Pol Watchers

Texas Governor picks McCain, 9 Derby horses

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the chairman of the Republican Governors Association, said he expects GOP U.S. Sen. John McCain to win Kentucky in the fall election regardless of who becomes the Democratic nominee.

"We really don't care. They're two peas in a pod when it comes to taxes -- they want to take all your money and spend it on something else," said Perry, who arrived at Churchill Downs minutes after Chelsea Clinton made her entrance.

Perry called U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton "a couple of socialists."

On the other race of the day, Perry said he will put money on nine horses that have connections to Texas, either because of a trainer or owner.

"I might put some money on the filly, too," he said of Eight Belles.

- Ryan Alessi

Chelsea Clinton arrives to hugs and kisses

Shortly before 1 p.m., former first daughter Chelsea Clinton, the designated Derby star for her mother's campaign, arrived at Churchill Downs' main gate to the greetings of hugs and compliments by state Democratic officials.

State Democratic Party Chairman Jennifer Moore gushed as she met Clinton, who was wearing a dusty pale blue dress and matching hat.

"You did a great job," Moore said of picking out hat.

Clinton then turned to meet Nathan Smith, vice chairman of the state Democratic Party, and his wife. Both Smith and Moore will serve as superdelegates at the Democratic National Convention in Denver this summer. Neither has made a pick between New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

"It's my first Derby," Clinton told the Smiths with a big smile. "My parents were here 25 years ago."

Indeed, her power couple parents, former President Bill Clinton and current Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, attended the 1983 Derby while the Clintons were in the Arkansas governor's mansion.

Also there to greet Chelsea Clinton was Jerry Lundergan, the former Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman, who gave Clinton a hug and kiss on the cheek, although they almost bumped heads.

Just before Chelsea arrived, former Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton and wife Judi entered the main gate.

Paul Patton, who is supporting Clinton, said he expects Hillary Clinton to win in the May 20 primary in Kentucky but "it's going to be very difficult" for her to lock up the nomination.

- Ryan Alessi

Bill Richardson stumps for Obama and "unity"

LOUISVILLE -- New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson wanted to be the Democratic nominee for president this year. Instead, he's spending his Saturday telling Kentuckians why they should vote for Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois in their May 20 primary.

Richardson is stumping the Kentucky Derby, talking up Obama to super-delegates, state lawmakers and reporters -- even though Obama's rival, Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York, has led in state polls and tends to win in states with poorer, less-educated and largely white populations, like Kentucky.

"Here in Kentucky it's uphill, but he'll do respectably well here," said Richardson, dressed in a Navy blazer, bolo tie and khaki slacks.

Richardson said he advises Obama to speak the plain truth to voters in states like Kentucky, such as the need for a national energy plan that moves away from coal.

"Sen. Obama has the right position," said Richardson, who was secretary of energy under President Bill Clinton. "What we need is a new energy policy that focuses on shifting away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and fuel efficiency."

Richardson said he feels a deep personal loyalty to Bill and Hillary Clinton because of his service in the Clinton administration. But he endorsed Obama for president because Obama provides "an inspirational unity" that could draw some Republican and independent votes in the general election.

The likely Republican nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, will be a formidable opponent, in part because he is seen as a moderate and speaks on some issues, like expanding health care to more Americans, that are traditional Democratic territory, Richardson said. The Democrats need to finish their nomination battle and unite behind a candidate who can win over the general public, and that would be Obama, he said.

"Look, I am very fond of the Clintons," Richardson said. "But we need a change. We need a new generation of leadership."

As for his Derby picks, Richardson said he's sticking with heavy favorites Colonel John and Big Brown, because on his last Derby visit a couple of years ago he lost in every race. Now he prefers the sure thing.

-- John Cheves

No pick in that other big race

Gov. Steve Beshear arrived at Churchill Downs at 12:11 p.m. He said he is going to bet on Colonel John and Big Brown, "two good Kentucky-bred horses."

Beshear said he hopes to chat with Caroline Kennedy and Chelsea Clinton and all the political people from across the country who come to the track for the Derby.

But when asked about his pick in that other race, the presidential one, the governor smiled without a word and walked away with his security detail.

- Ryan Alessi

Kansas Gov won't be at Derby to stump for Obama

Those who were looking forward to seeing Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a supporter of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, at the Kentucky Derby will be disappointed.

Sebelius was slated to be among the key Obama supporters to stump for the Democratic presidential candidate at Churchill Downs. But she canceled her trip to deal with several flare-ups from the Kansas state legislature.

The Witchita Eagle is reporting that lawmakers Friday announced they are considering filing a lawsuit against Sebelius for her vetoes of legislation to allow two coal-fired power plants in the state. 

In addition, the legislature is scrambling to finish its 2008 session work.

