Andy Beshear talks faith and a possible 2028 run for president
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What does Governor Andy Beshear say about the rise of progressive voices in the Democratic Party?
Hello and welcome to the Excerpt. I'm Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief of USA Today. And we're so glad to be joined today by Kentucky Governor Bashir. Governor Bashir, thanks for being with us.
It's an honor. Thanks for inviting me.
You know, Governor, the headlines from this year's primaries have focused in part from Maine to Michigan on this energy behind Democratic Socialists and other very progressive voices in the Democratic Party. And I wonder what you make of that.
Well, I I believe that that some of the more progressive candidates and the DSA candidates are talking very passionately about the challenges facing the American people. For so many Americans, uh, they're seeing a system that they think is broken. They're trying to chase their American dream, uh, thinking that if they work hard, they should get ahead. But their wages are staying the same and costs are going up. Donald Trump's tariff policy, the worst economic policy. Policy of our lifetime is adding $3,500 to $5,000 more in costs annually. His war of choice with Iran is adding at least $500 extra dollars in costs for gas. And it's just breaking people. Meanwhile, they're looking at a Republican run government that's engaged in a level of corruption where they're getting richer while the rest of the country is falling behind.
And so while I don't necessarily agree with a number of the policies of, say, the DSA candidates, I respect that they want to actually fix problems that are facing the American people, which I think all the Democratic Party does.
You see, Democrats might disagree on how to address a problem, and I wonder if you think that with the the rise of some of these very liberal voices and with the alternative prescription that more moderate Democrats like yourself offer, is there a battle underway? For the direction of the Democratic Party.
Well, in in every interview, somebody calls me something different within the the Democratic Party. Sometimes it's the fact that I vetoed every anti-LGBTQ plus bill that's come to my desk and they'll call me progressive. Sometimes it's my jobs record and and they'll call me uh more moderate. I'm pragmatic. My job as governor is to better the lives of our people, and that's for Democrats, Republicans, or independents.
How does Beshear describe his pragmatic approach and the record‑breaking investments in Kentucky?
To me, philosophy is less important than finding a solution that makes your life just a little bit easier and better. It's why I'm excited. We've we brought in a record $52 billion in new investment in Kentucky, 70,000 new jobs at the highest wages we've ever seen. While other states are falling behind, we're building affordable housing. Including moving people in areas that always flood in Appalachia up on top of former abandoned coal mines, where we are building affordable housing with solar panels on top. So think about that. A Democratic governor and a Trump plus 31 state building affordable housing with solar panels on top, on top of coal mines. So I think anything's possible when we put our people and the solution first and worry less about uh late.
Tables than than getting results.
You know, you said that uh people call you different things every time you're interviewed. But an 80-tw uh an 8100 rule is pretty much the definition of a centrist. And it gives you this the span to to uh to make an argument, not just to Democrats, but to uh independents and even some Republicans. But I wonder if you think that's also true of your most liberal cousins in the Democratic. Party, I mean we see now that one of the leading lines of attack for the White House and Republicans in these midterms is to call Democrats socialists or communists or Bolsheviks. Isn't that is that a risk, do you think, for the Democratic Party?
You know, there's only one active socialist that is engaging in socialism in any office that I know of across America. He's taking uh stakes in US companies, and his name is Donald J. Trump. The actual definition: owning the means of production, and and Donald J. Trump is engaging in it. When you look at maybe the difference between socialism and communism, what do you see?
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What does Governor Andy Beshear say about the rise of progressive voices in the Democratic Party?
0:05–2:19
2
How does Beshear describe his pragmatic approach and the record‑breaking investments in Kentucky?
2:19–4:21
3
Why does Beshear argue that Democrats have become afraid to talk about faith?
4:21–6:25
4
What role does faith play in Beshear’s new book and his political strategy?
6:25–8:52
5
How does Beshear compare JD Vance’s use of Christianity to his own view of faith in politics?
8:52–10:56
6
Is Governor Beshear testing the waters for a 2028 presidential run?
10:56–13:16
7
What priorities does Beshear set as chair of the Democratic Governors Association for the 2026‑27 elections?
13:16–14:54
8
What election night outcomes does Beshear predict for Democrats in the House, Senate, and governorships?
14:54–17:06
Speakers
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