How Will Rand Paul Explain His Deranged Opposition To Obamacare In 2016?

Martin County won't care... They love Rand Paul there anyway

Republicans just can't help themselves when it comes to their latest bout of nihilism-- the fake battle to "defund" the Affordable Care Act and deny health insurance to millions of Americans. It's not just their instinctual hatred for minorities and poor people. It's a business model. As Gene Lyons explained in the National Memo today, scamming is in their DNA: "First they lie to you, and then they ask you for money." All this commotion over defunding Obamacare is "about TV face-time and harvesting donations from gullible voters misled both about the Affordable Care Act itself and Sen. Cruz’s nonexistent chances of ending it."

Also this morning, Ron Brownstein reported that the messy Republican effort to derail healthcare isn't helping their outreach to minorities.

This week's United Technologies/National Journal Congressional Connection Poll tested attitudes about two of the most incendiary issues now dividing the parties in Washington: health reform and gun control. While the survey found substantial convergence between whites and minorities on some fronts, it also underscored the consistent tendency of minorities to support a more activist role for Washington than many whites now prefer.

The gap was starkest on health care. Both whites and nonwhites were dubious of Republican threats to shut down the federal government, or default on the national debt, if President Obama does not agree to delay or defund his health reform plan. But minorities were especially resistant. While 33 percent of whites said Congress should withhold funding if Obama won't shelve the Affordable Care Act, only 16 percent of minorities agreed. And while whites divided relatively closely on whether Congress should raise the debt limit only if Obama concedes on health care-- 36 percent said yes and 48 percent said no-- nonwhites stampeded against the idea by exactly 3-to-1. Minorities were also far more likely than whites (53 percent to 33 percent) to say they would blame Republicans if a shutdown occurs.

The contrast was even larger on the underlying issue of the health care law itself. A 51 percent majority of whites agreed that "Congress should repeal the program to expand coverage because the government can't afford it at a time of large budget deficits," while only 43 percent said "Congress should keep the program to expand coverage because it's important to reduce the number of Americans without health insurance." Minorities, by comparison, broke 2-to-1 in favor of the health care law: 62 percent said it was more important to expand coverage, while only 31 percent backed repeal.

And then there was Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear's eye-popping OpEd in the NY Times. Luckily for Kentuckians, there's more to Kentucky politics than Miss McConnell and Rand Paul. Romney beat Obama there 1,087,127 (61%) to 679,340 (38%) and of the state's 120 counties, Obama only took 4-- Jefferson (Louisville), Fayette (Lexington), Shelby and Elliott. In backward little Martin County (where Prohibition still reigns supreme and where 99.25% of the population is white and 37% of the population lives below the poverty line), Obama only got 15% of the votes. Governor Beshear:

Sunday morning news programs identify Kentucky as the red state with two high-profile Republican senators who claim their rhetoric represents an electorate that gave President Obama only about a third of its presidential vote in 2012.

So why then is Kentucky-- more quickly than almost any other state-- moving to implement the Affordable Care Act?

Because there’s a huge disconnect between the rank partisanship of national politics and the outlook of governors whose job it is to help beleaguered families, strengthen work forces, attract companies and create a balanced budget.

It’s no coincidence that numerous governors-- not just Democrats like me but also Republicans like Jan Brewer of Arizona, John Kasich of Ohio and Rick Snyder of Michigan-- see the Affordable Care Act not as a referendum on President Obama but as a tool for historic change.

That is especially true in Kentucky, a state where residents’ collective health has long been horrendous. The state ranks among the worst, if not the worst, in almost every major health category, including smoking, cancer deaths, preventable hospitalizations, premature death, heart disease and diabetes.

We’re making progress, but incremental improvements are not enough. We need big solutions with the potential for transformational change.

The Affordable Care Act is one of those solutions.

For the first time, we will make affordable health insurance available to every single citizen in the state. Right now, 640,000 people in Kentucky are uninsured. That’s almost one in six Kentuckians.

Lack of health coverage puts their health and financial security at risk.

They roll the dice and pray they don’t get sick. They choose between food and medicine. They ignore checkups that would catch serious conditions early. They put off doctor’s appointments, hoping a condition turns out to be nothing. And they live knowing that bankruptcy is just one bad diagnosis away.

Furthermore, their children go long periods without checkups that focus on immunizations, preventive care and vision and hearing tests. If they have diabetes, asthma or infected gums, their conditions remain untreated and unchecked.

For Kentucky as a whole, the negative impact is similar but larger-- jacked-up costs, decreased worker productivity, lower quality of life, depressed school attendance and a poor image.

The Affordable Care Act will address these weaknesses.

Some 308,000 of Kentucky’s uninsured-- mostly the working poor-- will be covered when we increase Medicaid eligibility guidelines to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Urban Studies Institute at the University of Louisville concluded that expanding Medicaid would inject $15.6 billion into Kentucky’s economy over the next eight years, create almost 17,000 new jobs, have an $802.4 million positive budget impact (by transferring certain expenditures from the state to the federal government, among other things), protect hospitals from cuts in indigent care funding and shield businesses from up to $48 million in annual penalties.

In short, we couldn’t afford not to do it.

The other 332,000 uninsured Kentuckians will be able to access affordable coverage-- most with a discount-- through the Health Benefit Exchange, the online insurance marketplace we named Kynect: Kentucky’s Healthcare Connection.

Kentucky is the only Southern state both expanding Medicaid and operating a state-based exchange, and we remain on target to meet the Oct. 1 deadline to open Kynect with the support of a call center that is providing some 100 jobs. Having been the first state-based exchange to complete the readiness review with the United States Department of Health and Human Services, we hope to become the first one to be certified.

Frankly, we can’t implement the Affordable Care Act fast enough.

As for naysayers, I’m offended by their partisan gamesmanship, as they continue to pour time, money and energy into overturning or defunding the Affordable Care Act. It’s shameful that these critics haven’t invested that same level of energy into trying to improve the health of our citizens.

They insist that the Affordable Care Act will never work-- when in fact a similar approach put into effect in Massachusetts by Mitt Romney, then the governor, is working.

So, to those more worried about political power than Kentucky’s families, I say, “Get over it.”

The Affordable Care Act was approved by Congress and sanctioned by the Supreme Court. It is the law of the land.

Get over it... and get out of the way so I can help my people. Here in Kentucky, we cannot afford to waste another day or another life.

Blue America Welcomes A New Blogger-- The Purple State Progressive... Let's Start With Kentucky's Upcoming U.S. Senate Race

The elections are over, but 2014 elections will begin soon. It never ends, does it? The battle to strengthen the Democratic majority in the Senate will hinge in no small part on a victory in Kentucky to defeat Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. It’s time to Ditch Mitch! Democratic challengers are being discussed and we should hear more in January of 2013 as challengers file early to get a head start on this critical 2014 race.

