In the Spirit of Gatewood

Gatewood Galbraith would, of course, have been a terrible governor. He would have united legislators of both parties in vehement opposition to everything he wanted or tried. He would have vetoed everything they sent him as being wasteful or insufficient, and they would have refused to even consider any legislation he proposed.

But we would have had this: a passionate orator unafraid to use the bully pulpit to rally the people for massive changes in state government.

Gatewood would have given Occupy a run for its money.

Tom Eblen at the Herald:

Gatewood Galbraith, one of Kentucky's most colorful politicians, died Wednesday, just hours before Gov. Steve Beshear delivered his fifth State of the Commonwealth Address.

Many people didn't take Galbraith or his politics very seriously, but they liked him anyway. He was a genuinely nice guy who could poke fun at opponents without leaving scars. Most of all, Kentuckians admired his willingness to point out obvious truths despite the political cost.

As I watched Beshear speak, I could not imagine Galbraith standing there before the General Assembly. There were good reasons he lost five races for governor.

Beshear's speech wasn't bad. He brought up some tough issues, and he avoided the "get off our backs" nonsense from last year that made him look like a coal-industry puppet.

Having just won re-election, Beshear finally admitted the need for state tax reform. Not that he has proposed any real action before the end of the year, when most legislators stand for re-election. But it was a start. Maybe.

Still, with Galbraith on my mind that day, I longed to hear more honesty, more leadership and more political courage from a governor who will not have to face voters again — and who might want a political legacy beyond "caretaker."

I longed to hear something more like this:

Read the whole thing.