Fletcher campaign running dozens of radio ads

Gov. Ernie Fletcher's campaign is making a major advertising push with radio ads that feature endorsements from "dozens" of local leaders from across the state, campaign spokesman Jason Keller said today.

The state's two U.S. Senators are featured in spots airing in Louisville and Northern Kentucky, while former Commerce Cabinet Secretary Jim Host endorses Fletcher in a spot playing in Lexington.

"Ernie Fletcher has been the best governor for Louisville in my lifetime," McConnell says, noting that the Fletcher administration has invested $2.6 billion in Louisville.

He goes on to say that Fletcher's "focus never wavered in a storm of political attacks."

Former UK quarterback Derrick Ramsey, who is deputy secretary of the Commerce Cabinet, and former Southland Christian Church minister Wayne Smith have also cut radio spots for Fletcher that will run in Lexington. Southland Christian is the state's second largest church, according to the ad.

All three ads running in the Lexington media market also include comments from Ralph Hacker, a former Fletcher aide and former radio voice of the University of Kentucky men's basketball team.

While Host and Ramsey tout Fletcher's accomplishments in office, Smith deals with two key issues in the campaign: the state hiring investigation and casino gambling.

"I believe Gov. Fletcher to be a Christian gentleman and a fine governor," said Smith, an ardent Fletcher supporter during a lengthy investigation of hiring practices in Fletcher's administration. "It came as a surprise to Ernie that the rules changed when the Republicans came to Frankfort."

Although Fletcher signed an agreement with Attorney General Greg Stumbo that said the hiring investigation benefited Kentucky, he now calls the investigation a "witch hunt."

To back up his argument, Fletcher points to data that shows his administration has seen fewer personnel complaints than any other governor in more than two decades.

However, Fletcher and 14 of his aides were indicted by a grand jury on charges that they hired and fired rank-and-file state workers for political reasons. Fletcher pardoned everyone in his administration but himself and later invoked his 5th Amendment protection against self incrimination when appearing before a grand jury.

Smith goes on to directly challenge Democrat Steve Beshear on the casino gambling issue, suggesting that Beshear should be "ashamed" of his stance in favor of allowing casinos.

"Mr. Beshear, if this is your way of expressing your love for this community, I would really be ashamed," Smith said. "This will be the legacy of your life. Are you sure you want this for your grandchildren and great grandchildren?"

Host, who donated to both Fletcher and challenger Anne Northup in the Republican primary, and Ramsey both focus on Fletcher's efforts to bring the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games to Kentucky.

"Gov. Fletcher has done an outstanding job for this part of Kentucky," Host concludes.

Wayne Smith ad

Jim Host ad

Derrick Ramsey ad

Mitch McConnell ad

- John Stamper

Comments

[Oh My]

Sounds like Ernie is worried now. Ernie you're in for a Tsunami, a landslide defeat. Concede while you have time. YEE HAW!

[st]

Wane Smith, good grief, I went to his church once, he never could preach, just tell jokes.

Maybe Host can begin an "Unindicted Co-Conspirators for Fletcher" group.

how ironic - Host left the administration due to the ineptness of the bunch and McConnell could not bring himself to utter Fletcher's name for two years - now they are singing his praises - what a bunch of hypocrites...

you are right but the really sad part is that there are individuals (albeit a handful) who joined this administration because they believed that Fletcher was going to make positive changes in state government to improve the economic opportunity as well as the quality of life for Kentucky families. In alphabetical order: people like Susan Bush who left a good private sector job to serve in a tough role as the state's mine safety chief, people Virginia Fox left retirement to contribute by improving elementary and secondary education in Kentucky, people like Mark Goss who left a lucrative law practice and attempted to balance utility cost with environmental concern, people like Tracy Thurman who left a likely promising career in elected office in Frankfort to serve the citizens of Kentucky. With the exception of Ginny Fox, I don't know any of these people personally although I have met each of them. I suspect that these are individuals who are honest, who have integrity and who were are a part of this administration because they believed in what Ernie Fletcher and his campaign were saying in 2003. There are likely others just like these folks who joined the administration to serve. They served no role in any of the questionable activities like the hiring scandal and other bad decisions. People like these individuals whether Republican or a member of my beloved Democrat party will now suffer the consequences of the bad apples. That is a truly sad part of what happens in elections like the one on November 6 and an untold part of the ugly side of politics in Kentucky. I hope these indivudals aren't turned off by the ugliness and continue to find ways to serve the public and to continue to do so honorably!

All this as the USA today poll shows Steve increasing his lead to 20 points. Who listens to the radio these days anyway?

Poster at 433: I think most of those people you talked about are Dems too.

[Illegalsmile]

A shame. Ramsey's a great guy who can make a living without Fletcher. Probably would have had a state government career without Ernie.

I used to love to go to Southland on Sundays (and evening church) just to hear Wayne Smith preach.

But the man I knew and respected disappeared a few years ago- and I don't recognize the person who replaced him.

It's a little sad.

ok forget that ramsey is a former uk athlete. i've seen him speak and his jersey number was higher than what I would guess his iq to be.

to the long post at 431. heard of but don't the people you posted about but doubt they would want to be talked about in same story on ramsey, mcconnell and others.