Unless Susan Collins (R-ME) decides three terms is enough, after promising Maine voters when she campaigned for her first term in 1996 and again when running for re-election in 2002 (before abandoning her pledge in 2008) that two terms was all she wanted, McConnell's Kentucky will be viewed as the best pickup target for Democrats. This, despite McConnell's expertise as a campaign cash vacuum. His campaign already had $6,793,660 in the bank as of September 30 and his leadership PAC, the Bluegrass Committee, has another $297,405 on hand.

Kentucky has elected great leaders to the Senate including Wendell Ford, Alben Barkley, and Henry Clay, and Kentuckians tend to select Senators that have the potential for leadership and influence. Mitch McConnell survived a very difficult challenge in 2008 from a Democratic candidate who was exposed for unethical practices at his nursing homes. Rand Paul won in the 2010 tea party wave against a Democrat seen as a liberal elitist. In both of these elections, the right Democrat could have arguably won the race.

In 2014, Democrats should put the attention and resources into a serious challenge to Mitch and take advantage of Kentucky’s purple nature. Remember, this is a state that Bill Clinton won. Mitch is widely seen as out of touch with the modern Republican Party and with voters in general, and who will be 72 at the time of his election. While not as old as Strom Thurmond, Mitch McConnell-- expensive dye job or not-- is past his sell date and a Democrat has an excellent opportunity to win this seat if he or she presents both a new vision as well as the potential to make a positive difference as a leader in the Senate. Thankfully, many talented candidates are on deck.

Here are the potential challengers to Mitch McConnell. All are good alternatives to the tired conservatism of My Old Kenutcky Senator, and here are their pros and cons:

• Governor Steve Beshear

Steve Beshear is an adept campaigner with a mastery of state politics. Born in Western Kentucky, Steve has attracted votes from across the state, and not just the major cities of Louisville and Lexington. Steve was reelected in a landslide election in 2010 against David Williams, a McConnell ally and recent convert to the tea party. Steve’s reelection proved to have significant coat tails down ballot. Steve is a moderate Democrat who raised the ire of liberals when he granted tax benefits to a right-wing institution dubbed the “Ark Park” for its Creationist displays of humans riding dinosaurs. Overall, Steve has made significant reforms to education and has shown exceptional abilities to manage the budget in a recession. Steve is term-limited in 2014, and may seek the Senate seat to continue his career in politics.

Pros: Steve has the highest statewide name ID of any possible candidate having won election as Governor twice, even winning in traditionally Republican areas. Steve has a large statewide network of supporters and volunteers and has the work ethic to do the hard campaigning necessary to win. Steve is a moderate who can appeal to independents.

Cons: Steve is a moderate Democrat which may be appealing to independents, but may be a more difficult sell to liberal leaders which could potentially result in a primary challenge. Steve may be seen as more interested in extending his political career than serving the Commonwealth.

Overall: Steve Beshear is the strongest candidate to challenge Mitch McConnell, and would likely cruise to a statistically significant victory.

• Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd is Kentucky royalty who has earned success as an actress and activist. Ashley also can leverage her star-studded family. Her mother, Naomi, and Wynonna, her half-sister, are music stars and she is married to Dario Franchitti, who won the Indianapolis 500 three times. (Country music and Nascar? Who likes that?) While she lives in Tennessee now, Ashley could move back to Kentucky to establish residency.

Pros: Ashley brings a fresh face to voters tired of seeing a man who looks like a turtle. Ashley has deep roots in the Commonwealth having graduated from University of Kentucky and has been seen by many cheering on all-important Big Blue basketball. Her star power, name id, and ability to raise money make her a serious foe. Ashley has also worked with Governor Steve Beshear on commerce initiatives and has some policy experience.

Cons: Ashley’s biggest con could be similar to the candidacy of Nick Clooney (George Clooney’s father) who was characterized as too wealthy and liberal. Ashley has not held political office before and may have to overcome the “Good Old Boy” network, (emphasis on boy).

Overall: Ashley is regarded by many as the strongest recruit because of her strengths but would need to reestablish Kentucky credibility and prove she is not only attractive but substantive.

• Matthew Barzun

Matthew Barzun is a successful businessman and founder of CNet. He served as the National Finance Director for President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign and has been heavily involved in national and local liberal and Democratic politics. Matthew also married into the Brown family, one of Kentucky’s most powerful and wealthiest families best known for owning liquor brands including Woodford Reserve and Tennessee’s Jack Daniels. Matthew served as the Ambassador to Sweden and is widely regarded as a “big brain” with a positive attitude and thorough understanding of business and politics.

Pros: Matthew has an outsider background with business experience that could be compelling. He has experience abroad serving as an Ambassador and could debate national issues with Mitch. Matthew also has substantial personal financial resources and the ability to raise significant funds.

Cons: Matthew has not held elected office before and may be seen by some as too liberal. Matthew also has relatively low name ID.

Overall: With a strong well-funded early campaign and serious effort to introduce him to the general public beyond the Louisville urban base, Matthew could appeal to Kentucky as a substantive alternative to Mitch. He will have to work extremely hard to establish statewide name ID.

• Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes

Alison is an attorney in Lexington and is currently serving to elected statewide office as Secretary of State. Alison ran a strong campaign and has the appeal of Kentucky’s up-and-coming woman in politics. Alison is a talented campaigner and public speaker and most likely learned about politics from her active family. Alison’s father, Jerry Lundergan, has served as Chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party and was a top campaigner for President Bill Clinton. Alison’s mother, Charlotte Lundergan, serves as Kentucky’s representative to the Democratic National Committee. Alison brings knowledge of legal matters and state government to bear, as well as her recent statewide campaign.

Pros: Alison, like Ashley Judd, could capitalize on the growing willingness to elect women leaders. Alison’s family ties make her a serious contender in Lexington and northern Kentucky. Alison won a difficult primary against an incumbent Democratic Secretary of State and demonstrated the bare knuckle talents of a woman on the rise. Alison has the campaign spirit, the good looks, and the substance to run a credible campaign. Alison is not seen as a liberal politician despite her deep blue Democratic ties and may be able to win rural votes.

Cons: Alison was elected in 2011 to statewide office, and has more work to do to introduce herself to voters, particularly in the liberal population center of Louisville. Alison may also be unable to raise the funds necessary to beat back a spirited primary challenge.

Overall: Alison Lundergan Grimes’s strengths make her a serious contender although not the frontrunner, and she should not be written off in a scrappy primary as she has the potential to outperform expectations, win debates, and win difficult races.

• Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson

Jerry Abramson was known as “Mayor for Life” in the population center of Louisville and served for decades expanding and developing the city, including merging it and other areas into Metro Louisville. Jerry is known for his ability to attract commerce to the area and improve transportation, education, and race relations. Jerry was able to capitalize on Gov. Steve Beshear’s popularity and gained statewide exposure on the campaign trail during the Governor’s reelection.

Pros: Jerry brings good connections in Louisville and increasingly in Lexington and Frankfort, and nationally from his tenure as President of the United States Conference of Mayors. Jerry is a strong public speaker with deep knowledge of economic development issues. Jerry has high name ID from his tenure as Mayor and may be bridging rural distrust of the city with his tenure as Lt. Governor.

Cons: Jerry’s association with Louisville is risky in rural areas which resent the big city. Jerry’s political decisions as Mayor have not been seriously scrutinized and opposition research may find wasteful spending and other targets for Republican ads. Jerry is also Jewish which may be a problem with rural and independent voters in Kentucky. Jerry’s appeal to the Louisville base can be split by Ashley Judd or Matthew Barzun in a primary, and his ties to Louisville may make him vulnerable to a candidate like Alison Lundergan Grimes that coalesces the non-Louisville vote. [Ed- And Jerry is widely assumed to be as closeted as McConnell.]

Overall: Jerry Abramson is a very strong candidate who can give Mitch McConnell a run for his money provided he can avoid a Louisville-based challenge. Jerry may be able to use his experience as Lt. Governor to bolster his statewide credentials creating high name ID and significant opportunities for outreach beyond his urban base.

• Attorney General Jack Conway

Jack Conway was the challenger to Rand Paul in 2010 and in 2011 was reelected as Attorney General. Conway is seen as an effective Attorney General who has made progress in fraud cases and in shutting down child pornography. Conway’s family money as well as his support in Louisville is the foundation of his career, and he has struggled to reach past this base in statewide elections.

Pros: Jack is intelligent and has an accomplished record as Attorney General and was able to attract money from wealthy liberal donors in and out of the Commonwealth.

Cons: Wealthy donors to Jack are likely to support other candidates in this Senate race after the 2010 loss to Rand Paul. Conway was able to raise significant funds, but spent them questionably running an “Aqua Buddha” television ad that was widely seen as a belly flop. Conway also is seen as too wealthy and out of touch, and additionally, he is not known for his willingness to travel, stump and perform retail politics.

Overall: Despite his intelligence and strengths, Jack Conway would likely not survive a Democratic primary, and is very unlikely to be able to win a statewide election against Mitch McConnell.

• House Speaker Greg Stumbo

Greg Stumbo is Speaker of the State House of Representatives and a classic Dixiecrat politician with the ability to appeal to rural voters. As Attorney General, Greg was the lead attacker of Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher and his investigations helped bring the Republican down which led to the election of Steve Beshear. Greg has been an effective representative in the Capitol of Frankfort, and has run statewide campaigns and has solid name ID.

Pros: Greg is naturally appealing to rural voters and has deep ties throughout the Commonwealth from his experience in politics. Greg is a talented debater with a keen knack for tapping into Kentucky’s independent spirit.

Cons: Greg will struggle for funding in a primary against the other candidates mentioned and will face a struggle to attract the necessary votes against in a primary against someone who can appeal to the Louisville base.

Overall: Greg is a talented politician but will probably not enter the fray. It may be that Greg prefers to wait for the retirement or death of Hal Rogers, the Congressman from Kentucky’s Fifth District, and to instead serve as a Congressman.

Potential Candidates Who Have Declined To Run:

Former Auditor Crit Luallen

Auditor Adam Edelen

Overall, this is a strong crop of candidates and they will face a better environment than the tea party elections during 2010. We could see a female challenger with Ashley Judd or Alison Lundergan Grimes, a well-funded urban-based challenge with Lt. Governor Jerry Abramson or Matthew Barzun, or the potential for a moderate Democrat like Greg Stumbo or Governor Steve Beshear to win.

In January, Kentucky will be off to the races and let’s hope the results have Mitch McConnell crawling into the dark confines of a conservative think tank, and not the halls of our nation’s Senate!

Streams Of Consciousness- Nov. 30

Let's Start With A Message From Lady Gaga



And On To The Senate's Hectic Schedule

Today the Senate passed S. 510, Richard Durbin's FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, 73-25. Only 25 hard core obstructionist Republicans, led by DeMint and Miss McConnell, opposed it. Crossing over to the saner side of the asylum were many farm state Republicans like Burr (NC), Grassley (IA), Johanns (NE), Kirk (IL), LeMieux (FL), Lugar (IN) and Voinovich (OH). Before the Senate could vote on it, though, they had to reject a couple of frivolous Coburn amendment, one of which to enforce an earmark moratorium, which only got 39 votes (it needed 60). Miss McConnell was working from behind his closet door to sabotage it. Although they've opposed ending earmarks in the past, cowardly Republicans facing teabagger primaries in 2012-- Kay Bailey Hutchison and Olympia Snowe-- both voted YES this time. Evan Bayh led 7 Democrats across the aisle to vote with the GOP.

Mark Foley Must Be Bored With His Life As A Socialite And Realtor

Perhaps he's feeling empowered by the swearing in of his old crony and fellow congressional closet queen Mark Kirk as a U.S. Senator yesterday, or by the rapid rise of his irresponsible page scandal enabler, John Shimkus, but Mark Foley has been dropping hints again that he wants to run for office. The plan is to run for mayor of West Palm Beach and than use that to... sit down for this... leverage another run for Congress! Presumably he wasn't talking about pages when he told a right-wing blogger today that "my passion has always been in D.C.... I have never closed a door that I wasn't able to re-open."

With about 1.3 million dollars residing in his federal congressional campaign account (money that could only be utilized for federal elections), Foley has the means to mount a comeback.  The open questions are-- does he truly have the desire to return, and will he be embraced by the public once again after leaving Congress under such ? Either way, Foley is considering  the notion of returning to Congress.

After reapportionment, there's no telling who he would be running against, but newly elected homophobic maniac Allen West is one possibility-- at least for a fun primary. As for the City Hall run, there's still a month to go before the filing deadline and Foley says he's waiting 'til the last day before announcing his intentions (December 27). "I do have the luxury that I can be the last man to file if I choose to, and still have the name ID," Foley told a local reporter. County Commissioner Jeff Koons might have been the favorite to win but he was recently convicted of extortion


Blue Dogs Behaving As Badly As Ever

Yesterday Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) introduced a resolution providing for consideration of the Senate amendments to H.R. 4783 to accelerate the income tax benefits for charitable cash contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Chile, and to extend the period from which such contributions for the relief of victims of the earthquake in Haiti may be accelerated. Today Republicans voted against even allowing the resolution to come up for a vote, although it passed 223-168. Nine conservative Democrats, all but one members of the devastated Blue Dog Caucus, crossed the aisle to vote with the Republicans, including recently-defeated reactionaries John Adler (NJ), Bobby Bright (AL), Scott Murphy (NY), and Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (SD). Retiring alcoholic Marion Berry (AR), driven by his psychotic hatred of Barack Obama, also voted with the GOP and the other miscreants, who will need to be dealt with in the future, were Dan Boren (OK), Joe Donnelly (IN), Jim Matheson (UT), and Heath Shuler (NC).

