An early poll in the Kentucky governor’s race seems to confirm the worst fears of state and national Republicans: incumbent Ernie Fletcher is clobbered by Democrat Steve Beshear, 62 percent to 34 percent. A former lieutenant governor, Beshear attracts more than a third of Republican voters in the sample. Fletcher just won the GOP primary against former Rep. Anne Northup. A Republican loss of Kentucky would offset the expected Republican pick-up of the top job in Louisiana by Rep. Bobby Jindal, leaving Democrats with a national 28-22 edge in governorships.
Still, Kentucky Republican leaders and activists are putting on a brave face and rallying behind Fletcher.