Alexander targets Williams in TV ad

In his bid to represent the 30th Senate District, Democrat Scott Alexander is running a negative TV ad that focuses heavily on Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville.

The ad repeatedly shows Williams saying that Gov. Steve Beshear's first trip "out of the state" will be to Bell and Harlan County.

"David Williams is desperately clinging to power," says a male voice. "To keep it, he needs Brandon Smith."

UPDATE: Williams said he "muffled" a word during the interview and had meant to say "out in the state."

"Obviously I represent Whitley County, which is contiguous" to the 30th Senate District, he said. "What they're trying to do is demonize me."

The entire Jan. 14 interview with Williams, which followed Beshear's State of the Commonwealth speech, can be seen on KET.

Voters in Perry, Bell, Harlan and Leslie will choose between Alexander and Smith, a Republican state representative, on Tuesday.

Here's the ad.

(Hat Tip: The Rural Democrat)

- John Stamper

Comments

[harlan co. voter]

OMG!!! Just look at Scott Alexander - he looks like a clueless man who wouldn't know how to put words together in one sentence ... he looks like he may have a drooling problem ... does he know how to swallow ... are those swallowing neurons hooked up ... does he wear a bib?

Then look at the picture of Brandon Smith. Come on, no comparison.

Naw, that wasn't nice, comparing a together man (Smith) with a deer in headlights (Alexander)

I think we should compare their records. But wait, Alexander has no website -- how can any voter find out what his ideals are or what he supports with no campaign website?

Many folks from Harlan Co. say Alexander has no website showing his past record as legislator because he wants to hide it because he was ineffective at his job as a State Representative

I guess we'll just have to wait for their debate. Oh, wait a minute, Jennifer Moore & Steve Beshear don't want them to debate so there is no debate.

Oh well, I guess I'll have to rely on Smith's outstanding record and the picture of the 2 to determine my vote.

[Alexander is a Beshear lacky]

Scott Alexander does have a lot to hide ... mainly his past legislative record which is nothing to post on the internet.

Scott Alexander:
During his four year tenure in the State House Scott Alexander:
* passed a single bill.

* Couldn't garner the UMWA’s endorsement despite his experience in the coal industry.

* Alexander voted for Patton's black-lung bill which made it more difficult for miners in his area to get workers' comp.

*Alexander is a total yes man for the Governor. Governor needs him for a yes vote on gambling.

*Once, when he became representative, Alexander allowed $15,000 in Perry Co. coal-severance funds to be spent in a Knott Co project -- Knott's not even in his district.

* Alexander was voted one of the least effective legislators when he was in Frankfort.

* Alexander has been beaten twice by Brandon Smith.

* Many in Harlan Co. believe Beshear picked Alexander because Alexander will vote any way Beshear tells him to.

Brandon Smith:
Smith has played a leading role in several key pieces of legislation. (from the Herald Leader 2006)

*He sponsored a bill in 2003 that gives disabled children a choice in their care.

* Smith co-wrote legislation this year that created a supplemental fund to help small businesses cover their employees' health insurance.

* Smith has written 29 bills during his six years in office, and six of the bills have passed, making him one of the more productive members of the minority Republican caucus

* A Democrat chose Smith to represent the National Legislative EFFECTIVENESS Committee.

[Big Sandy]

You think the Herald Leader is trying to stack the deck at all? They find the most GQ picture of Smith and the most horrible pic of Alexander....that's what I call "fair and balanced".

[Kelsey]

Scott Alexander, will beat the pants off Smith. Smith takes orders from Williams. We need good representation in that area. Forgy who is one of Smiths main men said he ant been to bell or harlan counties but may go up there some time if Smith wins to see how the other half of kentucky lives. Williams and Forgy are total idots.
Kelsey

[JW]

Kelsey, if Smith beats Alexander, will you confess to being an "idot".

Your posts are so pathetic it's comical.

[Knee Jerk]

I'm just depressed that Alexander's ad misspells "desp[e]rately." Is it too much to hope for that a state senate candidate's limited text be literate?

