Many U.S. news sources are saying the the Kentucky gubernatorial race is a good indicator for what will happen in the 2008 election. I must admit that I completely disagree. This race featured incumbent Republican Ernie Fletcher and Democrat Steve Beshear. Fletcher was the first Republican governor in Kentucky in several decades, and he won his race a few years ago because his campaign promises were to remove corruption from Kentucky government. However, he was soon caught facing his own corruption scandal when it was uncovered that Fletcher was giving top state positions to Republicans and not considering any potential Democrats. Fletcher admitted his wrongdoing before the charges were dropped. On Tuesday, voters in the Bluegrass State ousted Fletcher, electing Steve Beshear who has not held office in twenty years. He was previously the Lt. Governor.

Ultimately, Kentucky voters ousted Fletcher because of their lack of trust in him, not because he is a Republican. This is evidenced by the voters’ decision to re-elect the Republican Secretary of State, who won his election by approximately 14 points. It is my opinion that the Kentucky election has absolutely nothing to do with the 2008 national election.