Spectators Enjoy Fancy Farm's Political Theater

FANCY FARM -- Shaded beneath a tree by the corner of the stage, an 11-year-old with a "Democrats Deliver" T-shirt and a Kool-aid mustache thrust her fists in the air and shouted at Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

"Shut up," she screeched from the top row of the bleachers as the governor delivered his 10-minute speech. Heaven Chamberlain recently moved to Paducah from Washington, D.C., and was at her second Fancy Farm Picnic to protest "everything" about Fletcher.

"You get to have a lot of fun and you get to scream at people you don't like," she said.

On the other side of the pavilion, which sheltered spectators from the high-90s heat, the Republicans were heckling the candidates they didn't like. Some held up signs that took jabs at Attorney General Greg Stumbo, including one that said he would get "Mitch slapped" if he challenged U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for re-election next year.

Overall, though, the crowd that spilled out of each side of the shelter on the grounds of St. Jerome's Catholic Church kept their shots at candidates under control, Stumbo said. Stumbo has come to Fancy Farm regularly since 1983 and this crowd was milder than in recent years, he said.

"It wasn't mean-spirited, it was kind of humorous," he said, adding that he laughed at some of the governor's lines and thought Fletcher would have done the same during his speech. "There's no point in coming to a family picnic and saying something you don't want your children to hear."

Senate President David Williams sent letters to all the candidates asking them to police their supporters. The tactic worked well, he said, adding that the candidates were still able to deliver their messages humorously and without much interruption.

"I was very pleased," Williams said. "You don't want to lose the flavor of this event."

Basel Hems, 80, who lives two miles west of Fancy Farm, comes to the picnic every year to see old friends, but he listens to some of the speeches, too. He said this year's crowd, estimated at more than 10,000 people, was a "pretty big-sized one."

The crowd included pockets of protesters holding signs against the Iraq War and a proposed coal-to-liquid energy plant. While the Republican crowd chanted "four more years" for Fletcher and "six more years" for McConnell, several democrats held signs asking McConnell to vote against the upcoming Iraq funding bill and to "Support our troops, end the war."

-- Megan Boehnke

Comments

[Steve]

Are you seriously implying that an 11 year old yelling 'SHUT UP' at the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is OK? This is messed up.

[Franklin Wright]

The parents of Heaven Chamberlain should be ashamed of them selves. It is a sad day in America when we teach children that it is OK to have a complete and total lack of respect for someone who is not only a doctor, but is the Governor of her adopted state. The reporter that wrote it seemed to think it was alright. That is ALMOST as bad as raising a child filled with idealogical hate simply because that is the way you are. Please, go back to D.C., where that type of behavior is the norm.

Lighten up, guys. I know it's been a long year for you two, but come on.

I'd love to go to Fancy Farm sometime, but quite frankly, it's too damn hot for me to stand outside in the Purchase heat and listen to Democrats blowing even more hot air. Don't they have an air conditioned civic center in Paducah that St. Jerome's could rent out or have donated to them for the day?

I can't see how anyone who pays attention to what's going on in politics can vote for Fletcher. How many in your face, blatant examples of corruption, arrogance and ineptness do you need?

[kybigboy]

Anon at 7:58, how can anyone that's been paying attention to what's going on in politics in KY the past 30 years prior to Fletcher ask such a question. Are you blinded by partisan politics? The past 30 years of democrat rule has been littered with corruption, arrogance, ineptness, indictments, prison sentences, and etc. Why do you think the state was always broke and ranked last in everything? And Steve Beshear has been a big part of it. This guy is a hypocrite from the word go talking about honesty and integrity. Go look at his time with the Collins administration and as AG.

I agree. But i also agree more with where the dems prioritize their spending. That's why, in the choice of the lesser of the evils, i will choose dem.

Well KyBigBoy at 9:08 –

A majority of Kentuckians is disagreeing with you. Numerically 4 Democrats on the fall ticket provide heavy advantages in Central and Eastern Kentucky and in Louisville and Lexington; the heavy population base of the state.

Right-wing candidates do extremely poorly in these areas. Fletcher will likely lose Louisville by 45 points and that is also where he’ll drag the rest of the right-wing candidates down with him. Notice how savvy Greyson is – he is one of the brightest young Republicans the KY GOP has produced since Mitch and Greyson isn’t hawking the right-wing line because it is largely irrelevant in the big-population centers.

Farmer is by no means a right-winger and will also fare well this fall. Aside from those two the Democratic ticket is very well balanced regionally. Mongiardo will draw numeric-advantage support in E. Ky. Beshear and Luallen will draw Central Kentucky and Lexington numeric support and will beat Fletcher in a plurality of counties in Central Kentucky.

Conway and Hollenbach have entrenched support in Louisville as well as do Beshear and Luallen and the numbers coming out of Jefferson County the night of election will be too great to overcome in Western and West Kentucky – there simply aren’t numerically enough committed socially conservative right-wing voters to outvote the Louisville vote plus the relative numbers the Democratic ticket will pull in Owensboro, Bowling Green and Paducah.