[jm]

I believe Williams made a "Freudian slip". In any event, he sure treats eastern Ky like it is not part of the state.

[Equal time]

I hated the Herald during the Fletcher Administration...now all my friends on the other side hate the Herald. At least the Herald is an equal opportunity police squad. Hebert at WHAS has great stuff...I hated him during the Fletcher Administration, too. Courier is a joke...the Arena is stupid and never breaks a story. Hated them during the Fletcher Administration...still hate them.
You want a good Democratic take on things...try WYMT. You'll find the only bummer in its coverage is that your candidate, Scott Alexander, sounds more retarded the more airtime it gives him. You've got to admit it...Scott Alexander looks and sounds stupid...because he is.

[Cumberland gap]

Ditto on the CJ, they stuck big Joe on the milk run, further supporting the full court press they ran against fletcher. He was a lap dog for lopsided overblown gossip. Funny how we can only get the truth in Frankfort from the HL. Way to go HL, you sent the big Joe show down in flames, and hebert is just following your trail.

[WYMT???]

WYMT favors Alexander? That's hard for me to believe, since during the last representative election everyone said WYMT was favoring Smith and giving him all the coverage.

[Praise the Lord for David Williams]

There is no doubt in my mind that David Williams just slipped with his wording as we all do, and I am just really thankful that we have him here to help the citizens of Ky safer from bullies like Beshear. He is fighting for us all! Republicans AND Democrats.

[David Williams - the Bully from Burkesville]

The irony in this entire effort by David Williams is that he's spent the last 8 years cutting Harlan County, Bell County and Perry County out of every single thing he could cut off, and put his petty politics above the needs of this part of Kentucky because of his petty politics.

NOW David Williams wants to claim that they should back his flunky, and suddenly the Republicans will stop treating this part of the state like a red-headed stepchild?

David Williams is just another flatlander who thinks mountain people are stupid enough to believe his song and dance. If his boy Smith is picked, then the district deserves what it gets for being stupid enough to trust someone who's been cutting them off from progress for eight years.

[The Kingfish]

To all the pundits, lobbyists and idiots like them who don't know what they don't know -

ELECTION RESULTS:

Alexander 53.7%
Smith 46.3%

[1:12 is stupid]

Hey 1;12, look at a map. Cumberland, Clinton, McCreary and Whitley are not flatland counties, they're mountain counties.

[Kelsey]

The Kingfish is right on it. I sent my $200 up for Alexainder.
Kelsey

[DR and I]

I have a question (please don't cut my head off) -----I noticed an earlier comment that set forth Scott Alexander has no website and therefore "we" couldn't read his position on issues,,,,this aparently is true (no website) , but I have also tried to find a website for Brandon Smith but have had no luck,,,,,,can anyone help ?

[Kelsey]

Alexander for Senate 08. Google that. As for Smith I understand from people that know him say he is so backwards he does not even own a computer. So go figure who is the best man for the job
Kelsey.

[Burkesville is NOT Mountain Country]

Anybody who thinks Cumberland and Albany County are mountain counties is dumber than Brandon Smith, or just doesn't know what they're talking about.

And David Williams has been taking from this Senate District, and Harland, Perry and Bell Counties for 10 years.

[Rob]

Burkesville is Not Mountain Country....I am with you that they are not mountain counties....but can you tell me where Albany County is???????

[Elizabeth]

How much casino money is going into this campaign?

[JW]

Again with the lies Kelsey. Brandon Smith actually carries a laptop computer with him at all times. Get your facts straight or keep your comments to yourself.

[anon]

Albany is the county seat, for Clinton County. And I don't think anybody could say that's mountain country either.

[beaverbear]

The Feb. 1, 6:03 PM posting is right on. The two candidates do not compare. Smith is by far the best legislator. The record is clear. Anyone with an open and clear mind can see this, it is not close, This is a race between Smith and Alexander, not between Beshear and Williams. Look past the big money being spent by pro-expanded gambling interests and Democrat/Republican politics, and look at who is the best legislator. The answer is easy, it is Smith.

