McConnell promises misery for eventual opponent

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell riled up the crowd of several hundred at Saturday night's Republican Party of Kentucky Lincoln Day Dinner in Lexington when he promised misery for his Democratic opponent in the fall.

"Whoever runs against me is going to have a perfectly miserable experience," McConnell promised.

The state's senior senator said he expects his opponent to argue that Kentucky needs a "fresh face" in the Senate. "I'm going to argue that I give us a competitive edge in a highly competitive environment."

To drive home the point, McConnell played a lengthy video highlighting his efforts to bring back big bucks for tobacco farmers, universities, parks, the Bluegrass Army Depot and workers sickened at Paducah's uranium enrichment plant.

Louisville Democrats Bruce Lunsford and Greg Fischer are the two leading contenders to challenge McConnell.

McConnell started his speech by noting that "spirits are a little bit higher this year," a clear reference to the group's contentious gathering in Louisville a year ago when former Gov. Ernie Fletcher faced a primary challenge from former congresswoman Anne Northup.

He said he spoke recently with Fletcher, who is adapting well to his private life and following recent news accounts about Gov. Steve Beshear with "some detached amusement."

McConnell pointed to Secretary of State Trey Grayson's ability to draw 51 percent of the vote last November as "the first indication that Republicans weren't going to fold their tent or go away."

Then came "a game changer" earlier this month when Republican Brandon Smith won the Eastern Kentucky state Senate seat formerly held by Democratic Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo.

"I couldn't go to sleep I was so excited about it," McConnell said. "I thought it was enormously significant."

State Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, emceed the event. He took the opportunity to throw a few barbs at Beshear and noted that the Democratic governor's approval rating took a tumble this week, particularly in Eastern Kentucky.

As for Beshear's proposed constitutional amendment allowing casinos in Kentucky, Williams offered this advice: "He can stick a fork in it. It's done."

Congressman Ron Lewis, KY-2nd, used his time at the podium to promise he will do "everything I can" to get state Sen. Brett Guthrie, R-Bowling Green, elected to the seat he is vacating.

"I'm leaving, but we have a fine and wonderful young man in Brett Guthrie to carry on the work," Lewis said.

He also pledged to turn over "most" of his campaign war chest, which stood at more than $400,000 at the end of 2007, to the state party.

Lewis has repeatedly apologized to the party in recent weeks after secretly attempting to have his chief of staff, Daniel London, be the lone GOP candidate to replace him. London dropped out of the race earlier this month.

- John Stamper

Comments

[Democrat from Pike]

Oh Mitch.......you wish! Being a lackey for Dubya will come back to haunt you and David "Widesreen".

[Elizabeth]

What I don't understand is why my party, the Democrats, aren't focused in on getting McConnell defeated instead of on getting casinos promoted.

My daddy always said that the purpose of the Dem party in Kentucky was to elect a governor and the purpose of the Dem governor was to pay back his friends.

Why aren't we serving our country???

[McConnell Delivers Misery to his constituents]

McConnell is nothing more than a buttboy for the special interests and George W. Bush whom he serves. The only thing McConnell can use as a tool is his ability to deliver pork to his pals across the nation. Where'd all that bankroll he brags about come from? Not from Kentuckians!!!!

[Roger]

I'm already having a "perfectly miserable experience," with Mitch consistently voting FOR Pres Bush and AGAINST us Kentuckians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o27HZZDlTI0

[MOE]

Although I don't always agree with McConnell's stances, he wields considerable power in the Senate and it would not be in the best interest of our commonwealth to simply elect someone else, based solely on political registration. This is especially true with the candidates the Democrats now have fielded.

[Kelsey]

My Close Personal Friend Bruce Lunsford will beat the crap out of McConnell and Bush.
Go Obama.
Kelsey.

[Anti-Kelsey]

Starting early for a weekend are we Kelsey? Sober up and try again when you can post something worthwhile. By the way, Bruce has no idea who you are.

[Gee, Mitch...]

Hey Mitch,

Did you ever think that if you had come out and fired your big guns at Greg Stumbo early on in the spring of 2005, and if you had used your power and influence to put a stop to his partisan-motivated election, you wouldn't be talking about how Ernie Fletcher is adjusting to private life?

