The Rural Democrat

Paul Patton's Bold Leadership? Alessi says so.

Ryan Alessi writes a column that is best describes as strange. He digs up the bones of the political past and is seemingly trying to resurrect a ghost whose legacy will likely be remembered by an embarrassing Jimmy Swaggart like performance in front of a shocked and angry Commonwealth. Could former Governor Paul Patton (D) be staging a comeback?

With a successful special session under seemingly impossible circumstances, Alessi opens his op-ed by taking a shot at Beshear using a part of his campaign theme to drive the dagger home. Governor Steve Beshear (D) brought bickering legislative leaders to the table and also managed to appease King David Williams in the process. But after a remarkable political example of true leadership, what does Beshear get? What does the Commonwealth's most popular news publication write about? Paul Patton's bold leadership"??".

I will never be enthusiastic by any rumored Patton comeback, he placed a horrible burden on the backs of Kentucky's coal miners while destroying workers comp in the process. Even though he did appear to attempt to fix the problem, he will be forever remembered in the Eastern and Western Coal Fields as the great Satan. I experienced the terrible results of Patton's knife first hand and I would like to forget that part of my life but I will never forget or forgive him.

Governor Beshear deserves credit for a successful special session, Patton deserves a pat on the back and a rocking chair. But rumors are starting that he is sniffing a run in 2010. But I expect current Attorney General Jack Conway (D) to announce a run against Bunning and Patton would never primary him. Or would he? Maybe it will one of those run and drop out and endorse jobs a couple of weeks before the primary. In Kentucky politics anything is possible.

Governor Beshear Stepping Up to Lead

Even though his first session of the Kentucky General Assembly was filled with inter-party bickering and horn locking with King David Williams and crew, Governor Beshear appears to be sick and tired of his falling approval rating. Governor Beshear said NO to a two year state road project plan that would have tied the administration's hands behind their backs if any project would have cost more than originally planned, now like that doesn't happen.

Former Governor Paul Patton (D) brushed the dust off his upper lip today and spoke out in favor of Governor Beshear's handling of the illegal hiring of a new president for the Council on Postsecondary Education, Lexington lawyer Brad Cowgill. Attorney General Jack Conway (D) backed up the Governor and issued an opinion of the council's unlawful hiring practice. Governor Beshear needs to be decisive but not necessarily fast in his final action, but he must be thorough when he decides what road he wants to travel with CPE. He has the privilege of many options afforded to a sitting Governor and every advantage to come out of this situation smelling like a rose.

With the veto of the state road plan and his decisive reaction to the CPE, a special session might catapult him back into the catbird seat before Fancy Farm. He has many opportunities to turn his fledgling approval rating around in quick order. Being politically healed aside, Kentucky needs healing and most importantly Kentucky needs revenue.

Can Beshear scrape up enough political capitol to pass a cigarette tax increase, before election day in November? That is a tough job and would take the resolve of a 1000 pound moose, but if he racks up some victories in a few short months, he may have just enough to pull our Commonwealth out of this funk. Lord knows the General Assembly has no desire to help anyone but themselves.   

AG: Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Violated State Law

Politics can seep into any crack it wants and this situation is a prime example of a former Governor's appointed council standing in defiance of a new sitting Governor. Now Attorney General Jack Conway (D) has issued a 12 page opinion filled with potential violations of state law.

Governor Steve Beshear (D) had hoped and strongly advised that the council follow state law and conduct a nation wide search for a new director but that did not happen. Pol Watchers has updated their original post on this subject and it is evident Council Chairman John Turner wants to keep it out of court and he is talking the talk at the moment. I don't think they expected the type of reaction they got from Governor Beshear. But he hinted that a friendly lawsuit might be in order to obtain a binding opinion, saying Conway's opinion is only advisory and it is.

Beshear has an opportunity to show the Commonwealth the type of leader we all know he is and he has another opportunity to keep the politics out of it, just follow the law. This is time for bold leadership and if that means disbanding the council then disband it.

Sunday Opinion: Will Illegal Immigration Push Kentucky Moderates Toward McConnell?

The political analysis provided (HERE) showed a clear slide for Senator Mitch McConnell (R) among Kentucky moderates. The trends showed a possible continuation of a McConnell slide among not only moderates but voters age 55+ and Independents. BUT will Illegal Immigration help McConnell among Kentucky's most important political and ideological group, Kentucky moderates and Kentucky Democrats better have a battle plan and fast. McConnell's approval rating, due later this month, will provide maybe the most important data of the first qaurter for 2008. It is imperative that Kentucky Democrats and Democratic candidates, or Col. Horne, not allow McConnell to corner the moderate market.