[The Kingfish]

Beaverbear,

Presume you are referencing the fact that Smith has 10th worst attendance record in the entire general assembly last year or the fact that in eight years as a legislator he has sponsored and passed ONE bill ...or possibly you might be referring to the fact that Brandon Smith voted for the LARGEST TAX INCREASE on SMALL BUSINESS in KY History... or are you referring to the fact that Brandon Smith voted to cut nearly $3 million dollars in coal severance money going back to his district ...or are you talking about the fact that Brandon Smith had his college intern to cast his vote for him on the House floor when he wasn't even there. Brandon Smith is widely known throughout Frankfort for his 'social' skills not his legislative skills. Please, spare us all the whining on Election Night.

[Kelsey]

Smith is a taxer,a Frankfort party animal who failed to come to work, cut the coal severance money for needed road repairs in his own district, and is a pupit of David Williams. Lets elect a strong leader in Scott Alexander.
Kelsey.

[Truth!]

Kingfish, you were pointed out as a liar when you said this on another blog (rural democrat) and just the same, you are a liar on this blog. Here is the well said response from the other log. Please quit spreading your made up lies. Do it for the good of the people!

Quote from the Herald Leader 2006)
"* Brandon Smith has written 29 bills during his six years in office, and six of the bills have passed, making him one of the more productive members of the minority Republican caucus

* Brandon Smith sponsored a bill in 2003 that gives disabled children a choice in their care.

* Brandon Smith co-wrote legislation this year that created a supplemental fund to help small businesses cover their employees' health insurance.

* A Democrat chose Smith to represent the National Legislative EFFECTIVENESS Committee."

In 2007 from Kentuckyvotes.org
* Brandon Smith introduced 4 bills and one passed.

In case Kingfish can't do math ...
Bills Brandon Smith has introduced in 8 years:
4 bills in 2007 + 29 bills in 6 years = 33 bills in 8 years that Brandon Smith has introduced.

Kingfish also lied when he wrote that Smith had 10th worst attendance record. Kingfish is only spouting lies that Scott Alexander spread in 2006 which, the Herald Leader proved were lies at the time.

Quote from the HL 2006:
"But a review of Smith’s attendance showed that of 523 votes during the 2006 legislative session, Smith missed 10. That was the average for a state representative, according to KentuckyVotes.org, a lawmaker tracking site run by the free-market think tank Bluegrass Institute."

Kingfish has confused Alexander's pitiful record with Brandon Smith. It was Rep. Alexander Smith who, during his four year tenure in the State House Scott Alexander passed a single bill.

To show how ... what's the word ... ignorant? .... stupid? .... clueless? Scott Alexander is, Alexander $15,000 in Perry Co. coal-severance funds to be spent in a Knott Co project -- Knott's not even in his district.

Let's not forget, Scott Alexander was voted one of the least effective legislators when he was in Frankfort.

[beaverbear]

Kingfish 12:53 p.m., your posting is full of untrue statements (that is as kind as I can say it). As one who has met Rep. Smith several times, and being around Frankfort on a regular basis, I am well aware of his outstanding record in the House of Representatives. The legislative records of Alexander and Smith do not campare. Smith's record is much better, in fact Alexander's is very, very poor. Even the media has clearly reported these facts.

[Kelsey]

Kingfish, your comments on this blog are dead on correct. You have posted the most honest and verified statements on this website. You are to be commended for you honesty and truthfullness. Dont let the right wing Republicans that post on this site get you down by there childlike name calling. They all know they are going to lose the seat in the Senate that Mr Smith holds. Smith has no record in the Senate and my close personal friend Senator,Julian Carroll said that Smith is one of if not the worst Senators in Ky history.
Kelsey

[beaverbear]

7:23 PM knows even less than Kingfish. Rep. Smith is not a Senator and does not serve in the State Senate. Sen. Carroll does not serve with Rep. Smith, who serves in the House of Representatives. Sen. Carroll, who is a fine Christian man, did not say Rep. Smith is one of the worse Senators in history. Look up his phone number and call and ask him yourself. We all know the Republicans will lose Rep. Smith's seat in the House of Representatives, for no Republican filed for the seat. The Senate seat that is up for election Tuesday is the seat that our present Lt.Governor held in the State Senate. Smith and Alexander are the candidates for that open Senate seat.

