Hawpe on 2007

David Hawpe wrote about the governor's race in today's column:

In the Kentucky governor's race, several have declared themselves out of the running, including the presumptive favorite, U. S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-6th District. This despite incumbent Ernie Fletcher's poll numbers, which by last summer already were below freezing. And that was before the Franklin County grand jury further frosted Fletcher with a chilling description of the merit system scandal and his role in it.

What Kentucky needs is a generational change in its politics, and Chandler, especially when paired with a talented young person like Jack Conway or Jonathan Miller, could provide that. So could former Cabinet secretary Crit Luallen. So could Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson. On the Republican side, so could Secretary of State Trey Grayson. But that would require a change of mind by one of them.

Yes, serving as county judge of the entire state (that's what being Kentucky's governor amounts to) is difficult. It's risky, politically and personally. But surely there's someone out there who cares more about solving Kentucky's problems than about taking it easy. Surely there's somebody who could promote change and progress, and in the process help Kentucky avoid another century of delusional self-satisfaction.