Steele's Kentucky

What Republicans Need

2007-05-22T17:07:00.000-06:00

From Kentucky Progress:

Republicans and Democrats may have their nominees for governor today or maybe we will have to wait until next month for a run-off. Either way, the GOP needs a nominee who can and will actively pull people together. The GOP needs a nominee who can and will promote conservative values and issues credibly.

The presence of a weak Democratic opponent might make these vital party-building and state-salvaging duties seem superfluous. But shirking now could hurt Kentucky for a long time. The Republican party works best when it is a party of ideas and principles. Pining for larger-than-life personalities like Lincoln or Reagan is satisfying on some level, but the strength of solid values -- and not the power of individual characters -- generates cohesion and enduring success.

Billy Harper is the party's best chance to govern Kentucky the next four years because more than the fresh start most of us agree we need, he offers the best commitment to fiscal responsibility and realistic improvement in education in the whole field.

Every Candidate: Vote For Me

2007-05-22T17:06:00.000-06:00

From the Kentucky Post:

Gov. Ernie Fletcher and a big lineup of candidates wanting his job covered lots of ground and shook every hand in reach Monday as their campaigns neared the finish line amid predictions of a low turnout for today's primary election.

Candidates traveled by air and ground to reach as many voters as possible in the last full day of a campaign overshadowed by Fletcher's fight for political survival. The governor faced two challengers, while six Democrats competed for their party's gubernatorial nomination.

Voters had plenty of down-the-ticket choices as they prepared to select nominees for attorney general, state treasurer, secretary of state and agriculture commissioner. Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who oversees Kentucky elections, had predicted 85 percent of Kentucky's registered voters won't bother to go the polls today. His spokesman, Les Fugate, was optimistic Monday that turnout could be slightly higher than earlier forecast, noting an upswing in absentee balloting statewide in the past week. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Scott Lasley, a political scientist at Western Kentucky University, said the campaign had been "surprisingly lackadaisical," considering the drama of a seemingly vulnerable incumbent facing a strong challenge within his party, plus a competitive race among Democrats. Joe Gershtenson, director of the Center for Kentucky History and Politics at Eastern Kentucky University, agreed, saying, "For whatever reason, it just has not seemed to have gotten the public really excited."

Kentuckians won't have the weather as an excuse for not turning out to vote. Forecasters predicted mostly sunny conditions statewide today with highs in the 80s. In the Republican primary, Fletcher's rivals are former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup and Paducah businessman Billy Harper, his finance chairman in the 2003 campaign. The challengers claimed Fletcher was irreparably harmed by his indictment last year on charges that he illegally rewarded political supporters with state jobs. The charges were dismissed in a negotiated agreement with prosecutors.

Fletcher has maintained the special grand jury's investigation was politically motivated. He claims that Attorney General Greg Stumbo, now the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lunsford, pursued the charges for political gain. Fletcher led in a recent statewide poll in The Courier-Journal of Louisville. The governor said it was a reflection that voters are looking past the investigation. "People realize the true mark of leadership is results, and we've gotten outstanding results," Fletcher said Monday between stops during a multi-city fly-around of Kentucky.

Fletcher said he was hopeful of a clear-cut victory without a runoff. Unless someone gets at least 40 percent of the vote, the top two finishers will compete in a June 26 runoff. Northup, who campaigned in heavily Republican areas of rural Kentucky before a rally in Louisville, her hometown, said she would tap into dissatisfaction with Fletcher. "I feel like there's still a lot of people that haven't made up their minds, but they don't want Ernie Fletcher," she said.

Harper, who logged 42,000 miles on his campaign bus in recent months, had stops in GOP-leaning cities in Southern Kentucky before winding up on election eve in Paducah. Harper waged an extensive television campaign that started last year, bankrolling most of his campaign himself.

Meanwhile, the Democratic primary might not produce a nominee but simply narrow the field. Lunsford said a runoff in the Democratic race seemed a likelihood. Still, he said many voters were undecided or not totally committed to a candidate. "I think there's an awful lot of soft support out there," Lunsford said while campaigning in Henderson and Owensboro in Western Kentucky. "That means they can still change their mind late, which could have an impact."

Another Democratic candidate, Steve Beshear, a former lieutenant governor and attorney general, said that avoiding a runoff was "certainly a possibility."

"We're going to end up in the lead and be in the lead substantially tomorrow," said Beshear, who had rallies planned in Louisville, Shelbyville and Lexington on Monday. "I think the only open question is whether we can get to that 40 percent."

The Louisville newspaper's recent poll showed Beshear with a lead. Other Democrats running are House Speaker Jody Richards, former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, Lexington lawyer Gatewood Galbraith and eastern Kentucky demolition contractor Otis Hensley Jr. Richards continued his focus on Western Kentucky as he spent Monday campaigning in Warren County, his home, and neighboring counties. Henry made more than a half-dozen stops during a campaign swing Monday.

Party Healing Crucial

2007-05-22T17:04:00.001-06:00

From the Kentucky Post:

Stung by a critical television ad his opponent ran late in the 2003 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Bruce Lunsford didn't just drop out of the race in protest - he also crossed party lines to support the then-Republican nominee Ernie Fletcher in the fall election. Both Lunsford and Democrats have regretted that decision ever since.

Fletcher, of course, went on to earn an easy win over Ben Chandler that put the Republicans in the Governor's Mansion for the first time in three decades. And Lunsford - again trying to become the Democratic nominee for governor - has struggled to win back party loyalists who say he betrayed them. It was a good lesson in how the party has to get behind the nominee, said Lunsford's press secretary Adam Bozzi, who calls the candidate tougher, wiser and more prepared for the harshness of politics. "He's not going to make that same mistake twice," Bozzi said.

As voters head to the polls today to select the major party nominees for the November governor's race, the specter of the 2003 race looms as a shadow over party activists smarting from a competitive primary. Regardless of the outcome of today's election - or of the June 26 runoff, should there be one - leaders of both parties say it's critical, urgent even, that the various candidates and their supporters put aside their differences and unite behind their nominee. Republicans have scheduled a Unity Rally for Saturday at state GOP headquarters and have meetings of both the party's central committee and executive committee, presumably to talk about fall strategy, set for June 2.

Democratic candidates, meanwhile, all signed a pledge committing them to a "Democrats United 2007" theme back in February. "The people of this state are tired of negative campaigning, tired of inter-party bickering," Chairman Jerry Lundergan said about the initiative.

But coming together could prove challenging for several reasons:

On the Republican side, the incumbent Fletcher and his chief opponent, former Louisville Congresswoman Anne Northup, have begun running ads, issuing press releases and making speeches attacking each other with increasing intensity. Other than calling Fletcher "unelectable," the third candidate, Paducah businessman Billy Harper, has tried to stay out of the fray.

Bridging the gap between the Northup and Fletcher camps could prove more difficult because the divisions are thought to be deep - conventional wisdom says that Northup was recruited to the race by U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is not known to be a big fan of the governor.

On the Democrat side, the tenor has been slightly less caustic but almost as divisive simply because of the sheer number of candidates - seven Democrats, each with their own following, were in the race until state Treasurer Jonathan Miller dropped out May 7. Now there are six: former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear; longtime Speaker of the House Jody Richards; former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry; Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith; Eastern Kentucky demolition contractor Otis Hensley and Lunsford.

This year, for the first time in Kentucky political history, the primary result might not determine the November candidates. A relatively new law forces a two-candidate runoff election on June 26 should the top candidate in each party not get 40 percent of the primary vote. A runoff would essentially lengthen the primary season by five weeks and create the possibility of a brutal head-to-head campaign that could widen party divisions. Naturally, leaders from both parties say they will have no problem patching up differences before the fall, but to what extent that's true or a self-fulfilling prophecy is arguable.

On the Republican side, Northup has ripped Fletcher's administration as a scandal-ridden embarrassment and has run from the beginning on the message that she's the better candidate because he's unelectable in the fall. Fletcher has berated her constantly for being "negative" and calls her campaign rife with "hypocrisy."

Northup's strategy is gutsy and risky, said Kevin Sell, GOP chairman of the 4th Congressional District in Northern Kentucky. But a lot of its impact will depend on how it's perceived. If voters and Fletcher supporters take it personally on a gut level, then there could be some problems, he said. Or they could see it as an acceptable primary-type strategy and move on. He personally thinks things have been OK - so far. "Is it aggressive? Absolutely. Does it cross the line? Not necessarily," Sell said.

Fletcher spokesman Marty Ryall dismisses the attacks in the GOP primary so far as "internal squabbling" not unlike what families have. The governor hasn't seen or heard anything that would keep him from reaching out to Northup and Harper should he win or supporting them should he lose. "You don't get very far in politics without have a thick skin," Ryall said. "Sometimes things are said in the primary and sometimes during the general election that you wish they hadn't said those things, but ... you move on."

It helps that in the 2003 election, Fletcher's primary opponent, former Jefferson County Judge-Executive Rebecca Jackson, enthusiastically threw her support to Fletcher for the general election campaing, Sell said, unlike what Lunsford did with Chandler. That has created an expectation of professionalism and class among Republican candidates - "humble in victory and gracious in defeat," Sell said.

And then there's this - Republicans who don't line up behind the nominee can basically write off their political future because they won't get party support, Sell said. Justin Brasell, chief of staff for Northern Kentucky's congressman, Geoff Davis, said fears about party disunity are overblown. Most of the fighting is among a very small group of party activists who represent a tiny percentage of the electorate, he said. Come November, everything will be fine, he said.

Davis, who has made a calculated decision to remain neutral in the primary, will strongly support the nominee no matter who it is, Brasell said. As such, Davis and other GOP members of Kentucky's federal delegation can do much to bring the party back together simply by example, Brasell said. Democrats, not surprisingly, have a different view of the Northup-Fletcher attacks. The Republican primary "is going to leave some scars," said Democrat Paul Patton, who was governor from 1995 to 2003. "It's been pretty rough."

In contrast, the Democrats have been more polite, although not entirely so. Henry recently decided to pull two TV ads that attacked Lunsford's business record and Beshear's record as attorney general, another position he held. And after a recent debate, several candidates attacked Beshear's support for expanded gambling and his use of the state plane while lieutenant governor. But those attacks were "fair," said Lundergan, the state party chairman, because they focused on issues and stances and statements. "I don't think those were personal attacks," he said.

Patton, who is a former party chairman in addition to governor, agreed, saying so far there's not been "anything for anybody to get upset about."

That could change with a runoff, which by its nature could get a little more contentious, Patton said. And he, too, has heard some Democrats say they remain so upset at Lunsford that should he be the nominee, they'll stay home Election Day or vote Republican. But he scoffed at those statements, saying in the end Democrats will be motivated by the mere presence of Fletcher in the governor's seat. "Even if there's a contentious run-off, there won't be 100 Democrats who will be so upset they won't vote or will vote for a Republican," Patton said. "Having been out four years, we'll be anxious to get behind whoever the nominee is."

And that nominee can do much simply by reaching out to the losing candidates and ask for their support. "Sometimes that's all it takes," Patton said.

Elendil’s Journal Questions GOTV

2007-05-22T16:56:00.000-06:00

I have never understood all of the fuss about getting people to vote. I understand why political campaigns have a vested interest in GOTV efforts. They want to maximize their chances of winning and that is understandable. But I don't understand the pleas by anyone else to get the general public out to vote.

By the time you leave school you should have a pretty good understanding of the importance of voting in America. If not then our education system has failed. Since I don't think our educational system has collapsed that far, it is safe to say that 99% of Americans understand the right to vote.

But if that still isn't enough to motivate you into exercising that right, then please don't vote! The way I look at it is quite simple. If you can't take a small amount of time out of your day to exercise one of our most important and fundamental rights we have as Americans, then you probably don't know who the candidates are or what issues are being debated. If you don't know either of those then your vote is going to be for all practical purposes random. And if I wanted a random way to select governmental representatives then I would be clamoring for a lottery system instead of elections.

So you are not going to see me hand wringing over the fact that only 15% of the voting public is going to vote today. In fact, I am happy that those who don't care are staying away from the ballot box.

KY Progress: A Generation With Harper

2007-05-21T23:16:00.000-06:00

A Washington D.C. pollster called my home via robo-dial Friday night. But guess what? I wasn't there so I missed the call. Like more and more people, the best way to reach me is on my cell phone.

Meanwhile, fewer people are tuning in to broadcast television every day. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the internet playing a greater role in this gubernatorial election. And between Ernie Fletcher, Anne Northup, and Billy Harper, only Harper has really used new technology to his advantage. In a 10-15% turnout election, the opportunity for this to create a surprising result can't be ignored.

Kentucky Post: Fletcher Can’t Win

2007-05-21T23:14:00.001-06:00

Gov. Ernie Fletcher will survive a political scandal to win Tuesday's Republican gubernatorial primary election, but will be soundly defeated in November's general election by Democrat Steve Beshear, figures Northern Kentucky University political science professor Michael Baranowski.

Beshear, because of a crowded six-person Democratic primary field, won't get the necessary 40 percent of primary votes Tuesday to be the party's candidate, and will be forced into a runoff election against Bruce Lunsford, Baranowski forecasts. Beshear will win the June 26 runoff, Baranowski said, and then have an easy time of it in November against Fletcher. "Fletcher is going to get slaughtered," he said.

No matter what the outcome happens to be, it's a fascinating election year in Kentucky, said Baranowski, with a good old-fashioned scandal prompting two Republicans to challenge a sitting GOP governor and a half-dozen Democrats anxious to oust a politically wounded incumbent. "Kentucky politics is a full employment act for political reporters and political scientists," said Baranowski. "There's nothing like Kentucky politics, especially this year."

Fletcher, stung by a patronage scandal, is being challenged by fellow Republicans Anne Northup of Louisville, who formerly served in Congress and the state legislature, and by Paducah businessman Billy Harper. "I think the fact that Fletcher is facing such a strong challenge in the first place is an indication of general dissatisfaction in the Republican Party," said Baranowski. "That is something that has been said by the media, but also most clearly by (Republican U.S.) Sen. Jim Bunning and, to a lesser extent, by (Republican U.S.) Sen. Mitch McConnell."

As for how voters will react to the scandal Tuesday, Baranowski figures that depends in large part on where they live. "In Northern Kentucky, Fletcher is going to rack up some pretty good margins," he said. "There's a sense that Fletcher has been very good for Northern Kentucky."

Baranowski expects Fletcher to be weakest in Northup's hometown of Louisville. But, he doesn't see Northup pushing Fletcher aside. "I expect Fletcher to win, and I don't think a runoff will be necessary on the Republican side," he said. "I think Northup ran sort of a disappointing campaign.

"She ran a very anti-Fletcher campaign, and I think that's how most people identify her. She framed herself as the alternative and that's not a very strong platform. Some negative campaigning can certainly work, but if a campaign is fundamentally negative, voters ask why they should vote 'for' that candidate."

Northup isn't helped by the presence of another alternative candidate - Harper - - in the race, Baranowski said. "Harper is going to pull more votes away from Northup than from Fletcher," he said. "I think Harper is going to hurt Northup."

While Fletcher has been tainted by the patronage scandal, he's been able to partially offset it, at least in his own party, said Baranowski. "Fletcher has a natural advantage in that it's good to be the governor, especially in Kentucky," he said. "The governor is a powerful guy. He is the person handing out the big checks."

While Fletcher's incumbency may be enough to help him survive in his party's primary, it won't be enough to offset the scandal in the November general election, when Democratic voters will eagerly capitalize on it, figures Baranowski.

But, he doesn't expect a clear-cut Democratic candidate in Tuesday's primary. "Beshear is the leading candidate, but I don't think he's anywhere close to getting 40 percent. If there were only two or three candidates, I could see him getting over 40 percent, but not in a six-person field. My guess is that Beshear's runoff opponent will be Lunsford. His polling numbers have held up pretty well for a while."

Beshear, a former lieutenant governor, should beat Lunsford in a runoff because of Beshear's positive image in Democratic circles and because of Lunsford's support of Fletcher in the 2003 election, said Baranowski.

Conservative Edge Praises Kentucky Bloggers

2007-05-21T23:10:00.000-06:00

“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”- Theodore Roosevelt

As the dust settles on the first truly divided Republican primary for Governor in quite some time, we have time to reflect on the burgeoning new conservative media. From the conservative writers who strongly supported former Congresswoman Anne Northup to others like myself who strongly supported Governor Fletcher, to the Harper supporters and even the agnostics, an interesting questions arises. Did we count or were we merely critics? An argument could be made that we were merely critics in this great political spectacle. None of Kentucky’s conservative writers actually ran for office. All of us were on the sidelines, so to speak.

But I think the stronger argument is that we were in the arena. All three sides fought for their candidate. All who took positions have come through marred by dust and sweat and blood. All strove valiantly, and all erred and came up short from time to time. But each spent him or herself in a worthy cause. And tomorrow, some will have failed daring greatness. But our place will not be with those cold timid souls, who never knew victory nor defeat.

I want to commend each of the conservative writers who fought for their worthy cause. I have the utmost respect for those who stand up to be counted. My prayer is that you will continue to fight the good fight, and to never give up. We were worthy of the legacy of Teddy Roosevelt.

OSI Speaks Analyzes Through History

2007-05-21T23:02:00.000-06:00

The Republican gubernatorial election has resembling less and less like a "slugfest" or family "squabble" and more and more like a disintegrating political "blitzkrieg". Blitzkrieg, the German war tactic, was used to carpet bomb London during world war 11. The "lightning war" or "flash war" (which is what the word "blitzkrieg" means) attacks by the German Luftwaffe killed over 43,000 civilians and more than a million houses were destroyed or damaged in a span of a couple of months.

In this the Republican primary "blitzkrieg", the opposing political camps have let loose their Luftwaffe, prompting one of them, Billy Harper, to take to the air waves to poke fun at the "squabbling candidates." The end result, I suspect, will be the loss of political lives and fortunes (maybe not homes or property damage as in world war 11), but the aftermath will leave similar results.

Whether the political "blitzkrieg" is warranted or not -- I believe both camps will say it is -- is beside the point, for the Republicans will need the services of Dr. Lee, of the O. J. Simpson trial fame, for a political post postmortem.

Yes, I know. There'll be talk of an anticipated reconciliation come Wednesday, but I suspect any illusions of a Republican Unity Rally on Saturday may prompt a response like thus: Forget about it already! This one will hurt for a while.

Bill Bryant Discusses Voter Participation

2007-05-21T23:00:00.000-06:00

The gubernatorial campaigns are trying to get a handle on how much and who will turn out Tuesday. It isn’t easy to figure… but it can make all the difference. On the Republican side…. Governor Fletcher’s forces are hoping for better than expected turnout in Southeastern Kentucky … in the so-called old 5th Congressional district. It’s an area where several top administration officials are from. And it’s an area where former candidate and Fletcher supporter Larry Forgy still has influence. As you move slightly west, you come to Anne Northup’s running mate’s home area. Jeff Hoover is playing to home card in the Somerset, Albany, Russell Springs area.

Obviously, Northup hopes for a strong GOP turnout in her home area of Louisville. She’s represented the area in Frankfort or Washington for twenty years and expects to do well in the state’s largest city.

Neither campaign knows what to make of Northern Kentucky. The region is rich with Republicans… but turnout there is often very weak. Secretary of State Trey Grayson says many in the area haven’t seen the TV ads that have run in the race. Many in Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties get their primary TV from Cincinnati which is out of reach financially for most of the campaigns.

Billy Harper is trying to get to as many places as possible to potray himself as the “conservative businessman” while the politicians squabble. Harper is hoping that some turned off voters will, in the end, choose him as alternative.

On the Democratic side… It’s an aggressive ground and on-air war right now. Percieved frontrunner Steve Beshear is criss-crossing the state and trying to make decisions about “going for broke” with money in the primary or holding back some resources for a potential runoff election. As if to underscore that, Beshear spent some time in his Frankfort offices doing business (translation: fundraising?) on Monday and was visiting lunch crowds and making some other stops.

Bruce Lunsford’s mixing backslapping with an aggressive air schedule. Volunteers and paid staffers have been walking neighborhoods dropping off copies of his “blueprint for change.” Running mate Greg Stumbo is in his native Eastern Kentucky, making calls and personal visits.

Steve Henry, who’s always a strong closer in elections is on the move with several stops. Henry hopes to get particular strength out of Jefferson County which is his current home and Daviess County where he grew up. His wife, Heather, is from the Maysville area and his running mate is an elected official in Fayette County.

Jody Richards hopes for a stronger than expected turnout and a strong showing in Western Kentucky. He has represented Bowling Green in Frankfort since 1976 and is appealing to others that no governor has come from the region since Julian Carroll in the 70s. His running mate, John Y. Brown III worked Eastern Kentucky over the weekend. Gatewood Galbraith is making calls and contacting supporters… as is Otis “Bullman” Hensley.

Alessi Fixes Primary… the 2011 Primary

2007-05-21T22:56:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

At times this spring, the primary races for governor have seemed less like exercises in democracy and more like a science experiment. It took an unusually long time to find all the ingredients to get it started. Once all the candidates were in the race, it fizzed and bubbled over. And at times, it seemed to smell funny.

On Tuesday, Kentucky will know the results of that experiment -- whether Republicans decide to give Gov. Ernie Fletcher a shot at a second term and whether the Democrats will have a nominee or have to pick between the top two finishers in a runoff.

As with any good scientific trial, Kentucky is likely to get more out of this spring's primary campaigns than just the candidates who will face off in the fall's general election. State officials have learned some broader lessons about the election system and changes that need to be made. Here's a rundown of the "to-do" list before the next governor's race in 2011:

• Eliminate the runoff. Lawmakers in both chambers and of both parties all agreed that the provision wasn't supposed to be left in the law.

