Time now to go inside Kentucky politics as we wrap up almost the second week before Election Day here in Kentucky, some a lot of news when it comes to the Kentucky governor's race.

And we've got a good pair to break it all down for us.

We've got Will Carley, who's the president and CEO of Alpine Strategies, a Democratic consultant.

And on screen, right, you see Rebecca Hart.

So who was the senior policy director of Babbage?

Co-Founder.

Good to have both of you.

Thank you for having us.

So let's start we'll start with Rebecca first and ask about the main takeaways from the debate.

Like, there was a couple of really good zinger one liners that the candidates are using and that will hopefully they hope will be a sticking point with voters as they cast their ballots.

Right.

I mean, with General Cameron, you've got crazy versus normal, right?

Trying to paint Beshear Governor Bush here in a way where it's just maybe not completely tapped into the reality.

And you've got, I think, with the governor, he's saying what vision that division is, is there is the slinger there.

And they're both effective.

They wouldn't be using them if they weren't.

But at the end of the day, I think the debates we've had so many at this point that I think people feel that General Cameron's performance on Tuesday was his best so far and getting to know the candidates has has been helpful.

But we're at a place where we're hearing a lot of the same messages over and over and over again.

Yeah, well, Carly, how do you see it?

How do you think what's beshears line, which I think maybe Rebecca gave us the spoiler alert on that.

Anything else really resonate to you?

That is a constant refrain from Beshear on the debate stage of recent.

I think some of the constant refrains that you hear from Governor Beshear are that he was able to get the Brant Spence Bridge built without any tolls in northern Kentucky, which is an incredible feat on its own, that he's created the greatest economic engine Kentucky has seen in recent history.

Our job growth numbers are off the charts.

He's got an economy on fire because of the hard work that he's done with his team and also with the legislature.

Yeah, Governor Beshear has obviously been touting those pieces and he should be applauded for them.

And I don't think that Daniel Cameron has given the voters of Kentucky any major reason to change their minds about staying with Governor Beshear.

One push I will say there is that that is part of part of this.

An area, though, is saying that we have Governor Bush here saying that we have the greatest sort of economic situation or circumstance that we've had in a long time, economic growth and development, where sort of the crazy normal hits, is that at the end of the day, we see those numbers maybe.

But when you go to the grocery and you're buying groceries or you're looking at inflation, I mean, it's not the same thing.

So how is that translating for the voters at home?

And that is where that message is sticking with General Cameron.

But speaking of economic development, when there is some question today, because we've learned in the last 24, 36 hours about one of the plants and Ford and Hardin County, one of those plants or two, one is going to be a little delayed.

It's still happening is what the governor says, but it's the production schedule that's in limbo.

So we'll Carly, I want to come to you now first.

Is this going to be any kind of albatross around the governor's neck?

Republicans are responding fairly strongly in a negative way to the news that there could be a delay in this getting up and going.

How do you see it?

I see this as this board right.

Trying to figure out how the how the marketplace is responding to electronic the electric vehicles.

They have not said governor said they're still on line to do it.

They've said they're still on line to be ready by 2026.

The first one in Kentucky, one battery plant will be open in 2025.

It's on schedule.

So what I think is really important here is the response of the Republicans.

Nowhere.

If I read anything where they said, hey, you know, it is critical juncture, an economic development project of this size and scope that will help so many Kentuckians if there's a way that it can be put on the back burner, how do we help get it back on track?

What are we what can we do?

How do we incentivize them to stay on the course?

Instead, they do these cheap political stunts where they blamed the governor for something that hasn't even happened.

So, again, when you look at leadership from Governor Beshear who's landed these megaprojects that's gotten them off the ground and gotten Kentuckians across the Commonwealth better jobs and better wages through these projects.

The Republicans seem to not have anything to say about it other than doom and gloom and point the finger.

Rebecca.

Well, I think there's just general concern right at the end of the day, and that's not necessarily a bad thing to be sort of asking questions as to why are there delays?

Because at the end of day, if there are delays and that means the sort of the job turn around what we're doing, all the resources that the General Assembly has already done in terms of two.

Hundred and $50 million worth of tax incentives.

Right.

Exactly.

And those incentives, I mean, maybe what else do we need to be doing?

And also just questioning sort of is the economic development team working as hard to make sure that this goes through as seamlessly as possible and that we get that turnaround and get everything going and up and running and have that good economic outlook that the governor keeps promising.

Final item, and this is talking about down ticket.

So some interesting advertising strategy by the Republican incumbent, Secretary of State Michael Adams, who has this ad.

Secretary of State Michael Adams has been a good bipartisan partner.

And so clearly, Rebecca, he seems to be connecting himself very strongly to the incumbent Democratic governor, Andy Beshear.

Well, I think an image necessarily isn't in strongly, but definitely I think Secretary Adams is very proud of the work that he's done.

He has been given all kinds of accolades nationally for just election reforms and making it easier to vote but harder to cheat.

That's been his premise.

And then, you know, he's done a lot of bipartisan work and he has stood up against the party, some folks within the party saying that, you know, he shouldn't be making certain reforms or going across the aisle to do work for election reform.

So, you know, I wouldn't want to run against Michael Adams just in terms of secretary of states across the country.

He is, I think, bar none.

The absolute best.

Well, well, how do you see it?

And we know that the Herald-Leader also gave its endorsement to Secretary Adams over the Democrat Buddy Wheatley, who had been a legislator.

How do you view this?

I think Michael Adams is an astute politician that knows a winner when he sees one.

And Andy Beshear, I don't think I saw Daniel Cameron appear in that ad with Michael Adams.

So if you're even looking for the Republican Party secretary of state candidate who's hitching his wagon to somebody he thinks is going to get him across the finish line.

I think Michael Adams is right on point by attaching himself to Governor Beshear.

Well, we'll have to leave it there.

A lot to still come in the few days remaining until November 7th, but you can early vote November the second through the fourth.

That's next Thursday through Saturday.

So take advantage of that if you want.

Thank you.

Whoa, Carly, thank you.

Rebecca Hart, so good to see you.

And have a great weekend.

Thanks so much, Renee.

Thanks, Renee.