Self-Made businessman, army veteran, father of nine: on paper Matt Bevin, the Republican candidate in the election for governor of Kentucky on November 3rd, looks ideal. In the flesh, too, he has strengths, telling rousing stories about his impoverished childhood (albeit in New Hampshire) where, at the age of six, he sold packets of seeds for a quarter to pay for summer camp. In this cantankerous age, and in his pitch, Mr Bevin's main asset is what he has not done: held political office. By contrast Jack Conway, his Democratic opponent, has served two terms as the state's attorney-general and-as one insider observes of his sometimes turgid remarks-may know too much about government. Where Mr Bevin lists the firms he has revitalised, Mr Conway tallies his legislative successes. At a Republican pep talk in the town of Berea on October 26th, a supporter pertinently asked Mr Bevin: "Can I put your bumper-ticker across from the [Donald]Trump sticker on my truck?"
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