Noting it was all he was "authorized to say," Beshear began his Thursday Q&A with a statement regarding his status as a potential VP pick and referred back to it frequently during a crowded press briefing.
"I am honored to be considered and regardless of what comes next, I'll do everything I can between now and Election Day to elect Kamala Harris as the next President of the United States of America," he said before being pelted with questions ranging from his view on immigration policy to a ceasefire in Gaza.
For the most part, Beshear stuck to variations on his previous statements about what might make him consider leaving Frankfort for Washington — repeating that he would need to believe he could continue to make a difference for Kentucky and help turn down the temperature of America's simmering partisan divisions.
Asked about support for a VP run, specifically from his family, he said the discussion would not have reached this level had they not been on board.
"I wouldn't enter any type of of process... I wouldn't read a statement saying it's an honor to be considered if they weren't behind me with whatever comes," Beshear told reporters.
The governor was also asked about the potential for a Cabinet position were Democrats to win the White House in November.
"I haven't heard anything about that and, you know, I don't have any thoughts on on that," Beshear answered. "I love being governor. That would be a hard sell on me."
A Change in Tone
Since the end of the pandemic, Beshear's once-daily press briefings morphed into weekly "Team Kentucky" updates focused on statewide news and economic development announcements.
This week, the Q&A shifted to matters of national and international import, with the line of questioning reaching far beyond Kentucky's borders, as reporters sought to suss out Beshear's positions on issues bound to come up in a presidential race. The first rapid-fire questions out of the gate dealt with foreign policy and Israel.
"Foreign policy is set by the President of the United States. Israel is a strong ally of the United States. When you have agreements with a strong ally, I think you have them privately and I don't think you can litigate foreign policy through the press," the governor responded.
The Kentucky Democrat also touched on President Joe Biden's speech Wednesday night, in which he said he was pulling out of the race because, "nothing could come in the way of saving our democracy." Beshear was asked if he shared the assessment that Trump represents a threat.
"Yes, I do," he answered without hesitation. "Former President Trump refused to accept a full and fair election, took steps to try to overturn it, but also incited a mob that attacked our US Capitol. We deserve better. I can't believe that he is somehow a presidential candidate after all of that."
On the economic front, the governor told WUKY that the state was continuing its upward trajectory. Asked how he could translate Kentucky's economic successes to the national level, he said, "I know how to execute on legislation." Beshear then brought the conversation back around to issues he's said are truly on the minds of Americans: jobs, infrastructure, clean drinking water, internet access, public education, and healthcare.
Following the rapid consolidation around Harris, the Democratic Party has set an August 7th goal to choose its presidential — and possibly vice presidential — nominee.
