Kentucky

Election lessons: Abortion delivers for Democrats from Ohio to Virginia to Kentucky

Published

1 year ago

November 8, 2023

Election lessons: Abortion delivers for Democrats from Ohio to Virginia to Kentucky

The election returns Tuesday demonstrated that the success of Republicans in overturning a constitutional right to abortion continues to be a very costly victory.

In Kentucky, a solidly red state, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear sailed to a second term after a campaign that focused front and center on abortion rights.

In Ohio, an increasingly reliable Republican state, voters by double digits approved an amendment enshrining access to abortion in the state constitution. That was a rebuke to Gov. Mike DeWine and the GOP-controlled legislature, which had imposed a six-week ban as soon as the Supreme Court decision made that possible.

And in Virginia, GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin had vowed to curb abortion if Republicans gained unified control of the state legislature. The GOP failed to flip the state senate − a result that cost Youngkin a potential springboard to national ambitions.

Sound familiar? Last year, in midterm elections held about four months after the high court’s landmark Dobbs decision, Republicans failed to score the “red wave” many expected.

They gained control of the House of Representatives, but by a margin so narrow that governing has proved fraught. Witness the looming government shutdown in little more than a week.

OK, but what about the presidential race?

The power of the abortion issue to engage key voters, among them suburban women, and to energize turnout shows no signs of abating, and that is good news for President Joe Biden, now seeking a second term.

He was poised to embrace the referendum victory in Ohio as soon as the TV networks projected it had passed.

“Across the country tonight, democracy won and MAGA lost,” he declared in a tweet on the social media platform known as X that included a bid for campaign contributions. “Voters vote. Polls don’t. Now let’s go win next year.” In a written statement released by the White House, he decried what he called the “extreme and dangerous agenda” on abortion of MAGA Republicans − a reference to core supporters of GOP frontrunner Donald Trump.

Trump appointed the three Supreme Court justices who made overturning Roe v. Wade a reality, a point Team Biden already presses. Trump now approaches the issue gingerly, calling Florida’s six-week abortion ban a “mistake” and saying he wouldn’t support enacting a federal limit on the procedure.

But efforts to offer a more moderate tone on abortion didn’t work for Youngkin. He had fashioned what he characterized as a consensus position, proposing a ban at 15 weeks with exceptions in cases of rape and incest. “Reasonable limits,” he called them.

As the first returns were coming in, he seemed to recognize that the effort hadn’t turned the handful of crucial legislative contests. Abortion is “one of the toughest issues in Virginia and one of the toughest issues in the country,” Youngkin said when CNN anchor Dana Bash asked him about it, then instantly pivoted to talk about the economy.

If he had succeeded, it surely would have fueled the efforts by some Republican donors urging Youngkin to jump into the presidential race, though some 2024 primary filing deadlines have already passed.

“Clearance Sale: All Youngkin for President 2024 merchandise,” Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia professor and longtime expert in the commonwealth’s politics, tweeted sarcastically. “No Returns.”

One lesson for Democrats down the ballot: Biden who?

To be honest, the off-year elections didn’t do much to illuminate next year’s battle for the White House. Democrats generally had a good night, but it didn’t calm concerns about Biden’s age and job approval.

Those fears were reinforced by a new national CNN poll that showed Biden trailing Trump 45%-49% among registered voters. Trump showed major gains among Blacks, Hispanics and younger voters, all important parts of Biden’s 2020 coalition. Biden’s approval rating was 41%.

Beshear’s win demonstrated that Biden’s political problems don’t necessarily drag down other Democratic candidates, even in states Trump carried.

But Beshear didn’t win in Kentucky by embracing Biden. He ignored him.

In contrast, Republican nominee Daniel Cameron ran ads featuring his endorsement by Trump.

In Beshear’s most powerful ad, a woman named Hadley described her experiences being raped by her stepfather, then castigated Cameron for the state law, passed over Beshear’s veto, that banned abortion even in cases of rape and incest. (Cameron then announced he would sign legislation allowing exceptions for rape and incest.)

In his victory speech in Louisville, Beshear talked about the meat-and-potato issues of building roads, recovering from floods, and offering universal pre-kindergarten. He didn’t mention the word “abortion,” but he expressed gratitude to Hadley as she stood toward the front of the audience, “who because of her courage this commonwealth is going to be a better place.”

Off-year elections aren’t reliable predictors about what will happen a year later. They’re a snapshot of the moment, but the picture that emerges is scattered with clues about what is moving voters and driving politics. And the races are called when there’s still time for candidates, political parties and activists to tweak a message or rethink a strategy.

The early returns underscored how closely divided the nation remains. As in a string of recent elections, the change of a few thousand votes in a handful of states could tip the balance across the government, in the White House, the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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Kentucky

Sunday Headlines: Cats suffer brutal defeat vs. Ohio State

Published

3 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Sunday Headlines: Cats suffer brutal defeat vs. Ohio State

Good morning BBN!

This is the first time we have had to write a headline post following a very disappointing loss, but here we are.

The Kentucky Wildcats tossed their first dud of the Mark Pope Era in Madison Square Garden, as the Cats got blitzed by the Ohio State Buckeyes.

It was not the prettiest performance from the Cats this season on either end of the floor. The Buckeyes cruised on offense shooting close to 60% from the field.