The election is shaping up to be a lesson to Kentucky Democrats and national Democrats on how to win statewide in a border state – understand the regions and the population centers and play to those regional or population center advantages narrowly. At least in this border state, there is a roughly even population-split with socially conservative voters and moderate voters but there aren’t numerically many right-wing voters, certainly not enough in the heavy population areas, and so a ticket should make practical appeals to folks who aren’t right-wing.

9:28, I used to THINK I agreed with how dems "prioritize their spending," until Friday, August 3, 2007 when House Dems in DC -- questionably -- passed a Bill that will provide ILLEGAL immigrants social welfare benefits -- benefits hidden in an Agricultural Bill.

I say "questionably" because the first time the gavel went down in the House, the votes were 215-213 NOT passing the social welfare benefits for ILLEGAL aliens ... then, against ALL House rules the House dems forced a new vote and got 216-213 in favor of providing ILLEGAL immigrants social welfare benefits.

I do NOT agree with the House dems on this. This Bill is hideous! The dems lost the vote the first time the gavel went down. This Bill will encourage illegal immigrants to come to this country ILLEGALLY so they can receive OUR TAX DOLLARS in the form of medicare, WIC, SCHIP, HUD, etc.

I now realize, Democrats are NO DIFFERENT than Republicans and republicans are no different than democrats. For some bizarre reason, dems want to provide welfare for people in this country ILLEGALLY???? NOPE, I am not the Nuevo-Dem. and I no longer agree with how dems 'prioritize their spending."

[Rick Johnson]

12:39, Don't criticize something you've never seen. The Fancy Farm political events should be the pride of Kentucky; these events are as American as the Boston Pops on July 4th and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the 7th inning stretch at Wrigley. These I've seen, but there are hundreds of other American classic events that I would love to see, and certainly won't critize when I've never been there. For those of you who claim to enjoy Ky politics, but have never enjoyed FF, it is your loss.

10:39 -- Interesting tutorial you gave on: "How to 'win' an election even though you are as corrupt as the next guy."

You have inadvertently admitted that it is more important for ALL politicians to win an election as oppose to being a politician who is thoughtful and really have the 'people's' best interest in mind.

You should really title your lesson as: "How to con voters & win an election."

Fact is, the majority of the "people" nationally, and locally want CHANGE in government & the "People" are sick of corrupt lying politicians who flip/flop on ALL with the only goal they have as getting elected ... ie., gain power over us & our money.

All these politicians flip/flop. Neither side (dem or rep.) have cornered the market on truth. Individuals on both sides are just greedy, lying, corrupt, and unethical.

CHANGE is what the people want. NOT more of the same old lies that all these politicians spout about during an election. (Have you ever noticed that the only time these guys actually talk to us is during an election? ... hmmm...

If you think Beshear is some white in shinning armor who will come in and cure Kentucky of all it's woes you are sorely mistaken. Beshear has been in Ky. politics for 32 years. In those 32 years Ky. has fallen behind, behind, behind ... in all economic and social areas.

What makes you think that Beshear will be up for "Change?" He isn't. He is set in his ways and will run this state with the same political mentality he has for the 32 years that slid us deeper & deeper in debt and deeper & deeper behind the rest of the country.

I am not impressed with either candidate personally, so I could care less who anyone votes for in November. But for all you Beshear supporters out there ... if you all think that Beshear will bring about the much needed change this country & this state is hungry for you are kidding yourselves and you are wrong. He won't, he can't because he thinks (as all politicians) that the "people" are too dumb to know what's good for us.

So vote for Beshear if you will, but stop fooling yourselves with these rants about how wonderful he will be for Kentucky. Beshear has had 32 years to help Ky. and ... he has failed Kentucky & Beshear has helped fail the "people" of this Commonwealth in those 32 years.

Today's Herald-Leader has this good editorial:

http://www.kentucky.com/591/story/142242.html

"Democrats who won control of the U.S. House in November have voted to take tax dollars for health care away from the insurance industry and move them into, ta da, health care.

"Republicans are outraged.

"...Bush and the Kentucky Republicans care more about protecting insurers from losing even a little business than they do about caring for families who can't afford health insurance."

Dear 1:52,
Your attempt at masquerading as non-partisan is a failure; too bad for you we readers, unlike you, are not lacking in intelligence, and we know you're a fraud, and a weak one at that.

For your (much-needed) edification: It's "I COULDN'T care less;" by saying you "COULD care less," you are implying that there is something of less importance to you than the issue at hand. Maybe you can fathom the concept, maybe (quite probably) not. Think about it and get back to us. We'll give you two weeks and grant you an extension if you need one. Try not to go beyond Christmas, though.

The Courier-Journal also has a good editorial today:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070805/OPINION01/708050397/1055/OPINION

"Both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives made a monumental statement last week, providing millions of children with health care by expanding the State Children's Health Insurance Program.