Many legislators erroneously thought they had tossed out the runoff -- which kicks in if no candidate in a primary gets at least 40 percent of the vote -- when they eliminated many of the election reforms of 1992 that created public financing of the governor's race.

And by the time many realized it still existed at the start of the 2007 session, they argued about whether it was fair to this year's candidates to get rid of it. So, in the end, it remained. But most legislators say they'll kill the runoff next year.

• Increase campaign fund disclosure.

Because of another oversight in the way lawmakers undid the 1992 public financing of elections, candidates had to report what they'd raised and spent only twice in 2007 before the election: April 20 and May 7.

Six of the 10 candidates for governor (Democrat Jonathan Miller, who dropped out, remains on the ballot) didn't enter the race until after Jan. 1. That means the first time voters got a glimpse of their fund-raising levels and supporters was the month before the election. State Sen. Damon Thayer, a Georgetown Republican who chairs the chamber's state government committee, has said he favors more frequent disclosure.

Thayer, Secretary of State Trey Grayson and House state government committee chairman Rep. Mike Cherry, D-Princeton, also have called for mandatory electronic filing of those reports to the Registry of Election Finance. That would allow for the public to have almost instant access to the candidates' reports. This time, however, four Democratic candidates for governor, who collected several million dollars from donors, did not file electronically.

• Set guidelines for incumbents to reimburse taxpayers for political trips.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher -- Kentucky's first incumbent who has faced a strong re-election challenge -- attended political fund-raisers and events while on official trips funded by tax money. After the Herald-Leader reported that, Fletcher's campaign agreed to voluntarily repay some of the costs. Several lawmakers, including Cherry, said the legislature should look at requiring incumbents to do so.

• Address whether potential candidates can explore running for governor.

Democrat Steve Henry, for instance, started talking about running for governor last summer. But he wasn't able to pick a running mate in order to officially file to run for governor and start collecting and spending donations until January.

Now, he's under investigation for using an off-the-books federal account last year to lay the groundwork for a run for governor, which isn't allowed by current law. Grayson noted that a task force studying election reforms in 2005 recommended allowing prospective candidates to raise and spend money to test a possible run. "Maybe we should have exploratory committees," he said, adding that candidates could jump in the race sooner and would have more time to campaign.

• Debate disclosure of other funds benefiting an incumbent, such as a legal defense account.

Fletcher and his supporters set up a fund in January in which donors could give unlimited amounts of money to help the governor pay his legal bills related to the investigation into the administration's hiring policies. A grand jury indicted Fletcher as part of that inquiry.

Donors to the legal defense fund won't be revealed to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission until next year. Government watchdogs and Fletcher's critics have questioned whether donors to that fund, which was revealed in February by newspapers, have received special treatment, such as snaring contracts or tax breaks. "If there are people contributing, then everyone ought to be able to see it," Billy Harper, one of two GOP challengers to Fletcher, said during a debate.

"We need to be totally open for the public," he said.

Dying For Attention

2007-05-21T22:41:00.000-06:00

Obviously, addicts warrant treatment. However, this is disturbing. Methadone overdoses accounting for forty-one percent? The aforesaid must be reversed. Kentucky could assume the forefront. We could pioneer new therapies. However, we have Governor Fletcher. These facts scream investigation. Minamally, they crave sympathy. However, Ernie Fletcher notices only votes.

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Methadone is the top cause of deadly overdoses reviewed by the state, prompting health officials to warn of the drug's dangers and to encourage medical workers to look out for abuse symptoms, according to information released Monday by the Office of Drug Control Policy.

The prescription drug was detected in 41 percent of the 484 overdose deaths in Kentucky in 2006, the latest statistics available, according to a written statement from the drug police office. The statistics are cited in the state medical examiner's annual report, which noted 197 deaths attributed to methadone in cases autopsied by the state medical examiner's office. Methadone overdose deaths are increasing. In 2005, the drug was detected in 39 percent of overdose deaths reviewed by the state medical examiner’s office. The total number of cases – 484 – was the same as in 2006.

"Prescription drug overdoses in general, and methadone overdoses in particular, claim a large number of lives each year in the commonwealth. These tragic deaths of Kentuckians are unnecessary and preventable," Dr. Tracey Corey, the chief medical examiner, said in the written news release. "Regional and local medical societies and health departments may help reduce this tragic loss of life by making patients and physicians aware of the possibility of accidental fatal overdose associated with the use of prescription narcotics, especially when used in concert with other prescription drugs."

The deaths are occurring even though the number of methadone prescriptions or typical doses did not greatly change from 2003 to 2006. Nationally, methadone-related deaths climbed from about 780 in 1999 to more than 3,800 in 2004, according to a national study cited by Kentucky authorities.

Drug policy office executive director Laurie Dudgeon warned about the misuse of methadone and urged emergency workers and hospital workers to educate themselves on the symptoms and effects of methadone misuse. The office plans to hold seminars to educate the public and health-care workers. "The seriousness of methadone overdose and its possible consequences cannot be overemphasized," Dudgeon said in the written statement.

Methadone is used to treat pain and addiction to narcotics or opiates.

Conservative Musings Leans Harper

2007-05-19T01:13:00.000-06:00

Well, I have to say that I am now leaning a little towards Harper in the Kentucky governor's race, but that is not a certainty. I have to admit I haven't been following the governor's race very closely. I knew I didn't want Fletcher because of his ethical baggage. Harper was reputed to be conservative but was little known. So, I just kind of assumed I would vote for Northup. She did a decent job as my representative to the U.S. Congress, although I thought she voted for too much pork.

Then came the odd thing about the campaign signs and the questions that she didn't answer from the Courier-Journal. I began to get concerned about her. And then when she finally did answer the questions, some of her responses made me wonder about her leadership ability.

Her gambling responses were tepid. "...the governor has no control over constitutional amendments," she wrote. Come on, Anne, lead! If you really do oppose gambling, say you will work to prevent the passage of such an amendment! She did a better job on some of the other questions, especially in education. I think she should have left off the potshots against Fletcher, though, and been more positive in her responses.

I like many of Harper's positions and he articulates them well. It's a shame he is not very well known, I think he would do a better job as governor than either Fletcher or Northup or any Democrat currently running. If I vote for him, though, I may as well vote for Fletcher. Sigh.

Bill Bryant’s Political Truisms

2007-05-19T01:11:00.000-06:00

*Nobody really knows who is going to win. The voting machines are all set on zero… If not we have a big problem!

*Most people won’t vote. Campaigns are pulling hair trying to figure out a turnout model. The Secretary of State predicts about a 15% turnout. That would mean more than 8 out of 10 registered voters will do something else besides vote on Tuesday. (How many will tell their employers that they need time to vote and will end up elsewhere?)

*Most officials want this settled on Tuesday. Counties are ill prepared financially and from a manpower standpoint for a June 26th runoff. County Clerks have sweet dreams at night about both parties having a nominee with more than 40% of the vote…. And they have nightmares about the logistics of a runoff.

*Some voters are STILL undecided and many of them WILL vote. It seems in my nearly 30 years of covering elections that those who decide this late often break toward percieved favorites. BUT any last minute developments could also sway votes.

*Political Stars will rise from Tuesday’s vote. There will be some candidates nominated who are playing on the statewide stage for the first time and some may be around for many years to come.

*Candidates are anxious. I’ve seen even seasoned political candidates begin to wonder if even their spouse or mother will vote for them as the time approaches.

*Some don’t expect to win. Most candidates say they do anyway and will go through the motions to the bitter end. But we’ve found humor in at least one candidate’s response to a request for his picture to be used in our Election Night coverage. He told our producer “Why do you want a picture of me? I’m not going to win.” That’s candor if not confidence.

With Democrats Like These…

2007-05-19T01:08:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher cannot defeat the Democrats? Governor Fletcher is cuddling the Democrats.

From On the Mark:

They haven't endorsed the republican governor's reelection campaign but Sen. Ed Worley (D) Richmond and Rep. Harry Moberly (D) Richmond, both spoke at a Fletcher/Rudolph campaign rally in Madison County on Thursday. Worley is the democratic party's leader in the state senate, Moberly is the powerful chairman of the Appropriations and Revenue committee in the state house of representatives.

On the Right Begging For Votes

2007-05-19T01:05:00.000-06:00

Kentucky Republicans have an opportunity next Tuesday to start the process of restoring ethics and integrity to the office of Governor and Lt. Governor by voting for the Northup/Hoover ticket! Both candidates have the political and practical life experience needed to move our Beloved Commonwealth forward!

Kentucky Republicans must ensure that our party's standard bearer can be elected this November. The Democrats would love nothing better than to spend June through election day dragging the current Governor's problems through all 120 counties.

As Anne Northup said in her announcement: "Our party needs a nominee who can and will win in November. I can win this election because I have the vision, the leadership ability, and the resolve to help make this state all that it can be. To make it competitive with our surrounding states. To grow the economy, improve our education, and create good paying jobs. To make Kentucky a great place to raise a family — a place that those in other states will seek out to live and work. I have such enthusiasm for the task at hand. Our states potential is so great, but lacking strong leadership, it will always remain unrealized."

" Jeff Hoover and I are committed to the belief that strong leaders do not isolate themselves, refusing to listen to new ideas, refusing to build coalitions and consensus. Strong leaders seek out new ideas, and look to involve as many people as possible in the pursuit of a shared vision. Strong leaders have the ability and confidence to admit mistakes, and to take immediate corrective action. Jeff Hoover and I will listen. Jeff Hoover and I can build the coalitions that will get things done for Kentucky. And Jeff Hoover and I will bring the openness and honesty to state government that Kentuckians were promised four years ago."

Governor Fletcher's approval ratings are so low among Republicans and Democrats that he stands no chance of winning in November. If Ernie Fletcher thinks Anne is a bully and is a negative campaigner "he ain't seen nothing yet"!

The Democratic nominee will run continuous TV and radio ads about the merit hiring investigation, the multiple indictments ( including the Governor), the abuse of the executive pardoning power and the Governor's invoking of the 5th Amendment,like a common criminal, and his refusal to testify before the Grand Jury!

Give our party and the Commonwealth a real chance to win in November by voting for Northup/Hoover! I am very proud to be a Northup/Hoover supporter and to endorse their candidacy.

Fletcher Not Learning From Northup

2007-05-19T01:02:00.000-06:00

Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery, a Fort Thomas Republican, is making automated phone calls to voters on behalf of GOP gubernatorial candidate Ernie Fletcher. Here is a transcript taken by one of our reporters who received the call.

Hello, this is Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery calling to remind you that this Tuesday is Election Day. Please join me in voting for Governor Ernie Fletcher in the Republican primary. Governor Fletcher has kept his promises to Campbell County and to Northern Kentucky by investing more than $1 billion in our area. One billion dollars for education and improving our roads. He has improved health care and created thousands of new jobs. Please join me in voting for Governor Fletcher on Tuesday. This call is paid for by the Friends of Governor Fletcher.

The Blue Grass, Red State Corkscrew

2007-05-19T00:50:00.000-06:00

Politics requires spin. Discrediting messengers is essential. However, this is ridiculous….

Kentuckians overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, but in 2004 Bob Barr spoke out against such amendments.

NEWSWEEK: You authored the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, but you’ve come out against an amendment to the constitution banning same-sex marriage. Why is that?

Bob Barr: Because I believe very strongly in federalism and that is that the federal government should not be stepping in and dictating social policy to the states. The Defense of Marriage Act was crafted very narrowly. Despite very strong pressure to make it a proactive piece of legislation, I crafted it very narrowly simply to define marriage for federal-law purposes and to make sure that states were protected to make up their own mind. And I continue to believe that that is the best policy.

Also, the Lou C-J's editorial on "Fletcher's odd bedfellow" Bob Barr was right on. In the piece, Barr was quoted as saying, "I could no longer justify in my mind continuing to work in the Republican Party."

By working for Ernie Fletcher, Bob Barr is definitely working against the Republican Party!

The editorial stated in part:

Why is Bob Barr suddenly in the middle of Kentucky's Republican gubernatorial politics? We thought Georgia Republicans had gotten rid of him in 2002, when they chose a different congressional candidate in their primary.

But now Mr. Barr has turned up here, in so-called "Robo calls" to rural Republicans, paid for by Ernie Fletcher's campaign. Mr. Barr and Dr. Fletcher want you to know that former Congresswoman Anne Northup once voted against school prayer. They are not mentioning the many times she voted for it.

But more interesting than yet another distortion during campaign season is this: Why would Gov. Fletcher choose Mr. Barr to speak for him?

Good question, C-J.

He also lobbies for the Marijuana Policy Project, which works toward another Libertarian goal: "Repeal all laws establishing criminal or civil penalties for the use of drugs."

Well, some of those things sound okay to proud, card-carrying liberals like us. But of all the people in the world, is this the guy Gov. Fletcher really wants as a front man?

Neither Ernie Fletcher nor Bob Barr represent mainstream Kentucky.

Conservative Edge Compliments Billy Harper

2007-05-17T17:52:00.000-06:00

Billy Harper heads into the final week of the campaign with a clever ad, that takes advantage of the political back and forth between GOvernor Fletcher and Anne Northup. The commercials begins with a boy and a girl standing by a chain link fence. The camera angles and lighting are similar to the Fletcher campaign's "playground bullies" commercial. As the ad progresses, the two children begin a childish argument, and finish with a "slap fight".

Then, Bily Harper appears with his message of unity and hope. He touts his ability to unite the Republicans, beat the Democrats and better Kentucky. It is by far his best commercial of his campaign.

Cyber Hillbilly Bemoans Republican Climate

2007-05-17T17:50:00.000-06:00

To paraphrase Tom Paine, These are the days that try Republicans’ souls. In Kentucky, this is doubly true. Republicans still bear the scars of a tough and brutal 2006 mid-term election that saw Republicans lose most of the impressive power they derived from their standard bearers being in the Congressional majority. Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell, Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Hal Rogers, Congresswoman Anne Northup… never happened… not any more.

On the state level Kentucky Republicans are engaged in the most brutal primary contest that many have ever seen. Their Governor, the man they fought for so happily not four years ago, has been mired in political troubles and faces near record low unpopularity. A mere 36% of Kentucky voters approve of the job of the current administration and most Republicans give every indication of preferring another candidate. In just a few days… a few weeks at the outside, Kentucky Republicans will choose—perhaps be saddled with—a nominee.

Regardless of who wins the GOP nomination, the party’s in deep trouble. For decades Kentucky Republicans attempted to overcome the fact that Democrats were more popular in local elections by concentrating on their strengths as anti-establishment outsiders secure in the knowledge that the national GOP brand would pull them over the hump. That worked twice in the past 50 years: 1967 and 2003. Now, thanks to a war that presents only terrible choices, and the fact that Americans now realize that power corrupts Republicans as absolutely as it corrupted Democrats, that once strong national brand is likely an albatross in a state where Democrats still outnumber Republicans nearly two to one.

If the nominee is Anne Northup, the former Congresswoman must simultaneously bridge the urban-rural divide, introduce herself to the majority of Kentucky voters, and heal relations with those supporters of Governor Fletcher who aren’t dependent on state patronage and therefore don’t care if she wins or loses. In my mind, she faces an easier challenge than the other candidates. She’s well known and obviously loved by nearly 49% of all voters in the 3rd Congressional District, that vaunted Republican killer that put to rest any hopes of Governor Forgy. She’ll be able to raise money from those who currently fear to give to an opponent of the sitting Governor, regardless of how unpopular that Governor may be; and her record of compassionate conservativism will probably play well with the majority of Democratic voters who have faith, both in the state's ability to ease their burdens and, more importantly, in God. But make no mistake about it, Anne Northup, like the other GOP candidates, will be the underdog in November.

If Billy Harper somehow manages to pull off a miracle and put his millions to good use in such a way that wins him the nomination, he’ll be the most unknown candidate to win the GOP nomination since Bob Gable made his Quixotic bid against Jullian Carroll in 1975. Harpers' millions would buy him plenty of advertising. And it’s just possible that an outsider would gain traction. But his lack of electoral charisma and political base make him the longest of the GOP longshots.

But what of Ernie Fletcher? We fought so hard for you, Governor, back in 2003. We believed you when you said you could clean up the mess in Frankfort. We shared in your victory celebration triumph at the Marriott-Griffin Gate and laughed heartily at the joke “if he can only find a good speechwriter.” Four years later, the majority of Republicans are so disappointed that they prefer another candidate. While Republicans have a laundry list of complaints, most boil down to one thing: Republicans want a winner who’ll advance the conservative cause—if they don’t feel you’re such, they ain’t for you. If the Governor wins the nomination, the party will be deeply divided. Most of those who supported Northup had nothing to lose. They were either outsiders or so comfortably ensconced in the GOP establishment that they had nothing to fear.

Will Ernie Fletcher have the magnanimity to both forgive those who fought against him, and simultaneously motivate those who weren’t for him? Can he reign in those young braves who’ll have won him his primary and who’ll be hell bent on taking Northup scalps? That’s a tough political act. But until Ernie Fletcher pulls his base behind him, he can’t begin to take on the really tough part of this year’s campaign: beating Steve Beshear, the likely Democratic nominee.

Beshear’s not the best candidate the Democrats could have run. But he’s the best candidate in the current mix of Democratic contenders. And the presence of Dan Mongiardo will keep Eastern Kentucky solidly in the Democratic camp and may create opportunities in the eastern half of the old fifth. Beshear will have the wind at his back. And the only way the Governor can beat him is by running such a negative campaign that the voters decide to overlook Republicans’ woes and vote for what they’ll be told, indirectly of course, is the lesser of two evils.

Whether Kentucky Republicans can pull off another victory is very much in doubt. But they’ll have to try. Too much is riding on this election. Beshear and Mongiardo might not be content to stay in Frankfort forever. Jack Conway will be waiting in the wings—one Louisville Republican has already indicated that the man has the ambition and quite possibly the talent to be President of the United States. Trey Grayson, the GOP's wunderkind... a man who openly bucked the Governor only to be rewarded by Larry "the Fletcher Hatchetman" Forgy's prediction that he'll someday be Governor... his fate may be tied to how well the GOP’s gubernatorial nominee does. And if Dems sweep this year, they’ll have Kentucky’s Senior Senator in their crosshairs in 08 and Bunning in 2010.

Yes, these are trying times for Republicans. To paraphrase Thomas Paine again: “The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their party; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of every conservative.”

Easy for Paine to say; he had George Washington to rally the troops.

Northup’s Silent Campaign

2007-05-17T17:47:00.001-06:00

Imagine… campaigning, courting voters, and rallying support… sans publicity. One would assume the drawbacks were obvious. Another mistake, courtesy Anne Northup’s campaign of errors.

From the Conservative Edge:

The Conservative Edge has been receiving e-mails from the Fletcher campaign with Governor Fletcher's daily schedule. Other sites have received thos e-mails, and have also published the schedule for Billy Harper. As of this morning, I was unaware of Northup's travels and had assumed based on commments from her supporters, that she was in Louisville concentrating on that vote.

This morning I learned that Northup was on the campaing trail in Corbin, Kentucky yesterday. A Herald-Leader reporter caught up to her for a story regarding the "robo-calls".

It is good to know that Northup is out meeting with Kentucky's citizens. If she is the Republican nominee for Governor, she will have to connect with the rural folks, if she is to have a chance in the general election.

We'd note that better press relations with Kentucky's new conservative media would help out the Northup campaign. Whether one likes it or not, the 15 or so conservative new media writers in Kentucky are having an impact on the campaign. Barry Peel will have to do a better job in the fall if Northup is the nominee. There is simply no reason why Northup friendly conservative sites should not have gotten a press release with Northup's campaign schedule and her apology for Tuesday's phone problem.

KY Pachyderm 2 Mocks Northup’s Excitement

2007-05-17T17:41:00.000-06:00

We've already heard advertisements touting Anne Northup's endorsement by the Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal. Those endorsements came as no surprise. Those papers didn't endorse Fletcher in 2003. But are they really anything to brag about? Both newspapers have a leftist editorial philosophy, a secular humanist outlook bordering on socialistic.

The Herald-Leader is even so kind to tell us each year why that newspaper endorses candidates. We like this line: "The board selects, by consensus or vote, which candidates more closely share its visionf or this community, state and nation."

That means that the Herald-Leader endorses the most liberal candidates. Do conservative Republican voters in this state REALLY want to vote for the candidate the Herald-Leader touts as basically the most liberal? We didn't think so.

KY Kurmudgeon Compliments Billy Harper

2007-05-16T23:49:00.001-06:00

Billy Harper's latest campaign ad, which opens and closes with a spoof of incumbent Gov. Ernie Fletcher's bully-themed ads, is the most creative spot I've seen in this gubernatorial race. The silhouetted little boy in glasses and little girl in pigtails doing the "Did not," "Did too" routine in the opening and shaking the chain-link fence that separates them in the closing effectively gets across Harper's point about "two squabbling politicians (Fletcher and former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup) and a businessman named Billy Harper." And it makes that distinction with a light touch.

Unfortunately for Harper, the latest independent poll results suggest it may be a case of too little, too late. Harper disputes that, however. Previewing the ad for media grunts aboard his bus outside the state Capitol today, Harper said his own polling shows him "coming up rapidly" in the last week. He also expressed the opinion that a runoff in the Republican primary is "highly likely." I put that comment in the "wishful thinking" category.

Is a Republican runoff possible? Yes. Given the way Fletcher and Northup are slicing and dicing each other in attack ads, it is possible they will drive enough disgusted Republicans into the Harper camp to deny either of them the 40 percent of the vote needed to avoid a runoff. And Harper's new ad is an attempt to capitalize on that possibility. But "highly likely"? No. I still consider a Republican runoff to be an extreme long shot.

