Air Beshear Flies on Taxpayer Dime – Whether you like it or not
In case you missed it… Steve Beshear has begun his 13 city “listening tour” in an attempt to bolster his damaged image. Even the Lexington Herald-Leader has called this the “Please Help Me My Ratings Have Fallen” tour. Whatever the title, this tour is doing more harm than good for a governor whose approval rating hovered at an abysmal 39 percent after the legislative session. This weekend, Herald-Leader Reporter Ryan Alessi’s front page story exposed Beshear for spending more than $7000 on 3 planes to fly cabinet members to the first tour stop in Eastern Kentucky. Beshear’s excessive use of state funds is ironic given the double standard he has set for state workers by asking them to car-pool to save money and fuel.
In a shocking display of arrogance, Beshear responded to media criticism saying he planned to continue traveling with an expensive political entourage “regardless of whether the Herald-Leader likes it or not." This attitude isn’t surprising given Beshear’s track record. While Lt. Governor during the 1980’s, Beshear used state aircraft more than 200 times to lay the groundwork for his failed gubernatorial bid in 1987 (Herald-Leader, February 3, 1987). Old habits apparently die hard.
When the “Please Help Me My Ratings Have Fallen” tour lands in a town near you, please go out and ask Governor Beshear about his “do as I say…not as I do” leadership policy – or the laundry list of broken campaign promises and judgment missteps. These, of course, include calling for tax hikes after campaigning against it, shelving ethics reform to push a failed casino agenda and wasting valuable political capital to meddle in party politics.
BESHEAR: MUST READS
Herald-Leader: Governor's crew's air fare to Pike County over $7,000
PolWatchers: Beshear - Cabinet will keep coming with me
Glasgow Daily Times: Beshear goes on the road
Conservative Edge: Beshear Town Hall Too Crowded
Herald-Leader: Beshear Forgot to Pack Frugality
In the Presidential campaign news…it seems Barack Obama, like Steve Beshear, has also embarked on a “re-imaging tour” with stops across Europe and the Middle East. Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience, numerous policy flip-flops – not to mention plans to meet with terrorist groups – has created tremendous distrust among voters about his ability to handle a national security crisis. For example, a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll reported that more than half of voters doubted Obama’s ability to be a good commander-in-chief, whereas an overwhelming majority (72 percent) had confidence in John McCain in this role. Don’t miss the RNC documentary outlining Obama’s shifting positions on foreign policy on the RPK homepage!
OBAMA: MUST READS
Wall Street Journal: Obama's 'Judgment'
Washington Post: The Audacity of Vanity
Washington Times: Obama’s Leadership in Doubt
Watch it: Obama on Iraq - Whatever the Politics Demand
We need leaders in the Governor’s Mansion and the White House who not only talk the talk – but have the ability to walk the walk! Help us continue to hold Steve Beshear accountable for his hypocrisy – and help us stop Barack Obama from gaining ground in the Bluegrass State. Contribute to the Republican Party of Kentucky today!