When the actual amendments themselves came up for a vote late in the afternoon, it passed 256-152, 16 Republicans abandoning Boehner/Cantor obstructionism, while 3 ridiculous Blue Dogs, Gene Taylor, Jim Cooper and, as always, Bobby Bright, voted with the GOP minority.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear Isn't A Blue Dog But...

Even if you didn't read Charles Pierce's brilliant book, Idiot America, just the graphic on the cover (on the right) would give you a good clue about the contents, particularly the riveting introduction, "Dinosaurs And Saddles," the story of the creationist theme park in southern Kentucky. I guess Kentucky thought everyone was laughing with them. Today the state's governor, a Democrat, announced that the museum's builders, Answers in Genesis, are building another creationist theme park, Ark Encounter, this one in northern Kentucky.

The attraction is envisioned as a full-scale wooden ark that would include associated museums, theaters, amenities, event venues and outdoor parking.

Preliminary indications are that the attraction could draw as many as 1.6 million guests per year and would cost at least $24.5 million to complete.

Answers in Genesis is an Apologetics Ministry that focuses on the absolute truth and authority of the Bible.

The Creation Museum, opened in May 2007, was estimated to draw about 250,000 visitors per year, but surpassed one million visitors in less than three years.

Its controversial exhibits represent the views of the ministry, including the belief that the earth is only about 7,000 years old and that dinosaurs were among the creatures on Noah’s ark.

...Beshear’s participation in the announcement suggests state incentives for the project may be included.

And... From The Ridiculous, To The Sublime

McConnell Makes Another Move Against Bunning-- Mayhem In Kentucky Republican Party Politics

KY Attorney General Jack Conway staying above the ugly fray

Mitch McConnell, with the knowledge-- and perhaps connivance-- of John Cornyn, is bum-rushing confused Jim Bunning into dropping out of his re-election bid. McConnell operatives coordinated a p.r. campaign yesterday in yet another in a long series of attempts to force Bunning's shaky hand-- which has also included recruiting candidates to run against him in the Republican primary and drying up his fundraising base. Let's start with McConnell's people claiming that Bunning had encouraged Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson to jump into the primary. My sources in Kentucky say it just isn't true and follows a statement just two days ago from Bunning that he expects to run without any primary opposition.

A few moments after I wrote that last line, it was confirmed by David Herszenhorn in the NY Times who spoke with Bunning's office, which refuted the rumors planted by McConnell. According to Bunning's spokesman, Mike Reynard, "Senator Bunning has every intention of running."

McConnell and Grayson are now claiming that Bunning is too senile to remember that he told Grayson to go ahead and run with his blessing. McConnell has orchestrated stories in the 3 most influential Capitol Hill trade papers, Politico, The Hill and Roll Call. In February Bunning had publicly threatened McConnell and Cornyn that if they didn't back off from their dirty tricks, he would resign at once and give Kentucky's Democratic governor, Steve Beshear, an opportunity to appoint a replacement (i.e., Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo).

Already in conflict with his party’s leaders, Sen. Jim Bunning has reportedly said privately that if he is hindered in raising money for his re-election campaign he is ready with a response that would be politically devastating for Senate Republicans: his resignation.

The Kentucky Republican suggested that possible scenario at a campaign fundraiser for him on Capitol Hill earlier this week, according to three sources who asked not to be identified because of the politically sensitive nature of Bunning’s remarks.

The implication, they said, was that Bunning would allow Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear, a Democrat, to appoint his replacement-- a move that could give Democrats the 60 votes they need to block Republican filibusters in the Senate.

“I would get the last laugh. Don’t forget Kentucky has a Democrat governor,” one of the sources quoted Bunning as saying.

“The only logical extension of that comment is, ‘(Make me mad) … enough and I’ll resign, and then you’ve got 60 Democrats,’” said another source who was present at the event.

A Glimmer Of Something Noble In An Actual Politician... And In Kentucky Of All Places!

Not Blagojevich

The last few days have been pretty ugly in politiciantown. Between Rod Blagojevich in Illinois trying to sell a Senate seat, Jesse Jackson, Jr possibly willing to buy it-- though that is far from fact at this point-- Norm Coleman's bribery scandal finally breaking open, Silvestre Reyes trying to persuade Democrats to perpetuate Bush's torture regime, the GOP kicking Don Young off his committee positions, Nancy Pelosi not kicking Charlie Rangel off his, and Vito Fossella trying to worm his way back into politics already, American democracy has taken some pretty serious body blows.

And then there's Kentucky. No, not what you may think. This isn't about Miss McConnell or Bruce Lunsford or any of the corrupt slimeballs in that state's political establishment. Quite the contrary. Just when everything about politics and politicians is looking particularly sordid and repulsive, we get some first rate news from the Blue Grass State. Maybe it's just symbolic, but at this point, we need more symbols like this and less like Blagojevich's and Coleman's. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Lt Gov Dan Mongiardo-- along with five top members of their administration-- are taking a voluntary 10% pay cut next year. That will save the hard-pressed state $100,000.

The move comes days before the Democratic governor is expected to present his plan to address a $456.1 million, or 5.1 percent, budget shortfall for this fiscal year, which ends June 30. Beshear has said he will implement painful cuts and might call for an increase in the state's cigarette tax.

The GOP-dominated legislature is already belittling his announcement, of course, and trying to make political hay out of Beshear's tough situation, a situation shared by almost every single governor in the country due to the Bush Economic Miracle. Few people expect Beshear to win legislative approval for any tax increases. What they want is a cut back in crucial services, especially those that serve working families and the poor.

KENTUCKY'S MOST CORRUPT GOVERNOR, REPUBLICAN SLIMEBAG ERNIE FLETCHER GOING DOWN IN FLAMES

It looks like the last arrow in the GOP quiver of dirty tricks, the homophobic robo-call from Pat Boone warning everyone that Kentucky would turn into San Francisco if they voted for the Democrats, back-fired. With over a quarter of the votes counted in Kentucky's general election, Fletcher hasn't even been able to get over the 40% mark yet. Every media outlet in the state called the election for Democrat Steve Beshear within moments of the close of the polls. Fletcher was the first Republican governor since 1971 and his ethics problems doomed him from early in his term. The worst was the investigation into improper state hirings that led a grand jury to indict 15 people, including the governor. He pardoned everyone. Democrats also won races for Treasurer, Attorney General and State Auditor.