But, hey, if the Kentucky Derby has taught us anything over the years, it's that you can't overlook long shots. However, even if the long shot occurs and no candidate gets 40 percent of the Republican primary vote, I still don't see any way Harper can avoid being the candidate left out of ensuing runoff. In a way, that's too bad, because the barrage of negative ads we could expect from a Fletcher-Northup runoff almost surely would be devoid of the kind of lighthearted creativity evident in Harper's new ad.

Harper, Fletcher Release Final Ads

2007-05-16T23:47:00.001-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Billy Harper's campaign for governor has a new TV ad that lampoons his opponents for "squabbling," and says he is the only Republican who can defeat the Democrats in November's general election. Harper, a Paducah businessman, showed the ad to reporters today on his campaign bus. "When we started our campaign, we promised you we would run a positive campaign, and we have kept that promise," Harper said.

But Harper said his opponents in the May 22 GOP primary election -- Gov. Ernie Fletcher and former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup -- "have not kept the same standards and it has gotten a little negative in their behavior."

Harper's 30-second ad titled "Did Not" is to run statewide through Monday. It shows a young boy with glasses and a young girl with pigtails arguing by shouting at each other, saying, "Did not" and "Did, too."

It encourages voters to take a look at Harper and describes him as "a conservative businessman, a leader in education reform" and the only candidate to promise no new taxes.

It adds that he is the only Republican who can unite the party and defeat the Democrats.
Harper said he does not plan to run any other new ads unless he is personally attacked. He also declined to say if he has put more of his own money into the race or say how much of his own money he has contributed to his campaign. Though polls show Harper trailing Fletcher and Northup in the race, he said he will not drop out. In fact, he said, he has "a great chance" of winning the race. "I don't feel I'm a spoiler in any way," he said.

Harper also said he does not yet know if he will support whoever is the Republican nominee for governor and did not know if he will attend an event May 26 at the state GOP headquarters in Frankfort at the invitation of Kentucky's GOP congressional delegation to rally behind the party nominee. "I'm scheduled to be out of the country that Saturday," he said.

Fletcher's campaign manager, Marty Ryall, said he disagrees with Harper's assertion that he is the only candidate who can unite Republicans in the fall. "We're confident that Republicans will unite around Gov. Fletcher after Tuesday," Ryall said.

He said Harper's ad takes a predictable approach. "He still has a lot of ground to make up and we're comfortable with where we're at," he said.

Fletcher also released his final TV ad of the campaign, an upbeat 30-second spot that features a direct appeal to voters from Fletcher.

KY Progress Laments Squabbling

2007-05-16T23:42:00.000-06:00

Got this message on my phone last night: Hello, I'm calling on behalf Anne Northup's campaign for governor. Ernie Fletcher's campaign is desperate and desperate candidates do desperate things. He has attacked Anne Northup's faith and now he is attacking Anne Northup's record on guns...

Seriously, isn't it time we got to the issues and beyond the nonsense? It seems to me the best way for us to have a fall campaign about differences on policy that really affect our state is to nominate Billy Harper.

Prime Evil Mud Slinging

2007-05-16T23:41:00.001-06:00

I do not support Governor Fletcher. With that stated, his drinking is not relevant. His personal life is not relevant.

From Blue Grass, Red State:

As Governor, Ernie Fletcher has certainly enjoyed his fair share of alcoholic beverages. The Fletcher campaign says that "you can be a religious person and have an occasional alcoholic drink." Well, sort of.

Ryal Alessi caught up with Pastor David Carr, who runs the King of Kings Radio Network Inc. in Somerset, Glasgow and Cookeville, Tenn. Mr. Carr, a "religious person," said that "Any time you drink alcohol or you have parties with alcohol, for religious people, it's a negative."

For me, this raises what may be a more important question. Has Ernie Fletcher changed since back when he was a lay minister at Lexington Primitive Baptist Church? Many churches that I know of require the church leadership to abstain from alcohol completely to set a good example for the church body and the community, and to avoid giving the wrong impression to people who may not be familiar with the person, the church, or Christianity in general. I'm sure Lex PBC is no different. In his candidate profile from the Lex H-L on 4/23, Ernie Fletcher says he left the Lex PBC in 1994 after his faith became "a little more progressive."

Did Ernie Fletcher enjoy an occasional alcoholic drink while he was a lay minister? That would have almost certainly been a violation of church rules, although I haven't consulted the church. And what did he mean by "a little more progressive?" His faith has changed? Also, how often does Ernie Fletcher consider "occasional" when he's in Frankfort?

A Campaign For All Hours

2007-05-16T23:33:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

The campaign of Republican candidate for governor Anne Northup apologized this morning for disturbing Kentucky Republicans with late-night automated phone calls Tuesday night. "It was a computer glitch by our vendor," said campaign spokesman Barry Peel. "We are profoundly sorry for any and every inconvenience."

Republicans across the state reported receiving multiple calls from Northup's campaign last night, many after 10 p.m. Peel did not know exactly how many people received the erroneous calls, but confirmed that the call went out statewide. "They have absolutely harassed me to death," said Barbara Bennett of Mt. Vernon, who reported receiving four calls from Northup on Tuesday, the last at 10 p.m. "I was putting my grandchildren to bed. I've already called them this morning and gave them a piece of my mind."

Both Northup and Gov. Ernie Fletcher have used multiple automated phone calls in recent days to attack each other on the issues of school prayer and the right to bear arms. "I'm a Republican and I will be voting Democratic this year," Bennett said. "The calls have just pushed me right over the limit."

Peel said he wasn't sure whether the campaign would continue using automated phone calls.

It was a computer glitch? Barry, craftsmen do not blame their tools. Your strategy was stupid. Robo calls do not even qualify as campaigning. They are immature, unimaginative, and pedestrian.

This “glitch” was another Anne Northup mistake. Her campaign has been a disaster. Now, her campaign is injuring our party. Shame upon you, Anne.

Blue Grass, Red State Abusing Their Delusion

2007-05-16T23:18:00.000-06:00

Blue Grass, Red State Calls On Ernie Fletcher To Release Names of Donors To Secret Legal Defense Fund

With less than a week to go before the primary, Ernie Fletcher still has not told the Kentucky Republicans who will decide next Tuesday whether or not to renominate him who has contributed to his secret legal defense fund which pays legal fees stemming from Ernie Fletcher's indictment in the merit hiring scandal.

If Ernie Fletcher continues to keep the names secret, he is putting every Kentucky Republican in a very awkward position in the post-primary season should he win renomination. If Ernie Fletcher doesn't care what we think of him, why the hell should we renominate him? If Ernie Fletcher doesn't think we care about ethics, we have to tell him otherwise!

Fletcher, Wheeler Run Incestuous Campaign

Ernie Fletcher's attack dog Brett Hall has apparently confused himself with his lies. Hall sends out a political tabloid email regularly to Republicans in which he lies about the state of the Governor's race, invariably stating that Ernie Fletcher's campaign is going great and the Northup/Hoover campaign is constantly faltering. Conventional wisdom says Brett Hall wouldn't come back to Kentucky from New Jersey just to run a Treasurer's race, so he must be getting paid by one of Fletcher's slick consultants. Hall had been fired in 2006 for responding to a reporter asking if Fletcher was going to resign by saying, "Fuck no!" although Hall has claimed to be on Ernie Fletcher's payroll since the supposed firing. This morning, Hall confused himself and sent his newsletter from Melinda Wheeler's email address.

Kentucky Progress Lauds Harper

2007-05-16T02:13:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher's campaign has scored a lot of points going after Anne Northup on school prayer. Today, though, they may have gone too far. A mailer that hit mailboxes this afternoon has a picture of Northup gleefully shovelling dirt next to a bold sentence stating "Anne Northup said an amendment to give our children the right to pray in school was 'Extreme.'"

The ad is effective. At first, I thought it was pretty funny. But while it probably helps wipe out Northup in the primary, it kills Fletcher in the general. Louisville Republicans especially will take this personally and sit on their hands in the fall. The only candidate who can take advantage of the current environment and win in the fall against a certain-to-be weak Democratic nominee is Billy Harper. Watch Harper's ads over the next week. It will be some of the best stuff you have ever seen.

Northup Broke Law?

2007-05-16T02:11:00.000-06:00

From Conservative Edge:

At 7:45 A.M. on Thursday, May 10th, 2007, I made a request for a document from the Northup campaign, that would have been a valid request under Kentucky's open records law. The request was made to Northup press secretary Barry Peel, who said he would respond that day.

Now, at the close of business on Tuesday, May 15th, 2007, there has been no response at all from a legitimate member of the Northup campaign. ( Her supporters have certainly responded with contempt and sarcasm, but there has been no official response). Under Kentucky's open records act, all requests must be responded to with 72 hours, excluding hoildays and weekends. Technically, my request would have required a response by this morning, but I gave the Northup camp some extra time.

Responses could have included: We need more time. The document requested does not exist. There is an exception to the law that allows us to refuse the reuest. Your request must be in writing. We don't have the document, you can contact the facility that does. Or, finally: Here is your document.

The document in question would not likely have fallen under any open records exception, since it would have been prepared by a governmental agency regarding an ethics situation. Roll Call magazine had requested Northup obtain a written ethics opinion, concerning her arrangements with a Lousiville charity that Northup founded. Northup also appointed the charities director according to Roll Call magazine, and sat on its board of directors. The charity began receiving federal dollars that were earmarked from the appropriations committee of which Northup was a member. The COnservative Edge made a precise request for the written ethics opinion Roll Call had requested Northup obtain.

The request became relevant when Northup began touting her ethical purity late last month, and challenged Governor Fletcher's ethics. Obviously, Republican primary voters were entitiled to know what skeletons Northup might have regarding ethical short comings. Northup ran commercials featuring "ads that Democrats will run in the fall" against Fletcher. The Conservative Edge wanted to know what "ads that the Democrats would run in the fall" against Northup.

At this point, the Northup campaign does not have to follow the open records law. But aren't campaigns designed in part to show voters how the candidate would act if elected? As well, Northup has been pestering Governor Fletcher to answer her document requests and to explain his relationship to Bob Barr. We can't even get Northup to respond to a simple request. Is her attitude "do as I say, not as I do".

Many of Governor Fletcher's detractors complained about the Governor not being responsive to their needs when he first took office. It appears as though Anne Northup is not repsonsive to the needs of those whom she does not like or believes are beneath her. As Fletcher found out, that is not a good way to govern

The Purchasing Governor

2007-05-16T02:07:00.000-06:00

This is unsurprising. Governor Fletcher opposes campaigning. Instead, he is seeking election via checkbook. Initially, he awarded various grants. One of them sans a reason. Now, this story arises. For unknown reasons, a Fletcher supporter’s project was delayed. The supporter complained. The Governor pressured. Miraculously, project approved. Governor Fletcher’s administration cannot survive one news cycle without corruption. Why should anyone support him?

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

After one of Gov. Ernie Fletcher's chief backers complained that the state had delayed approval of financing for one of his projects, the administration reversed its position and set a meeting date specifically to take up the issue.

The Kentucky Private Activity Bond Allocation Committee then gave the Northern Kentucky condo development, called the Ascent, a green light on Nov. 7, 2005 --in time for Fletcher to appear with that supporter, William P. Butler, in a groundbreaking ceremony nine days later. Documents obtained by the Herald-Leader through the state open records law show that attorneys from the state's Finance and Administration Cabinet initially wanted the committee to hold off on approving any bonds for projects until a court case involving the committee was settled.

But three days after Butler, the president and CEO of development company Corporex, sent his letter to the governor's office, one of the finance cabinet lawyers responded to the project's representatives that the bond committee would consider the Ascent after all at the Nov. 7, 2005, meeting. Fletcher said he didn't influence any decisions about the Ascent. "We didn't do anything unusual for that project," he said Friday. "But I'm not familiar with the details of that at all. I'm sure I probably saw the letter, but we get thousands and thousands of them."

Fletcher spokeswoman Jodi Whitaker later called back to say that Fletcher "didn't recall" seeing the letter. Fletcher described Butler, a Democrat who has been one of the governor's top campaign fund-raising chairmen, as a "good friend" and key supporter. But he noted that he has had to say no to Butler before, such as declining to push for $17 million in state funding for a market place development in Covington that Butler wanted.

In the case of the Ascent, a $55 million tower that includes 72 condos, Fletcher said it was good for Covington and the state. Fletcher attended the "cloudbreaking" ceremony for the finished building last month. "If anyone comes with a good project like that ... we'll do everything we can to make sure that those projects are accommodated," Fletcher said. "That's been my direction to the cabinet, regardless of who it is."

However, in the fall of 2005, the timeline for the Ascent project became a point of controversy. Starting on Sept. 13, finance cabinet officials exchanged e-mails with the attorneys handling the financial approvals for the Ascent and a Newport project known as SouthShore. Although neither project was built with state funds, they needed the bond allocation committee's approval for financing.

At one point, the projects' attorney, Dean Spoor, wrote that the Ascent "is requesting a hearing date before the end of October" because an initial groundbreaking ceremony that was to include the governor and local officials already had been scheduled for Oct. 26, 2005. "We do not want to be presumptive in having a groundbreaking before KPABAC has a chance to hold its hearing," Spoor wrote.

One finance staff member, Jason Hamilton, wrote in an e-mail to colleagues, "I don't like it when counsel tells me when we are going to have our meetings."

On Sept. 21, Joseph B. Howard, then the executive director of the finance cabinet's legal services office, wrote to Spoor saying that a case pending in the Kentucky Court of Appeals would delay any decisions by the bond committee indefinitely. A Franklin Circuit judge had ruled in March 2005 that the bond committee failed to do proper groundwork in making a decision about another Northern Kentucky project.

"Therefore, it may be some time before we get clear direction from the court as to KPABAC's actions in economic developments such as yours," Howard wrote to Spoor. Five days later, Butler wrote to Fletcher asking for the bond committee to act on the Ascent project "by special meeting."

"This position on the part of Mr. Howard ... has serious ramifications not only to our project, but to the state at large," Butler wrote. "We do not understand a policy that would stop all work simply because of a filing of a complaint on which there has been no ruling."

On Sept. 29, Howard sent another letter saying the board would indeed meet on Nov. 7, 2005, to consider the applications for both the Ascent and SouthShore projects. Howard, now an attorney in private practice in Lexington, declined to discuss the reversal, saying only "the documents speak for themselves."

F. Thomas Howard, director of the cabinet's office of financial management, said Friday that Joseph Howard's initial response to delay any committee decisions was a "knee-jerk reaction."

After finance cabinet officials discussed the situation further, they decided they shouldn't put everything on hold, Thomas Howard said. In a statement, Butler said he tries to reach the highest levels "whenever the state is making a mistake."

"There is probably no connection between my letter to the governor and the conversations between finance and the bond attorneys," Butler said. "But if there was, the governor acted correctly, as the Ascent project is putting Kentucky on the map."

Thomas Howard said he never saw Butler's Sept. 26, 2005, letter and wasn't aware of any pressure put on the finance cabinet by the governor's office or administration officials. But he said he couldn't remember specifically who gave the final order to move forward with the bond committee's public hearing on the Ascent. "I don't recall how exactly that decision was made," he said. "I just honestly don't remember."

Perfect End to Fletcher’s Horrific Administration

2007-05-15T23:27:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Education advocates continued to raise questions yesterday about the newly appointed Kentucky education commissioner after additional errors on her résumé were discovered. The state board of education last week unanimously approved a four-year contract for Barbara Erwin, who also has been criticized by parents and board members in other school districts for her "dictatorial" leadership style. A review of her résumé prior to the meeting revealed some inaccuracies, including the listing of an honor she did not receive and a claim that she had been a presenter at a Chicago education conference.

Other mistakes have now surfaced, including an error in the number of years she served on the board of directors for the Scottsdale, Ariz., Chamber of Commerce. Erwin's résumé says she served from 2000 to the present, but she left that district four years ago and is not currently on the board, a spokeswoman with the agency confirmed. Erwin's résumé also lists her membership on the executive board of the American Association of School Administrators from 1991-2000. She was actually a member of the AASA executive committee from 1999 to 2002.

Erwin also claims to be a member of Kappa Delta Phi, a fraternity. The similarly named Kappa Delta Pi, an honor education society, does list a Barbara Erwin as a member. Erwin could not be reached for comment for this story. School board chairman Keith Travis said the board spent several hours with Erwin reviewing every detail on her résumé before the vote. "Once we did that, she got my vote of confidence," he said. "Barbara Erwin is the person that will provide us with the leadership to move forward."

Erwin will receive a four-year contract with a base salary of $220,000 a year, and she will start work July 16. Either side can get out of the contract with 90 days notice, but the board would have to show cause to discontinue the contract. Several critics are alarmed the board is not more concerned with the inaccuracies and also with Erwin's reputation in other school districts. Erwin, who has 36 years of experience in education, was most recently superintendent of schools for the 15,000-student Community Unit District 303 in St. Charles, Ill. Previously, she was superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District from 2000-2004 and of the Allen (Texas) Independent School District from 1994-2000. She also was superintendent of the Tipton Community School Corp. in Indiana from 1991-1994.

Dick Innes, education analyst with the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, said résumé blunders are a bigger deal than the board is letting on. "The point is, does this woman pay any attention to detail?" he asked. "Clearly we think (the search process) was ill-advised."

Innes said other education advocates and analysts are overwhelmingly against having Erwin serve as commissioner. "There's a lot of controversy and concern here," he said. Also, "somebody with an abrasive personality is probably not going to last too long in this position."

Pence Snipes, Northup, Fletcher Stage Irrelevant Argument

2007-05-15T23:24:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Republican candidate for governor Anne Northup launched a TV ad this afternoon narrated by Gov. Ernie Fletcher's former running mate, Lt. Gov. Steve Pence. In the ad, which first ran on the 5 p.m. newscast of WTVQ-36 in Lexington, Pence says Fletcher "failed" to follow through on his promises to "clean up Frankfort" and "do away with the good ol' boy system."

"Instead, Fletcher risks an even greater scandal with his secret legal defense fund," said Pence, a former U.S. attorney from Louisville. He goes on to accuse Fletcher of making "false charges" against Northup, referring to a Fletcher TV ad that accuses Northup of "voting against school prayer."

"Anne is a conservative who supports school prayer, and has the votes to prove it," Pence responds.

As a congresswoman, Northup did vote in 1998 against a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment that would have clarified a person's right to pray in school. Northup said she voted against the bill because it would have allowed teachers of any faith to lead classroom prayers. Northup also points to 21 votes in Congress that she says support school prayer. Most of the votes are for school appropriations bills that say none of the funds can be used to "prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in the public schools."

She also supported two non-binding resolutions that say school prayer contributes to the moral foundation of students and urges the Supreme Court to rule accordingly. The two campaigns traded barbs over the prayer issue for much of the day. “Anne Northup, regardless of all her rhetoric, voted against the school prayer amendment in 1998," said Marty Ryall, Fletcher's campaign manager, in a news release. "She also voted against the law to allow concealed carry in Kentucky, and even once told a Louisville reporter that she was not pro-gun."

Earlier, Northup's campaign released a statement questioning Fletcher's decision to use automated phone calls attacking Northup on the prayer issue that were narrated by former Republican congressman Bob Barr of Georgia. Barr, who co-sponsored the prayer resolution Northup voted against, has since left the Republican party, is a lobbyist for the Marijuana Project and is considered a "friend" by the American Civil Liberties Union.

Once again, Steve Pence attacks from his elected office. As previously stated, Pence is a politician of convenience. His actions are cheap and tactical. The truth is, Pence did not have concerns, does not have concerns, and never had concerns. If Pence were disturbed with Fletcher’s actions, he could have resigned. If he were a man of conscience, he would have done this. He would have marched into Fletcher’s office, chastised him, resigned, and publicly condemned the Governor. He sat silent. Pence is a wretched human being.

Additionally, education, healthcare, and spending are priorities. School prayer? When did school prayer become relevant? Fletcher ruins education, expands healthcare, Ford is suffering and school prayer is the battle? School prayer is a non-issue. This summarizes Northup vs. Fletcher. Kentucky is not their concern. Defeating their opponent… this is their lone concern.

Overstating the Obvious

2007-05-15T22:36:00.000-06:00

Our Governor said education was a priority. Obviously, he failed. Yet, a task force must impart this information.

From the Kentucky Post:

A decade ago, Kentucky's political leaders set ambitious goals for higher education, saying the state's economic health depends on peak performance. The goals were straightforward: Get more kids in - and through - college. Attract top professors and research grants. Rebuild the community and technical college system into a nimble, modern network responsive to employers' training needs. Now, a panel of 25 top business leaders will assess the results and recommend steps to assure progress to Gov. Ernie Fletcher or his successor. "Business people realize the direct correlation between higher education and economic betterment. That connection has to be nurtured, and this task force assessment will be about that," said Dave Adkisson, president and chief executive officer of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber announced the panel today. Two members are from Northern Kentucky: Jim O'Brien, chairman and chief executive officer of Ashland Inc., headquartered in Covington, and Kelly Swartz, site president of Citi Cards of Citicorp Credit Services Inc. in Florence. The task force chairman, Victor Staffieri, chairman of Louisville-headquartered E.ON U.S., an energy services company, predicted the group will produce a significant report. "In today's knowledge-based economy, a postsecondary education is of vital importance to the economic well-being of the commonwealth," he said.

"The members of this task force are leaders in their communities who understand local issues across the state. Given their successful track records, we can expect exciting results."

