Governor’s Approval Rating Hits 60%

The Kentucky Democratic Party issued this press release today:

A new Louisville Courier-Journal/Bluegrass poll demonstrates that Kentuckians recognize Governor Beshear's strong leadership. The complete poll, which will be released tomorrow, shows Governor Beshear's approval rating at 60%.

People across the Commonwealth know that Governor Beshear has worked hard to bring integrity back to Frankfort; they know Governor Beshear has taken strong steps to ensure that every child in Kentucky has access to quality, affordable healthcare, and they know that Governor Beshear has worked tirelessly to create good, high-paying jobs for Kentucky.

Kentuckians recognize that Governor Beshear showed true leadership by addressing the pension crisis and acting quickly in the wake of the storms that hit the Gulf Coast and Kentucky earlier this month to hold the line on gas prices and prevent price gouging.

This focus on honest, accountable government that works for every Kentuckian is creating a record of accomplishment that everyone, Democrat, Republican and Independent can be proud of.

People across the Commonwealth know that Kentucky is moving forward under Governor Beshear's leadership.

Robert Powell on TV tomorrow

Democratic candidate for State Senate Robert Powell will be attending a forum tomorrow night from 7:00 till 7:30. The forum, which will feature Powell and his opponent Damon Thayer, will be moderated by the Enquirer's Pat Crowley and will air on Insight Channel 15.

For those who don't have Insight cable, NKY.com plans to stream the event as well. Please tune in!

Rothenberg: Lunsford gaining on McConnell

The nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report has upgraded Bruce Lunsford's chances of defeating Mitch McConnell:

Because of [recent polls showing a dead heat], we are moving this race from Clear Advantage for McConnell to Narrow Advantage for McConnell, and we would not argue with anyone who rated the contest as a Toss-Up.

This is fantastic news. Let's do everything we can to help elect Bruce Lunsford!

Hawpe: McConnell coddles Wall Street

David Hawpe's column in today's Courier-Journal makes some excellent points. Here's an excerpt:

Coddling Wall Street is nothing new for Mitch McConnell.

In 1999, McConnell and the rest of the Kentucky congressional delegation voted to deregulate Wall Street banking and investments. They -- and most of other members of Congress -- ignored the warnings that this hands-off approach could create financial institutions so big the federal government simply could not afford to let them fail.

Well, those warnings were well-founded. Wall Street is on its knees, and it's in everyone's interest for Big Government to drag the financial system back to its feet. But the question is, why a helping hand only for Wall Street? Why no help for ordinary people who find themselves in financial trouble and in danger of losing their homes?

You can read the entire column by clicking here.

McConnell, Lunsford race a dead heat

The Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll on Kentucky's Senate race is out, and it has some bad news for Mitch McConnell:

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford are knotted in a statistical tie for McConnell’s seat, according to the latest Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll.

The poll found that each candidate would get the support of 41 percent of likely voters if the election were held today. But McConnell nudged ahead 45-44 when undecided likely voters who were leaning toward a candidate were included into the poll results.

...The margin of error is 3.7 percentage points.

Bruce Lunsford sums it all up pretty well:

“We’re headed in the wrong direction, and eight years of Bush-McConnell economics are at the very heart of the matter. We need change now, more than ever.”

Let's ditch Mitch this November. Please support Bruce Lunsford!

Herald-Leader on Geoff Davis

Today's Herald-Leader editorial page excoriated Geoff Davis over his money-for-access scheme. Here's an excerpt:

Fund raiser Mike Gula, who works with Davis, sent an e-mail to interested parties early this summer outlining the opportunities. "We want to keep these events small so you can get some good time with Geoff." It should be a good time, the "suggested contribution" for three of the four events on the list was $1,000 per PAC (political action committee) or $500 per individual.

For the fourth event, a dinner at the Capital Grille ("limit 5 attendees") the fare doubled. If none of those work, "I can get you some 1-1 times," Gula wrote.

It doesn't take much imagination to see that this is a simple money-for-access equation. And unless that access is likely to lead to a favorable vote someday soon, no one would pay the money.

Click here to read the entire editorial.