McConnell is now pushing a plan (HERE) that will provide legal immigrants ID cards. It is being billed as U.S immigrant employer protection plan. In this year's regular session of the Kentucky General Assembly, a bill has been prefiled ,by Rep. Rick Nelson (D), that would effect the illegal immigration question like no other legislation in Kentucky history. This bill would seemingly force employers of immigrant labor to mind their peas and ques and ensure that labor is in the Commonwealth legally or face the consequences. Incoming Attorney General Jack Conway (D) touted a plan during his campaign to put an end to drug smuggling via illegal immigrants and the left may scream and cry foul but Kentucky indeed has a major problem in that regard. So the political landscape supports my analysis that Illegal Immigration will be in play.

I predicted (HERE) that the possible number one issue in this year's senate race, besides the Iraq War, will be illegal immigration. I warned Kentucky Democrats not to allow McConnell a political pass with Kentucky moderates and to be politically vigilant.

It certainly appears Col. Andrew Horne (D) will be the top shelf candidate and possibly the consensus candidate for the Democratic nomination. Col. Horne must have a rock solid plan on the immigration question that appeals to Kentucky moderates. I feel we may be coming to a crossroads on this question and if the Democrats are to have any chance at all, they need to be in the pocket with Kentucky moderates and illegal immigration is the political train to carry us to their doorsteps. 

Could Senator Bunning Step Aside and Grayson step in?

I can't believe I am partially sourcing this guy, but my sporadic sources have been telling me the same thing since Secretary of State Trey Grayson's (R) $150,000+ single night fund-raiser that almost caused me to wreck my car, I found out he potentially raised that hefty amount while driving on I75, fast. Sources told me then that Grayson was maneuvering his way into the top-spot to replace 2 term U.S Senator Jim Bunning (R), even though he was worried about his own race at the time, multitasker, who would have thought.

Sources out of this part of the country tell me that U.S Rep. Hal Rogers (R) is flattered but not thinking seriously about running for Bunning's seat. I think Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R) could garner support from both sides of the isle, unless Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D) decides to make a run for the seat, after all if he wants it, it is his, politcally speaking of course. I can not see Grayson having having much of a chance against a Mongiardo or a Conway but NOTHING has even been suggested or even mentioned in passing about a Mongiardo or a Conway candidacy. I think at this time no one knows.

Hopefully someone announces soon that they are going to challenge Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R). All I hear is talk.

Kentucky Unions Will Commence Bus Tour in Support of Steve Beshear

Good GOTV news for the Democrats as Pol Watchers is reporting that our Kentucky Union leaders will conduct a bus tour in support of Steve Beshear at the end of this month. With the Coordinated Campaign and our Kentucky Unions, we may avoid a dismal Democratic turnout and crush the Republicans on election day.

If you have the time I encourage everyone to do their part and volunteer for the Kentucky Democratic Party and help get our Democratic candidates elected on November 6th.

From Pol Watchers

Union leaders are traveling to dozens of work sites on the “It’s Our Time Bluegrass Express” bus tour across Kentucky through the end of the month to mobilize union members to vote for Democrat Steve Beshear for governor.

Beshear faces Republican incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher in the Nov. 6 general election.

Kentucky AFL-CIO President Bill Londrigan, United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts, Steve Earle with the UMWA and other union officials will join union volunteers in Elizabethtown, Hawesville, Madisonville, Harlan, Hazard, Middlesboro, Ashland, Lexington, Calvert City and other places.

Jonathan Miller: "Let's Work Together" Democratic Bus Tour to Victory

From the KDP

Our Democratic nominees are spending these final days leading up to Election Day criss-crossing the Commonwealth, taking with them a message of integrity and the need for positive leadership in Frankfort.

Beginning Thursday, October 18, the Kentucky Democratic Party is joining Steve Beshear and Dr. Daniel Mongiardo, Bruce Hendrickson, Jack Conway, Crit Luallen and Todd Hollenbach in the quest to reach out to Kentuckians in every region, as we begin our "Let's Work Together" Bus Tour to Victory 2007. A complete schedule can be found on our Website.

Bring your friends and family and join us as we visit a city near you over the next two weeks, rallying support for our ticket on November 6th. Nominees, party leaders, party staff and volunteers will take to the road in the "Let's Work Together" bus, making 43 stops in 41 counties. At selected stops we will be joined by special guests, including State Senator and former governor Julian Carroll, legendary University of Kentucky men's basketball coach Joe. B. Hall, Edward Breathitt, son of former governor Ned Breathitt, state legislators and others.