"Congress stood up to the demagoguery of the White House and the insurance lobbyists by passing an expansion of the program, also known as S-Chip, and giving children a higher priority than insurance companies' quarterly earnings.

"...the slim majority by which the House version passed didn't reflect the overwhelming majority of the public, who support the expansion of S-Chip. Nine out of 10 Americans -- including 83 percent of self-identified Republicans -- support an expansion of S-Chip, according to a recent Georgetown University poll."

2:28 You need serious help dude.

Firstly, that poster at 1:52 is RIGHT ON!!!!

Secondly, as if grammar matters on a chat board ... duh

I'm a very partisan Democrat and will not vote for Governor Fletcher or any other Republican, but I do think that the above posters are correct in asserting that we must respect Constitutional offices. The men/women that hold these offices may not deserve our respect, but the office that hold does deserve respect. When these incumbents leave, their office will remain and it needs to carry respect.

Great news for us life long democrats .... those of us who have been outraged over the past few years that President George Bush has been wiretapping without warrants -- which is unconstitutional. ... and OUTRAGED that President Bush & the GOP refuses to actually secure our borders should feel ... um ... what's the word I'm looking for??? Oh yeah ... BETRAYED!!!!!

Democrats in the House approved voted Saturday to give President Bush expanded authority to eavesdrop on suspected foreign terrorists without court warrants. Yes, you got that right withOUT court warrants.

How about that? The Democrats & Republicans in the House passed a law granting President Bush to wiretap withOUT a warrant. ... nice huh?

Also, as was posted above. The Democrats in the House FORCED a Bill that will make it law that illegal immigrants can receive welfare benefits ... nice huh?

So much for all that election chants from Dems regarding Bush & his illegal form of wiretapping.

So much for all that BS talk on securing our borders. Let me tell ya, anyone that thinks a law in the United States of America granting illegal immigrants welfare won't bring in droves of illegal aliens is nuts. ... so ... what about border security?

All I can say is be careful what you say on the Internet, on the phone or in a coffee shop. All the government has to do NOW that even the Dems are giving Bush a free pass to listen in, is to "claim" you're a "terrorist" with NO proof before any court and they can wiretap your phones, home & work & friends.

I am so sad to see the Constitution being shredded by both democrats & republicans.

Heaven is on her way to hell.

I saw that poor girl at fancy farm. I'm all for kids being politically aware and active, but her face reflected only hate and venom. As adults we can throw some pretty sharp barbs at politicians and recognize attempts at witty political rhetoric even when they cross the line of good taste, but we know it's an event, a show even if we do have a strong personal distaste for the candidate.

This girl did not know any distinction. She knew who she hated and yelled angrily. I figured some personal harm might have come to her parents that was conveyed to the girl; it's even more amazing to know that they haven't even lived in Kentucky long. I really felt horrible for her...

[Franklin]

Thanks for getting back to the real issue here, 10:43. All these blowhards on here can do is try to appear intelligent by being a grammar critic.

10:43 I feel horrible for people like you who have nothing to do but come on here whining like a schoolchild who just got picked on by a bully.

[Franklin]

1:41, you nearly put me to freakin' sleep with that diatribe. Dude, you are way too wrapped up in this armchair politics thing. Get a dog, man!

[Franklin]

Isn't that what YOU just did? Are you as full of yourself as these others, such as 1:41? Or are YOU 1:41??

Here we have disgruntled GOP hacks whining about an 11-year-old girl telling Fletcher to "shut up" but never mentioning the heckler described in Joe Gerth's column as shouting "you're an idiot, Beshear" over and over again. Hmm.

[Franklin]

Well, he IS an idiot!

Republicans....the cornerstone of no class, no vision, no integrity.

[JHW]

6:14 am, you might want to take a history lesson. It has been the Republicans and their predecessors (The Whigs) that have been the backbone of a strong United States. Lest we forget the integrity of JFK or Bill Clinton.

JHW: The last time I checked, during the JFK administration it was the Democrats of Congress that initiated the Civil Rights movement. Last time I checked, it was under the Clinton years that we found ourselves with out a RECORD deficit and a bolstering economy.

The funny thing about you Republicans is that the words "truth, honesty, integrity" and any other words that may closely be associated with their definitions cannot be found in your vocabulary.

In fact, as we watch these campaigns, including the lead into the 2008 cycle, your platforms lack substance, there are NO ideas, and the only issues you wish to speak of are wedge issues that have no importance to the economy, the looming health insurance problems, or budget allocations for education.

Go back to the rock you crawled out from underneath of. You, sir, have no class.

[Weatherman]

The best shirt I saw at Fancy Farm was Craig Harrington's, a deadbeat dad shirt with Scumbo's head superimposed on a little kid asking 'have you seen my daddy?' Harrington used to work for McConnell so I guess we all know what to expect next year.