Political morsels from the 128th annual Fancy Farm weekend

The most subtle political comment of the weekend came from state Senate Education Chairman Ken Winters, a Murray Republican.

Winters is facing a stiff challenge from former U.S. Rep. Carroll Hubbard, D-Mayfield, for the 1st District Senate seat that covers seven counties in far Western Kentucky.

Winters, during a speech at a Republican rally, said if voters want to check his record, they can look at Google on the Internet. “If you want to check my opponent’s record, that’s on Google, too,” Winters added.

The Hubbard record he apparently was referring to was Hubbard’s guilty plea in 1994 to three felony charges related to federal campaign spending laws.

“I don’t need to talk about that,” Winters said later to reporters. “I think my message gets through by the subtlety.”

Hubbard has said he has done his best to overcome past mistakes and is trying to do what he can to help Western Kentucky.

Of Winters, Hubbard said Saturday at the Graves County Democratic Breakfast at Mayfield High School that his opponent is 74 and he is 71. “I’d better not make age an issue in this race,” Hubbard said.

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The most melodic political comment came from Gov. Steve Beshear.

Not since the late Gov. A.B. “Happy” Chandler has a Kentucky governor entertained a crowd with such wistful warbling.

Beshear was lavished with loud applause at the Democratic breakfast for his harmony on “My Old Kentucky Home.”

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The most political opening salvo from the picnic's speakers came from Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear.

As Beshear started speaking, he was roundly booed and heckled by a large contingent of Republican supporters in the audience.

He said he was glad they had "funeral home fans" on the extremely hot day because on Nov. 4, Election Day, "we will bury their candidates."

Beshear added that he was glad Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning was at the picnic.

Bunning said a few years ago he would not return to Fancy Farm because he was mistreated.

Beshear said he"may have had something to do" with Bunning's return to the political picnic.

"I called out the National Guard to protect him," Beshear said.

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The most salty political comments came from Heather Ryan, a Paducah Democrat who is running a grassroots campaign for Congress against Republican incumbent Ed Whitfield of Hopkinsville.

Ryan filed for the race after she was fired in January as director of Paducah’s Film Society and Maiden Alley Cinema. Her dismissal followed a public confrontation with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Louisville, regarding the war in Iraq. McConnell has denied playing any role in the firing.

“If you’re not pissed off with what the Republicans are doing to this country, you are not paying attention,” Ryan said at the Democratic breakfast.

She said she wants to send Whitfield out of the state and “McConnell wherever the hell he is from.” She ended her speech with “let’s go kick some ass.”

Ryan got a standing ovation.

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The most targeted political comments against a politician not at Fancy Farm this year involved state Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville.

Senate Democratic candidate Carroll Hubbard claimed that Senate Republicans follow Williams too closely.

“When David Williams takes a sleeping pill, the other Republicans in the Senate take a nap,” Hubbard said.

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The most visible political road signs involved Republican incumbent U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Someone --most likely a Democrat -- put up large signs on Kentucky 80 west from Mayfield to Fancy Farm that gave a timeline on McConnell.

One sign noted that in 1988 "McConnell throws temper tantrums at John McCain."

Another farther down the road said in 2001 "McConnell votes to raise his own pay."

The last one predicted the future.

It said in 2009, "McConnell becomes highest paid lobbyist in Washington."

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The most abrupt finale of a political speech at the picnic involved Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning.

The speakers were given a time limit to deliver their messages or face cut-off music from "No Tools Loaned," a Bluegrass band from Frankfort.

Bunning got to hear the band play "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."

That spurred emcee Rocky Adkins, a Democratic state legislative leader, to say, "Let's give the band another hand."

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The most relaxed political comments came from state House Majority Leader Rocky Adkins. The Democrat from Sandy Hook in Eastern Kentucky was the emcee at this year’s political picnic.

Before the picnic, he said he was not a bit nervous. As a basketball player at Morehead State University from 1979 to 1983, Adkins said he had to confront tough players and crowds at Murray State University.

The picnic, he said, “will be a cakewalk.”

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The most back-handed political comment came from Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

In talking about Democratic Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, Grayson said the recently wed Mongiardo is "better picking a wife" than picking his successor in the state Senate.