Recall last May when a broad coalition of labor, grassroots progressives and online activists banded together to stop the Insiders' Club from forcing Zell Miller clone Bruce Lunsford-- the corrupt and ultra-reactionary Hillary Clinton ally-- in as the Democratic nominee by getting behind moderate Steve Beshear. Without that primary victory over the reactionary Lunsford there would only have been a choice between horrible and horrendous for Kentucky voters today. Although the Clinton Machine would have been happy. That's why primaries are so important-- and that's why Jane and John and Digby and I have been begging you to not allow Nancy "Off the Table" Pelosi, Rahm Emanuel and Steny Hoyer to force the intolerably corrupt corporate shill Al Wynn down the throats of Maryland voters in his primary against progressive heroine Donna Edwards. We are just $6,000 $2,000 away from our $100,000 goal. If you haven't contributed yet, please consider just a $5 or $10 donation to help take back our country. It's bad enough we have to fight fascist-oriented Republicans; it's just intolerable that we also have to watch out for complicit Democrats. I just can't believe what's happened to Pelosi after hanging around with people like Emanuel and Hoyer. It's just so sad.


UPDATE: THINGS ARE ALSO LOOKING UP IN NEW JERSEY AND VIRGINIA

I mentioned a couple days ago that the key in New Jersey was twofold: increasing the Democrats' hold on the state Senate, which was accomplished with a net of one seat (two wins and one loss), and preparing for the political demise of Congressman Frank LoBiondo by taking out his two local clones, State Senators Nicholas Asselta and Sonny McCullough, both of whom were defeated tonight.

In Virginia, the key was to take hold of the state Senate, also accomplished. Even sweeter is that Congressman Tom Davis' wife was defeated in her race, something which augers very poorly for the rubber stamp congressman for a district that has been turning bluer and bluer, especially now that Jane and Kobe live there. Aside from Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, another incumbent Republican senator soon to be out of work is Nick Rerras and Democrat George Barker looks like he's beating incumbent wingnut Jay O'Brien, Jr.


POOR MISS McCONNELL...

He's getting blame-- or at least part of the blame-- for his party crashing yesterday and Democrats have already launched a campaign to remind Kentucky voters that a chief obstructionist is even worse than a run of the mill rubber stamp.

OH... AND ABOUT PAT BOONE'S HOMOPHOBIC ROBOCALL TO EVERYONE IN KENTUCKY THIS WEEKEND...

Pat Boone, another Republican hypocrite

Our pal Paul Lukasiak, an avid Dukes of Hazzard fanatic, came up with this ole picture of Mr. Anti-Gay. But this wasn't an outfit he was wearing at the San Francisco Halloween Parade or a Christopher Street Pride celebration. The hapless Californian warned Kentucky voters that backing Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Steve Beshear, who "consistently supported every homosexual cause", etc would turn Kentucky into another San Francisco. I imagine lots a small handful of Kentucky voters think that would mean they would all have to dress like... Pat Boone. This photo-- long since scrubbed from the Internet by the hypocritical Boone-- was how he looked at the American Music Awards in 1997 after releasing a putrid "heavy metal" album that has gone down in the annals of music industry history as one of the worst selling albums of all times. Nice dog collar, Pat. Did you borrow it from Mitch McConnell? (McConnell has been an admirer of Boone's ever since this picture of him was published by Larry Flynt. [Not safe for family viewing.])

KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS JUMPING SHIP-- AND MORE BAD NEWS FOR THE BAD GUYS IN MINNESOTA TOO, WHERE REP. JIM RAMSTAD ANNOUNCED HE'S RETIRING

Last week we reported on two Kentucky state Representatives, moderate Republicans Melvin Henley of Murray and Milward Dedman, Jr. of Harrodsburg, who abandoned the GOP, currently sinking in a sewer of scandals, and joined the resurgent Democrats. Today two more Republicans announced that they could not support Kentucky's crooked governor, Ernie Fletcher. Former Republican Congressman Larry Hopkins and ex-state Rep Steve Nunn each endorsed Steve Beshear, who leads Fletcher in polls by between 12 and 20 points.

Hopkins, who formerly represented the Lexington area (KY-06) ran for governor himself in 1991. He said "I believe Steve Beshear can provide the leadership Kentucky needs."

Former state Rep. Steve Nunn, the son of the last Republican governor, Louie Nunn, until Gov. Ernie Fletcher's election in 2003, said he also would support Beshear.

Steve Nunn called the last four years during Fletcher's administration "a comedy of errors."

"Four years of failed leadership has led to this decision," Nunn said.

With the GOP reeling in Kentucky, more and more Republicans in Congress are just hoisting the white flag and announcing retirements. It seems like there's at least one a week. Today it was 9 term-incumbent Jim Ramstad (MN-03), from a toss-up district in the suburbs mostly west of the Twin Cities. The district has been trending bluish and while local extremists were eager to get rid of Ramstad, a mainstream conservative, so they could run a far right wingnut, Beltway Republicans were aware there main hope to hold onto this marginal and moderate district was for Ramstad to run again. He outpolled Bush by 18% in 2000 and by 15% in 2004. According to the report by the AP "Ramstad's moderate views on social issues were a good fit for his district." Congresswoman Betty McCollum, from a neighboring district sums it up in a way you didn't hear Illinois Democrats or Arizona Democrats talking about the retirements of Hastert and Renzi. "Losing a wonderful, thoughtful Minnesota-first guy like Jim Ramstad to our delegation... will be not only missed here at home but missed nationally." He was one of only 17 Republicans to vote against the troop increase in Iraq and one of 24 to vote to allow the government to negotiate prices with prescription drug companies.

MN Publius thinks Ramstad's departure is another nail in Norm Coleman's political coffin. They also do a rundown of the various Democrats and Republicans they think are interested in running for the seat.

WE TOLD YOU SO-- AH... SWEET KENTUCKY

The hope in Kentucky was to pray the Republicans picked their most corrupt candidate, incumbent crook Ernie Fletcher, and that the Democrats rejected their own crook, reactionary Republican-backer Bruce Lunsford. The problem with that is that how could anyone be stupid enough to vote for Fletcher and how could another candidate resist Lunsford's tidal wave of cash and Establishment support. Last Tuesday both happened-- Republicans idiotically picked Fletcher and Democrats wisely rejected Lunsford and nominated Beshear. And the first polls for the general election are in: no contest. Miss McConnell's worst nightmare is happening back home. But what's an old nag gonna do? She embraced Fletcher, sleaze and all.

