Commentary
Kentucky presidential primary worth watching, even if it doesn’t matter
When Mitch McConnell voted not to convict Donald Trump on impeachment for the assault on the Capitol, the Senate Republican leader excused himself on grounds that Trump had left office. That was an untested legal theory; McConnell had already tested the politics of his members, and voted with most of them. But then he laid […]
Politics as performance: When debate is a formality and voters go for the man with the biggest hat
One morning during the 2024 legislative session, I walked out of a meeting about Senate Bill 2 — putting armed guardians in lieu of fully-trained school resource officers in our schools, with no budget allocation — and ran into a familiar lawmaker and two interns waiting for the elevator.? “I was just saying how all […]
Kentucky needs UK to accelerate its progress. UK needs rule changes to meet that challenge.
In a recent meeting with several employers from across the country who hire our graduates, I heard many of the same themes. Our students are smart and capable. They are prepared. They have the technical skills necessary to do the job, working in what are often complex fields. But in many cases, I was told […]
Some legacy
In an April 21 KET interview, GOP Senate leader Damon Thayer was asked to define the term “normal Republican.” “Someone who wants to help put the fire out that’s burning in America today,” he said, adding that he is “tired of the jokers,” only to add this minutes later: “I don’t think that President Trump […]
A professor’s wake-up call to University of Kentucky president and trustees
On Monday, the University of Kentucky’s University Senate passed a vote of no confidence in President Eli Capilouto. In response, both Dr. Capilouto and the chair of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Britt Brockman, released separate statements doubling down on the controversial plan to strip the Senate of its oversight over core academic matters. President […]
With political protests, don’t trust your lying eyes
Activism on behalf of Gaza’s Palestinian population made its way to Lexington last week, in the form of a rally near the University of Kentucky’s main library. The modest crowd, estimated to number under 300, engaged in no violence, no vandalism, and no threatening behavior. No one faced arrest, nor did counter protestors accost them. […]
‘Wanting to be free does not insinuate violence’
LEXINGTON — History has a way of vindicating student protests — civil rights, Vietnam, apartheid — but it can take a while. I was thinking about this while trudging up Woodland Avenue on a sunny afternoon last week to a pro-Palestinian rally at the University of Kentucky.? Along the way I passed a group of […]
Kentucky Derby at 150 is bucket-list Americana. But can it outrun racing’s woes?
To paraphrase a wiseguy I once knew, this Saturday’s Kentucky Derby — the 150th edition of the famed horse race — is made history. From its first running in 1875 as the feature race at a just opened Churchill Downs in Louisville to its current place atop a sports and culture pinnacle, its narrative has […]
Al Cross handicaps Kentucky’s political field
Welcome, Derby visitors! Here’s our annual handicapping of Kentucky’s political horses amid the pageantry of the 150th iteration of America’s oldest continuously held sporting event. The political star of the Derby TV show, for about 30 seconds during the trophy presentation, is the governor. His name is Andy Beshear. That may sound familiar. He’s in […]
Kentucky General Assembly fumbles opportunities to help kids
It’s Spring 2024 in the Bluegrass State. And if I am writing about sports, I should be focused on new basketball coaches and the Derby and the PGA Championship at Valhalla. But as I reflect on the 2024 General Assembly, my mind drifts to football and the 1938 Chicago Bears. That was the team which […]
Ukraine vote draws lines for Senate race between Massie, Barr
Kentucky’s congressional Republicans were deeply divided on aid to Ukraine, setting the stage for their expected primary to succeed U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who led the fight for it and seems likely to retire in 2026. The loudest on each side were U.S. Reps. Thomas Massie of the Fourth District and Andy Barr of the […]
Anti-immigrant politics could spark violence in Kentucky. It has happened before.
Donald J. Trump, meet Charles S. Morehead, the guy who was elected governor of Kentucky in 1855 on the anti-immigrant “Know-Nothing” ticket. “Americans should rule America” was the Know-Nothings’ credo. Translation: white, native-born Protestants like them.? Officially, the American Party, it was dubbed the “Know-Nothing” party because members were supposed to reply — like Sgt. […]