The legislative records of Smith and Alexander are public record and the "fact" that Alexander was listed as one of the least effective legislators in the House of Rrepresentatives during his time there, was reported in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Anyone can look it up if they wish.

3:55 PM's posting of the facts are correct. Anyone can check then as this information is a matter of public record.

[mountaineer]

I would say that both Cumberland and Clinton are mountain counties. They are considered to be part of Appalachia and have an Appalachian Regional Commission highway corridor running through them. Those big things that pop up on the horizon down there? They're called mountains. Maybe not as steep as the ones in Harlan and Bell, but they're there anyway. Calling them flatland counties is not only geographically ignorant, but ignorant in general.

[liberty]

Kingfish is on the mark. Alexander actually works for a living. Smith's only job is to spend his wife's money. He is a joke. Why don't you ask him his real name , and why he changed it? He is a fake. Never worked, never will.

[MOE]

Kelsey, everything kingfish posted was proven untrue by the HL, the CJ and other major media outlets. Once again, you continue to support the falsehoods. As stated by another poster on one of the other blogs, you get defensive when someone calls you on the falsehoods and you have NEVER provided any substantiating information to your claims. Continue playing with your paper dolls and living in your little world of "personal" friends.

[anon]

Huh? Who did Smith used to be, and why'd he change his name?

That's pretty weird.

Surely "Mr. Smith"-R has some kind of job, doesn't he?

[anony]

Larry Dale Keeling wrote an awesome article on Beshear's "dictating" the outcome of Dist. 30 race, Beshear using the taxpayer's money as his campaign piggy bank, and giving Leo Haggerty a $50K a year job after Haggerty, Moore & Beshear rigged the election system.

From the Herald Leader:
"The Beshear administration's attempts at dictating the outcome of the Senate race have been clumsy, heavy-handed and embarrassing to watch from the outset.

Rigging the system to ensure that former Rep. Scott Alexander got the nomination over former Rep. Roger Noe alienated some of the district's Democrats and made this a more difficult race to win.

Making the perception problem created by the rigging job worse, the administration gave Bell County Democratic Chairman Leo Haggerty a state job just days after he helped make Alexander the nominee.

The election is such a tossup that Beshear has brought the power of the governor's office into play, bringing handouts to the district Thursday in an attempt to tilt the race Alexander's way.

Clumsy, heavy-handed, embarrassing.

If Alexander loses after getting so much help from the administration, Beshear will appear weak and ineffective, perhaps to the point of becoming the earliest lame duck governor in the history of Kentucky.

Eastern Kentucky politics being Eastern Kentucky politics, if the Democrats try any shenanigans that attract the eyes of some people who report to superiors in Washington, D.C., the possibilities for a perception of "guilt by association" are limitless for a governor who's taken such an active role in the race."

[Has seen it]

Obviously none of you have ever seen Brandon Smith come to a public meeting dirty and still wearing his work clothes. Smith is a hard worker. I guess you all are trying to spread rumors about him because you know you can't beat him on the issues.

[Kelsey]

Governor Carroll has seen him come to the General Assembly dirty in old clothes. That is another reason to vote of Scott Alexander with pride.
Kelsey

[Shawshank]

I bet the former gvr has seen a lot...a lot of jumpsuits that is from his corruption days. These phonys are being exposed everyday, so let's keep those jumpsuits in stock. Smith is a great citizen and will stop further corruption by this group of phonies.

[liberty]

Then what is Smith's job that gets him so dirty. He says he is a small businessman. His business must be so small that nobody in Hazard knows what it is. I know he likes to sell lottery tickets to poor people, and that's pretty dirty. Especially when he then goes out and acts like he is morally opposed to gambling. The only thing Smith seems moraaly opposed to is honest work and telling the truth.

[Kelsey]

A good days work would put that Smith Boy in the hazard hospital. But he not need to worry because we will remove him for good next time he runs. Kelsey.

[JW]

Would someone who knows please "out" Kelsey.