Kentucky governor on Democratic socialism and Mitch McConnell’s health status

(CBS, KYMA) - Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.) spoke with Ed O'Keefe on Face the Nation Sunday about Democratic socialism.

According to a CBS News poll, 58% of Democrats said they have a positive view on socialism while 32% of them say they have a positive view on capitalism.

When asked what he thinks of it, Gov. Beshear said:

"What I make of it is that people are struggling. They're struggling because the cost of groceries is too high. The cost of gas is too high. It's too hard to see a doctor, and when you do, the cost of that is too high as well. They're not asking for a lot. They just want to go to work, make a good living, be able to raise their kids, buy a home before they're 40, take their family on the same vacation they went on as kids. And right now, they're seeing a system that doesn't work for them. Now, I believe socialism is a failed experiment, but I do believe that we need to get results for the American people, and I think when you look at Democratic governors, you see those results. I've been proud to create more jobs than any other governor in our history. The average wage of a new job in Kentucky this year is over $32 an hour. We're building affordable housing in Western Kentucky and in Eastern Kentucky, on top of abandoned coal mines with solar panels on the top, so they're affordable to live in too. People just want to see results, want to believe that life can get better."

O'Keefe then asked the governor what would be his biggest, boldest idea he is promoting these days, and Beshear said:

"I'll give you two because people want you to fix the darn economy, and they want you to fix the darn government. On the economy, it is time for an aspirational investment in housing that can bring down the cost of especially first-time home ownership. People can actually see that progress all over the country. We ought to tie the federal dollars to speed. You've got to break ground and you've got to do it quickly. Get through the overregulation and the NIMBY-ism. But I tell you what, people also think this government is broken. So, fix the darn government. Constitutional amendment. It is time. It should outlaw partisan redistricting and enshrine part of the Voting Rights Act right there in the constitution. It should create term limits for Congress and the Supreme Court. No more gaming those appointments. It should also overturn Citizens United, and I think call for direct elections of the president and the vice president. That could actually make things work. A big idea that would, yes, change government, but in a way enshrined in the constitution where people would know it's going to get better."

During the interview, O'Keefe and Beshear talked about the latter not hearing anything from Mitch McConnell's office regarding the status of his health.

"while I do hope that he is getting better, I've known him my entire life. I wish him no harm. I actually wish him good health. His boss are the people of Kentucky, and this is why...the Republican-controlled Senate feels so broken. They feel like they're not accountable to anyone. All he needs to do is call into this show for two minutes, or Fox News for two minutes, or do a video for two minutes to the people he's supposed to serve, but you know what? He absolutely refuses to do it. And then John Thune, as the leader of the Senate, you've got a duty to make sure all of your senators have the capacity to serve. And what is he saying? Not my job. That's not surprising. None of them will do their job right now and stand up to a president that is running over the constitution at every turn."

Gov. Andy Beshear (D-Ky.)

To watch more of O'Keefe's interview with Beshear, click here.