the law. The Republicans had their chance and blew it.

Now it is time to make a serious change in Frankfort.

It is my opinion that only the team of Steve Beshear and Dr. Dan Mongiardo can offer an exciting and fresh approach to making not only Frankfort live up to the potentials of the 21st Century but including each of us in this restructuring of our future. That is true populism.

The most important challenge waiting for Beshear’s team is not to become captured by the old time political machines and factions of the Democratic Party.

Beshear has proven in the past that he can take hold of leadership with a comfortable grip. With his effort in the 1980’s to take stock of Kentucky’s future, he proved that he has vision.

The issues of the 21st Century are not Republican or Democratic. They are about economic and cultural survival. Leadership must rise above political parties and become a light against the darkness of ignorance and intolerance in Kentucky.

The question will be: can Steve Beshear become a true modern outsider in a Frankfort world of insiders? Will he be able to think outside the box?

I hope so.