I Want to Be Governor 101
OK kids, here’s a lesson in practical politics. Let’s call it I Want to Be Governor 101.
Adam Edelen has recently been appointed by Steve Beshear to be his chief of staff. The Herald-Leader summarizes Edelen’s credentials for the position:
Before his appointment to homeland security, Edelen was a senior executive with both Thomas & King Inc. and Commerce Lexington. He also has served as a board chairman of Kentucky Educational Television, chairman of the 2006 United Way of the Bluegrass Annual Campaign and an aide to Gov. Paul Patton.
In addition to his role at homeland security, Edelen is currently vice chairman of the Urban League of Lexington and a member of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.
"Adam brings a diverse resume of public, political and private experience, along with strong and decisive management skills, all of which will be crucial to the ongoing success of this office and administration," Beshear said.
All of this is true, but they left out his most important skill. Adam Edelen can raise money like no one else in Kentucky politics. Edelen can raise hundreds of thousands of dollars without even trying hard. This is an invaluable asset to any politician.
So Edelen has his public service credentials, the ability to raise money, and the Homeland Security job started him on the way to making connections with all of the county officials.
Remember Homeland Security in Kentucky has nothing to do with Homeland Security it is a pork barrel pass through agency, it’s all about handing out money.
By becoming the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Adam Edelen positions himself so that everyone that wants something from the Governor comes through him. This is a powerful position. The Chief of Staff, if played correctly, will get a lot more ink from the press than the Director of Homeland Security.
Now Edelen has scored a political triple play, money, connections and publicity.
What’s next?
With Steve Beshear, unless he pulls an Ernie Fletcher, basically assured of repeating as Governor there is only one place to Edelen to go; the office of Auditor of Public Accounts. Crit Luallen is term limited out of the Auditor’s Office and there are no other viable candidates on the horizon.
Adam Edelen will have a cake walk in to the Auditor’s Office in 2011, much like Jonathan Miller did in his first term as Treasurer during the middle of the Paul Patton’s administration.
The real fun will begin when both Edelen and Jack Conway both want to be Governor in 2015. Both can raise money and will, in the up-coming years, have the opportunity to make and impression on the public.
Remember a successful campaign to be Governor is not only the tactical game of winning the election; it is the strategic game of positioning to win the election.
Adam Edelen is doing a masterful job of positioning.
Labels: Election 2011, State Government
posted by Ralph Long @ 8:50 AM
7 comments
7 Comments:
Beshear assured of re-election Ralph? Even with all the assists the whores at the C-J and H-L provide that's not a certainty at all. As for Edelen, in your praise you painted nothing but a pretty boy money bundler..Oh Kentucky indeed.
Not praise, just a how to get it done.
Just like Obama taking a page from Mitch McConnell - Money, Money, Money. You do what works.
Point taken, Ralph. It does seem that Obama blitzed Clinton moneywise in his stumbling to the primary finish line and proved that money doesn't always win out. White horse reformer Obama does need to watch the perception factor and so does Governor Beshear for that matter. Now Edelin needs to show that he knows more than hand shaking and money tree shaking.
Speaking of money, I've heard a large number of people who maxed out to Beshear this last time already promising to do likewise for any legitimate challenger he may have in the primary and for his GOP opponent in the general. There are a lot of Yellow Dogs out there who've already sworn off Beshear.
Personally, I know that Steve Beshear can't hold a candle to Ernie Fletcher when it comes to honesty, integrity and Godliness. Beshear isn't fit to pick up after Abby, the Fletcher's dog.
I'm there. I held a fund raiser. Walked neighborhoods, met with Jim Cauley numerous times while delivering checks to campaign headquarters.
Cauley stopped and talked at every campaign event I attended. He returned emails and phone calls.
Beshear wins!
Now no one returns my emails, no one calls back.
But...
I get all kinds of democratic donation forms from fund raisers at the mansion, party headquarters and politicians across the state.
Guess what. The spigot is turned off. But will be turned on in 2 and a half years for whoever is running against Beshear.
You don't treat/play people like that and expect them to be loyal back to you and the party.
How do you think million dollar Bill Yung feels. I hear he has some land for sale in Covington cheap.
Ralph, you're spot-on, except for the office. My money is on him running for Sec. of State. If auditor was in the cards, he would have run for treasurer this time.
Plus, going from running 98% of state govt as chief of staff to being State Auditor? Sheesh ... talk about a demotion.
Of course, all fothis presumes that he has a good stint as chief of staff, which is not always easy. The GOP will be gunning for him 24/7 because they know he's a comer.
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