Now is the time to shift into high gear for our slate of outstanding nominees! We need your help to keep the momentum going for the next 20 days of this election cycle. Working together, we can bring a brighter future to Kentucky by electing strong Democrats to our state constitutional offices.

As always, thank you for you continued support. We'll see you soon!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Miller
Chair, The Kentucky Democratic Party

Kentucky Unions will win it for the Blue Team

As the talking turned into walking our Unions have had tunnel vision for only one goal, to fire our corrupt Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher. Steve Beshear and the Democratic ticket is enjoying a massive GOTV effort courtesy our Kentucky Unions.

This past weekend our Unions were hitting the streets and throwing huge rallies for our Democratic candidates. Democratic nominee for Secretary of State Bruce Hendrickson enjoyed a great reception in Pikeville as the region's United Steel Workers rallied in support of the Democratic candidates. Hendrickson was the only nominee in attendance.

Democratic rallies in Eastern Kentucky echoed issues from the gubernatorial race and the race for secretary of state. Straight ticket voting is becoming a hot button issue and Grayson's lazy remark has some people hot under the collar.

I am hearing normal folk talk about the election, that is a good sign in these parts, Republican voters are getting excited about Steve Beshear and Daniel Mongiardo. Lets see if the push will continue, if so, it should be lights out for most if not all of the Republican candidates.

 

Jack Conway Hits the Airwaves

McConnell's numbers Plummet, Will Forgy, Luallen, Horne and or Stumbo Take a Shot?

Now the MSM is reporting State Auditor Crit Luallen is rumored to be at least thinking about gunning for the Democratic nomination for US Senate in 2008. The blogs picked up on this 2 months ago. 

Lowell Reese says If Luallen gets a Beshear endorsement she could be declared the consensus candidate for the 08 Democratic primary. Mark Hebert is reporting a nice size piggy bank may await Luallen if she decides to run.

On The Mark

It's on the grapevine that Emily's List committed to raise $3 million for her, if she will run against McConnell. 

Now we can hypothesize that we may have a probable crowded Democratic field next year.

Attorney General Stumbo has not ruled out a possible run and he is enjoying good poll numbers according to the Louisville Courier Journal. If he can raise the cash he could give any Democratic candidate fits.

Andrew Horne may have the ground forces at the moment but Luallen and Stumbo would have the name recognition. On The Republican side all is quiet, with the exception of the persistent rumor that Larry Forgy will in some way run against McConnell, maybe as an Independent.

Is Senator McConnell vulnerable in 2008? Yes he is but McConnell will spend every dime of a probable $10 million war chest in 2008. New poll numbers show a massive drop in approval rating as McConnell had a 54% approval rating just last month, NOW his rating has plummeted to a terrible 45%. This tells me that a Democratic tsunami is probable in November of 07, can the Democrats hold that water for 08? I think a Horne, Luallen and or Stumbo could stand toe to toe with McConnell IF the Democrats find a way to avoid a bloodbath during the primary.

WARNING to all Democrats!

Other issues will arise and dent McConnell's armor, my prediction is McConnell will yet again dive into a moderate holding pattern and attempt to appease Kentucky Democrats with liberal legislation. Issues like illegal immigration, health-care, President Bush, and of course Iraq will be in play early.

The top issue to look at is without a doubt illegal immigration. Remember folks we have a problem in Kentucky, especially in Central and Eastern Kentucky in regards to the influx of illegal drugs via illegal immigrants. Law enforcement is on the case and illegal immigration is certainly part of the problem. Soon to be Attorney General Jack Conway is campaigning that he will put a stop to the drug smuggling and Democratic Representative Rick Nelson has pre-filed a bill that will punish employers that hire illegal immigrants.

Watch out for Senator McConnell on this issue, he could jump on the Democratic bandwagon and support openly this legislation and increased law enforcement. It would be a disaster for the Democratic nominee if McConnell finds a way to stand with Frankfort Democrats, even for a second! So it certainly appears that Kentucky will take on a conservative mind set in 2008, only in regards to illegal immigration and remember this pre-filed bill is tough and will certainly be mentioned by the National press corps. 

Being Native American I have an understandable sore spot in regards to illegal immigration, conservatives and moderates alike are demanding new laws and especially enforcement of the laws on the books. I have to personally laugh at the irony of this situation, we have the vast majority of European Americans screaming for immigration changes and yet 200 years ago they broke every single law and treaty that was created. I think it is the Creator showing his amazing sense of humor.

Remember this
Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

Crossposted BlueGrassRoots