Adkisson said business interests lobbied heavily for postsecondary education reforms in 1997, and now there's a sense that the business community needs to reengage. "Sometimes, the business community helps fix something and then is guilty of going on to other challenges," Adkisson said.

"The business community has developed a bad case of laryngitis when it comes to education in Kentucky, and we realize we've got to stay at these efforts from day to day and year to year."

Adkisson said the intention is to have the assessment completed late this year, in time to "frame the issue" for a governor inaugurated in December and for the 2008 General Assembly. Fletcher is seeking a second term, although he'll first have to advance in next Tuesday's Republican primary, then win a run-off if one is required in June, and, finally, win the general election in November. "Members of the task force are very strong business leaders from around the state, and they will not be shy about stating their observations," Adkisson said. "My sense is they will be looking for opportunities to make mid-course corrections toward achieving the goals set in 1997."

A consulting firm from Boulder, Colo., the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems, will assist the task force. One yardstick of progress will be college enrollment and graduation rates. The Council on Postsecondary Education, which was formed to help implement the Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997, set a goal for Kentucky to match the national average of bachelor's degrees awarded annually by the year 2020. In 2000, there were 400,000 Kentuckians - 19 percent of the state's population - with bachelor's degrees. The goal is to have 800,000 - 32 percent - by 2020.

However, if the current rate of producing college graduates continues, the state will be 200,000 under the national average in 2020. To get the state on track to meet the national average by 2020, the council has set high enrollment and graduation goals for all colleges in Kentucky. The goal for Northern Kentucky University is to increase undergraduate enrollment to 22,520 and double the number of bachelor's degrees it awards to 3,149 annually by 2020. The total cost at campuses across the state for new and renovated classroom buildings that will be needed to accommodate such a huge influx of students was estimated last month by council consultants to be $11.7 billion. At NKU, where President James Votruba said at least a half-dozen new classroom buildings will be needed to meet 2020 enrollment goals, council consultants said $544 million will be needed for new construction and $316 million for renovation, a total of $860 million.

How the task force convened by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce approaches money matters remains to be seen, said Adkisson. "The task force is beginning without any assumptions regarding money," he said. "But as they revisit the challenge of the 2020 goals, they're likely to identify financial implications to making any changes and will deal with those as business people as responsibly as possible."

Votruba said before a search for money begins, people like the governor and lawmakers must want more and better educational opportunities for Kentuckians. "Start with the 'will,' and if there is a strong will for education, then you go about finding the capacity to fund it," he said.

"You find the will first. That means the governor and General Assembly have got to fully understand the significance of post-secondary goals for overall economic progress."

Votruba said he doesn't know if it's possible to concentrate resources in education and still do what needs to be done in other areas of government. That will be up to the governor and legislative leaders to decide, he said. "But, over the next 15 years, we're going to see states that are winning and states that are not. And in the winning states, higher education has a prominent place," Votruba said.

Kentucky Progress: Vote Harper

2007-05-15T02:28:00.000-06:00

Call it a protest vote if you want. I'm voting for Billy Harper. In an embarrassing primary food fight between Anne Northup and Ernie Fletcher, "supporting the winner" just doesn't cut it this time.

Harper offers a consistent conservatism and no-nonsense style Kentucky could use if we are to escape backwater status. And with Democrats likely to nominate a baggage-laden politician, Republicans would do well to represent themselves with someone not encumbered with evidence of questionable judgement.

Harper's support of KERA is a little tough to forgive, but that is overwhelmed by his continuing involvement in education and his current solutions, which involve more than just spending more money and would likely reverse a lot of KERA's damage while placing us on a course for substantial gains.

Economic development is something everyone talks about, but really belongs in the hands of someone who can move it along with more than just subsidies. Pulling the state out of debt will require someone with a solid mandate. Listen closely to Harper. It isn't immediately apparent, but he is the type of leader who can inspire people to look beyond partisanship and toward the vision of the little guy from Paducah who said and meant "and I mean NO!"

Jefferson Review Voting For Harper

2007-05-15T02:27:00.001-06:00

The Kentucky primary races are coming right up, and, as a registered Republican, I have three choices: Fletcher, Northup, or Harper. Of the three, only Harper is promoting ideas that can make a real improvement in the state. In education, Harper is promoting school choice, which would provide real improved opportunities for our children without increasing the cost to taxpayers. He also promotes free market solutions to other problems rather than more government control over our lives, which again is the approach that repeatedly has been proven to work. He also has successfully run a business, which means he stands a decent chance of being able to run the state. (This can be contrasted with Northup, who has never been a chief executive of anything, and Fletcher, who also was never a chief executive of anything larger than a small medical practice before being elected governor.)

The other two candidates are not as promising. Northup has run a very negative campaign, mainly attacking Fletcher, offering no new ideas, and even refusing to answer a survey on the issues by The Courier-Journal. Fletcher’s performance as governor has been disappointing, and he has been taking advantage of his position as governor to use taxpayer money to buy support in this election. The polls have shown Harper to be in third place, but the situation can change rapidly, and votes are what really count.

I am tired of wasting my vote on people who give us the same old failed policies. I’d rather risk voting for someone who is likely to really make a positive change if he is elected. If Kentucky Republicans, who are very discouraged both with Fletcher and Northup, would take a moment to think about their options, they may reach the same conclusion I have reached. For the sake of our state, I sure hope they do.

Northup’s Gun Reality

2007-05-15T02:22:00.000-06:00

Despite her delusional supporters…

Northup Gets A on Guns from Group That Counts: the NRA (Cyber Hillbilly)

In 2006 the NRA reviewed Anne Northup’s career the way they do every other candidate for Congress at the end of every term and gave the Congresswoman an “A” for her record in Washington fighting to protect the 2nd amendment. That should be the end of the story. The NRA is the nation’s preeminent gun ownership lobby in America and is nearly universally trusted by hunters and gun aficionado’s alike.

Sadly, it’s not. As Elendil's Journal points out, Northup does draw fire on guns. But look who’s doing the firing: the Gun Owners of America. This is a group that accuses the NRA of selling out gun rights. They’re even opposed to finding ways to keep firearms away from “mentally unstable killers like [VA Tech Shooter] Cho Seung-Hui.”

Northup’s gun record is reality….

Gun Control Ratings for Northup in Congress (Elendil’s Journal)

Many people have questioned, including myself, Northup's support of gun owner's right . So I wanted to go and look at her record in the legislature to see if the criticism was justified. I went to GOA (Gun Owners of America) to find out Northup's rankings while she was in Congress and found the following rating system.

Grade Definition

A+ Pro-Gun Leader: introduces pro-gun legislation.

A & A- Pro-Gun Voter: philosophically sound.

B & B- Pro-Gun Compromiser: generally leans our way.

C & C- Leans Our Way: occasionally.

D & D- Leans Anti-Gun: usually against us.

F Anti-Gun Voter: a philosophically committed anti-gunner.

F- Anti-Gun Leader: outspoken anti-gun advocate who carries anti-gun legislation.

In this scale anything less than an A- in my mind is problematic. That means they would be willing to compromise on our the second amendment right to bear arms. I would have a hard time voting for someone that didn't at least have a B average.

So how did Northup fair while she was in Congress?

Term Served Grade

106th Congress D-

107th Congress C-

108th Congress C-

109th Congress A-

Ouch! Only in her last term did she show any affinity for the second amendment. What I find more disturbing was her vote on the concealed carry law in the Kentucky General Assembly back in 1996. Concealed carry is a cornerstone right for those who believe in the second amendment. It allows law abiding citizens that chance to defend themselves against evil. She was one of 20 legislators to vote against the measure that passed 74-20. Heck she even introduced a measure that would require people to give a reason for seeking the permit. This disregard for the constitutional rights of law abiding citizens is very disturbing.

Kentucky Pachyderm 2 Lambastes Negative Northup

2007-05-15T01:18:00.000-06:00

We can’t remember which Kentucky governor started the tradition of handing out oversized checks to announce the funding of local projects. It was either Wallace Wilkinson or Brereton Jones; we’re not sure. (One of us said Martha Layne Collins, but the rest of us think the practice started after she left office). But one thing’s for certain, governors have been doing this for at least 15 years and the tradition dates back to before gubernatorial succession was allowed.

Years ago we heard one Central Kentucky mayor say he hoped to paper the walls of his City Hall with those ceremonial checks. Of course since he was a Republican mayor in a Republican community, his dream didn’t come true. But the moral of the story is that local officials in small towns appreciate state funding for their projects.

It’s not news when the governor appears in Lexington or Louisville, or even larger towns or urban areas like Northern Kentucky, Owensboro, Bowling Green, Ashland or Paducah. The press pays little to no attention to him being there or why he’s there. On the other hand, when the governor visits places such as Inez or Burkesville or Calhoun or Cadiz, that’s of note to the local populace as well as the local press.

Even when a Democrat governor comes to a Republican town, he is treated like visiting royalty. Leaders from both parties turn out for the event. The local newspapers often cover a gubernatorial visit like it’s the biggest story of the year, and in many cases, it is. The people in Booneville and Owenton and Greenville want to think the governor is interested in their needs and concerns, and not paying attention only to Fayette and Jefferson counties.

The rural counties in Kentucky have their own special needs from the government. They don’t have a sufficient property tax base or payroll tax base to fund services like Lexington and Louisville do. They need state government’s help in funding projects like street and road repairs, water line extensions, and other things that the larger communities can pay for themselves.

When a governor comes to town to break ground or cut a ribbon or present a check, the local people appreciate it. They are happy to see that Frankfort is looking out for them. That’s one reason we don’t think Anne Northup’s recent flurry of negativity is going to be of benefit to her. It’s almost as if she is ridiculing these communities and their needs. When she criticizes Gov. Fletcher for going to places like Lancaster or Elkton or Owenton, in effect she is saying, “You people don’t deserve the projects you are getting from the state and the governor is wasting his time by visiting your community.”

People realize that, too. We’ve seen Gov. Fletcher go to counties that are heavily Democratic in registration and receive an enthusiastic welcome. We’ve also seen Democrat governors such as Jones and Wilkinson and Collins go into staunchly Republican counties and receive the same recognition, even though they could not succeed themselves. No one begrudged those communities their projects back then, nor the visits from the governors.
When Northup attacks Fletcher for traveling across the state and announcing projects, she not only aims her poison barbs at the incumbent governor, but to every community that gets these much-needed state projects. Would she prefer that the money go to her hometown of Louisville instead? Anne Northup’s negative campaign insults the intelligence of every Kentuckian who does not live in a major metropolitan area.

The World’s Worst Retort

2007-05-15T01:15:00.000-06:00

People challenge Anne Northup. Her blogger’s responses? They assail the messenger. The aforesaid is political smear tactics. The aforesaid is also pathetic. Attacking the statements and not their substance screams desperation. Obviously, Northup’s supporters are.

From Blue Grass, Red State:

Now that the actual Fletcher campaign is publicly resorting to lies and negativity instead of allowing henchmen to do the dirty work for them behind closed doors and in roundabout ways, we have a great chance to see firsthand again the incompetence that has plagued Ernie Fletcher during his entire term as Governor.

Did the Fletcher campaign think the Barr recording would only be heard by people listening to their answering machines? Did they think they could keep it all hush hush? Or, are they just so dumb that they didn't think to research the biography of the man they were using to attack Anne Northup?

Bob Barr is an anti-Christian anti-terror fighting pothead, and now he's speaking for Ernie Fletcher! As I said just last week, when Anne Northup represented KY-3 in Congress, one of the extraordinary things she did was wield her power to fight social ills using conservative methods in attempts to reach conservative goals. For this, she drew the hatred of liberal Democrats, the ACLU, and other assorted kooks. Now, Ernie Fletcher is using a friend of the ACLU who lobbies for the Marijuana Policy Project and withdrew from the Republican Party to speak on his behalf in phone messages attacking Anne Northup's stellar record.

From Cyber Hillbilly:

What is it about Anne Northup that makes kooks oppose her so fiercely? Over the past few months perhaps nothing has been more amusing than to watch a steady procession of nut jobs come out in opposition to the former Congresswoman in her bid for Governor. First there were the libertarians: as KY Progress reported, the Take Back Kentucky group endorsed Gatewood, and singled out Anne Northup for criticism. I guess we know what those guys were smoking.

Then Frankfort restaurateur Rick Paul got into the game on Friday, when he suggested in a blast email that the Congresswoman is set to and should drop out of the Governor's race in spite of confirmation by the weekend that she’s actually ahead in at least one poll. Paul is listed by the Kentucky Hemp Food Association as a 1999 supporter of the Hemp Food Banquet which “conducted a test for taste and the drug, THC.” He's also on record as a strong Gatewood supporter.

Now comes word that the Governor has allied with former Congressman Bob Barr to bring the message to the state that the former Congresswoman who fought so hard to get millions for her local churches, the devout Catholic who’s fought abortion tooth and nail her entire career, the same lady who believes deeply enough in the sanctity of life and God’s commandments that she not only had four children of her own, but actually adopted two more… that this lady wanted to take God out of our children’s schools. Yes, you heard me right.

His Words Worthless

2007-05-15T01:00:00.000-06:00

Simply stated, I loathe On the Right’s fanatical Anne Northup support. However, his reprinting this was brilliant. Read the Governor’s statements, replay his four years, and abstain from voting for him.

Excerpts From Ernie Fletcher's Inaugural Speech:

....State government has too often been used to look out for the insiders and not the citizens. This has insulated poverty from progress, and need from remedy.

What could have been a broader, common, wealth has become a guarded treasure, traded among the well positioned.

Though we are so proud of being Kentuckians, we are, in our state, somewhat divided from one another. West, East and Central feel enjoined neither to each other, nor to the whole. Rural and urban nurse jealousy, and not entirely without reason, and it has been this way for so long that it has been accepted without even realizing the cost of these hurtful divisions.

I am surrounding myself with women and men of integrity, character and self-discipline to work on behalf of the people of Kentucky. That is how to create an ethical government.

We can pass page after page of ethics laws, but in the end, they will only be honored by ethical people.

Our Heartless Governor

2007-05-15T00:51:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

For the second time this year, the state has issued a "Type A" citation to Baptist Convalescent Center in Newport. It came after a resident who had become dehydrated at the nursing home died of renal failure on April 8, two days after being hospitalized. The citation is the most serious type the state issues. It was issued April 26 and accuses the center of placing the resident's life in immediate jeopardy when it failed to monitor fluid intake and failed in March to assure lab tests were conducted. Baptist CEO Robert Long said he plans to appeal the citation, but acknowledged that there were failures in the home's system of care.

According to the citation, the center's medical director admitted the facility "dropped the ball" in letting the resident become dehydrated. The first "Type A" citation this year against the center was issued on March 16, after a resident went four days without food or water because no one noticed that his feeding tube bottle needed changing.

This is a third story concerning elderly mistreatment. During the previous weeks, child mistreatment stories have disgraced the newspapers. Yet, our Governor has remained silent. This center received a second serious citation. However, no special investigations or intervention. No condemnation. Governor, why do you not care?

Fletcher Commences Campaign (Commences?)

2007-05-12T02:45:00.000-06:00

From Pol Watchers:

With 11 days left until voters cast their ballots, Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced his campaign's first public event today. Fletcher will start a 6-day "Kentucky Wins" bus tour on Monday, according to a news release. He'll visit 31 counties in six days.

“When I became governor, we promised change. In just four years we charted a successful course that created new jobs, saved our families money and moved Kentucky in the right direction,” Fletcher said in the release. “I look forward to continuing to tell our story of results and opportunity for every citizen of the Commonwealth on the ‘Kentucky Wins!’ bus tour.”

He'll kick off the tour in Owensboro and will travel through Hartford, Leitchfield, Morgantown and Bowling Green on Monday. Fletcher has been criticized heavily by opponent Anne Northup for using state aircraft to travel the state handing out ceremonial checks and to attend private campaign events, such as fund-raisers.

Fletcher's campaign has also paid for automated telephone calls to drum up attendance at the governor's check presentations and other official events. Fletcher has attended several campaign events organized by others, such as Lincoln Day dinners and debates. After being questioned by the Herald-Leader, Fletcher agreed to repay the state more than $19,000 for his travel.

Possibly, I am naive. However, the campaign has two weeks remaining. Should not the Governor have commenced his campaign in January? (For the Governor’s information, prancing around Kentucky, disbursing random checks, is not campaigning)

Blue Grass, Red State Delusional For Northup

2007-05-12T02:37:00.000-06:00

Emergency Meetings

Apparently there are some people at FletchCo who are wanting to jump ship. People are talking. It looks like they have a couple leakers who want to help the candidate who deserves the nomination.

Desperate Hypocritical Fletcher Edge

I was 100% dumbfounded yesterday when I discovered the Conservative Edge's crazy and desperate attempt to use liberal Courier-Journal and Jack Conway talking points from five years ago to try to smear Anne Northup's stellar ethical record.

Anne Northup & Jeff Hoover: Common Sense Conservatives

How pathetic. If you want a Governor who will later disclose that he took contributions to his legal defense fund in exchange for work contracts and government favoritism, vote for Ernie Fletcher. Otherwise, vote for Northup/Hoover or write in your own name. Ernie Fletcher is simply not an acceptable candidate for Republicans.

Unconservative Fletcher Edge Insinuates Wrongdoing in East Kentucky

Anne Northup and Hal Rogers Do The Right Thing, Fletcher Continues To Be An Unethical Embarrassing Disappointment. In their haste to head off Northup/Hoover's surge in the internal polls, Team Fletch raised a failed five year old campaign ploy initiated and carried out by the liberal C-J, Jack Conway, and the ACLU. What Team Fletch failed to realize is that Northup utilized the same upstanding conservative approach to charity work that Hal Rogers has successfully and rightfully used in East Kentucky.

Kentucky Pachyderm 2: Northup Is Lying

2007-05-12T02:30:00.001-06:00

Anne Northup supporters are now claiming that their internal polling, as well as internal polling of other candidates, now shows her with a 4 to 5 point lead on Ernie Fletcher. The rumor was first reported on Kentucky Progress, and later picked up by other blogs.

However, no sourcing for the rumor was given and there are no polling documents available to confirm that, which is in contrast to the recent Fletcher polling showing them with a 22-point lead on Northup. The polling memo was made available to the public and it would be nearly impossible for her to have made up that big of a deficit in such a short time.

Contrary to what Northup's supporters are hoping and wishing for, the view from here is that Fletcher is gaining strength. Northup's negative and misleading ads are backfiring, and the relentless press attacks aren't helping her any either. In short, we don't believe those rumors of her dramatic surge in the polls, and that belief was confirmed for us today by a highly-placed source who has knowledge of such things. That information would seem to correspond with information provided to The Conservative Edge by Fletcher campaign manager Marty Ryall, who said they had not seen any recent polling that showed Fletcher as having less than a double-digit lead.

One of us had a conversation with someone in a position to know, who reported that current Fletcher polling shows the incumbent with a whopping 52 percent of the vote among likely Republican voters. That number is subject to vary slightly considering factors such as turnout, but at this point the Fletcher camp is quietly confident that they will win with more than 40 percent of the vote on May 22.

This source also stated that a year ago, even Fletcher was sanguine about his re-election chances. The attitude in the Capitol was, "We've got to go out there and put smiles on our faces and do our jobs and work hard and hope things get better." Now they feel very good not only about the May primary, but the November general election against whomever the Democrats nominate.

We don't have any access to the polling documents that indicate this, but we have no reason to disbelieve what one of us learned today. Perhaps the Northup supporters hope that if they can spread misinformation about her surging to the lead, they can actually shift some momentum. If they believe what they're sayiing, more power to them. We don't know what Fletcher's vote total will be. It would be great if he tops 50 percent, but we'll be thrilled if he gets 41 percent of the vote and wins the nomination outright.

Cyber Hillbilly Questions Fletcher’s Temerity

2007-05-12T02:28:00.001-06:00

Boxing fans will be familiar with the term “Glass Jaw.” It refers to a fighter who often appears to have all it takes to win in every category save one: the ability to weather a really hard punch. Some of the most intriguing fighters in boxing have had glass jaws. Take Tommy “the Hitman” Hearns. He could move, he could jab, he could punch—oh my god, how the man could punch—but his Achilles Heel was always his chin. No matter how underrated his opponent might be, if they packed a wallop, ol’ Tommy was suspect to go crashing to the mat at the first sign of danger.

Then there was Tommy Morrison. He never quite made the big time, at least in terms of his fighting ability, but he showed promise. While not in Hearns league, Morrisson had a lot going for him. First, he represented the latest incarnation of the famed "Great White Hope"; that is, a Caucasian boxer who could win the title in the heavyweight division. Morrison had a fearsome left hook, was one of the strongest punchers in boxing in years, and was handsome and articulate. Further, he was a celebrity, having co-starred in Sly Stone’s fifth Rocky movie. Tommy’s star was in the ascendancy until he met a Marine named Mercer. Mercer stood his grounds and took Tommy's blows for several rounds before finally catching up with the Great White Hope. In a matter of seconds, after a few hard knocks, Morrison was out cold.

Politics can be similar to boxing. No matter how strong candidates might appear, there’ve been countless times those same candidates turned out to be a paper tiger. Might this be the case with Ernie Fletcher? For months, Anne Northup’s stalked the Governor trying to get in a good hard punch. She fended off crowds of hostile state workers at Lincoln Day Dinners and accusations that she was somehow disloyal to the party for running against the Governor. All the while, she continually insisted that the Governor couldn’t weather the storm of unpopularity in the general election. And for those same months we were treated to heartfelt assurances from Team Fletcher that he was in fact up to the task.