Obama on 'Face the Nation'

Be sure to tune into Channel 12 tomorrow morning at 10:30 am. Barack Obama will be the guest on CBS's "Face the Nation."

And if you missed last night's debate between Obama and McCain, here's all you need to know -- McCain did not mention the middle class at all during the 90-minute debate.

Shame on Geoff Davis

Today's Herald-Leader uncovers some questionable activities of Geoff Davis:

As the financial system began to collapse this year, U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis, R-Hebron, collected tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds from the lobbyists, executives and political action committees of affected companies, including Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley.

Davis has been a voice for deregulation on the House Financial Services Committee, which is playing a key role in this week's debate over the proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout.

In private invitations sent around Washington in recent months, Davis' re-election campaign touted his committee membership and then offered interested parties a chance to bend his ear for up to $1,000 per person or $2,000 per PAC. At least one event was hosted by Wall Street lobbyists now in the thick of the bailout debate.

Click here to read the entire article.

Coming soon to a theater near you

This is a riot:

Just Click Send

Yesterday's New York Times included an editorial about the obstructionism of Mitch McConnell and his fellow Republican Senators:

We suspect that most Senate Republicans know how to use a computer and all of the other devices of the electronic age. Which means there is no excuse — except a desire to slow the public’s right to know — for their ongoing efforts to block electronic filing of their reports on campaign donations.

As hard as it is to believe, the Senate is still cynically mired in the dark age of paper filings. Candidates submit required reports on political money and donors via paper sheaves that wend through slow-mo typing, re-typing and mailing, ensuring that full disclosure only occurs sometime after Election Day.

...Watchdog groups, of course, helped lay bare the Republicans’ involvement with Jack Abramoff, the now-imprisoned superlobbyist. The Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, better urge his recalcitrants to get over it and start delivering that Washington change they proclaim so loudly on the hustings. Can it be that politically risky to show the money sooner to their constituents?

Joe Biden visits the Tri-State

Joe Biden made an appearance today at Union Terminal in Cincinnati. The Enquirer reports:

For the six-and-a-half years American troops have been fighting in Iraq, Biden said, McCain has insisted that Iraq is the central front of the war on terrorism and not the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, "where the people who actually attacked us on 9/11 reside and are regrouping."

McCain has been wrong on how U.S. foreign policy should be conducted, said Biden.

“John is more than wrong -- he is dangerously wrong," Biden said. "On a question so basic, so fundamental, so critical to our nation’s security, we can’t afford a Commander-in Chief so divorced from reality and from America’s most basic national interests.”

If you're interested in watching Biden's entire speech, here's the video:

Dramatic Shift in KY Senate Race

The big news today comes from Survey USA:

42 days until votes are counted in the race for United States Senator from Kentucky, incumbent Republican Mitch McConnell's once double-digit lead is eroding, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted exclusively for WHAS-TV Louisville, WLEX-TV Lexington, and WCPO-TV Cincinnati. Today, it's McConnell 49%, Lunsford 46%. Compared to an identical SurveyUSA poll released six weeks ago, Lunsford is up 6 points, McConnell is down 3.

Hopefully this is the year we finally DITCH MITCH!

Please support Bruce Lunsford!

Senate race may become competitive

Today's column by Al Cross of the Courier-Journal is worth a read. Here's an excerpt:

McCain's central message, that he will reform Washington, is not friendly to McConnell -- who has been there 24 years, is the Senate Republican leader and an object example of what McCain is running against.

...Pressed both [in 2000 and in 2002] to cite examples of corruption, McCain recalled how McConnell told Republican senators that tobacco companies were prepared to run campaign ads for them if they voted against a 1998 bill McCain supported.

...McConnell's position and power, and the earmarks they bring, have been a fundamental argument for his re-election, though his ads about money for a community center and an anti-drug program don't mention the word "earmark." McCain pledges to veto all earmarks, which sounds like an irreconcilable difference.

Beshear to campaign for Senate candidate Groob

Good news in today's Enquirer:

Gov. Steve Beshear is scheduled to visit two schools and a local city hall Wednesday while campaigning for state Senate candidate Kathy Groob.