McConnell, you disgust me. This man was your friend and your political ally. Yet when he came under fire from the Democrats and you had it within your power to limit the damage or even put an end to the whole mess, you stayed silent. Only after you ran Anne Northup against him last spring and she lost did you offer lukewarm support to your party's nominee. At least Hal Rogers and Ron Lewis had the guts to stand up for what's right. You didn't. It may be true that you've lost touch with rank and file Kentuckians because for the Republicans on the ground floor, state jobs was the number one priority and it's what they demanded Fletcher do. You, however, all ensconsed in your bubble in DC, didn't realize that and as a result you didn't say a word about Greg Stumbo. I'm almost thinking of voting for that nobody in Jellico in the primary and Bruce Lunsford in the fall as a way of paying you back for your lack of support for your own party's governor and your friend and ally.

[David]

Mitch, I will begrudgingly vote for you in the fall, but I want to "second" what the previous poster at 2:29 said. You "saved your considerable ammo" instead of spending some to counter Stumbo's witch hunt. You left Ernie out to dry, and you encouraged Northup to undercut him, injuring both candidates. It is going to be very difficult for me to forget that.

Having said all that, Mitch has more clout in Washington than anyone in a LONG time. That is good for Kentucky. My anger with him will not make me vote for a loser, opportunist, political-wanna-be like Lunsford.

[CSI]

"McConnell pointed to Secretary of State Trey Grayson's ability to draw 51 percent of the vote last November as "the first indication that Republicans weren't going to fold their tent or go away."

Hey Mitch --- What about Richie Farmer? ---
2007 election (winner) results*
Party Name Vote #'s Percentage
R Richie Farmer 644,036 64.0%
D Beshear 619,552 58.7%
D Jack Conway 612,689 60.5%
D Crit Luallen 591,910 59.2%
R "Trey" Grayson 576,881 57.1%
D Todd" Hollenbach 573,890 57.5%

$$Money Raised$$*
Farmer $ 511,694.95
Beshear $9,418,835.73
Conway $1,426,152.51
Luallen $ 612,597.51
Grayson $1,255,315.05

Something is not right here, Farmer raised the least amount of money but got the most votes. And we all know he hardly campaigned at all, either election cycle.

Is his UK popularity that huge? Can he ride that popularity to the Governors mansion.

Why is Grayson the "appointed" savior of the Republican party when Farmer is waiting in the wings.

We have obviously learned it doesn't take a genius to be Governor of Kentucky but keep in mind, Farmer has two UK college degrees.

Can someone explain to me why Farmer is the odd man out for the Republican Party.

Since the Republicans don't like Farmer, should the Dems make an overture to bring him to their side of the aisle?

*Numbers are from Graysons website, KY SOS

[Kelsey]

The answer is a big NO. Farmer is runnig for a low seat office in a redneck state. The people of Ky dont give a rats rearend who the Ag Comm is. If any of the newer star UK ball players ran they would beat Farmer. The people who work in that dept tell me he is an arrowhead. That is the reason you never hear him speak in an ad on TV. No, any higher office, that would require fundraising, and any stronger competition and he would go down the tubes.
Go Obama.
Kelsey.

[Congressman Richie Farmer???]

Might it be that Richie will be Hal Rogers' successor? After all, Richie is from the heart of Hal's district, is very well known, and Congress has been the landing point for a whole lot of ex-athletes (Shuler, Kemp, Watts, Largent, and so on). Farmer won't switch parties. He's from a staunchly Republican family (Tracy Farmer is the notable turncoat exception) in a heavily Republican area.

[Roger]

Mitch McConnell, "clout in Washington"? Give me a break. Is that why he's failing to dispose of the aging weapons at the Blue Grass Army Depot by the 2012 deadline? Mitch is now bragging that he'll get the job done by 2017, five years late. Wow, what clout!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCrYajugVG4

[John]

Kelsey,
"The people who work in that dept tell me he is an arrowhead."

The problem Farmer has is his people are not loyal to him. Farmer is not an arrowhead, he is a bright individual.

If you look at what his front line non merit staff donated/not donated to him vs. Beshear, you will see thay are not loyal to him.

If Farmer has plans to run for Governor (which he should), he needs to make several pretty signifigant non-merit staff changes and do so quickly.