A WHAS11/SurveyUSA poll shows Democrat Steve Beshear would crush Fletcher by nearly a 2-1 margin if the general election were held today...

With Beshear polling 62% to Fletcher's 34%, look for the Republican gutter campaign to kick off immediately with Fletcher and his whacko running mate, Robbie Rudolph, screaming that Beshear will tax school prayers and guns and force abortions and homosexuality on Christians. The sad thing is that even after 6 years of Bush-rule, a third of Americans still buy that load of manure.

The WHAS poll shows Beshear leading in every area of the state, including the most red areas, and among all age groups. Even "among Republicans who said they voted for Anne Northup on Tuesday, 51 percent say they'd vote for Beshear today, 36 percent for Fletcher, 13 percent undecided."




COST PER VOTE

Yesterday Joe Gerth's column in the Louisville Courier-Journal tabulated what each of the candidates spent per vote in the primary. Among the also-rans "Republican Billy Harper spent $5.1 million-- most of it his own money-- to receive 27,086 votes. That's a whopping $188.28 per vote. Democrat Bruce Lunsford spent $4.7 million-- largely his own money-- on 74,537 votes. That's $63.06 per vote... Republican Anne Northup coughed up $16.85 for each vote she got." And the two winners? Fletcher outspent Northup at $26.39 for each vote he received, and Beshear was the most economical, paying just $8.54 per vote to win the Democratic nod.

DOUBLE WHAMMY-- BEST OF BOTH WORLDS IN KENTUCKY TODAY

I just arrived in DC and the very first news I heard was awesome-- a double win in Kentucky for the good guys. First of all, the Republican base renominated the most hated and corrupt governor in Kentucky history, Ernie Fletcher, for a second term. [Almost everything in the linked Washington Post article is wrong except for that fact that Fletcher beat Northup, which is all I wanted to point out anyway.] Why did we want this? The general voting population of Kentucky has made it clear in poll after poll that they don't want Fletcher to even remain as governor, let alone get a second term. He's far too right-wing and he's far too corrupt... and in a very messy way. But the religionist reich nutcases who control the GOP primaries... well they just love him. He's their kind of off-the-wall kook.

A much closer call was that the Democrats might nominate someone just as bad, Buce Lunsford, a corrupt, reactionary fake-Dem, cut from the Zell Miller/Joe Lieberman mold. Not only did he go down to defeat at the hands of Steve Beshear, he was whipped so badly that there won't even be a run-off!

Cliff Schecter has all the details about what this means for Kentucky and especially what this means for the crucial battle next year to beat the Bush Regime's #1 Senate Obstructionist, closet case Mitch McConnell, who was backing Northup and has alienated his own party's extremists.


UPDATE: FLETCHER CONCEDES... SO DOES NORTHUP

This morning's Louisville Courier-Journal has all the details and agrees that Fletcher's corruption scandal "still threatens his election to a second term in November, when he would need to attract votes from Democrats and independents to beat the Democratic nominee, former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear." Of course, first Fletcher will have to unite Republicans who are disgusted with him-- as many of half his party's members. "Northup's television ads said Democrats will be relentless in their attacks on Fletcher in November and argued that she-- not the incumbent-- was the only Republican who could win the general election... When asked by an interviewer if she would attend a Republican 'Unity Rally' Saturday in Frankfort, Northup walked away without answering."

BLUE AMERICA IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE

There probably aren't that many people who know there's an election in 3 days, let alone a really important election. In fact, I wasn't terribly shocked when I read that the turn-out could be as low as 15%. I'm talking about the gubernatorial primary in Kentucky and it's this Tuesday. The backstory is that the incumbent, Republican Ernie Fletcher was indicted last May on 3 misdemeanor charges stemming from out-of-control corruption in his administration which includes him issuing blanket pardons to many of his closest political cronies. Even after indictment he refused to resign and was arraigned on June 7, 2006. He weaseled out of a prison sentence when a judge ruled that he was protected by executive immunity until after he leaves office. Fletcher has had some of the lowest approval ratings of any governor anywhere for the last few years. The latest SUSA Survey (May 17) shows him with a 38% approval rating, overall.

Among Kentucky Republicans, however, his approval rating is 53%. And therein lies an incredible opportunity for Democrats. The least popular governor in America is almost certain to lose the general election, but is probably going to win the Republican primary. His opponent is Anne Northup, a pathetic GOP rubber stamp who was ousted from her congressional seat in November by John Yarmuth. She is so incompetent that her bungling is actually making Fletcher look ok-- at least to wingnuts. The latest polls show Fletcher beating her convincingly, 41-26%.

And that brings us to the golden opportunity for Democrats... almost. One of the two front runners, Bruce Lunsford, is as much a Democrat as Joe Lieberman or Zell Miller. Sounds strong? It's meant to. In Kentucky, Lunsford is the quintessential representative of the rotten, reactionary and corrupt old Democratic Establishment that still hasn't quite decided to go over to the GOP. He is a DLC Democrat who is always endorsing and donating money to Republicans-- from George Bush to Ernie Fletcher to Anne Northup. He's a corrupt businessman and scam-artist who is absolutely loaded. He's outspent his rival, former Lt. Governor and Attorney General Steve Beshear, 3 to 1.

Today at Firedoglake we'll talk about Steve Beshear with our guest, Cliff Schecter, but I want to say something else about why this race is so important. Even above and beyond the kind of corrupt practices and arch-reactionary policies Lunsford is promising to bring to Kentucky-- such as teaching creationism in the public schools-- this is a hack who is as damaging to the Democratic brand as any of the DLC players who have only the most tangential relationship with Democratic Party values and principles.

And there's another factor to consider every bit as important. There is no one in the Congress who has been more of an obstructionist, especially in terms of ending the occupation of Iraq, than Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, the Minority Leader. McConnell is a close friend and political ally of Lunsford. If Lunsford is elected, the chances of defeating McConnell in 2008 will become considerably slimmer. Steve Beshear already opposed McConnell for Senate-- while Lunsford was out campaigning for him (and appointing his equally corrupt "wife" to the Board of Directors of his crooked corporation-- fined for cheating Medicare of over a BILLION dollars).

Earlier I mentioned that turnout Tuesday could be as low as 15%. Lunsford has dumped a small fortune into a GOTV operation which will feature plenty of free-flowing cash. Even though the most recent polls show that Beshear has pulled ahead (27-21%), this will come down to the wire. It is unlikely that whoever gets the most votes Tuesday will avoid a June runoff. If you know anyone in Kentucky-- relatives, old school friends, former colleagues...-- please consider getting in touch with them in the next couple of days and talking to them about this race. And to help us understand it, we've got our old pal Cliff Schecter, a man who once worked for the odious Lunsford, here to answer questions about Kentucky politics in general and about Lunsford and Beshear in particular.