...According to a schedule released by Groob's campaign, Beshear will visit Beechwood School, Glenn O. Swing Elementary School in Covington and Crescent Springs city hall.

He is also scheduled to attend a fundraiser for Groob that evening.

Let's do all we can to help Kathy Groob win in November!

'An ethics test for Mitch McConnell'

Today, the DSCC issued this press release:

With Corruption Trial Looming, McConnell Funds May Go Toward Defending Indicted Senator
Democrats call on McConnell to stop his campaign money from being spent to support Ted Stevens

According to a report in today’s edition of Roll Call, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, to which Mitch McConnell donated $100,000 this cycle, now says it supports indicted-Senator Ted Stevens’ re-election bid, is polling voters in the state, and is refusing to say whether it will spend money on his behalf through advertising or other campaign spending. After Stevens was indicted in July, McConnell returned $10,000 of the $23,500 Stevens has contributed to him, the GOP caucus removed Stevens from his committee leadership posts, and the NRSC refused to publicly endorse the incumbent in his primary.

With even Alaska Governor Sarah Palin refusing to endorse Stevens’ bid, Senate Republicans like Mitch McConnell face a critical test of their ethical standards: do they allow their campaign arm to spend money to support a senator indicted by the Bush Justice Department, or do they hew to the standard they set when they removed Stevens from his leadership positions and returned some of his contributions. Stevens’ trial on federal corruption charges is set to begin on September 22, and yesterday was the final day by which he could be removed from the ballot – meaning that every dime spent by national Republicans in Alaska now goes to support his re-election.

“If Mitch McConnell wants to say that he rejected some of Ted Stevens’ money out of principle and not for appearances, then he has an obligation to call on the NRSC to stop spending his money trying to bail Stevens out,” DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said. “It’s time for Mitch McConnell to put his money where his mouth is – if he thinks Ted Stevens is corrupt enough that he needed to return some of his money and strip him of his leadership posts, then McConnell shouldn’t let his money be used to support Stevens’ campaign. This is an ethics test for Mitch McConnell, and voters will be watching how he responds.”

McConnell Still Has $13,500 In Stevens Money. Senator Mitch McConnell and his leadership PAC have received $23,500 from Stevens’ PAC and campaign committee. He has only donated $10,000 to charity. [CQ Money Line; The Crypt, Politico, 7/30/08]

NRSC Declined to Endorse Stevens. In July, the NRSC refused to endorse Stevens when asked about the indictment saying that they would not “make any comment.” When asked directly about endorsing Stevens, the NRSC said, “We’ll wait to see how the process plays out. There’s a primary.” [Roll Call, 07/30/08]

Palin Expressed “Concern” and “Dismay” In Statement about Stevens Indictment. In July, Governor Palin released a statement about Stevens’ indictment. Palin said, “News such as this rocks the foundation of our state. Senator Ted Stevens has dedicated his life to the betterment of Alaska. I share Alaskans’ concern and dismay at this turn of events. It is my hope our legislators do not let this distressing news distract them from their critical work in the current special session.” [Palin Press Release, 07/29/08]

Stevens Forced to Give up Leadership Positions After Indictment. After his indictment in July Stevens was forced to give up his leadership posts by the Senate Republican caucus. Stevens was forced to step down from his ranking member position on the Commerce Committee, the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery. [CQ, 07/29/08]

The great thing about elections is that you decide

David Hawpe's column today is a must-read. Here's an excerpt:

Democrats stopped the Republican privatization of Social Security, despite the support of McConnell and GOP presidential nominee John McCain for those Bush-pushed "private accounts." You decide who was right. Ask yourself whether your old-age entitlement should be tied to today's stock market.

Despite the occasional break with his party's orthodoxy, McCain has stood shoulder to shoulder with Bush in casting Senate votes. Needless to say, McConnell has done the same.

McCain and McConnell haven't agreed on much of anything, except the need to support the policies of George W. Bush.

Click here to read the entire column.