What happened to all those big name democrats that Fletcher said would be endorsing him? He said about a month ago that he would be announcing those endorsements soon.

Wow. Kind of judgmental and more than a little sleazy on the part of the good rev, but that tends to be the case when these guys go Hollywood. They become so absorbed with the public performance of pointing out the splinter in their neighbor's eye they fail to notice the plank in their own. What did Jesus say about rendering unto Caesar? Seems to me and many Bible scholars that was an admonition to the church to stay out of politics. The good rev might do better by the faith, his congregation and his own soul to concentrate on winning the lost and following the 10 Commandment and leave the work of government to the secular world. As for all the good folks who came on board with Ernie, as long as those 14 indictments remain sealed, personally, I'll consider every one complicit in ruining innocent people's lives and willfully violating the law for purely partisan reasons. Probably not very fair of me - and I'll pray on that - but that's the level of disgust and outrage I and so many others have reached.

Why hasn’t anyone except the same old tired Democrats that put KY last in almost every conceivable category endorsed Steve Beshear?

The reason: Only people who like to be last among the 50 states like Steve Beshear.

Want Proof: Where did KY rank while Steve Beshear was Attorney General and Lt. Governor?

Answer: LAST

[coleman]

McConnell, Host, Bunning and others in his own party wanted to hang Ole Fletch from the tallest oak tree last year but today they want to canonize him. Hyprocrites.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/25/us/25kentucky.html

"Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky, who was indicted in May in connection with a hiring scandal, signed an agreement yesterday admitting wrongdoing by his administration and promising to reconstitute the state’s Personnel Board."

" 'The governor acknowledges that the evidence strongly indicates wrongdoing by his administration with regard to personnel actions within the merit system,' the seven-page accord said, adding that he takes responsibility and that he 'hereby states that these actions were inappropriate.' "

I hope you that judge Rev. Smith can explain that to your maker! Wow-slamming a man of God! At least Rev. Smith tried to save people rather than destroying the lives of innocent people like Mr. Steve Beshear did with those who lost their life savings with Kentucky Central!

A man of God? He sold himself to a political campaign. He's the one who will have to answer to a very angry God for using Him to promote a secular and partisan cause and for bearing false witness while doing it. Leaves a sick feeling in my stomach - rather, it would if it were any other "man of God", but we've all become accustomed to Wayne's self-promotion, partisanship and pride over the years.

God will forgive you!

7:48 - Speaking of "judge"

Did you bother to read what the two judges (one a Dem and one a Repub) said about Beshear's involvement with Central Kentucky?

Answer: Obviously not...

[skyhawk]

I am surprised that big ol Wayne could pull himself away from his free meals at KFC long enough to do a radio spot. Yum yum, more free gravy!

Wayne Smith, what a fraud and hypocrite!

Led the battle in the media again liquor by the drink on Sunday in Lexington, then his picture was in the paper at a Sunday afternoon cocktail party at John Y & Phyllis George Brown's home.

He's no man of God, he's an after-dinner speaker and court jester.

these adds are nothing more than the beginning of trying to rebuild the republican party after the demise of fletcher. Essentially all of the speakers in the add know that fletcher is gone, they are probably not particularly sad about it...and are laying the groundwork to create a more unified party after the election.

after the election in 2003 King Mitch said "we will bury Chandler" hmm - looks like the next burial will be another - careful what words you choose Mitch - you might have to eat them!

[James Pence]

We have our ad to here at Hillbill Report.
http://www.hillbillyreport.com/blog/2007/10/satire-senator-.html

I’m sincerely appalled by Steve’s Beshear’s staff. I’m glad you let us know in writing where Steve stands on religion. He allows his staff to berate a man of God in writing on the Herald Leader website. I’m printing off these words to share with my brothers and sisters on Sunday.

I also ask that Governor Fletcher’s folks copy this blog and show it on television. The public needs to know Steve’s Father and Grandfather would be disappointed in his lack of supervision. He is obviously not a God fearing man.

6:48:
You're way off base. Nobody made comments representing Beshear.

Wayne Smith is Wayne Smith no matter who or what he's campaigning for: An egotistical, limelight-seeking windbag who attempts to wrap himself in a cloak of piety and trade on his years in the pulpit.

Lots of people have been on to him for a long time.

Unless you are certain about - and can prove - the identity and campaign affiliation of any poster on this blog, it would be very unwise to claim or imply any comments here not so identified are from or on behalf of any candidate or campaign. The Herald-Leader reserves the right to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, including but not limited to subpoenas, motions and orders to disclose the IP address and other identifying information related to posters on this blog who may be subjects of legal action pertaining to defamation, libel or threats. In addition, all content on this blog is copyrighted. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of any of the contents of this service without the express written consent of the Lexington Herald-Leader is expressly prohibited.

From 6:48

I took the blog to an inappropiate level by thinking Mr. Beshear's staff could be related to comments. For that action, I am sorry.

Let there be no doubt the staff of both campaigns are upstanding individuals.

[moses rolly]

CONFIDENCE IN LIFE (CIL)
... life is important

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Nigeria.

Your Ref. Our Ref.: P/CIL/NGO/2P/VOL. I

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[Jerry]

What a bunch of thugs. Hacker the Hack, Host the dope. These guys have stolen more off the state in 4 years than any demo could have in 30.