THINGS ARE LOOKING UP IN... KENTUCKY!

There's so much wrong with Kentucky politics-- between Bush's #1 congressional obstructionist, closet queen Mitch McConnell; convicted criminal governor Ernie Fletcher; a U.S. senator still serving who may have passed away last year or-- at the very least-- has been in a persistent vegetative state for at least two years... that it is hard to imagine the Democratic gubernatorial primary is as important a focus of attention as any of this. But it is; and it's this Tuesday.

If you've been following the story here at DWT for the last few months, you know that moderate Steve Beshear is battling reactionary fake-Dem Bruce Lunsford. Yesterday there were some important developments to report, each of which bodes well for folks in the Bluegrass state.

If you ever wondered how any Republican couldn't beat a convicted felon-- and the most disliked and distrusted governor anywhere in America-- you don't know much about bumbling imbecile Anne Northup. Many of us came in contact with this rubber stamp nonentity last year when progressive Democrat Steve Yarmuth dispatched her from the U.S. Congress where she had compiled an unblemished record of having done nothing whatsoever other than agreeing with Bush and Cheney on every single hideous agenda item they ever puked up. Kentucky Republicans decided she was the best they could do against walking, breathing disgrace, crooked Ernie Fletcher (who will do all he can to stay in the governor's mansion since he will be headed for prison as soon as his term expires).

With the latest polling (more on that below) showing that Republicans have already decided that for all his obvious flaws Fletcher is still better than Northup, the Northup campaign gave the state a great big demonstration of why she would make an absolutely horrendous governor. Basically, her campaign went wild and made late-night serial robo-calls to Republicans all over Kentucky-- and kept doing it all night... to the same people. She spent an awful lot of money to guarantee an awful lot of people would never vote for her under any circumstances. "Every way we can, we're telling people how sorry we are," Northup said yesterday while campaigning in Corbin. "We just feel terrible about it." Not nearly as bad as she's likely to feel when the polls close on Tuesday evening.

Now about the new poll numbers. Not only do they show Fletcher convincingly ahead of Northup (as of Tuesday, with a 10% lead)-- proving the Republicans positively embrace the criminality of their elected officials-- but that there is more good news for Democrats. On Tuesday, Democrats who were asked who they are likely to vote for next week, have started abandoning Lunsford. Steve Beshear now leads him 32%-23%, with 44% spread out among other candidates and undecideds. Keep in mind that even with Beshear slightly ahead, this is going to be a very low turnout election (15% is expected), and it's impossible to predict how things will play out on the ground. Lunsford has invested a ton of money in a field operation, and he has the not-so-tacit support of the state party. If neither ticket gets over 40% next Tuesday, there will be a run off on June 26.


Why has the bottom finally started falling out of Lunsford's cash-rich campaign? No one tells this story better than Cliff Schechter, who admits that he once worked for Lunsford and well-knows what a corrupt and unethical scoundrel he is-- and how utterly unfit for public office or to hold the banner of the Democratic Party. Keep in mind that Lunsford worked with mental patient Zell Miller, as Finance Chairman of Democrats For Bush. Please take a look at Cliff's latest explanation of the Kentucky election. Cliff will be our Blue America guest at Firedoglake this Saturday at 2pm EST (11am on the West Coast).


UPDATE: FLETCHER AND BESHEAR LEADING THE PACK IN THE HOME STRETCH

Today's Louisville Courier-Journal confirmed other recent polls: Fletcher is ahead of Northup and Beshear looks like he can beat the odious fake-Dem, Lunsford. "The poll, conducted May 10-15, found that 41 percent of likely Republican voters will vote for or are leaning toward voting for Fletcher, while 26 percent favor his closest rival, former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup of Louisville." The Democrats will probably face a run-off. "Former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear has a modest lead over Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford in the Democratic race for governor-- but it might not be enough to avoid a runoff. Twenty-seven percent of Kentucky Democrats say they likely will vote for the ticket of Beshear and state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo in Tuesday's primary, according to a Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll. Lunsford and his running mate, Attorney General Greg Stumbo, were preferred by 21 percent of Democrats."

IF YOU LIKE ZELL MILLER AND LIEBERMAN, THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING A WEEK FROM TODAY IN KENTUCKY YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO PAY ATTENTION TO

It's inconceivable that Ernie Fletcher, surely the most corrupt governor in the whole country-- and, as far as I know, the only one still in office to have been indicted and convicted of a crime-- can be re-elected in Kentucky. He's in a neck and neck primary battle with recently-defeated Republican Congresswoman Anne Northup. She's having a swell time attacking him for his egregious corruption-- steering state contracts and handing out plum appointments to individuals who donate to his legal defense fund. Even if Republican primary voters don't care about such things, normal Kentucky voters in the general surely will. (Fletcher's response is that she's hardly one to talk about ethics, considering her own record shameful in Congress.) Their showdown is a week from today.

More important-- considering how fatally flawed both Republican candidates are-- is the Democratic primary on the same day. The overriding theme of the Democratic primary is that it is being dominated by a corrupt DLC-type, hack, Bruce Lunsford, a Kentucky version of Zell Miller or Joe Lieberman. He's loaded with dirty money and he's spending it to buy the election. After Jonathan Miller, the progressive in the race, dropped out and endorsed moderate Steve Beshear, endorsements for Beshear started piling up. Last week it was the Louisville Courier-Journal calling him the stand-out candidate to help rid the state of the "ethically challenged" Fletcher. Friday, Change For Kentucky gave him their nod and this weekend the Lexington Herald-Leader and the Cincinnati Enquirer both came out for him as well. Neither paper can avoid talking about Lunsford's lack of ethics. "Controversy peppers his past," writes the Enquirer, also reminding voters that "for Democratic Party loyalists, Lunsford's middle name could be 'Toxic' because of his past support of a number of Republicans. As fate would have it, that even includes past donations to Fletcher and his opponent, Anne Northup."

The Herald-Leader sums the race up best:

Democrats yearning for a strong, ethical leader to restart progress in Kentucky should nominate Steve Beshear.

Beshear has long been a force for clean, forward-thinking government-- as a legislator, attorney general and lieutenant governor...

What most recommends Beshear is his strong grasp of how to do the job he's seeking.

He knows how to work with the legislature. He understands government. He is eager to use the governor's power to get things done. Kentuckians are hungry for that kind of leadership after four years of bumbling and ethical travesties by the Fletcher crew.