Jack Westwood flip-flops

Six months ago, the Enquirer's Dennis Hetzel had this to say about Jack Westwood's opposition to allowing Kentuckians a vote on expanded gaming:

I have a suggestion for Sen. Westwood, because I'm not grasping how any fair-minded person can oppose letting the [casino referendum] process go forward. All of Kentucky needs to know either way, and casino gambling will have a huge impact on Northern Kentucky.

Westwood could clearly support the concept of letting the voters decide without being for or against casino gambling itself. He could actively work to see that a referendum bill with good wording gets through the Senate sooner rather than later. He could match his concern for fetal development with greater concern for economic development.

It's time for leadership. The only reasons to postpone this referendum are bad ones.

Now that Election Day is approaching, Westwood is flip-flopping:

In a major departure from a long-held position, Kentucky Sen. Jack Westwood, a Crescent Springs Republican facing a re-election battle, says he would consider voting to put the issue of casino gambling on a statewide ballot.

In the past, Westwood, a retired teacher and staunch conservative, has opposed putting gambling before voters.

Hetzel had it right in March; it is time for leadership. Support Kathy Groob for State Senate!

New Lunsford ad

Bruce Lunsford has a new ad; check it out!

Lunsford/McConnell debate

If you're interested in viewing this morning's Lunsford/McConnell debate at Receptions, click here.

Note how Mitch has flip-flopped on the Brent Spence bridge. Now he says he's against tolls. But as the Enquirer's Dennis Hetzel put it on March 1, 2008:

[T]he positions taken by Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and some of our local and state politicians... would inevitably push primary responsibility for funding the Brent Spence Bridge replacement to state government and newly created local entities.

The State of Kentucky obviously doesn't have the money. So, if those folks get their way, the only realistic alternatives are tolls or new, higher local taxes to support bond payments.

GOP should support drilling compromise

Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado delivered this week's Democratic radio address. The Associated Press has the story:

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats sought on Saturday to drum up support for compromise legislation on offshore drilling, challenging Republicans to break from Bush administration policies that neglect development of alternative energy sources.

"Enough is enough," Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado said in the Democrats' weekly radio address, citing rising energy prices, including $4-a-gallon diesel fuel.

Salazar chastised Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee, and other Senate Republicans who have blocked and opposed tax incentives for renewable energy.

To listen to Sen. Salazar's entire address, click here.

McConnell makes 'corrupt' list

The Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) have released their list of the 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress. I'm sad to report that our own Mitch McConnell made the list:

Sen. McConnell’s ethics issues stem from earmarks he has inserted into legislation for clients of his former chief of staff, lobbyist Gordon Hunter Bates, in exchange for campaign contributions as well as the misuse of his nonprofit The McConnell Center for Political Leadership at the University of Louisville.

You can read more about Mitch's shameful distinction by clicking here.

Hold Your Heads Up

Bob Herbert's latest column is great:

Without the extraordinary contribution of liberals — from the mightiest presidents to the most unheralded protesters and organizers — the United States would be a much, much worse place than it is today.

...Your food is safer because of them, and so are your children’s clothing and toys. Your workplace is safer. Your ability (or that of your children or grandchildren) to go to college is manifestly easier.

It would take volumes to adequately cover the enhancements to the quality of American lives and the greatness of American society that have been wrought by people whose politics were unabashedly liberal. It is a track record that deserves to be celebrated, not ridiculed or scorned.

You can read the entire column by clicking here.

McCain & Palin lie during Tri-State appearance

You probably heard that John McCain and Sarah Palin were in the Tri-State today. What you may not have heard is that they both repeated factually incorrect talking points. From the Wall Street Journal:

At a rally today, Sen. McCain again asserted that Sen. Obama has requested nearly a billion in earmarks. In fact, the Illinois senator requested $311 million last year, according to the Associated Press, and none this year. In comparison, Gov. Palin has requested $750 million in her two years as governor -- which the AP says is the largest per-capita request in the nation.

As for Palin, she's still lying about her opposition to the "Bridge to Nowhere." Unfortunately for her, the facts are not on her side.

