50 years of Terry Meiners radio bits · NewsRadio 840 WHAS (WHAS-AM)

Could the GOP force Gov. Andy Beshear to salute the Mitch McConnell statue?

April 2, 2026·8 min

The episode opens with Terry Meiners introducing the controversy: Kentucky's Republican-controlled legislature is advancing a bill to honor Senator Mitch McConnell with a privately funded statue in the state capitol rotunda. He notes McConnell's status as the longest-serving Senate leader and senator from Kentucky, highlighting his political influence. Meiners reads from the Kentucky Lantern website about the legislative amendment directing the Historic Properties Advisory Commission to reserve space for the statue. He compares this to existing statues in the rotunda, including Abraham Lincoln, Henry Clay, Alben Barkley, and Ephraim McDowell, while mentioning the removal of Jefferson Davis. The host explains McConnell's unparalleled power in Kentucky politics, arguing that other federal officials combined don't match his clout. Governor Andy Beshear is quoted criticizing the statue bill, pointing out the legislature's refusal to make Juneteenth a state holiday. Meiners then shifts to a broader political analysis, quoting Rahm Emanuel's warning that Democrats have 'lost the plot' by focusing on cultural issues like 'Latinx' and 'defunding the police' instead of middle-class values and educational excellence. Emanuel's phrase 'we went from acceptance to advocacy' is highlighted as a key insight. The episode concludes with Meiners humorously speculating that Beshear might be forced to salute the McConnell statue daily, tying back to the initial controversy. Throughout, Meiners blends news commentary with personal anecdotes and satire, reflecting his long career in radio.

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