As governor, Beshear wants to bring preschool education and health coverage to all Kentucky children, improve high schools and offer forgivable tuition loans so more Kentuckians can go to college.

He's realistic about the complex challenges facing Kentucky's economy and Eastern Kentucky, in particular. He's determined to tackle them and to bring some overdue fresh approaches to job creation. He wants more resources for land preservation...

Beshear has shown that he has the grit and the smarts to be governor. He is the Democrat most able to break the partisan stalemate that's been choking progress.

Working men and women are overwhelmingly opposed to the odious Lunsford although, even with Kentucky unions escalating their campaign against him, rumors are about that Hillary Clinton's campaign has rather different feelings about him. Of course, both Clintons have always been very comfortable with the most corrupt and treacherous of the DLC 5th columnists inside the Democratic Party, so it should surprise no one that she's in cahoots with a (rich) lowlife like Lunsford.

JONATHAN MILLER-- SHELTER FROM KENTUCKY'S STORM OF CORRUPTION AND REACTIONARY SPECIAL INTERESTS POLITICS

Yesterday we looked at an exciting race shaping up in an ostensibly deep red state, Oklahoma, between lunatic extremist James Inhofe, a cranky old incumbent who might believe the world is flat and who possesses one of the most reactionary voting records of any member of the U.S. Senate, against an attractive and populist young newcomer, State Senator Andrew Rice.

There's another race shaping up in another pretty red state that I'd like to take a look at today: the gubernatorial primary in Kentucky. If you've been following DWT over the last couple years you already  know all about Ernie Fletcher's unbelievable record of corruption. If you'd like to catch up a little, try here and here and here and here... and here. Fletcher seemed so unelectable that Louisville's ex-Congresswoman Anne Northup (beaten in a re-election bid last year due to her rubber stamp posture towards the Bush Regime), decided to challenge him in the primary and has been backed by most of the state's GOP establishment. The most recent SurveyUSA poll, released yesterday, shows Fletcher regaining the lead from Northup. The primary election is May 22 and the survey shows Fletcher leading Northup 46% to 34% as of this past weekend.

A win by Fletcher, whose reputation is unacceptable to normal people, is exactly what Democrats are rooting for. Remember, even though Kentucky has been trending more and more Republican-- with Bush having beat Kerry 60-40% and with Fletcher having won his first term 55-45%-- a healthy majority of voters are registered Democrats. In fact, 57.5% of voters are registered Dems, 36% are Repugs and 6.5% registered with other parties. It's difficult to imagine too many non-GOP base voters mustering much enthusiasm for Fletcher, a convicted criminal.


That brings us to the Democrats. And that isn't good news. Grassroots Democrats and progressives are excited about State Treasurer Jonathan Miller but Kentucky has some really low-information areas once you leave Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green and Owensboro. Leading the Democratic pack right now is Bruce Lunsford, a fake Democrat who appears nearly as corrupt as Fletcher and as beholden to the same special interests. One local KY blogger has posted a video of Fletcher explaining to his supporters that Lunsford "shares our values." Every indication is that he certainly does-- which is why no Democrat should consider voting for him. The same blogger lists 10 reasons to vote against Lunsford:

10. During the 2006 congressional race, Lunsford personally contributed more money to Anne Northup ($4,100) than to John Yarmuth ($2,000).

9. Four years ago, during the KET Democratic gubernatorial debate, Lunsford vowed to support the Democratic nominee in the general election, but on October 20, 2003, while standing next to his “friend” Sen. Mitch McConnell (R), Lunsford endorsed Ernie Fletcher for governor.

8. Lunsford now promises “I’ll fix our broken health-care system” but as Chairman and CEO of Vencor, he paid $104.5 million to the federal government for Medicare/Medicaid fraud claims.

7. A few months before Vencor publicly admitted to investors about declining revenues and staggering debt in 1997, Lunsford had sold 50,000 shares at $47 apiece, for $2.35 million. Within three months, Vencor was trading at $30/share, and eventually the stock became worthless.

6. On the Vencor Board of Directors at the time of its crash was none other than current U.S. Secretary of Labor, Elaine Chao, also the wife of U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R).

5. Following his election as governor in 2003, Fletcher named Lunsford to lead a blue ribbon transition team to re-organize government. Immediately, Lunsford’s team eliminated the Labor Cabinet.

4. After Congress cut Medicaid reimbursements to nursing homes, Lunsford offered cash bonuses to his employees who successfully evicted seniors who relied upon Medicaid to pay their bills so they could fill those beds with higher paying, private patients. This practice was known as “patient dumping.”

3. After Congress passed legislation to outlaw Lunsford’s practice of “patient dumping,” he paid a Washington, DC lobbyist $60,000 to try amend the Social Security Act to allow patient dumping after courts told him to stop and Vencor had been fined $780,000 for trying to kick out 137 residents.

2. Between 1995 and 2000, Lunsford personally donated $52,000 to federal political candidates and parties. Of that amount, $40,250 (77%) went to Republicans, including to both of Kentucky’s Republican senators, four Republican congressmen (Rogers, Whitfield, Lewis, Northup), as well as the Republican Party of Kentucky, Republican National Committee, National Republican Senatorial Committee, and George W. Bush for President.

1. In May 2003, Lunsford dropped out the Democratic gubernatorial primary after polls showed him falling into third place (behind Ben Chandler and Jody Richards). Rather than finish third, Lunsford pulled-up lame and blamed a mean Chandler television ad for his surrender.

Kentucky's BluegrassReport showed Lunsford lifting his entire platform verbatim from failed Florida gubernatorial candidate Jim Davis (although I don't think Davis, unlike Lunsford, supports teaching creationism and religionist superstitions in the public schools).

Many people are focussing on next year's Kentucky senatorial election, an opportunity to rid the Senate of hypocritical closet queen and Bush rubber stamp Mitch McConnell. It won't help to have a close associate of his like Lunsford in the governor's chair. There's one populist running in this race, someone who represents the interests of ordinary people, not of the bribers and special interests, and that's Jonathan Miller. Anything less, will just be more of the same.


UPDATE: MILLER DROPS OUT AND ENDORSES BESHEAR

I would have preferred to see a progressive like Jonathan Miller as governor of Kentucky, of course, but the bad polling-- and resultant fundraising difficulties-- forced him out of the race this morning. He endorced a solid moderate, Steve Beshear. There are two important dynamics in this primary: to choose a real Democrat who can take on and beat the Republican and to offer voters in Kentucky a discernable choice. Lunsford is as much a Democrat as Zeller Miller, Harold Ford or Joe Lieberman. It isn't about Democratic principles or values or ideals with any of these crooks; it's all about themselves and their selfish ambitions. Lunsford might be the worst of the lot, as hard as that is to fathom.