Mitch McConnell: Bad for Kentucky

David Hawpe nails Mitch McConnell in today's Courier-Journal:

An especially big moment [for Mitch McConnell] came on Jan. 4, 2000, when McConnell celebrated having orchestrated the Republican takeover of the state Senate. "How sweet it is," he exulted, then warned the new GOP majority, "Stay together, and please don't raise taxes."

The rest is grim history. Led by McConnell acolyte David Williams, the GOP Senate has done as it was told. As a result, state government is in ruinous financial shape. Without needed funding, education momentum is stalled at all levels. Social service agencies scramble to do the least possible damage with fewer people and resources.

...This is where Mitch McConnell has led us. This is his civic legacy in Kentucky -- a state government unable to fund the help its people need, and a capital city still clearing out the muck.

Click here to read the entire column.

Jobs Wanted

There's a good editorial in today's New York Times. Here's an excerpt:

Job losses in August were both deep and wide, and unemployment rose to 6.1 percent, the highest rate in nearly five years. Out-of-work Americans need more help from Washington to get through these very hard times, which show no signs of letting up. On Friday, officials said that the government was getting ready to seize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the troubled mortgage-finance giants.

...We fear there is a vicious cycle in the making. As consumer spending weakens, employers are cutting jobs and hours. As jobs are cut and unemployment rises, consumer spending is sure to weaken further.

...A worthy bill, now being prepared by House Democrats, would extend [unemployment] benefits for up to a total of 46 weeks. It would also give states with high unemployment — at or above 6 percent — authority to extend benefits for up to 52 weeks.

KY disapproves of Mitch's performance

Check out the latest poll from Survey USA:

Do you approve or disapprove of the job Mitch McConnell is doing as United States Senator?

Approve - 44%
Disapprove - 47%
Not Sure - 9%

Looks like Kentucky is getting tired of being McCONned.

The Daily Show on Republican hypocrisy

Jon Stewart is simply brilliant. Check this out, from last night's show:

Please Provide a Helping Hand for Gustav Evacuees

Jennifer Moore, chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, today issued this press release:

While we were all relieved to learn that Hurricane Gustav did not have the devastating effect on New Orleans that we feared; there are still as many as 2 million people who have evacuated the Gulf Coast region, at least 4,000 of them are in Kentucky. The American Red Cross is providing food, shelter and emotional support for more than 45,000 evacuees at 334 shelters. If you are able, I encourage you to make a donation to the Red Cross to support this effort.

In order to help provide ongoing assistance for those displaced by Gustav, the Kentucky Democratic Party is seeking donations of non perishable food items to be distributed to organizations providing services for those displaced by the hurricane.

Democrats have long stood for the principle of serving those in need and we should all join together to support efforts to ensure that the needs of every evacuee are met.

Sincerely,

Jennifer A. Moore
Chair, Kentucky Democratic Party

She adds that you may drop off non perishable food items at the Coordinated Campaign Office in Covington at 302 Court Street (phone 859-261-2078).

Shame on Mitch McConnell

Yesterday's Herald-Leader exposes Mitch's shameful behavior:

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pressured the U.S. Department of Agriculture for years to back off its enforcement of the Horse Protection Act, even threatening to cut the agency's funding, according to documents obtained by the Herald-Leader.

..."McConnell probably has caused more problems for horse protection single-handedly than any other person. He set the cause of horse protection back by years," said Donna Benefield, administrative director of the Horse Protection Commission, a USDA-certified inspection organization in Gallatin, Tenn.

"He has supporters here (in Tennessee) — financial supporters, if not people who can vote for him — who are doing illegal things and don't want to get caught," Benefield said. "It's very important to them that the law be loosely enforced. Sen. McConnell has been their champion in that."

You can read the entire article by clicking here.

C-J's Hawpe on Mitch McConnell

David Hawpe's column in yesterday's Courier-Journal contained this observation:

All political spots are efforts at spin, and most bend the facts to their purpose, including some of those aired by Democrat Bruce Lunsford. But the lavish paid media campaign of Republican Mitch McConnell has set a new standard for omission, distortion and outright dishonesty.

If grand juries could indict politicians for perjurous puffery, McConnell would be in trouble.