But last week an interesting thing happened; Anne caught up with the Governor. While the Governor was probably hoping that Anne had been the one portrayed in his latest cheesy ad, alas, it wasn’t to be. And now, after being on the defensive for a little over a week, the Governor’s own polls show him trailing or tied with Northup.

Granted, Anne Northup packs a wallop. Just ask Mike Ward, Jack Conway, Tony Miller, Eleanor Jordan, and various others who stood between her and electoral success. But come November, whoever emerges from the Democratic primary will be wearing brass knuckles. He’ll be buoyed by the passion and drive of a party uncomfortable with its loss of power four years ago and eager to do whatever it takes to get that power back. Further, he'll have the luxury of knowing that only once in the 30 years since Louie B. Nunn's election has a Republican won the Governor's mansion and that the majority of the voters are already registered his way even without a cloud of unpopularity hanging over the incumbent's head.

If at that time the opponent happens to be Ernie Fletcher, Republicans can expect an even fiercer assault. It’s hard to imagine that the Governor’s political jaw can sustain the abuse he’s likely to get. Take note Republicans… take note.

OSI Interprets

2007-05-12T02:25:00.000-06:00

This is the last in the series of questions for the Governor candidates put forth by the Herald-Leader. This time, the issue is campaigning with state resources and how the candidates will stop it. (We thank the Herald-Leader and its staff, Ryan Alessi and John Stamper, for the very informative series). Here are the candidates responses -- in their own words:

Billy Harper: "Public officials need to draw a clear line in the sand when it comes to use of state resources. As governor, I will establish clearly defined guidelines for all non-merit personnel to follow from day one. It should never be simply a question of what’s legal. The state’s chief executive should always make decisions based on what is right." Billy will establish guidelines for his staff, to do what is right and not merely what is legal.

Ernie Fletcher: No response. (Update: This post has been updated with a response): "I have gone above and beyond what the law requires. I have reimbursed the state when political events coincide with official trips even though it is not required by law. ... I expect the legislature to examine this issue and will happily comply with whatever requirements they deem appropriate." Ernie says he has refunded the state for personal campaign expenses (though he initially refused to do so, after the Herald Leader took him to task on it) and expects the Legislature to examine the issue (and says also he will comply with any new laws).

Anne Northup: "It is astonishing that Ernie Fletcher, who ran on a promise to clean up Frankfort, has used your tax dollars to finance his campaign. Until he got caught, he had no problem using your money to further his own political career. The law must be clarified and strengthened to ensure that future governors cannot blur the bright line between official and campaign expenses." Anne wants to have the Legislature to strengthen the law so that tax dollars are not used to further [a future Governor's] political career."

So there they are, in their own words -- deciphered (This time I give the candidates credit for speaking more CLEARLY!)

Fletcher, Northup Commence Riot

2007-05-11T22:58:00.000-06:00

As previously stated, Fletcher and Northup are intent on destroying one another. Watch, as they claw each other’s eyes out and light each other on fire… on television!

Campaign quickies: R wars and D spats

1. In my Wednesday column (written Tuesday afternoon), I noted that a good guide for judging the effectiveness of former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup's stepped-up attacks on Gov. Ernie Fletcher's record would be the level of the response from the Fletcher camp. Not long after I typed those words, the Fletcher camp started firing back at Northup. In the 48 hours since, this primary has become the Republican bloodletting everyone predicted. The Northup and Fletcher campaigns are slinging ads and press releases at each other like one is a Hatfield and the other is a McCoy.

2. If the fierceness of Fletcher's counterattacks against Northup indicates a tightening in that race, the way other Democratic wannabes went after former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear on the subject of gambling at a Frankfort forum Tuesday suggests there are polls in that race showing Beshear at or near the lead.

3. In the LOL category, we have a quote from Fletcher campaign manager Marty Ryall in today's H-L story on Fletcher's refusal to disclose the names of contributors to his secret legal defense fund. Responding to the possibility that contributors to the fund might be repaid with appointments, Ryall said, "That's not the way this governor does business. People are appointed on their merits."

Northup, Fletcher step up attacks

After launching attack ads Tuesday, Gov. Ernie Fletcher and opponent Anne Northup fired off another round of political spit wads yesterday. Northup, one of two challengers to Fletcher in the May 22 GOP primary, called on Fletcher to immediately release the names of donors to a legal defense fund that will pay his bills from the state hiring investigation. Her campaign suggested that Fletcher might be trading political favors for donations to the fund.

Fletcher responded by accusing the former U.S. representative from Louisville of violating congressional ethics rules in 2002. The third candidate, Paducah businessman Billy Harper, said the ethics accusations coming from both sides have merit. But don't expect him to join the name-calling anytime soon, said press secretary Sam Edelen. "Billy's just keeping his head down, working hard and watching the mud fly over," Edelen said.

Northup and Fletcher attack again

After slinging mud all day Tuesday, Gov. Ernie Fletcher and opponent Anne Northup started shooting political spit wads at one another this afternoon. In a news release, Northup called on Fletcher to immediately release the names of donors to a fund set up earlier this year that will pay his lawyer bills related to the state hiring investigation. Lt. Gov. Steve Pence blasted his boss.

Fletcher's Counterstrike Begins

When Northup filed to challenge Fletcher last year, I thought Anne was making a huge mistake. She was a moderate Republican representing the moderate city of Louisville. Outside of Louisville and Lexington the state is much more conservative on social and economic issues. This means that only 1/4th of the state had similar political leanings of Northup. I am defining her political leanings as shown by her votes in both the state legislature and congress.

Fletcher on the other hand has always been more conservative than Northup and won the 6th district race because he swept the rural areas outside of Lexington. That means that Fletcher had 3/4 of the state with similar leanings. So Northup's only choice was to run a slash and burn strategy to disenfranchise Fletcher with the conservatives in the state. A strategy with which she has executed with great precision. I don't know how effective it has been, but it has been well executed. Why do I say this? Take for example the recent "scandal" over paying for campaign trips.

Northup disputes Fletcher's ad, Fletcher announces support.

A day after the mini "slugfest" continued on TV, the Northup ticket has released the following statement in response to Fletcher's ad posted below: Yesterday Ernie Fletcher went on the attack with his new television ad, misleading voters into thinking that Anne Northup voted against school prayer and for a massive tax increase.

Fletcher responds to Northup; then she fires back

Here is the response from Fletcher campaign spokesman Marty Ryall to the call by Anne Northup to release the contributors to the governor's legal defense fund.

Marty Ryall, Campaign Manager for Governor Ernie Fletcher, said today, “Anne Northup is the last person who should be preaching to anyone about ethics.”

“In 2002 Anne Northup used her position on the Appropriations Committee to funnel $5 million dollars to a charity that she founded and was a board member. This was a direct violation of Congressional ethics rules,” Ryall said.

Now, here is the retort from the Northup camp.

Ernie Fletcher is clearly desperate to change the subject and would love to dredge up old news all day long. Anne Northup did not have any personal, financial or political gain in servicing the most at risk parts of the community she represented while in Congress.

As to his claim that she should have changed the law while in the state House—you don’t need a law to know the difference between right and wrong. Since Ernie Fletcher does not understand that he finds himself on his last political leg.

Governor Hits Back at Northup

I don't pretend to be a political strategist, but I've always heard that when you're safely ahead you don't acknowledge your opponents attacks. Does the fact that the Governor's campaign has gone on the attack against Anne Northup reflect a sense that things are going south? There's no question Anne Northup is the underdog going into the homestretch. But if there's a closer in the world who can close this gap, it's Anne Northup. As Mitch McConnell said of her surge in the final days of her first Congressional race: "Anne seemed to just will the SOB out of office." Can history repeat itself?

Northup: Fletcher owes more $$ for campaign trips

Republican gubernatorial candidate Anne Northup says Gov. Ernie Fletcher owes more money for campaigning on state time, mainly incurring costs related to travel to events that included the 4th District GOP dinner. Fletcher has already repaid about $20,000. Here is the Northup statement. Love the truffles comment.

Fletcher responds to Northup

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has released this statement in response to Anne Northup calling on him to reimburse taxpayers for his campaign expenses. In response to Anne Northup’s continual negative attacks on Governor Fletcher, Marty Ryall said today, “The hypocrisy of Anne Northup knows no bounds. The Governor has gone well above what is required in regard to his travel. She should climb off her high horse for a few minutes and pay back the federal government for her congressional mailings that were seen as campaign related.”

Conservative Edge Exposes Northup Scandal

2007-05-11T22:38:00.000-06:00

Northup funneled federal money into her district through corp she helped control- but criticized Governor Fletcher for distributing state funds

Over the past few weeks, the Northup for Governor campaign and her cyber supporters have been loudly criticizing Governor Fletcher for distributing tax dollars to various communities around the state. Uber Northup supporter, Steve Manning of On the Right has indignantly insisited that Fletcher has been using tax payer money to win re-election.

But as CE reported exclusively yesterday, then Congress woman Anne Northup set up a charitable organization in Louisville, put herself in a controlling position on the board of the organization and then used her position on the powerful House Appropriations Committee to funnel millions of dollars to the charity. The tax payer money was distributed in Northup's congressional district.

Governor Fletcher's distribution of funds comes under his authority as Governor. The money he is distributing is state tax dollars that the various communities requested through grant applications. Under Kentucky law, it's the Governor who must decide on approval of the money.

But, Roll Call magazine called Northup's arrangement unethical on its face. The federal money that was distributed to the charity, was personally funneled by Northup. Then, Northup sat on the board of directors of the charity which made the decisions on how the tax payers money would be spent in her own congressional district.

The Conservative Edge is at a loss to explain how Fletcher's actions are unethical, but Northup's activities are. Democratic Congressman Allan Mollohan, whom Northup cited as a roll model for her arrangement, is under investigation by a federal grand jury for funneling federal money into charitable organizations in his congressional district. It's interesting to note that Mollohan was not on the board of directors for any of the charities for which he is now being investigated.

Considering that Anne Northup has made such an issue over Governor Fletcher's activities, Republican primary voters deserve an explanation from the Northup campaign on her own actions. Northup's camp has been proud of her commericals which feature supposed attack ads by Demorcats of Governor Fletcher during the fall campaign were he to win the nomination. The Conservative Edge can envision the same type of attack ads against Northup in the fall campaign on this issue. We call on Northup to offer a full explanation, provide a copy of any written ethics opinion, and release the financial records on the use of the federal dollars.

Did Northup receive a written opinion? Republicans deserve to know before the elections

As The Conservative Edge reported exclusively yesterday, the well respected capitol hill congressional watchdog magazine, Roll Call, reported in May of 2002 that then Congress woman Anne Northup set up a charitable organization, placed herself on the board of directors, and then used her seat on the "powerful" House Appropriations Committee to funnel millions of federal tax dollars to the charity. The charity in turn, funneled those funds into Northup's Congressional district. When the arrangement was exposed, Northup nixed the deal.

Roll Call called the arrangement unethical on its face. Northup defended the arrangement citing as her role model, Democratic Congressman Allan Mollohan and his work funneling federal funds to various charities in W.Va. We now know that Mollohan was forced to resign his position on the House Ethics Committee in part for funneling tax payer money to those charities. Mollohan is also under grand jury investigation and FBI scrutiny for the same actions.

However, Northup claimed in 2002 that she had received verbal approval of the arrangement. Roll Call said that the Committees doesn't give verbal approval and urged Northup to get a written opinion and make the opinion public. Considering that Northup has claimed the "ethics mantle" in the GOP primary, Republican voters deserve to know before the primary on May 22nd, if Northup ever received such a written finding and if so, what the opinion stated. The Northup campaign can forward the opinion to CE for publication. Likewise, if the Fletcher campaign wants to determine that no such written ethics opinion was ever obtained by Northup we will publish that as well.

Fletcher Discloses Tax History… Now?

2007-05-11T22:33:00.000-06:00

Fletcher releases tax returns? This maneuver seemed forced. Why? Because, this maneuver was forced. Obviously, Fletcher is desperate. This release was his last gasp. This release was pathetic.

From Pol Watchers:

Gov. Ernie Fletcher released his 2006 state and federal income tax returns today and called on opponents Anne Northup and Billy Harper to do the same. "They are self-funding a significant portion of their campaign activity and the voters deserve to see where this money is coming from," said Marty Ryall, Fletcher's campaign manager.

Spokesmen for Northup and Harper were not immediately available for comment. Harper, a Paducah construction company owner, has spent at least $4.9 million on his bid for governor, while Northup, a former congresswoman from Louisville, has put $500,000 into her campaign. Fletcher's tax returns show he paid $12,049 to the federal government and $4,819 to the state. He had income of $124,118 last year, including $119,703 from the state. Most of the remaining income came when Fletcher sold shares of Neuberger Berman for $10,862 on April 24. He profited $2,344.

After itemized deductions of $40,426, his federal taxable income was $77,092. Fletcher's deductions included $18,728 for interest paid on a home mortgage and $9,767 in charitable donations. Fletcher and the First Lady, Glenna, are expecting a $9,067 refund from the federal government and a $1,856 refund from the state.

Michael Clingaman, Northup's campaign manager, has released this statement: “If I had an unethical secret legal defense fund like Ernie Fletcher does, I would also desperately try and change the subject. Anne and Woody’s tax returns would reveal proprietary information concerning Woody’s business and therefore must be kept private. But Anne is interested in full disclosure, and has filled out the more extensive congressional disclosure forms. While Anne has done the right thing we continue to wait for Ernie Fletcher to disclose the names of those who donated to his secret legal fund.”

Harper will release his tax returns, said press secretary Sam Edelen. "It could take a couple of days to get it all together," he said.

Terrible Speak

2007-05-11T22:27:00.000-06:00

From Elendil’s Journal:

Ok, I have seen this on two different sites now.

Fletcher is also failing to tell the full story when he says that Anne voted for a tax increase in 1990 while serving in the State House. The bill he’s referring to was legislation to reform Kentucky’s failing education system. Kentucky’s children deserve the best education opportunities possible. Only a desperate Ernie Fletcher would stoop so low as to make school reforms into a political charge.

For me to swallow this spin, I have to believe two things: Tax increases are OK if the intentions are good. KERA was a positive change for Kentucky's kids.

What conservative in their right mind thinks KERA was a good idea? Are Northup supporters all of a sudden fans of KERA? People need to think before they blindly print campaign spin. Truth of the matter remains that KERA was Northup's worst vote in here entire political career. You can't just spin that away.

Why Is This A Question?

2007-05-11T22:22:00.000-06:00

From OSI Speaks:

The latest issue in the still mini (?) "slugfest" that pits Northup against Fletcher has the Northup campaign asking Fletcher to release the names of contributors to Fletcher's still secret legal defense fund, which was set up to help defray the legal bills from the merit system investigation. This time, Steve Pence has joined the call for openness, taking Fletcher to task in the process. "Republicans across the state need to know if this is the next looming scandal," Steve Pence is quoted as saying. "The public deserves to know whether anyone that is doing business with the state, that has a contract or is seeking a contract, or received a commission or appointment from the state, has donated to this secret legal fund," he continued.

Though state law doesn't require him to do so, Fletcher says he'll release the names "after Attorney General Greg Stumbo leaves office" in December, a suggestion which prompted Steve Pence to add: "He's afraid of what it will disclose. It's going to look bad."

Fletcher's campaign then questioned Northup's ethics over an organization she set up to help with developments for disadvantaged neighborhoods stating that "Anne Northup is the last person who should be preaching to anyone about ethics," which drew a retort from the Northup camp that "Ernie Fletcher is clearly desperate to change the subject...".

Today, the Fletchers released their income tax returns, showing they made just over $124,000.00 last year, and called on their opponents to do the same. There have been no responses yet from the Northup and Harper campaigns. Meanwhile, a new 527 organization, Working Families for Kentucky, has launched a new ad targeting the campaign of the Lunsford/Stumbo ticket for Bruce Lunsford's support of Fletcher's 2003 campaign, which Lunsford now says he "regrets". Watch the video.

So the question of whether to reveal or not to reveal the "secret" list ought to be answered in the affirmative, especially since Fletcher is in the revealing mode with his income tax returns and particularly if his opponents respond to his call by releasing their own income tax returns (though the two issues are mutually exclusive).

Otherwise, one wonders if he can overcome the inference that waiting until Stumbo leaves office (and after the November elections) to release the information suggests, as Steve Pence suggests, that "[h]e's afraid of what it will disclose [because] [i]t's going to look bad", while leaving the unwelcome impression that Fletcher is deathly afraid of Greg Stumbo.

Ky Progress Poses Intriguing Question

2007-05-10T18:41:00.001-06:00

The Harper campaign has been saying for months that Northup and Fletcher would eventually tear each other apart giving Billy Harper an opportunity to slip through the middle. Now that the slugfest has started -- and given Harper's ability to write his own check to take advantage -- some people might be willing to give Billy Harper a chance.

His leadership against the Alternative Minimum Calculation and his well-known position against new taxes combined with his strong stances for school choice and Right to Work and against Certificate of Need laws could make things interesting.

Club For Growth Blisters Northup

2007-05-10T18:39:00.001-06:00

The Kentucky Club for Growth, headed by Lakeside Park resident Brian Richmond, is taking GOP gubernatorial candidate Anne Northup to task over her voting record on tax and spending issues.

We continue to hear candidate Northup state the position that she is a fiscal conservative and that things would change if she is elected. That is candidate Northup. But Rep. Northup was anything but a fiscal conservative during her stint in Washington: Like Nancy Pelosi, Northup voted "no" on all the Flake amendments that would have seriously reduced wasteful "earmarks."

Rep. Northup voted against the line-item veto (RC 317 in 2006).

Rep. Northup voted against cutting sugar subsidies (RC 234 in 2005).

Rep. Northup never supported the fiscally conservative RSC alternative budget.

National Club for Growth political director Andy Roth made a great point to me last week regarding the RSC alternative budget. He said, "A person may say they are a fiscal conservative, but if they don’t vote for the RSC budget, then their rhetoric is empty."

Do Kentucky Club for Growth members need to know anything else?

Obvious Proof: Northup Has No Policy

2007-05-10T18:33:00.000-06:00

From Conservative Musings:

This morning the Courier-Journal published a page of candidate positions on the issue of education from all of the candidates for Kentucky governor -- except Anne Northup. Seems Anne did not respond to the questionnaire. The article does not say why she did not respond.

This bothers me. I have been leaning towards Northup. Harper is more conservative, but a vote for him is basically a vote for Fletcher, which means the next governor will be a Democrat. (I think Fletcher has done some good things for the state, but his ethical baggage makes him unelectable.) So, Anne, why did you not respond? We here in Louisville know about a lot of your positions, but the rest of the state needs to know.

Northup Ridicules… Running Mate

2007-05-10T18:28:00.000-06:00

From Conservative Edge:

As the Northup campaign and her supporters continue to carp about state tax funds being distributed to the counties by Governor Fletcher, they should realize that they are setting an impossibly high bar for Ms. Northup were she able to beat the long odds and become Governor this November. That's because the state has to distribute gasoline taxes back to the counties for road work. That is the whole point of the gasoline taxes.

If Northup is truly serious about stopping this practice, she is going to have to change the law. I'd bet that were she to campaign on a platform of doing away with tax money for road improvements in the counties, her approval ratings would drop to the single digits. That's because one of the basic functions of government is to provide adequate roadways for the citizens. Jeff Hoover knows this.

We'd suggest that if Ms. Northup is truly serious about stopping the practice, she should just come out and say so. A little criticism for her running mate, House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover would also be in order, since he is a member of the body that passes the budget that contains this tax money.

Then we would recommed that Jeff Hoover announce that he will prefile a bill ending the use of gasoline taxes for road improvements in the counties. We'd also expect Hoover to introduce reform legislation, and apolgize for allowing the practice, that his running mate complains of, to be put into law on his watch.

In the meantime, calling Governor Fletcher unethical for following the law is tiresome. Unfortunately for Governor Fletcher, the state's liberal media has no desire to call out Northup on her stance.

A Throwing Up Result

2007-05-10T18:22:00.000-06:00

From Pol Watchers:

The Rothenberg Political Report has expounded on its recent "toss-up" designation for the Kentucky governor's race. Here's what political editor Nathan Gonzalez had to say:

In Kentucky, embattled Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R) is looking stronger than previously thought, making it at least a possibility that Republicans could hold there and gain a governorship this year. Still, Kentucky is a good Democratic opportunity, and the single most likely outcome this year is no net change in partisan control of governorships.

In the two other gubernatorial races this year, Gonzalez lists Louisiana as a "lean Republican takeover" and Mississippi as safe for Republicans.

Agreeing with Anne Northup makes ill. With that stated… Fletcher can’t win, Fletcher can’t win, Fletcher can’t win, Fletcher can’t win, Fletcher can’t win… (And this proves the aforesaid).

Recognize the Check?

2007-05-10T18:10:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher is busy. Randomly, he is issuing checks for votes. However, his strategy was predicated on ignorance. He did not believe someone would ask him why money was given.

Daviess received road money but doesn't know why
By James Mayse Messenger-Inquirer

When Gov. Ernie Fletcher came to Owensboro last week, one of the many checks he handed out went to Daviess Fiscal Court for road work. While county officials appreciate the check, they said Monday they need more information from the state before the money can be put to use.

Fletcher gave Fiscal Court $350,000 on May 1 for road resurfacing projects. But Judge-Executive Reid Haire said the county received no direction as to how, or where, the money could be spent. Since the county has applied for state funds for several projects, officials are awaiting word about which project or projects are covered by the funds.

