Beshear's numbers could get worse

Governor Steve Beshear's plunge in the polls, falling some 30 points since his inauguration in December, could worsen, based on a number of factors, including his plan to raise taxes.

Just this week, Beshear's office released a report that two credit rating services had downgraded the Commonwealth's creditworthiness from "stable" to "negative." In the body of the news release was this telling paragraph:

"This sends a clear signal that continued inaction in addressing pension reform and new revenue sources will only bring more bad financial news for the people of Kentucky," said Gov. Beshear. "Because of the revised outlook, my administration will have to take a cautious view when determining how and when to issue bonds to fund projects authorized by the General Assembly."

"New revenue sources" is code for tax increases, in case you're wondering. Despite the fact that voters are dead-set against Beshear's plan to call a special legislative session to raise taxes, he may want to do just that later this summer.

Judging from his protracted and ill-advised skirmish with Senate President David Williams, the governor may want to spend the summer on a major fence-mending project. First place he can start is acknowledging that much of his agenda -- sans casino gambling and a cigarette tax hike -- would have gotten through the General Assembly had there not been a total breakdown in the House.

Blaming the failure of pension and ethics reform on Williams and Senate Republicans may play well before a partisan crowd at a Democratic fund-raiser, but everyone outside that tent knows better. According to Senator Joey Pendleton (D-Hopkinsville), had Beshear been more accessible during negotiations at the end of the legislative session, several major bills would have been passed.

Democrats and Republicans in both houses contest the governor's claim that there was a lack of agreement on pension and ethics reform. They point to Beshear's absence during the critical final day of the legislative session, when last-minute negotiations were bearing results, as the major cause for failure.

One has to wonder who's ox is being gored when the Herald-Leader today publishes results of its poll that shows Kentucky voters have a low opinion of both the General Assembly and Beshear. The newspaper featured the legislative poll numbers on the front page of the City/State section and pushed the Beshear poll story to the inside.

What's significant about this and the latest SurveyUSA results -- both showing Beshear with an approval rating of south of 40% -- is his popularity has taken a tumble without being hampered by a major scandal. He at least got a budget this legislative session, something denied Ernie Fletcher during his first legislative session as governor.

Some believe Beshear is falling victim to his "white knight" campaign strategy whereby he promised a cleaner than clean and ethical administration but has failed to deliver. Fletcher endured a similar plunge in his approval ratings, but not until after months of unending attacks by Democrats and the news media over the merit hiring investigation.

Without a major public relations effort, including bipartisan outreach, along with a crash course in legislative process, Steve Beshear may well discover the full meaning of the proverb:  "Success has many fathers but failure is an orphan."

Comments

[Brer and Tracy's Excellent Adventure]

Judge Graham has ordered all memory of Beshear's first five months erased and buried in Cincinnati. What John Y said.

Can we bet on his numbers at our casinos? What? Never mind, I've been out of town.

[BILked]

Just as Fletcher didn't take care of the people who worked hard to get him elected (state non merit jobs) Beshear is reading from the same play book.

I've speak with many dems on a daily basis and the consensus is we will not vote for or raise another dollar for Beshear.

Many locals R's worked their rumps off for Fletcher and received nothing. Same with Beshear.

Dems say they are emailing cauley and team, calling on the phone to cauley and team and are not getting even a courtesy email or return phone call.

Yet we still get ever fund raising letter the Dem party can send out. this includes fundraising emails.

I'm not talking about the merit jobs either, I'm speaking of non merit jobs.

Look at the ones that have been hired. they are rejects from the late 80's and early 90's. Old people with old ideas. Nothing that will move Kentucky forward.

So as Ernie's people from the first campaign didn't support him, neither will Steve's. You'd think they would learn their lesson.

Which cemetery did they recruit these folks they've brought in? Beshear's recirculating some very worn and tired people who were in their prime during Wendell Ford's administration.

Reporters in the Capitol will tell you right off that Beshear's people just don't have the spark and positive attitude neede to get things done in that office. He can't blame it on Jody or David. They're not his problem. His problem inhabits the offices down the hall from his.

[Brer and Tracy's Bank]

Cauley's in so far over his head they'll be putting in lifeguard stands soon. All he knows how to do is pay off cronies with jobs. He did do a good job with that Ethics 527 job though. I can't wait to play the slots at Keeneland and Churchill.

[mailman]

gosh, even some one like BILked who lives way out in the woods gets it yet the people living in the mansion in the city don't!

"Beshear's numbers could get worse." It should read, Behsear's number WILL get worse.

When Jim Cauley was asked his IQ he said 20-20. Ask him the time and it's always 5:27.

[Icky Ethics]

Vicki Glass says whaaat. What? Woot. Get em Vick. Or is it Dick? Who exactly is the spinner in chief anymore? The one who draws the short straw?

[Citizen Grim]

Let's not forget that Beshear was really only elected because of the "throw the bums out" spirit that swept up the electorate last fall, rather than any real enthusiasm for his policies and positions.