Republican Brandon Smith of Hazard replaced Mongiardo in the Senate.

--Jack Brammer

Comments

[Al]

Our Governor runs his mouth too much. I am a student at WKU and would love for him to explain why he cut education so much, but yet can use $7000 to fly around to make people like him. Also interesting how he has a fundraiser in the State Capitol Building for the Democrats. Who paid for his trip down to Fancy Farm today?

[Al]

I meant Governor's Mansion, not State Capitol Building. My mistake.

[Taxpayer]

You're right, Al. He does run his mouth too much. Didn't we hear him run Fletcher over the coals for using the state plane? Then he does it less than two months into his term and has done it repeatedly since then. His actions speak louder than words and his approval ratings show it. He's lost his mind if he thinks he has a shot at getting re-elected. If he runs again, that election will be easier to predict than the last one. The Republicans will be fighting to be his opponent as it's a given victory.

[Bill Adkins]

If you're a student at WKU, how're you doing GPA wise? If you examined the issue you'd find it was DAVID WILLIAMS and the state legislature who refused reasonable revenue generating measures, including the cigarette tax and casino gambling. Go ahead and ask Beshear if you want - but don't leave out David Williams in the mix. The legislature passed that budget of which you complain. As for the Govenor's Mansion fund raiser, as you call it, you can use your youth as an excuse for not knowing of Fletcher's use of the governor's mansion for such purposes much more blatantly. If you're going to be offended, be an equal opportunity offendee.

"Nearly 40 percent of the $372,225 that Fletcher’s 2007 campaign raised in the last two weeks came from Kentuckians Fletcher placed on boards and commissions, highway contractors that depend on state money and government workers — mostly high-ranking political appointees — whom Fletcher hired. Road building company employees and their family members gave Fletcher at least $54,000 over the last 15 days.

Many contractor executives attended a luncheon at the governor’s mansion two weeks ago, during which Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert outlined how the administration gets to dole out $2.3 billion worth of paving work in the next two years."

Can you point out Beshear's benefit from the Capitol Club that might equate with Fletcher's obvious quid pro quo equation? That's an essay question.

[I'm embarrassed for you WKY Democrats]

I don't even live in Western KY, and I am embarrassed for you Democrats down there.

If you aren't embarrassed by Heather Ryan, you should be. She throws a fit because Mitch McConnell happens to visit her workplace, and she sends her ill-mannered daughter out to do her dirty work and ask the senator a very stupid question, because she doesn't have the guts to confront McConnell herself.

So after she gets fired for making an idiot of herself and putting her non-profit's federal funding in jeopardy, what does she do to get back at McConnell? Why, she runs against Ed Whitfield! Like that's going to get under Mitch's skin.

Then she goes on a profanity-laced tirade at a campaign event.

You should be embarrassed by her. I know I am and I don't even live down there.

And Carroll Hubbard? 'Nuff said. If he's the best you can do for a state senate nominee, you deserve to lose.

[kilowat]

would you rather have some one like Ryan tell you the truth are someone who has lied to us like Ed and Mitch check out this with all the links, how long did McConnell,Whitfield and Bunning stay at the Picnic maybe 10 after their speech did you see them out shaking hands nope, but Ryan,Lunsford were and i have the pictures to prove it...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/7/31/24530/6115
http://www.ditchmitchky.com/1585/the-livingston-group-and-kentucky-republicans/

[I'm embarrassed for you WKY Democrats]

Who gives a $&%@ about Daily Kos?

That site makes the National Enquirer look like the Wall Street Journal in comparison.

[Weatherman]

Heather Ryan is not qualified to iron my shirt.

[Taxpayer]

Adkins, once again you're partisan politics have blinded you. David Williams is the President of the Senate and had nothing to do with the casino gaming and loss of revenues as you call it. The democrats couldn't even get the bill out of the House that they control. There in lies the blame. They tried numerous forms of the bill and they did nothing but argue with each other. Not to mention our Governor waited too late to introduce the bill as he thought it was 1988 again and what he says goes. The bill never made it to the Senate for Mr. Williams to even get his hands on. Totally a failed session thanks to the house democrats.

[Richard D.]