Keith Todd, a spokesman for the Transportation Cabinet's Madisonville office, said the number of road projects the county has submitted for state funding is causing the confusion. Owensboro-Daviess County has submitted four or five different requests. That's why there has been trouble matching (a project) dollar amount to that" $350,000 award, Todd said. The state official who knows what road project the money was intended for was on the road Monday and unable to provide the information, Todd said.

County Treasurer Tony Sook said Monday when the county received notice of the $350,000, "we weren't given information as far as (if) that money was related to applications we had filed. Still today, we have not been given the details on how that money can be spent."

It's just a matter of matching up the check with a specific request," Todd said. The funds would be distributed as reimbursements for road work done by the county, Haire said. The money could be full funding for a project or only partial funding, he said.

The Transportation Cabinet is working with a lot of counties of road funding projects, Haire said. "They've given out so many checks to so many communities that it can be confusing," Haire said

Northup Designates “Role Model”

2007-05-10T01:36:00.000-06:00

From the Conservative Edge:

The Fletcher for Governor Campaign criticized Anne Northup today for her role in using federal funds to support a charitable organization that she founded and was a board member of. Here's what the Fletcher camp had to say: Marty Ryall, Campaign Manager for Governor Ernie Fletcher, said today, “Anne Northup is the last person who should be preaching to anyone about ethics.”

“In 2002 Anne Northup used her position on the Appropriations Committee to funnel $5 million dollars to a charity that she founded and was a board member. This was a direct violation of Congressional ethics rules,” Ryall said.

Ryall added, “Governor Fletcher has stated on numerous occasions that he will release the names as he is required to do so by law. If Anne Northup does not like the law as it is written, perhaps she should have changed it when she was in the state house instead of spending her time raising taxes,” Ryall concluded.

The Ryall press release contained a copy of a May 9th, 2002 editorial from Roll Call Magazine regarding the situation which called for Northup to get a written ethics opinion on her dealings and make the opinion public. You can read The Roll Call editorial when you Click here.

The bombshell revelation from the editorial is that Anne Northp cited, in brushing aside the criticism raised by the editorial, Democratic Congressman Allan Mollohan as her ethical role model in setting up these types of organizations and then using her influence to funnel federal funds to the group. For those of you who have been reading The Conservative Edge for less than a year,we pointed out last year that Allan Mollohan is under criminal investigation, and resigned his seat on the House Ethics Committee over legal questions surrounding his activities with the civic organizations and his funneling of federal funds to them, that Northup cites as the ethical model for her work. Here's what the Washington Post wrote about Mollohan in April of 2006:

Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (W.Va.) stepped down temporarily from his post as ranking Democrat on the House ethics committee, amid accusations that he used his congressional position to funnel money to his own home-state foundations, possibly enriching himself in the process. As recently as Thursday, Mollohan, a 12-term lawmaker, had said he would not step aside, but he bowed to pressure yesterday from House Democratic leaders eager to pursue their campaign against what they call a "culture of corruption" in the Republican Party.

"It has become clear that the unprecedented campaign that has been launched against me will continue to be at least as relentless as it has been to date," he said in a letter to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), maintaining his innocence. "I do not want these baseless allegations to divert attention from the important work that the House Ethics Committee must undertake in the remainder of this Congress."

In a 500-page complaint filed with a U.S. attorney in February, the conservative National Legal and Policy Center in Falls Church challenged the accuracy of Mollohan's financial disclosure forms and detailed a remarkable change in the lawmaker's personal fortune. Mollohan's real estate holdings and other assets jumped in value from $562,000 in 2000 to at least $6.3 million in 2004, said Ken Boehm, chairman of the legal center.

During the same period, Mollohan used his position on the House Appropriations Committee to secure more than $150 million in appropriations for five nonprofit entities that he helped establish in his congressional district. One of the groups is headed by a former appropriations aide, Laura Kurtz Kuhns, with whom Mollohan bought $2 million worth of property on Bald Head Island, N.C.

All of which raises questions for Northup. Since she is using ethics as an issue, she should explain how her funneling federal funds to her group is different than Mollohan's. This could prove to be quite difficult, since she clearly cited Mollohans now questionable conduct. as a model for her conduct. Clearly, Northup should be held accountable on this. After all, if she wins the primary having rasied the ethics flag, it could be a huge problem for her in the fall.

Finally, we call on Northup to release any written ethics opinion she received in response to the Roll Call editorial which validated her actions.

Elendil’s Journal Analyzes Debate

2007-05-10T01:31:00.000-06:00

Fortunately, this debate will only be an hour in length. That will make the whole process much more tolerable than the two hour debacle that the first Democratic debate was. So here comes the opening statements.

Harper - He opens up by talking about leadership and where the state is heading. He has signed a no tax pledge and is for smaller government. Ok he said he signed the no tax pledge twice. That was weird.

Northup - She is opening talking about the main issue four years ago was ethics reform. (Ok, I don't remember that but it might have been) Now she has saying the Fletcher hasn't lived up to his promise and she could change the culture. (Nice attack right out of the gate)

Fletcher - He remembers four years ago when the state had deficits, prisoners were being released early, and elderly were booted out of nursing homes. Now the deficits are gone, a record funding of education, innovative ideas to stabilize medicare, and built more roads in Kentucky. Fletcher equates leadership with results as he points to his accomplishments. (What a strong opening. He did a good job rebutting Northup.) Ok, now to the first question by a Courier Reporter.

Q1 - Did you are did you not sign a no new taxes pledge and if so why or why not? (Good solid question) Harper signed it and said we don't need more revenue, but we need to re-prioritize spending so we can grow the economy and generate more revenue. (Good answer, but I get the feeling he doesn't belong on this stage) Northup says she isn't going to let some small group dictate policy in Kentucky. (Nice slam on a conservative group - Lame) She then goes on to say that she has a long record of not voting for tax increases. (True, I don't remember her voting for a tax increase while in Congress)

Fletcher says while he hasn't signed it this time, he signed it last time and has lived up to his pledge. He says he has lowered taxes for nearly everyone and hasn't raised taxes. His modernization plan was more business friendly. Thus he plans to continue not raising taxes. He believes lower taxes stimulate the economy. (At this point it seems Fletcher has a good grasp of all of the issues. More so than any other candidate. As to the fact that he didn't raise taxes. That is hard to say for sure. He has lowered taxes for many, but others are paying for it. I know my small business hasn't had any rate changes. The only increase we saw was an increase in the yearly filing fee by like $50)

Harper says that business taxes collected are at an all time high. (Is that from growth or higher taxes. Really hard to say, but a nice attack) Northup goes on to bash the AMT and laughs at the idea that Fletcher didn't raise taxes. didn't her running mate support the AMT when it was introduced) Ouch, Fletcher stings Northup by saying that Northup voted for the largest tax increase in state history when she was a state legislature (Good point). Fletcher maintains that the AMT is business friendly. (Ok, that might be a stretch. I don't know about business friendly, but it isn't the catastrophe that Northup and Harper are saying it is)

Question 2 comes from the Lexington Herald guy. He starts by talking about how Northup supported Bush while in congress. Then he asks, how can a Republican in a primarily Democratic state hope to get the Democratic votes necessary to win. (Ok, who is this person? This has to be one of the dumbest questions I have ever heard. Way to waste my time by asking a totally imbecilic question. How did McConnell, Bunning, and Fletcher all win? How did he get to ask questions? A first grader could have come up with a better question. Also a nice editorial about Northup. Geesh) Northup says that Democrats in this state tend to be conservative (no duh. I feel sorry for these candidates having to answer such an obvious and stupid question) and will give Republicans a chance if they have a strong ethical leader (I guess that is going to be her mantra for the night. Northup is doing well although I don't think she does well as a public speaker in general.)

Fletcher talks about Dems and Republicans have the same concerns and then goes on his mantra that leadership == results and he list his results, surplus, increased educational funding, single digit cost increases in health care, new roads, more broadband. (Ok, we got Fletcher's mantra. I could probably stop watching now, but I will continue onward. I do like the way Fletcher handles himself. He seems confident and sure of himself. He is the best speaker on the stage)

Harper now is droning on about people not liking to pay taxes and how he is going to repeal the AMT and spend the money wisely. (I guess this is going to be his mantra - taxes and spending. Seems almost as if he is a single issue candidate. He looks stiff up there and is sticking out like a soar thumb compared to Northup and Fletcher) Follow up question from the journalistic hack. "Has Fletcher exaggerated his accomplishments?" ( Nice question. Give me a break. I don't think I could have come up with a more loaded question if I tried.)

At this point I have to give Fletcher some credit. He just took a slam against him and turned it around by quoting the Herald Leader about the deficits he faced when taking office. Touche! Gee, I wonder what Northup and Harper are going to say. Surprise! Northup thinks Fletcher has embellished his record. Now Harper is going off on some tangent about borrowing to spend and how we need a balanced budget. (Where did that come from? Why is he here?)

Question 3 (back to the reasonable CJ guy) - Should the state change ethics to cover personal gifts? (What is this question. It seems out of place) Fletcher clarifies the question by saying that the journalist is refering to Fletcher's Legal Defense Fund. Fletcher says he has followed the law, but won't release the names because he doesn't want them to suffer retribution from an out of control AG (Although I believe the AG is to lazy to act, I wouldn't put it passed him) He then claims he has been open beyond the law with other things like his tax returns. He challenges his opponents to open their tax returns.

Harper doesn't see the need for more ethics laws. He thinks the current ones should be enforced. Now he is talking about those who get state contracts shouldn't be allowed to donate to campaigns (Um, Harper - ever heard of the 1st amendment?) Northup comes out swinging again. Ug, she is talking about changing the culture. We need stronger ethics, blah blah blah. Fletcher responds by saying they have responded to more open records request than any other administration and he will continue to follow the law. But he won't release the Legal Defense Fund contributors until after Stumbo leaves the AG office.

Harper believes he should release the list. Northup does as well and then adds on that we can do better. It is time for a fresh start. (I have a new drinking game. While watching a debate you should take a drink every time a candidate states their mantra for the night. Between these three, I would be feeling pretty tipsy right now. Plus you would have the added bonus of being drunk while watching it)

Oh great we are back to the Lex Herald guy who asked the dumb question last time. No way, he asked a dumber and more meaningless question than last time if that is possible. Let me try to paraphrase because the question was so imbecilic that I forgot it. "Fletcher talked about intelligent design in the classroom in his state of the union speech. Do you think it belongs in the classroom?" (Why is the question of "Intelligent Design" in this debate?) Harper is lost on this question. He is stumbling around for an answer and says that it is a local decision. Northup says that it is another theory and should be left to the local school systems to decide. She then attacks the governor for not focusing on math and science instead of intelligent design.

Fletcher stumbles pointing out that he has taken more science than anyone in the room (Who cares and what is the point?I am sure he was still searching for an answer to such a stupid question) He quickly recovers and talks creation and Gods plan provides self evident truths and that many of the beliefs form the basic tenets of democracy. Thus they should be taught along with Darwinism. Plus he isn't mandating it, he just wants schools to look at it. (I didn't do it justice, but this was the best answer from anyone in the debate so far) Northup responds with yet more attacks and says we should focus more on math and science.

Fletcher notes that his wife Glenna has been working on literacy rates and has recently focused on Math and Science skills and setting up programs to help students to do better in those areas. Northup says we need to overhaul testing and we have lacked leadership in this area. (yeah, more attacks - drink) Fletcher comes back with the endorsement from the Jefferson County teacher's union. He then goes on to list the stuff he did. (I must say, Fletcher seems to have a great command of all of the issues. Oh yeah, drink)

Question 5 - ok, we are bound to be back to better questions. "Do you see cuts in benefits for future state workers?". Way to frame the question in the worst possible light. No editorializing here. Northup starts off by talking about securing the current and previous workers pension plan. Then she talks about how that is going to take 240 years under the current plan. (She lost me on that one. No one currently working for government will be alive then.) More attacks! Saying Fletcher hasn't done anything about it(drink) Now she is talking about modernization of the plan where everyone gets a private account they can fund and it is their money. ( This sounds similar to the senate's plan)

Fletcher reiterates the need to protect current and retired workers while addressing future concerns. He talks about how he has already set aside funds for current and retired pensioners and has set up a committee to look at the best way to address this issue for future workers. He is going to wait on that until he decides (Nice duck on the issue. I am waiting to hear back from the panel. Bah, you have an idea what they are going to say or at least come up with some ideas of your own. Don't kick the can.)

Harper says it shouldn't have happened (Thank you captain obvious, but it has happened). He thinks government workers should have a similar system to private industry. Northup thinks the retirement should be in private hands. That way it is a better guarantee. (Good point) Now she is talking about need for new leadership again (drink).

Fletcher goes off and talks about how self insuring the state has saved millions of dollars. And that came from a blue ribbon commission so he is going to wait and see what this panel comes up with before he backs a solution (duck, duck, goose) Ok, now the CJ guy is giving the LH guy a run for his money on loaded questions. "Governor, are you campaigning on the public's dime?" Nice question. Geesh, they should get bloggers from around the state to come in and ask the questions. Heck I could have come up with a zillion better questions than these hacks.

Fletcher declares he is not going to stop being governor now that he is campaigning. He continues to talk about what he has done as governor(drink). Harper doesn't see the need to hand out checks to local governments (huh? he has now completely lost me)

Northup goes on the attack again accusing Fletcher of using bonds to blacktop the state, photo ops, fund raisers (drink, drink, drink) Fletcher claims it is efficiency in traveling uh, why not do both at one time. How else can you travel to all of the counties in the state. This seems to me to be the most bogus wrap against Fletcher of any of them. I would do the same thing if I was in his shoes. It is just good time management!)

Harper responds with something. (I have no idea what he said. Is this debate almost over?) I wonder how Northup is going to handle this question. I would be shocked if she went negative. Well what do you know. I am shocked. Northup talks about congress and the delineation between congressional duties and campaign events. (Ok, but Governorships are executive while congressional are legislative. It seems to me that the congressional lines are a wee bit clearer than executive. This is a lame comparison). She then talks about a need for someone ethical in the Governor's mansion (drink).

Ahh, thankfully the closing! Fletcher is once again talking about how leadership == results (drink), and he is once again listing his accomplishments (drink). Northup is a mother of six and she can bring a new honest culture to Frankfort (drink). Hey what do you now more attacks (drink). Ok, that is the funniest thing I have heard all night. I actually laughed out loud when Northup claimed her campaign was full of optimism. If I had been drinking anything at that moment it would have come out of my nose.

Harper is closing the debate, and I don't care enough to write anything about it but it has something to do with AMT and such (drink). If I were to grade this debate, I would have to say that Fletcher won it. He was under constant attack, and he did a good job defending himself and remained positive throughout. His demeanor was good and was the best spoken of the candidates. I do think Northup did very well, she made her points while pressing the attack and came across as a credible candidate. She just isn't a good public speaker. Harper on the other hand finished a distant third. He just insn't in the same league as either Northup or Fletcher.

What have I learned from the debate? Never ask main stream journalists to ask questions at a Republican debate. I also learned a new drinking game that is bound to get you drunk. Other than that, I gained no new information from the candidates and nothing that will change the direction of this campaign. Bottom line is Harper doesn't really belong, Northup is still negative, and Fletcher is still talking about his accomplishments. Nothing new here, move along now.

Gubernatorial Debate Analyzed

2007-05-10T01:24:00.000-06:00

From OSI Speaks:

Kentucky Republican gubernatorial candidates, Anne Northup, Ernie Fletcher and Billy Harper, went on the offensive during their second and last televised debate. Watch the KET video debate last night and share your thoughts with us. You can also read Ryan Alessi's piece and Joe Gerth's excellent report on the debate. In the debate, Fletcher touted his accomplishments, Northup (sometimes joined by Harper) demurred. Northup accused Fletcher of presenting an "embellished record" in campaign ads and speeches and of "... perfect example[s] of not having a personal ethical standard".

When Harper and Northup accused Fletcher's 2005 tax plan (the Alternative MAXIMUM Tax -- according to Billy Harper!) of raising taxes on small businesses, cigarettes, alcohol and cable television, Fletcher fired back and noted that Northup voted for (the largest tax increase in Kentucky history, according to Fletcher) as a part of the 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA).

Billy Harper repeated his assertion of a need for greater leadership from the governor's office -- accusing the Governor of ignoring people but "trotting around the state" during an election -- and criticized Fletcher's record on taxes, noting that he signed off on $4 billion in debt over his term -- more than any governor in state history!

Continuing, Harper mentioned that he is the only candidate to sign the Washington-based conservative group -- Americans for Tax Reform's -- no tax pledge, which Fletcher said he signed in the past and has honored (though the group, Americans for Tax Reform, found that he broke the pledge and added him to its "Hall of Shame") and Northup replied that she had a conservative record on taxes and didn't want "any outside group from Washington dictating Kentucky's policies".

I think Northup did particularly well in this debate by succeeding in putting her opponents on the defensive. What do you think?

From On the Right:

Excerpt from the Courier Journal's coverage of the debate last night:

Fletcher said he chose to keep secret the fundraising for his legal defense fund, which he is using to pay off lawyer bills from his indictment, because he didn't want to release the names of donors while Attorney General Greg Stumbo, whom he has accused of a political witch hunt, remains in office.

"I'm not going to expose them to any retribution that might be there," Fletcher said.

State law doesn't require Fletcher to report the names of donors and how much they contributed until after the November election. But Northup hammered him, saying that "everything should be disclosed" and that Republicans deserve a candidate who won't be the focus of Democratic attacks on ethics throughout the election.

Even Harper, a Paducah businessman who has tried throughout the race to stick to his message of lower taxes and educational initiatives, was mildly critical.

"I think it's important that any fundraising that's used directly or indirectly for a candidate be under public scrutiny," he said. "Whatever you call a fund, whatever it's developed for, we need to be totally open with the public so they can see where the money is coming from."

The Herald Leader:

The two Republican rivals of Gov. Ernie Fletcher aggressively challenged him last night on his ethics and the fiscal record of his administration in their last statewide televised debate before the May 22 primary.

Former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup hammered Fletcher for failing to deliver on his 2003 campaign promise of "changing the culture of Frankfort." Instead, she said, he got mired in a state hiring scandal and has campaigned using taxpayers' money. "This administration has not been without scandal, and because of that the Democrats are lined up to run against us," she said during the debate televised from KET studios in Lexington.

Paducah businessman Billy Harper repeatedly spoke of a need for greater leadership from the governor's office and criticized Fletcher's record on taxes, noting that he signed off on $4 billion in debt over his term -- more than any governor in state history.

Comment: I know that I am biased but I thought both Northup and Harper did very well last night by sticking to the issues and hitting Fletcher hard on the ethics of Fletcher not disclosing the names of donors to his legal defense fund. The Governor looked like a whipped puppy and was constantly on the defensive. With only 2 weeks until the primary I think the momentum is shifting to Northup!

Fletcher Era Ethics

2007-05-10T01:17:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Before he became a leading opponent to a new water treatment plant on the Kentucky River, Franklin County Magistrate Ira Fannin was willing to sell land for a similar plant in almost the same location. Last July, Fannin accepted $10,000 from the Bluegrass Water Supply Commission for an option on 118 acres he and his wife, Patricia Fannin, own on the river north of Frankfort.

The site is about two miles south of the spot where Kentucky American Water wants to build a plant. The option document was obtained from the commission Wednesday through the state’s Open Records Act. If the option had been exercised, the Fannins would have been paid $835,000 for their property. The commission represents several towns around Lexington. It had hoped to build a plant and sell water to its members, and to Kentucky American through a grid of pipelines that connected water utilities.

But those plans have been dropped, and the commission now is considering buying a share in the $160 million plant and pipeline Kentucky American wants to build. And Fannin now argues against any new plant on the Kentucky River. He did not return several calls from the Herald-Leader Wednesday, but has recently argued for a "two rivers" solution to augmenting the region’s water supply.

He also has introduced a resolution to the Franklin Fiscal Court opposing Kentucky American’s plan. A vote on the resolution was postponed last month so the court can get more information from the Louisville Water Co. If passed, it would be sent to the Kentucky Public Service Commission, which is considering Kentucky American’s proposal. At an April 19 fiscal court meeting, Fannin argued that Kentucky American should go back to an old plan to build a pipeline to bring treated Ohio River water from Louisville to Lexington.

Kentucky American officials who attended that meeting said a plant on the Kentucky River would be somewhat cheaper. They also pointed out the Louisville pipeline plan faced strong opposition in the 1990s, and Lexington’s Urban County Council passed a resolution in 1999 saying it wanted a "Kentucky River solution" to the region’s water supply needs. Kentucky American did not immediately return calls about Fannin’s option Wednesday. The company wants to build its plant on a parcel in southern Owen County, with intake pipes on a parcel in northern Franklin County. It paid $685,000 for the two parcels, which cover 110 acres.

Many people in the part of the county that Fannin represents object to the 42-inch pipeline that would carry water from the plant to Lexington and perhaps other towns. On a trip through his district with other magistrates last month, Fannin said he opposed not only the pipeline, but also the idea of the region relying on another Kentucky River plant. "One reason is safety," he said, according to an article in The State Journal, a Frankfort newspaper. "A chemical spill could shut down everything in Central Kentucky."

He said that the Ohio River is a much larger source than the Kentucky. Don Hassall, the executive director of the water supply commission, said Fannin’s property was chosen for a potential water plant for its location, not because it belonged to a public official. Hassall downplayed the importance of Fannin now opposing a plant on the Kentucky when he was earlier willing to profit from one. "It sounds like he’s had a change of heart," Hassall said. "He’s got constituents out there and I’m sure his phone is ringing."

Who Can Ford Trust?

