Son of last GOP governor cheers Beshear

FRANKFORT - Ernie Fletcher is Kentucky's first Republican governor in more than three decades, since the late Louie Nunn, who served from 1967 to 1971.

But don't look for Nunn's son, former state Rep. Steve Nunn, R-Glasgow, at Fletcher's party tonight in Lexington. Nunn is shaking hands and sharing cheer with Democrats in Frankfort who are rooting for Steve Beshear to become the next Democratic governor.

"I'm getting more hugs and kisses tonight here than -- well, let me rephrase that, I'm getting as many hugs and kisses tonight here than I would at a Republican event now," said Nunn, who did, indeed, just share hugs with several well-wishers.

Nunn, a moderate Republican, lost to Fletcher in the 2003 GOP gubernatorial primary. In this year's election, he was one of the state's Republican politicians to back Beshear.

Asked if he would serve in a Beshear administration -- Beshear's running mate, Daniel Mongiardo, tonight said some Republicans will be invited to join Democrats in the Capitol -- Nunn said he was open to the idea, although nobody has asked him yet.

"I'd be glad to talk to him. All you want to do is help a governor be successful, and all I'd want to do is help Steve Beshear be a good governor," Nunn said. "I love public service, even if I've never been particularly good at the political side of it."

Comments

Nunn is a loser, he is a sore loser, he lost against Fletcher, he tried to sabatoge the governor, he lost his job, and then he came boot licking to the other side. Nunn is a boot licker, I hope he gets nothing. Loser.

I expect Steve Nunn to be named as a cabinet secretary - Beshear promised a bi-partisan administration.

Nunn's name has been floated around as a possible Cabinet for Health and Family Services secretary for weeks. Three cheers for getting rid of Mark Birdwhistell.

Louie B. is rolling over in his grave right now.

amen 9:44

Boot licker is correct, what a loser, Nunn is a nobody.

Will Beshear risk appointing Nunn with all that baggage. The folks in Barren County booted him out as state rep after learning of a rumored bottle and women (married) problem. All rumors...but he did canned from his job at the hospital too.

Mark Birdwhistell stablized Medicaid, keeping it from drowning the budget. That kept other valuable programs for the poor from being cut. He removed the co-pays for poor families using day care. And he had to grapple with Oakwood and a out-of-control social services system that allowed entrenched bureaucrats (probably 100% Democrat) to run roughshod over poor families. Steve Nunn has always been known as someone who cares about the poor and about children. But he will have large shoes to fill to manage that huge bureaucracy at a time of increasing social need.

[David]

Rightfully said, 6:35. Mark Birdwhistle has done an OUTSTANDING job! Shame on anyone who would slander him. He has been a dedicated public servant. Incidentally, I believe he actually is a Democrat...but I still deeply respect him :) and the great success he has had on behalf of all Kentuckians. Beshear would be very, very wise to try to persuade him to stay, although I don't believe he would accept.

As for Steve Nunn: there would be nothing bipartisan in appointing him to anything. He might as well change his registration. Simply put, he is a sore loser and a traitor! And people really don't trust a traitor or a turncoat.

10:50 is correct

Maybe Steve should even change his name and save his family further embarrassment!

I actually believe it was Shannon Turner who got Kentucky out of the Medicaid crisis. She should be the next secretary of CHFS if you ask me.

Whoever manages CHFS has to be capable of handling a multi-billion dollar budget with all kinds of federal mandates and oversight. The lives of hundreds of thousands of our most vulnerable citizens depend upon the ability to understand that complexity and to make the right decisions.

Not everyone can handle groups as diverse as parents of mentally disabled adults, hospials, major insurance companies, the federal HHS, children on KCHIP, day care providers, social workers, abused and neglected children, birth parents, foster & adoptive parents, food stamp recepients, and all the rest of us for wellness iniatives and e-health for electronic records and pandemic planning.

Add to that the necessity of working with the Legislature to get much needed legislation, like opening up Courts to the light of day and making sure the health needs of all the children are met, and it is clear that there needs to be a person seen as bipartisan. I don't know if Steve Nunn fits that bill or not.

Former State Senator Benny Ray Bailey has all the qualities to be an excellent CHFS secretary; I hope Beshear takes a strong look at him.

[Mark]

Benny Ray Bailey!!! You have GOT to be kidding! Watch the kids, lock away the valuables! The good ole boys are back in town!!

And this is the ethical government Beshear promised! Get ready to reopen the BOPTROT files! Hey, maybe Bill Collins is available by now, too! Is Bruce Wilkinson still around? Where is Kent Downey when you need him? Paul Patton is rested, tanned, and ready to serve! What a treasure-trove of experience! Now we can get back to the Kentucky government we know and deserve!

Who knows, perhaps Stumbo's reward for the partisan use of his office to mortally wound Ernie will be an appointment to the state Supreme Court! Then life in Kentucky will truly be upside down again like I remember, and we can resume our rightful place as 49th or 50th in everything good! Politics is truly the damnest in Kentucky!

Mark,

I agree with you, however, 1/3 of Kentuckians registered to vote and 60% of that 1/3 voted for Governor Beshear. That is the mandate. Simply if the Republicans had all voted this would not be an issue. IT is their fault and theirs alone, let the chips fall where they fall.

[Mark]

Sad, but true, 11:07!