Adkins, Yes, you are right. We are so much better off with a Congressman that takes money from convicted terrorists and doesn't give it back. I mean, Exxon and Chevron really represent the values of working Kentuckians nicely. All of us ignorant hicks just love living in poverty while our Congressman becomes a millionaire representing Exxon, Chevron, and Phizer.

I would be embarrased about Republicans yanking up campaign signs and stealing and destroying them like jack-booted, idiot thugs if I were you. If you did live here, I am sure you would fit right in with that bunch.

[Richard D.]

OOPS!!! Sorry Adkins, looked at the names posting wrong. That comment was for I'm embarrassed for West Ky Democrats!!

Sorry again!!

[Al]

You must think you're pretty high and mighty Adkins. Saying I use my youth as an excuse. Anyway, what bothers me is Beshear goes and tells the people he wouldn't act the way Fletcher's Administration did, but yet he is doing the same things. What also bothers me is that Beshear propsed the cuts in his budget. I also recall Beshear opposes the cigarrette tax. Why is it ok for Beshear to hire someone who has been in trouble with the law, while it was not ok for Fletcher too? Seems like you have a double standard, Mr. Adkins.

[Bill Adkins]

Give me - uh, him - hell, richard. Al - we were talking about your double standard. You have no excuse for not knowing more recent history - Beshear proposed raising the cigarette tax.

"Now, Beshear says the fate of his gambling proposal is uncertain this session. Instead, he wants to use money from the cigarette tax increase to finance bonds and bring in $800 million for the state to use over the next two years".

What could the Commonwealth have done with $800 million, Al? Certainly higher education would not have to be cut - but Fletcher and the Republicans left the Commonwealth in financial turmoil, broke and in debt. What solutions do you offer, Al?

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Mr. Adkins, Sir!

I don't know why it is so difficult for you to see and understand the pattern of leadership Beshear has brought to the Commonwealth?

His reliance on Brer Jones and KEEP to bring the bacon home, failed. Why? Lack of leadership as the Chief Administrative Officer and trying to muscle a House that was divided.

The bill did not make it out of the house and no one is to blame but . . . Beshear and his lack of communication and compromise on the issue. The CASINO people were so sure they would get to vote they did not pay attention to lobby in effort, with other members. Something that was needed to advance the bill for a vote to the Senate.

To inject DAVID WILLIAMS, of whom I am not fan, is just an opportunity for you to write something and attempt to move the discussion sideways . . . using your perception that favors an ADMINISTRATION that was too ALOOF to get the job done.

When Stum becomes the SPEAKER he will carry the water for our GOVERNOR AND KEEP. If the sitting Governor does not get this measure to the ballot and when it goes to the ballot, you will see the majority of people, who understand the DANGERS OF THE LEADING MENTAL ILLNESS IN THE UNITED STATES GAMBLING will VOTE NO TO CASINOS.

Try again, you perception does not meet reality. But, then maybe that is why you post to often and come to defend the stereo type Democrat that honors Democrats regardless of their morals or ability to lead. We are still deeply rooted in the antiquated GOOD OLD BOY SYSTEM.

No second term for this Governor.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE BALLOT.
The Gambling issue will be turned down.

AND YOU CAN BOOK THAT ONE.

Jim Anderson Stivers
Frankfort, KY.

[Jim Anderson Stivers]

Page two Mr. Adkins...

When Representative Stumbo becomes the House Speaker that will put him in a perfect position to PANDER TO BOTH SIDES OF THE GAMBLING ISSUE. (example the VIDEO TERMINAL proposal) Isn't that a SLOT MACHINE?

guess who will be the person that steps up and challenges Steve Beshear?

NONE OTHER THAN REPRESENTATIVE STUMBO.

You think the BESHEAR people are not thinking about that?

[kilowat]

Who gives a $&%@ about Daily Kos?

That site makes the National Enquirer look like the Wall Street Journal in comparison.

Posted by: I'm embarrassed for you WKY Democrats

see if you can google "Riggs bank fined" then "Whitfield disclosure 2006" and read where he sold his stock

Riggs Bank Agrees to Guilty Plea And Fine (washingtonpost.com)
Jan 28, 2005 ... A History of Suspicious Activity Riggs Bank agreed to a $16 million fine and pleaded guilty to failing to report suspicious financial ...
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A41584-2005Jan27.html