His public speaking is better than 4 years ago. But the real question, do we want to continually keep electing party retreads and career politicians. I don't.

Look what we have now, Ernie II. Courier Journal writer Jill Johnson Keeney wrote "And a joke was circulating in the hallways that went something like this: "Steve Beshear was elected governor, and when he went into his office and opened the top desk drawer, he found Ernie Fletcher's playbook and started using it."

It's time to get a fresh face with none of the same party hacks Fletcher and Beshear keep bringing back.

Its time for a change. Vote Obama AND encourage Farmer to run for Governor

[john]

Kelsey,
"The people who work in that dept tell me he is an arrowhead."

The problem Farmer has is his people are not loyal to him.

If you look at what his front line non merit staff donated/non donated to him vs. Beshear, you will see thay are not loyal to him.

If Farmer has plans to run for Governor (which he should), he needs to make several pretty signifigant non-merit staff changes and do so quickly.

His public speaking is better than 4 years ago. But the real question, do we want to continually keep electing party retreads and career politicians. I don't.

Look what we have now, Ernie II. Courier Journal writer Jill Johnson Keeney wrote "And a joke was circulating in the hallways that went something like this: "Steve Beshear was elected governor, and when he went into his office and opened the top desk drawer, he found Ernie Fletcher's playbook and started using it."

It's time to get a fresh face with none of the same party hacks Fletcher and Beshear keep bringing back.

Its time for a change. Vote Obama AND Farmer

[Bring Ernie Back!]

Using Ernie's playbook?! I don't think so! Beshear does not have 10% of the integrity of Ernie Fletcher! The partisan Stumbo and the media tried to MAKE Fletcher look inept. Beshear IS inept, and controlled by special interests, i. e. KEEP, gambling interests, etc. No comparison!

[Bring Ernie Back2!]

Right on Bring Ernie Back! There is absolutely no comparison in Governor Fletcher and this Beshear bunch. Gov. Fletcher got crucified purely for political gain by the democrats, and the people of Kentucky did not pay enough attention to know what was actually going on. AND, look what we have now--a bunch of keystone cops who are liars and corrupt on top of that. I bet they're paying attention now!

[Kelsey]

John, I dont agree with many on this blog as you may or maynot know but I have read your comment twice and find that you are a smart man. I agree with you 100%, I should not be so quick to judge Mr Farmer. I know most of the movers and shakers in Frankfort on a personal basis, but most are demos. I used to Like Larry Forgy until he lost his mind. One thing is for sure, Mr Farmer could get elected 10 to 1 faster than Fletcher in any state position. Old Whats his name is finished for good, Mr Stumbo say to that. Steve Beshear is a close personal friend of mine and he needs time to get his feet on the ground, and he will, he is a very good and smart man. John, dont be fooled by the bunch of right wing idots on this blog such as Moe, Stivers and others, they are misleading and spinners. Steve only agreeded to attempt to get the Casino Bill thru for the horse people and KEEP, and he is keeping his word, unlike Old whats his name who never kept his word. He could make a shot at the slots, thru the Lottery Bill amendment, where tracks and Bingo halls are located, depending on the pressure from his gaming group, but does not want them arould kids. Just keep on giving good honest advice and comments on this blog as I do and you will be fine.
Go Obama.
Kelsey.

[Dem donor]

for once I'll agree with kelsey. farmer's nonmerit staff are largely idiots who are simply hangerons enamored with their uk "star." he had few people who raised him money and did some work for him and I know because I wrote a check because one of them asked me to support Farmer and I did because of my friendship with this guy and his wife.
farmer's staff gave more money in total to other candidates than they did him. that is a problem politically. also as kelsey rightly points out, folks don't have the big expectations from someone running for a lower ticket office like ag commissioner. if running for higher office, voters expect that candidate to show up to party events (farmer has done nothing for his party), voters expect the candidate to be proactive and raise money (farmer held fundraisers including one in lexington and insiders tell me he isn't aware that his people didn't even send invitations-they did it by word of mouth)...all of this would be unacceptable for a real candidate for real office. he needs staff who have contacts, know frankfort well and can help in the long run. that is not the staff he has now.

[coleman]

McConnell is considered one of the 22 Most Corrupt Members of Congress. Go to www.beyondelay.org for a bi-partisan annual report.