On the flip side, Kentucky really struggled to get rolling on offense as they shot 29.8% from the field.

Despite an impressive resume, there is no way around this loss stinging some, especially after Auburn crushed this same Buckeyes team by 40+ points.

One non-conference game remains as the Cats return to Rupp Arena on New Year’s Eve when they host Brown.

This team clearly has a lot of work to do until then to

Tweet of the Day

I’ve logged a pick for Kent State EDGE Kam Olds to land at Kentucky.
He had 42 tackles, 6 sacks and an interception this season. https://t.co/VxSGJEUisH pic.twitter.com/qKuNk04RMQ
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— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 22, 2024

Some more good news on the way for the Cats?

Headlines

No. 4 Kentucky Falls to Ohio State – UK Athletics

Otega Oweh scored 21 points, but No. 4. Kentucky lost to Ohio State 85-65 on Saturday in the CBS Sports Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Kentucky’s slow starts must be addressed as SEC play approaches – Cats Pause

Kentucky survived poor first halves vs. Duke and Gonzaga but not Saturday vs. Ohio State.

Minnesota Gophers land Kahlee Tafai and Dylan Ray – Minnesota Tribune

Dylan Ray finds his new home.

Kentucky is winless against Ohio State and carries a losing record in the CBS Sports Classic- KSR

That’s not good.

Kevis Thomas commits to Kentucky- KSR

The Cats another player to the defense.

Strong second half powers Kentucky past Belmont- Cats Pause

Kenny Brooks squad adds another win.

Rickey Henderson dies at 65- ESPN

The Oakland A’s legend passes away.

Kentucky football transfer tracker- Cats Pause

Catch up on the latest for the football Cats.

Tiger and Charlie Woods lead at PNC Championship- ESPN

COME ON TIGER!

Kiffin rips College Football Playoff Committee- CBS

Who could have saw this coming?

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Kentucky

Aaron Bradshaw got the last laugh against his former team

Published

10 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Aaron Bradshaw got the last laugh against his former team

For the first time since November 19, Aaron Bradshaw jogged over to the scorers table for Ohio State, checking in at the 17:46 mark of the first half. As his name was announced over the loudspeakers, though, a roar of boos echoed inside Madison Square Garden. Splitting up with Kentucky seemingly on good terms this offseason during the coaching change, the reaction was a bit of a surprise, but you never know the true emotions of a fanbase until they experience it in real time.

The former Wildcat’s response? Two quick buckets in two minutes, followed by the sixth 3-pointer of his career in the final segment of the first half. Bradshaw would close out with 11 points good for third on the team, shooting 5-6 overall and 1-2 from three with two rebounds, one assist and two steals in 18 minutes.

Given the circumstances and opponent, it was one of the best performances of his career — and undoubtedly a special one for him personally.

What was it like getting Bradshaw back in the lineup for the Buckeyes?

“Missing a 7-footer is always going to hurt,” Bruce Thornton, who finished with a game-high 30 points, said of Bradshaw. “Not a lot of people who are 7-foot are able to make tough shots in the mid-range. His energy and his passion, it’s very contagious. It rubs off on us. We’re just very thankful that he’s back.”

Bradshaw is now averaging 8.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 22.3 minutes per contest for the Buckeyes. He returned alongside Ques Glover, who had been previously dealing with an ankle injury and had been out since Nov. 15.

Those two were different-makers in Ohio State’s win with the Buckeyes’ bench outscoring the Wildcats 26-11 on Saturday.

“I thought it was a significant boost,” Jake Diebler said. “We felt like going into this year depth was going to be a real strength for us, and we haven’t had an opportunity to play with that depth much of this year. It’s also impacted practice and building because there’s still a lot of newness in this program, new staff, new players, new system, and it’s impacted our growth a little.”

You can see just how much that one meant to Bradshaw by watching OSU’s postgame celebration from the floor at MSG.

He wanted this one bad, and to his credit, he was a big reason for the win.

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Kentucky

Aaron Bradshaw will suit up against the Kentucky Wildcats

Published

18 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Aaron Bradshaw will suit up against the Kentucky Wildcats

The Kentucky Wildcats are in New York City about to tip off against Ohio State in Madison Square Garden, and they will be facing a former Wildcat Aaron Bradshaw, who is taking the floor for the first time in a month. The Buckeyes get some much-needed help on the glass as a team that struggles rebounding.

The Buckeyes are a great shooting team, and getting Bradshaw back on the floor really helps compliment that by adding some size. Bradshaw has been held out since November 19 due to personal reasons. The Wildcats will still be without backup guard Kerr Kriisa, but last game out, a boost from starting point guard Lamont Butler in his return really helped.

Bradshaw will be coming off the bench for the Buckeyes, and may even play limited minutes given it will be his first game back. Kentucky will need to keep playing good defense against the threes on Saturday, as that and rebounding will be major keys. If the Buckeyes want to hang around, they will need to knock down shots.

It will be interesting to see how Bradshaw meshes in his first game back in month, and it’s clear they have been a little off without him. Mark Pope and the Wildcats will look to get a win on a big stage in Madison Square Garden on Saturday. Bradshaw will look to give Ohio State a major boost down low on the glass.

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