Kentucky governor Andy Beshear runs on his treadmill seven mornings a week. His doctor would prefer six. “He said you ought to take one day off and he’s probably right,” says the 47-year-old Democrat. “But I want to feel good that day.” Beshear says his morning run (three miles or so) is “essential,” and he hits the word with a gentlemanly emphasis that lets you know he means it. Otherwise the stress of leading the state, and raising two teenagers—responsibilities he notes in the same breath—could get to him. “You start your day like that, you’re ready for the rest of it.”

Not much seems to get to Governor Beshear. He has the placid self-assurance of a veteran camp counselor or fraternity president (he pledged Sigma Chi at Vanderbilt). On the day I interviewed him at Kentucky’s genteel

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