2007-05-10T01:14:00.001-06:00

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

Kentucky Truck Plant workers will vote today and tomorrow on a Ford proposal that guarantees that Super Duty truck production remains exclusive to Louisville and promises investment to adapt the plant for future F-Series models. In trade, workers will lose overtime, some skilled union jobs through attrition, and adhere to stricter attendance rules at the Chamberlain Lane plant. As Ford struggles to recover from more than $12billion in losses last year, ratification of the competitive operating agreement, or COA, will help the company "stay competitive" and "transform our plants," Ford spokeswoman Anne-Marie Gattari said.

Ford workers have endured declining sales, unemployment, and uncertain futures. Their plight has been ignored. Now, additional unemployment, rules and wages concessions have been requested. As reciprocation, Super Duty production has been guaranteed. Promises, promises…

Obviously Troubled, Fletcher Approved

2007-05-10T01:04:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

The school council at Clinton County High has recommended the disgraced former superintendent to become the next girls’ basketball coach, ensuring that Sam Gibson will get the job.

Superintendent Mickey McFall said a letter of intent to hire would go out to Gibson, who will make about $7,000 a year. "The council has spent a lot of time on this, and they’ve given me a recommendation that they think is the best one," McFall said. "I respect the council’s members, and if they say he’s the best person for that job then I respect that."

Clinton County High School Principal William David Warriner referred all calls to the superintendent. Gibson’s home phone is unlisted. He was suspended from his job in 2002 for having sex with a co-worker on school property, and then indicted for forging expense receipts related to the affair. He later resigned as part of a court order that also dismissed the charges against him. However, Warriner said Monday that Gibson had coached some teams to state championships when he lived in Tennessee.

One parent said the public would not be pleased. "I think they’re insane," said Sherry McWhorter, who has three children in Clinton County schools. "Parents don’t want their kids to be exposed to him, they don’t want those kind of morals to be taught to them."

Con Edge Crosses Parties, Bases Northup

2007-05-08T00:43:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher should send a bouquet of roses to Jonathan Miller. At his press conference today, announcing that he was dropping his bid for Governor, Miller drove a stake through the heart of Anne Northup's reason for running for Governor. Here's what Miller had to say: But the odds are, if I stayed in the race, there is a real possibility that the Democratic primary would produce a nominee who was unelectable in the fall.

A nominee whose baggage would be picked apart and exploited by the Fletcher media machine. The reality of the situation is that there is a likely possibility that no matter who wins the Democratic nomination, that person will not win the election.

The very fact that Miller acknowledges that Governor Fletcher is not "unelectable" as Anne Northup and her supporters insist, is huge. For more than a year, the Democratic establishment has tried to finish off Governor Fletcher through death by a thousand cuts.

Now, with two weeks to go until the primary, one of the Democratic establishment stalwarts admits that at least one of the top Democratic nominees will have great difficulty beating the Governor. It's a tacit admission that only one Democrat has a real shot, because Lunsford and Henry have all kinds of baggage, and no one else has a chance besides those two and Beshear. It will be interesting to see the Northup reaction.

Republicans Engage in Final Debate

2007-05-08T00:36:00.000-06:00

From the Pol Watchers:

The two Republican rivals of Gov. Ernie Fletcher aggressively challenged the governor on his ethics and the fiscal record of his administration in the final statewide televised debate before the May 22 primary. Former Congresswoman Anne Northup hammered Fletcher for failing to deliver on his 2003 campaign promise of "changing the culture of Frankfort."

Instead, she said he got mired in a state hiring scandal and campaigned using taxpayer’s money. "This administration has not been without scandal and because of that the Democrats are lined up to run against us," she said.

Paducah businessman Billy Harper repeatedly referenced a need for greater leadership from the governor’s office and criticized Fletcher’s record on taxes, noting that he signed off on $4 billion in debt over his term — more than any governor in state history.

Both Northup and Harper said Fletcher — and any governor — should disclose donors to funds that benefit him during an election year, such as a legal defense fund set up to help Fletcher pay his lawyer fees from the 16-month-long hiring investigation. Harper also said the law should bar people whose companies have state contracts or work with the state from donating funds to an incumbent’s campaign.

While Fletcher found himself on the defensive for much of the night, he clung to his message, touting his 2005 plan for lowering taxes on corporations and crediting it for boosting the economy, as well as filling the state coffers. "The true mark of leadership, again, is results," he said. "We’ve had four years of surpluses.

"We’re providing better benefits," Fletcher continued "We’ve done a lot to increase health care. As we’ve begun to tell the story, the support is growing."

Northup then countered that the governor has regularly trumpeted an "embellished record" in ads and speeches.

Fletcher’s campaign has repeatedly claimed he turned a $1 billion deficit into a budget surplus. When Fletcher took office in 2003, the deficit was $262 million and went up to $303 million before the governor instituted budget cuts and tapped reserve funds to cover it. Fletcher said again last night that he considered a report by former Gov. Paul Patton that called for an extra $700 million in new revenue as his defense for using the $1 billion deficit figure.

In another notable exchange, Fletcher was forced to defend his pattern of attending campaign events during publicly-funded official trips across the state. "When the Herald-Leader brought up some questions about my travel and using the state plane, we stepped back and took another look and said, ‘Yeah we’ll share those costs,’" Fletcher said.

On Friday, Fletcher’s campaign agreed to reimburse the state coffers for $19,359 in travel costs. "This administration, until they were caught, did not offer to pay it back," Northup shot back. "This is a perfect example of not having a personal ethical standard."

More concerning to her is Fletcher’s practice of holding campaign fund-raisers to solicit money from donors who were seeking some of the state projects for which Fletcher was providing state money on the same day.

Fletcher also said he has no plans to disclose donors to his legal defense fund, despite calls by his opponents. "I’m not going to expose these folks who came to me and wanted to help because of the ordeal that was unprecedented," Fletcher said, referring to the state hiring investigation.

He said the same people who have helped donate $3 million to his campaign have contributed to the legal defense fund, which he said he will disclose after Attorney General Greg Stumbo — who led the probe — leaves office in December. Northup later fired back, "If these were just the same people who were contributing to the campaign, what possible reason could there be not to disclose it and make it available to the public?"

Fletcher said he offered transparency by volunteering his tax returns to the public’s view, unlike past governors. Harper, the contractor, has been the only candidate to sign a pledge not to raise taxes offered by a Washington-based conservative group, Americans for Tax Reform. Fletcher said he signed that pledge in the past and has honored it, while Northup said she had a conservative record on taxes and didn’t want to cede decision making power to an out of state group.

Both Harper and Northup said they believed Fletcher’s 2005 tax plan did raise taxes on small businesses, cigarettes, alcohol and cable television. Fletcher then went on the offense, noting that Northup voted for tax increases as part of the 1990 Kentucky Educational Reform Act.

Fletcher Era Education

2007-05-08T00:28:00.000-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Former Clinton County School Superintendent Sam Gibson was suspended from his job in 2002 for sleeping with a co-worker on school property, and then indicted for forging expense receipts related to the affair. He later resigned as part of a court order. But his career with the school system may not be over -- Gibson is a finalist for the job of girls' basketball coach at Clinton County High School. Principal William Warriner said the school council was "mulling it over."

Gibson applied for the position based on having coached teams to three state championships in Tennessee, Warriner said. However, given his scandalous past, parents are very divided over the possibility. "That brings on the mulling," Warriner said.

The school council is supposed to vote on the matter some time next week. Gibson's problems started back in 2002, when he was suspended without pay for 30 days for having sex with a female secretary on school property. The woman later filed a harassment claim, which led to an investigation. The board said there was no evidence of harassment but suspended Gibson for what it termed an ethical lapse.

Then the grand jury indicted him on two felony charges of forgery and one felony charge of theft for forging expense forms and using a school-owned cell phone for personal use. One of the forged "receipts" -- scrawled on a Post-it note -- was from a hotel in order to hide the affair with the secretary, a school board investigation found. However, in an agreed order with the court, those charges were amended to misdemeanors in exchange for Gibson resigning and paying back the school district. The charges were then dropped.

Gibson was permanently stripped of his superintendent license, and his teaching certificate was suspended for six months, according to the agreed upon order from the Education Professional Standards Board. The board oversees teacher certification. Julian Tackett, an assistant commissioner at the Kentucky High School Athletic Association said the first preference for coaches is faculty, but if they can't find a staff person, they can hire someone with 64 hours of college credits.

They must also pass a criminal background check. Clinton Judge-Executive Lyle Huff said the possible hiring had caused an uproar, most of it against hiring Gibson. "They've been bending my ear regular about that," said Huff, whose wife, Beth, is a school board member. "Whoever the site base (council) chooses, I wish they would look at moving our school system and athletics forward."

Beth Huff declined to comment. Superintendent Mickey McFall said the position was posted, and the council had interviewed several candidates. According to state law on school-based positions, the principal must consult with the council. The principal makes a recommendation which must be accepted by the superintendent. A superintendent can withhold names but the council can request all other names be submitted as well. McFall said he could not disclose whether the council had requested all the applicants.

Fletcher’s Minimalism

2007-05-08T00:20:00.000-06:00

From NKY Politics:

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has reimbursed the state for campaign trips he made on a state-owned plane. Here is the campaign's statement. Today the Fletcher Campaign announced that a check is being issued to the Commonwealth of Kentucky to pay for a pro-rated share of the Governor’s campaign travel. This action is not required by Kentucky law. The campaign is going above and beyond its legal obligations.

Campaign Manager Marty Ryall said today, "We have authorized a check in the amount of $18,840.46 to be issued from the campaign to the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This covers a pro-rated share of the Governor’s travel when political events were included in the itinerary." Ryall said, "This covers all of the Governor’s travel from July of 2006 through April of 2007.”

Anyone notice, Governor Fletcher only reacts? The Lexington Herald-Leader reprimands him. He reimburses travel expenses. Fletcher never acts sans prompting. Once again, this was the least he could do.

As the World Watches… Fletcher Fails

2007-05-08T00:13:00.000-06:00

This issue was visible. This issue affected individuals, businesses, and Kentucky’s crown jewel. Amidst the controversy, Governor Fletcher remained silent. Why? This issue begged involvement. This issue coveted leadership. Once again, why was our Governor absent?

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

The leather couches and flat-screen televisions at Bentley's sports bar were all in place for the Derby weekend rush, but only a handful of customers showed up. Robert Mitchem opened the bar a year ago after investors spent more than a million dollars renovating the red-brick building in Louisville's west end. But on the city's most lucrative weekend of 2006, he said his place turned a lousy $25 profit. "It is the one day that the city itself is on the map and makes money," said Mitchem, the bar's manager. "But we took a tremendous pounding."

Owners of fast-food restaurants, bars and barber shops say a city blockade in their neighborhood will keep them from sharing in the $200 million that's poured into the local economy on the weekend of the Kentucky Derby. The police shutdown of a portion of Broadway - a wide downtown thoroughfare just a few miles from the world's most famous horse race - targets a predominantly black area, business owners said. The business owners filed a lawsuit last month asking a federal judge to ban the police plan, but the court ruled it will stand, at least for this year's Derby. "Supposedly Derby is good business, but we haven't gotten any of it," said Jessie Green, the owner of Big Momma's Soul Kitchen along Broadway.

Louisville police began the blockade to discourage the thousands of shiny, souped-up cars and revelers who had flocked to the area in recent years to hang out and be seen. Broadway's six lanes resembled a parking lot as gridlocked traffic stretched for dozens of blocks.

The unofficial tradition grew in popularity and brought a boon to neighborhood businesses but culminated in violence two years ago. "In '05 when we experienced such violence, the community at large said, 'Hey, this is not acceptable,'" said Lt. Col. Phil Turner, an assistant Louisville police chief. "And that's why we took the position that there would be no cruising and no violence along Broadway. Our goal is to eliminate that."

But business owners said that closes them off from the bonanza most other Louisville businesses enjoy on Derby weekend. The main race and its Friday predecessor, the Kentucky Oaks, attract more than 250,000 people to Churchill Downs over two days. An economic impact study from 2001 found that fans, horse owners, trainers and corporate sponsors spend more than $137 million over the three-day weekend, and that spending generates another $80 million in indirect expenditures. The group of west end businesses that sued said last year's shutdown cost them at least $150,000 in sales, and many ended up closing on what should have been the busiest day of the year.

"Last year, I made no money," said Marilyn Bland, who has owned Lee's Famous Recipe on Broadway for 23 years. Bland said she made so little the night before Derby that she ended up sending her workers home and closing the restaurant for the rest of the weekend, losing about $15,000. "I realize the city's got to do what they got to do to control the crime, but I don't think that making me suffer is the answer," Bland said.

Bland and other business owners met with Dick Gregory, a national civil-rights activist, before a court hearing on the suit this week. Gregory called the police plan heavy-handed and racist. "You have two standards, one for the black community and one for the white community," Gregory said.

The court ruled that the police shutdown "imposed financial and intangible injuries to local residents and business owners," but the public safety issue outweighed those concerns. Louisville's police chief, Robert White, said the city's anti-cruising plan - which uses hundreds of officers - is flexible but the latest method "has the potential of saving someone's life."

Other tactics in past years included relaxing enforcement of minor offenses and alternate events to try and draw cruisers away from Broadway. In 2001, the city spent $325,000 to organize concerts on the other end of town, but attendance lagged and the plan was scrapped. Last year's shutdown was announced after a fatal shooting and rape occurred in 2005. Police have scaled back the plan this year, closing off a smaller portion of Broadway. That will leave Green's restaurant outside the blockade. "I was going to close, but they say they're going to open it up down here, so I'm hoping people will come," Green said.

Again, From Their Lips…

2007-05-08T00:03:00.000-06:00

Another promise? Governor Fletcher promised aid. He delivered Fordfare. Why should Ford workers believe official’s assurances?

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

Union workers at the Kentucky Truck Plant are due to vote Wednesday and Thursday on company-proposed concessions that slash overtime by converting the workweek from five days to four and eliminate some jobs. In the agreement, Ford assures that Super Duty truck production will remain in Louisville and promises plant investments.

Many of the concessions sought by Ford from 4,800 union workers at the Chamberlain Lane plant resembles one passed last March by UAW members at the Louisville Assembly Plant on Fern Valley Road. Similar deals have also been approved by most of Ford's North American plants in the last 18 months as the troubled automaker seeks to pare costs.

"It is a changing world and we have got to accept these changes. We have got to do this to have a future," United Auto Workers Local 862 president Rocky Comito said this morning. "The whole idea is to do more with less," Ford spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari said. "We are trying to make our plants more efficient."

Elendil’s Journal Analyzes KY Gubernatorial

2007-05-04T23:16:00.000-06:00

As we head down the stretch, we need to evaluate the three elements of a campaign which matter most, polls, money, and message.

Poll Numbers

In an April 3rd poll the numbers showed Fletcher with a 9 point lead over Northup.

40% Fletcher

31% Northup

16% Harper

13% Undecided

Polling data released early this week shows that Fletcher has widened the gap between himself and Northup gaining 3 points to establish a 12 point lead. Not only that, but he is safely above the 40% line which would force a run off election.

46% Fletcher

34% Northup

14% Harper

6% Undecided

Looking at the numbers, it would appear that Northup has siphoned off some of Harper's support while Fletcher probably garnered his boost from the undecided category. Leading me to believe that Fletcher's positive campaign has been incredibly effective at winning over the undecided voters. In doing so, he has made it very difficult for Northup to force a run off election. Which at this point, seems to be her only real chance of winning the nomination.

The All Important Dollar

The money numbers came in last week for the final election push and the money difference was huge in favor of Fletcher. So far in the primary season Fletcher has raised almost $3 million dollars and has already spent over $2 million so far. He used it to push his positive message and solidify his lead early in the race. I know I have received at least 4 mailers from him while I have gotten none from Northup.

Northup on the other hand appears to have had some difficulty raising money. Especially outside of her home, Jefferson County. In fact she has only raised half of the money Fletcher has, and a third of it came from a $500,000 personal loan she made to the campaign. Making me to believe that there was never this groundswell of support for "Not Fletcher" that some in the party leadership tried to sell everyone.

So heading down the stretch Fletcher and Northup have about $1 million dollars to spend on advertising. Which means that neither will have financial troubles during the final push. At the same time, that probably means that the polls won't move much from where they currently are.
Northup's Negative Attacks

Northup continues to ignore Regean's 11 commandment, by continuing to blister Fletcher at every turn. She has blasted him for the AMT (Which her running mate helped pushed through the state house) . She blasted him for being a failure at education (even though the Jefferson County NEA endorsed Fletcher). She blasted him for not paying back the state for "political" trips (Even though the law allows for it. Fletcher has decided to avoid the appearance of impropriety by reimbursing the state for half of the costs). Her latest ad blasts him for the hiring scandal.

I understand her only way to gain is to drive up Fletcher's negatives, but didn't she learn anything from her last congressional race? You can only go negative for so long before it begins to hurt yourself more than your opponent. I believe that Northup's campaign has gone beyond the pale. I doubt the Democrats will attack Fletcher with such ferocity. I would be amused to watch Henry, Lunsford, or Beshear launch an "ethics" attack against the governor. Especially since most where involved in administrations or companies that had more than a few ethical problems.

Fletcher Remains Positive

Throughout the campaign Fletcher has continued to stay on message talking up what he perceives as his "accomplishments" in office. In fact he has been so focused on his message that he is ignoring any charges leveled by his opponents. The only thing his team will say about his opponents "this is just another desperate attempt by so and so". As I have said before, this is a primary that has two starkly contrasting styles of campaigning. It will be interesting to see which wins out on May 22nd.

Final Analysis

But at the end of the day, I believe this is Fletcher's primary to lose. He has a nice lead in the polls, more than enough money for the stretch run, and a message that is upbeat and positive. As long as he stays on message and doesn't get into a mud slinging competition with Northup, he should win the primary easily.

OSI Interprets

2007-05-04T23:09:00.000-06:00

BILLY HARPER: "As a former member of the Prichard Committee, I agree that teacher pay should be a priority of the next administration. ... [W]e must find incentives to motivate college students to enter these fields upon graduation. We need to evaluate this process annually and solicit input from the education community ... . Billy Harper understands the need for teacher incentives, though he wants to study the issue.

ERNIE FLETCHER: "Our first priority is to give all teachers additional opportunities. I have made it a goal to bring teacher compensation in Kentucky to parity with our surrounding states, ... . I have proposed rewarding teachers for doing additional work to improve student achievement. Ernie wants increased teacher incentives.

ANNE NORTHUP: "We must find a way to attract highly skilled teachers into the classroom, so that we can improve the content of our math and science courses ... . Several different approaches can be taken, and providing increased compensation for math and science teachers is one way ... . Anne supports increased pay for math and science teachers.

Northup Won’t Quit

2007-05-04T23:05:00.000-06:00

As previously stated, Anne Northup has no agenda. Her latest ad substantiates this. She does not discuss policy. She does not accentuate her positives. She hammers Governor Fletcher concerning the merit scandal. She ponders the Democratic playbook. She overtly restates “Fletcher can’t win.”

The truth? Northup cannot win. A general election requires an agenda. A general election requires a strategy. A general election demands more than one three word talking point. If Northup wins in May, she is toast in November. For months, Northup has been pounding “Fletcher can’t win.” The reality is Northup would get drilled.

From Pol Watchers:

Republican candidate for governor Anne Northup launched a TV ad tonight attacking Gov. Ernie Fletcher for pardoning his administration and invoking the Fifth Amendment during a lengthy investigation of his administration's hiring practices. Here's a description of the ad, which appeared during the 5 p.m. newscast on WLEX-TV in Lexington. "Why are these Democrats happy?" a male voice asks.

The photos of five smiling Democratic gubernatorial candidates — House Speaker Jody Richards, Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford, former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear, former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry and state treasurer Jonathan Miller — show up on the screen. "They think their opponent will be Ernie Fletcher and their commercials are ready," the announcer continues.

The screen then cuts to a shot of a TV sitting in someone’s living room with Fletcher’s picture and a female announcer’s voice echoing the words popping up in front of the governor: "29 members of Fletcher’s administration indicted. Eighty-five counts. Felonies. Fletcher pardons them all. The governor, himself, takes the Fifth and is indicted."

All the while a label appears that reads, "How Democrats will attack Fletcher."

The male announcer then comes back on, saying: "If Democrats take back the governor’s office, taxes will be up and liberals will be in control. Kentucky needs a fresh start. Anne Northup can win in November."

Fletcher's campaign manager, Marty Ryall, said the add shows that Northup has "hit the panic button. "From day one, she’s been carrying Greg Stumbo and the Democrats water," Ryall said. "I’m not surprised that now she’s running ads for them."

Ryall said the ad is inaccurate, although he did point to any specific details that were false. "The whole thing is misleading," he said. "It was a political with hunt and the charges were dropped."

Northup’s campaign manager, Michael Clingaman, said the 30-second ad is "factual and shows what Republicans can look forward to if Ernie Fletcher is the party nominee." "It’s obvious," he said, "that Democrats are ready to attack Fletcher."

Predictably Failing

2007-05-04T22:36:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher is a habitual offender. He simply will not protect Kentucky’s children. State child services graded a ‘D.’ Social workers employed despite misconduct. These are merely the latest examples. Governor Fletcher’s record continues trending apocryphal.

Fletcher cannot control every state aspect. However, he can showcase interest. State employees lying, committing crimes, altering documents, coercing witnesses, threatening and striking clients? Upon hearing these allegations, Governor Fletcher should act. He should retrieve resignations and garner the facts. However, Ernie has sat silently.

Protect our children, Governor. Protect them or resign.

Child advocacy group gives state a 'D' for legal services

A recently released report on legal representation of foster children gave Kentucky a "D" for the services it provides to abused and neglected children. First Star, a national child advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C., issued the report, giving grades to states based on such components as mandates for representation, training requirements, children's involvement in proceedings and attorney immunity from malpractice.