Obama will have a couple national names carrying his flag at Churchill, though. Former presidential candidate and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Caroline Kennedy, daughter of John F. Kennedy will be at the Derby.

- Ryan Alessi

Beshear administration names new natural resources commissioner

FRANKFORT — A veteran state mining official will be the new commissioner of the Department for Natural Resources, Environmental and Public Protection Secretary Bob Vance said.

Carl E. Campbell, who was in the former Department for Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement for more than 25 years, will begin his new post May 12.  He will replace Susan Bush, whom Gov. Steve Beshear’s administration dismissed to the disappointment of some environmentalists.

  “We are pleased to have someone with Carl’s experience serving in such an important position,” Vance said in a statement.  “Carl’s career began as a reclamation inspector and he retired as commissioner, so he is familiar with the challenges of managing an important department.”

When the Environmental and Public Protection is reorganized in a few weeks, the natural resources department is expected to become a part of a new Energy Cabinet, to be headed by Len Peters of Shelby county.

“Carl’s experience, his knowledge of the coal industry and his leadership skills will serve the department well as Governor Beshear’s administration focuses on energy,”  Peters said in a statement.

Campbell began his career with surface mining reclamation department in 1978 as a reclamation inspector. He served in various positions before being named a division director in 1988. He served as deputy commissioner from 1992 to 1995, when he was named commissioner.

“I am pleased with the opportunity to serve Gov. Beshear and look forward to working with Dr. Peters as Kentucky implements a comprehensive energy program,” Campbell said in  a statement.

The Department for Natural Resources includes the divisions of mine safety and licensing, mine permits, abandoned mine lands and mine reclamation and enforcement, forestry, conservation and oil and gas.

--Jack Brammer

Obama picks Colonel John to win Derby

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama is picking Colonel John, a Kentucky-bred horse, to win the Kentucky Derby Saturday, according to his campaign.

For extra credit, he also picked Pyro to place and Big Brown to show.

And Obama's campaign has created a special Derby campaign button.

His rival in the Democratic primary for the presidency, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, has chosen Eight Belles -- the only filly in the 20-horse field.

- Ryan Alessi

Clinton visits Louisville volunteers, makes Derby pick

After New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton made her pitch to the Louisville Courier-Journal's editorial board Thursday, she stopped by her Louisville campaign headquarters to meet with volunteers.

"She was at the office for 25 minutes meeting with people who were making signs for her that will be used at the Kentucky Derby," said Jamie Radice, spokeswoman for Clinton's Kentucky campaign.

Among those signs were ones that said, "I'm betting on the filly" -- a sentiment that Clinton has expressed. She has picked Eight Belles, the only filly in the 20-horse field.

Clinton also took photos with the staff and thanked them for their work, Radice said.

- Ryan Alessi

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Oakwood gets 30 days more Medicaid, but then ...

The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services needs a Plan B when Medicaid funding ends May 15 at its Bluegrass Communities at Oakwood facility for the mentally retarded in Somerset.

On Thursday, the cabinet announced that the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) has agreed to a 30-day extension of Medicaid funding at Oakwood, from April 15 to May 15. But in two weeks, all but $18 million of Oakwood's $78-million annual budget will disappear, along with its Medicaid certification.

In recent years, regulators have cited Oakwood for a series of serious problems involving abuse and neglect of residents. CMS finally "decertified" Oakwood, or removed its eligibility to receive Medicaid funds.

The cabinet soon will apply for recertification because a new management team was installed in late 2006. The Lexington-based Bluegrass Regional Mental Health-Mental Retardation Board, is making steady progress improving the facility, said cabinet spokeswoman Gwenda Bond.

However, it's not clear how long CMS will take to consider Oakwood's recertification application, Bond said.

In the meantime, she said, some of Oakwood's 224 residents may be transferred to other public or private residential-care facilities or to community placement, such as group homes, where Medicaid again would cover them.

The cabinet would have to pay for the remaining Oakwood residents with only state funds -- a daunting prospect given state budget cuts.

"We are definitely exploring all our contingency options," Bond said. "Clearly this is a difficult situation."

For more on this story, see Friday's Herald-Leader.

-- John Cheves

Prez candidate surrogates to descend upon Derby

The roster or big names stumping for their candidate of choice is growing. Here's the update:

• Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's surrogates will include: Former presidential candidate and New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson; Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius; Caroline Kennedy, daughter of President John F. Kennedy; U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth of Louisville and U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler of Versailles. (Richardson's appearance was just confirmed Thursday by the Obama campaign).

• New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's key supporters making the rounds at Churchill Downs will include: daughter Chelsea Clinton; former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe; and former Kentucky Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Lundergan, a member of Clinton's national finance committee. Lundergan said others, including an entertainer or two, could be at the Derby on Clinton's behalf as well. Stay tuned ...

- Ryan Alessi