Kentucky was one of six states to receive a "D" grade based on a 100-point index; 15 other states received failing grades. The commonwealth received a score of 60 out of 100. Neighboring states received a range of grades with Illinois, Indiana, and Missouri receiving failing grades, Ohio receiving a C, Tennessee a B, and West Virginia an A.

The group made recommendations to the Kentucky legislature that included developing training for attorneys, requiring that children keep the same attorney if possible, and giving children the right to legal representation during the appeals process The First Star report also recommended that children's attorneys have caseload and compensation levels that allow for "effective assistance of counsel."

"While Kentucky guarantees attorneys for children in its child welfare system, the issue of quality representation is simply not adequately addressed," said Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates. "At a broad level, we can do more to support the quality issue through proactive legislation in 2008 and a focused commitment from the legal profession. On a pragmatic basis, issues like increasing fees for court-appointed attorneys are imperative if we really want to tackle the quality issue."

The Louisville-based Kentucky Youth Advocates is one of two groups that issued a report on concerns with adoption practices, particularly in Hardin County, in January 2006.

Social workers remain on job despite allegations

At least 13 state social workers remain on the job nearly four months after a Kentucky inspector general's investigation alleged that they had committed crimes and violated policies while removing children from their families. Also still working is a supervisor under investigation since April 2006 for allegedly trying to alter documents and intimidate witnesses in the investigation by the inspector general for the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services, spokeswoman Vikki Franklin has confirmed.

Franklin said the supervisor, Pam Tungate, an assistant administrator for the cabinet's Lincoln Trail region based in Elizabethtown, is working in another county until the cabinet completes an internal personnel review launched as a result of the inspector general's report. Former Inspector General Robert J. Benvenuti spent a year investigating inappropriate state adoptions, terminations of parental rights and foster care before releasing a report in January.

Benvenuti found that employees gave false testimony in court and falsified public records and adoption records. The investigation showed that one social worker threatened, struck and cursed clients. Another social worker did not visit families, but lied and said she did. All of those workers are still on the job. Cabinet officials are reviewing the cases to determine appropriate personnel actions while they continue working, Franklin said. Benvenuti turned his findings over to Hardin Commonwealth's Attorney Chris Shaw, who could not immediately be reached for comment Tuesday.

Terry Brooks, executive director of the Louisville-based Kentucky Youth Advocates, said his organization is concerned that the workers might still be dealing with families. Brooks said his organization is not suggesting that the social workers be pegged as guilty before the investigations are complete. "But if the cabinet is serious about changing its climate and practices," Brooks said, "you have to wonder if you can do that with the same players."

Blue Grass, Red State Scorches Fletcher

2007-05-04T20:30:00.000-06:00

If "our economy booms," why do the corporate jets of large companies fly over Kentucky and land in states such as Tennessee, which have right-to-work laws and lower tax rates? If "our economy booms," why do 24.7 percent of Kentucky's adults collect disability checks? (If you believe all those folks really have a disability, you could - "could" - have taken up residence in the state of denial.) If "our economy booms," why do statistics reveal only three states with higher unemployment rates in February than Kentucky?

By contrast, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the commonwealth's jobless rate equaled the national average when Fletcher took office some three years ago. The governor likes to say that more Kentuckians work now than ever. We should all applaud that reality. But to pretend Fletcher's economic policies led to that means that you moved to the state of denial. Actually, more Kentuckians work in spite of this governor's economic policies, not because of them.

With the economic revival experienced by the nation following the recession of 2000-2001 and the ensuing tax cuts promoted by President George W. Bush, much of the entire nation experienced job increases. If "our economy booms," why does the Bureau of Economic Analysis report that Kentuckians' personal incomes dropped nearly 4 percent during the past year, down from No. 44 to No. 46 in the nation? This leaves only four states with lower personal incomes.

Fletcher releases misleading TV ad

2007-05-04T20:29:00.001-06:00

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Gov. Ernie Fletcher's re-election campaign released a new ad Wednesday night touting his administration's efforts to turn a state budget deficit into a surplus, all while lowering taxes.

The 30-second spot starts by claiming that Kentucky faced a $1 billion deficit when Fletcher took office in 2003. That number is off by about $700 million. Days after Fletcher took office, a revenue shortfall for fiscal year 2004 of $262 million was projected by the state's Consensus Forecasting Group. The state also had to make up about $40 million in unexpected expenditures, bringing the total General Fund shortfall to $303 million.

Knowing that state law requires a balanced budget, Fletcher pulled $86.4 million from a variety of restricted and emergency funds, ordered state agencies to reduce spending by $147.4 million and received $68.7 million of relief funds from the federal government. He also ordered additional cuts in the state’s operating budget, which provided another $110 million to be used in the next two-year budget.

In the end, all those actions weren't necessary. The economy began picking up in the spring of 2004 and the state wound up collecting $132.4 million more than had been forecasted in December. "There was never a billion dollar deficit," said State Auditor Crit Luallen, the former executive secretary of Gov. Paul Patton's cabinet. "There was a balanced budget. That's what the Constitution requires."

Still, Fletcher repeatedly claims in speeches, mailers and TV ads that he erased a $1 billion deficit. Budget Director Brad Cowgill says the additional $700 million is a budget shortfall for fiscal year 2005 that Patton predicted in a November 2003 report. Fletcher clings to the report, even though Patton's prediction was wrong and the state's Consensus Forecasting Group never predicted a budget shortfall in fiscal year 2005. "I didn’t know the economy was going to take off like a rocket," Patton said today.

But even if it had been correct, Patton says it’s unfair to characterize the numbers in his report as a deficit. He was only trying to tell policy makers that they needed to find new revenue if they expected to increase funding for thinks like teacher pay, health care and prisons.

Some of the needs outlined in the report still haven't been met, he said. Cowgill argues that it's fair for Fletcher to take credit for eliminating Patton's projected shortfall because it was the best available information about the state's financial health when Fletcher took office. "It was the benchmark that affected the expectations of the people of Kentucky at the time he was elected," Cowgill said.

Conservative Edge Paints the Obvious Picture

2007-05-04T20:26:00.000-06:00

You can't help but notice the stridency with which Anne Northup and her backers have hammered away at Governor Fletcher since CE broke the story on Fletcher's huge 22 point lead in the primary polls.

From Larry Dale Keeling, to Ryan Alessi, to John Stamper, to the edtors of the Herald-Leader and Courier-Journal, to Northup's campaign manager who green lighted the latest ad, to a raft of conservative bloggers, all Northup hands appear to be on deck. But is it the deck of the Titanic? We'll know in less than three weeks. What's sad is that some Northup supporters appear to believe that Anne will be treated differently than Governor Fletcher has been treated by Kentucky's liberal media if she is elected.

Northup Supporters Typing Desperation

2007-05-04T20:23:00.000-06:00

From Blue Grass, Red State:

Please understand that Billy Harper lost votes in that latest poll. Billy Harper is not going to win, no matter what his consultants are telling him is possible and no matter what they are telling you is possible. He is not going to come from behind as voters fall out from both sides in the last three weeks.

Please consider supporting Anne Northup instead of Billy Harper in the primary, because in this election a vote for Billy Harper is in fact a vote for Ernie Fletcher. Right now, a vote for Billy Harper is counterproductive to the mission that you are trying to accomplish. Anne Northup & Jeff Hoover will make the changes that you want to see. They have the drive, willingness, and desire to do what it takes to change Kentucky for the better. Give them a chance to do it. Voting for Billy Harper makes it easier for Ernie Fletcher to beat Anne Northup & Jeff Hoover. Please consider changing your vote to Northup/Hoover.

Please understand, Anne Northup is losing in the latest poll. Anne Northup has no agenda and one three word talking point. No matter what her consultants are spinning. No matter what her bloggers believe. She cannot win in November. Why? “Fletcher can’t win” is not a strategy.

Prior to supporting Northup, please consider puking. A vote for Northup is a voter for disaster. Northup as our nominee is counterproductive. She will not win. She does not have the message, the support, or the ability to garner victory. Voting for Northup makes it easier for Democrats in November. Please consider sanity. Do not vote Northup\Hoover.

Blue Grass, Red State in Tank For Northup

2007-05-04T20:09:00.000-06:00

Hebert Agrees With BGRS Analysis of Last S-USA Poll

Video: Ad Comparison - Truth and Effectiveness

Summary & Video: Northup/Hoover on Education

Sales Failing Where Leadership Has Failed

2007-05-04T19:31:00.000-06:00

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

Sales of Louisville-produced Ford Explorer sport utility vehicles held their recent pace in April, but the automaker’s chief sales analyst yesterday said future declines are likely as the SUV market continues to soften. Ford sold 11,956 Explorers last month. That was down 13 percent from 13,772 sold a year ago, but in line with average for the past six months.

The troubled automaker also reported an overall 13 percent drop in vehicle sales across all categories yesterday, selling 228,623 fewer cars and trucks than in April, 2006. Explorer sales have "farther to go but the steepest of the declines have probably happened," Ford chief sales analyst George Pipas said yesterday of the Explorer, adding SUV sales have dropped precipitously in recently years across the automotive industry. "It is starting to reach a point where we are meeting the needs of the person who needs that kind of vehicle."

Reflecting sluggish sales, Explorer production lines will move slower soon at Ford’s Fern Valley Road plant. Ford’s official date for that slowdown to begin is June 11, company spokeswoman Anne Marie Gattari said yesterday. However, the change is expected "sometime this summer," said United Auto Workers Local 862 president Rocky Comito.

Ford also moved fewer F-Series trucks, including the Super Duty and the smaller F-150, over the last year – 56,692 down 12 percent from 64,749 in April of 2006. Sales of the Louisville-built Ford Explorer were off 13 percent in April from a year earlier and sales of F-Series trucks, which include the Louisville-built Super Duty, fell 12 percent. Ford also moved fewer F-Series trucks, including the Super Duty and the smaller F-150, over the last year – 56,692 down 12 percent from 64,749 in April of 2006.

Amidst Fordfare, impending cuts, and contract negotiations, reality stings. The SUV market is faltering. Ford Explorers, which Kentuckians manufacture, are not selling. Obviously, our Ford employees require help. Will our Governor act?

Kentucky Pachyderm 2 Mocks Anne

2007-05-04T02:00:00.001-06:00

Anne Northup began her campaign on a "Fletcher can't win in the fall" theme. When she saw that gained her no traction, she trotted out a few issues. When she saw that also gained her no traction, she's reverted to "Fletcher can't win in the fall." Sorry, Mrs. Northup, but the Republican voters see right through you. They are rejecting your divisive campaign. The polls, whether they are the Fletcher internal poll showing him ahead by 22 points, or the Survey USA poll showing him up by 12, are reflective of that. Fletcher is pulling away and you are slipping.

Your desperation is showing, be it your latest ad or your ill-advised exchange with Robert Stivers, or the comments that at least two sources have reported that you made at the Kentucky Right to Life dinner. Your service to this state and to the Republican Party is honored by most within the GOP, but you are tarnishing and trashing your legacy by your ill-advised candidacy.

You'll earn the respect of all Republicans, even the most ardent Fletcher supporters, if you will stick to the issues and get off your "Fletcher can't win" mantra. The fact is that he CAN win this fall against any of the seven Democrat candidates.

Par for the Gov

2007-05-04T01:57:00.000-06:00

Pathetically, this is typical. Governor Fletcher had an opportunity. Sadly, he made an extremely questionable selection. Fletcher has stated he values education. Unfortunately, his choice reflects the exact opposite.

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Critics of the woman tapped to become the next Kentucky education commissioner say they are surprised she was considered for the post because she has a turbulent history with districts she's led in the past 13 years. Several parents and board members in districts in Scottsdale, Ariz., and St. Charles, Ill., said Barbara Erwin, 56, left their districts in disarray with what they described as a "dictatorial" management style that led to high staff turnover.

"You don't come in and explode the place and leave the place in rubble," said Bill Page, a St. Charles parent who has been critical of Erwin in columns he wrote for the Kane County Chronicle. "If you look at her history, she comes into a district, she turns it on its ear, causes a lot of turmoil, and then she's gone."

Erwin, who has 36 years of experience in education, is superintendent of schools for the 15,000-student Community Unit District 303 in St. Charles. Previously, she was superintendent of the Scottsdale Unified School District 2000-04 and of the Allen (Texas) Independent School District 1994-2000. She also was superintendent of the Tipton Community School Corp. in Indiana. She accepted the position in Kentucky last week. The board of education must ratify her contract at its May 9-10 retreat. Erwin is expected to start July 1 with a base salary of $220,000.

Anne Hickie, a former Scottsdale school board member, said some of Erwin's initiatives deepened divisions within the community. "Everything looks great on the surface; it's what's going on underneath that concerns me," she said. "She divided this community and made it very difficult for people to even work together. Divide and conquer, that was the mentality. If I were asked to vote on Barbara Erwin, I would not vote to hire her."

Kentucky state school board chairman Keith Travis said the firm handling the commissioner search "thoroughly" researched Erwin's background. "She's still our top choice," Travis said. "She's been in some roles with challenged areas and in solving those challenges there is going to be some fall-out from that. ... I really hope a few negatives don't overshadow all the positive that she has done."

Erwin said she was not surprised by the criticism. "Guaranteed, you can go back to every place that I've been and find people that are unhappy with decisions I've made," Erwin said. "When you make difficult decisions, you don't please everybody. ... There tend to be naysayers that are more vocal."

Mary Ann Blankenship, executive director of the Kentucky Education Association, said the group heard only a few negative comments about Erwin. "We talked with our counterparts in Illinois and heard a lot of good things," she said. "We were told their loss is our gain."

Christine Schild, a former Scottsdale board member, said Erwin paid about $8 million to buy out the employment contracts of about 170 teachers, administrators and other staff. Schild said Erwin also led the effort to fire a popular elementary school principal -- who allegedly changed six test scores to meet an improvement goal -- and spent more than $225,000 of the district's budget to do so. The principal was escorted off campus in tears, in plain view of teachers, parents and staff, Schild said. Erwin also proposed a plan later rejected by voters to build a sixth high school despite a decline in enrollment as students transferred to charter and private schools, she said. "It's her way or the highway," Schild said. "Morale just went in the sewer. ... Everything got cut to the bare bone. She was very dictatorial."

Schild said two years after Erwin left Scottsdale, she received calls from residents of St. Charles who were unhappy with Erwin's job performance since joining the district in 2004. Several St. Charles school board members, where Erwin is still superintendent, would not comment for this story, saying they feared retribution. During her tenure at St. Charles, Erwin helped create an electronic system that stores student and teacher profiles and testing data. The district also tripled the number of students that scored high on Advanced Placement exams and saw an increase in ACT scores and state test scores.

In Texas, Erwin is credited by spokesman Tim Carroll with raising achievement in the district and introducing innovative technology practices. She was an adjunct professor at Texas Women's University. Questions also surfaced yesterday about an honor listed on Erwin's rŽsumŽ and in a Kentucky Department of Education release, which stated that Erwin was named Texas Superintendent of the Year in 1997 and 1998. The Texas Association of School Boards Web site shows Erwin earned the title only in 1997. However, in 1999 she was the Texas nominee for National Superintendent of the Year, according to the Texas Association of School Administrators Web site.

Brad Hughes, spokesman for the Kentucky School Boards Association, said KSBA considered it reasonable and understandable for a state's nominee for the national award to consider herself that state's superintendent of the year, even if the nomination does not carry with it an award called state superintendent of the year. Hughes said KSBA had not vetted Erwin's rŽsumŽ, but that the association did not "on the face of it" see anything that suggested Erwin was not qualified to be Kentucky's education commissioner.

According to reports in the Dallas Morning News, Erwin was blamed for the loss of several teachers and employees. In an Aug. 14, 1999, article, critics said staff were quitting Allen schools because the atmosphere was intimidating and teachers were afraid to question Erwin. Carroll said yesterday that the turnover was the result of changes Erwin made. "Most people would look back and think the changes needed to be done at the time," he said. "With change comes resistance."

But critics in Scottsdale say Erwin left a legacy that was more harmful than beneficial. "After you look at her track record ... if your board of education still thinks she is the best candidate for the job, then I wish you luck," Schild said.

Same Gov, Same Gov

2007-05-04T01:40:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher violating a law? Why I am not surprised?

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

Gov. Ernie Fletcher may be required by state law to pay for his political flights on state aircraft -- despite claims by his campaign that the law doesn't address the matter. A law on the books since at least 1998 requires governors and lieutenant governors to repay the state at commercial air-charter rates for using state airplanes and helicopters for trips that are purely personal or have both official and personal aspects.

In the past three years, Fletcher has taken at least 21 trips in which he combined official business with political fundraisers -- and at least 15 times used state helicopters and airplanes for those trips -- according to an analysis of records by The Courier-Journal. Those flights cost the state more than $9,000 in fuel alone. Fletcher agreed on Friday to reimburse the state for the political portion of such trips, though his campaign maintained that he has no obligation to do so under the law.

Marty Ryall, Fletcher's campaign manager, said yesterday that the campaign's understanding of the law is based on a review by Fletcher's office of general counsel. David Fleenor, Fletcher's general counsel, said his office has interpreted the law to mean that Fletcher is required to repay the state only for trips that are purely personal, or when the personal portion of a trip requires an additional leg. Fleenor said, for example, that if Fletcher were flying to Danville for both official and political events, he wouldn't be required to pay for any portion of the flight.

But, he said, if Fletcher were flying to Danville for an official visit and then on to Somerset for a political visit, he would be assessed the cost of the flight to Somerset. Fleenor said the governor didn't fly on any trips in which there was a purely political leg. State law generally forbids the use of state aircraft for personal business. But it allows the governor and lieutenant governor to use state planes and helicopters for such trips "for reasons of security, protocol, ceremonial functions or overall demands of time."

The campaign said Friday that it would reimburse the state for the cost of the aircraft using a formula based on the number of official and campaign-related events. If there were one official event and one campaign event, for example, the campaign would pay half the cost.

Yesterday the campaign of one of Fletcher's opponents in the May 22 Republican primary, former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup, called on Fletcher to immediately identify all trips using state helicopters, airplanes and cars that have included political functions and to pay for those trips before the May 14 deadline for filing campaign finance reports. "Republicans across Kentucky know what waste, fraud and abuse is, and this is it," Northup spokesman Barry Peel said in a statement. "Give the voters an accounting."

Ryall said that the campaign hopes to make the reimbursements to the state by Friday and that Northup had no impact on the campaign's decision to repay the state, as her campaign claimed in the release. "Our plans have nothing to do with her constant negative attacks," he said.

Nice Thought…

2007-05-04T01:25:00.000-06:00

Ministers, your suggestion is excellent. Do not expect our Governor’s involement.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal:

When the Rev. Clay Calloway showed up at 35th Street and Broadway Monday morning, shortly after 21-year-old James Bland was fatally shot, the B-Line Food Mart parking lot was packed with people at a time when most around the city were either headed to school or work. "It looked like it might be a festival," he remembered last night, standing in the same parking lot with about 20 other people, mostly ministers, who want to help bring an end to the violence. Calloway said that experience and a nonfatal shooting a few blocks away on Tuesday afternoon showed him that "there’s a great need to provide some employment opportunities."

Calloway and other members of No Murders Metro joined with members of the Louisville Urban League last night to let at-risk young adults know there are opportunities. With them were three or four Louisville Metro Police officers who were there to show their support. One opportunity is the Urban Youth Empowerment Program, which provides job-skills training and education to at-risk people ages 18 to 21 who have not been convicted of violence or sex offenses. Each participant has a career coach who can give one-on-one help, said Juanita Sands, director of work force development for the Louisville Urban League.

The league’s goal is to serve 60 young adults, but it is only about half full. "There’s a real sense of hopelessness on the street right now," said the Rev. Jamil Armstrong, 27, a youth minister at St. Stephen Church. "People can only go as far as they can see." Instead of drugs, guns and money, young people need to be shown why they should not give in to these temptations, which are glorified on television and through other media, Armstrong said. "They think that’s what they have to have," he said.

There have been 20 homicides in Louisville this year, including one in Jeffersontown and two that involved police officers. In April there were seven homicides, with four of them in the downtown and western Louisville police divisions.

Earlier this year, several ministers from the Interdenominational Ministerial Coalition issued a 10-point plan that includes creating church activities aimed at alternatives for youth, better vigilance among residents, stronger family ties and adopting a corner to combat gang and drug activity. Among the ministers gathering last night was the Rev. Jerome Garrison, who suffered a broken bone and facial injuries after being beaten last fall by a gang of youths across Broadway from the B-Line market. Disconnected young people need to be shown that "you don’t have to be a gangster to be somebody," he said.

Despite the beating he suffered, Garrison remains hopeful that residents in his area can show the rest of the city that "the West End is still the best end." Anyone who would like information on the Urban Youth Empowerment Program can call Sands at the Urban League, 566-3370.

New Video

2007-05-01T01:44:00.000-06:00

Good News… She’s Only Losing

2007-05-01T01:41:00.000-06:00

From Blue Grass, Red State:

After hearing obviously bogus reports of a poll that shows Fletcher up 22 points on Anne Northup, I decided to go another source of information, a Northup campaign insider. This is what I found out:

They did do internal polling.

They will not release the poll because it would give the Fletcher campaign too much information.

They are not being beaten by anyone by 22 points.

They are down by about 5 points.

That paints quite a different picture than the one that other guy did for you last week, doesn't it? Well, this one is true. It makes much more sense, considering Northup's television blitz.

So, keep on keeping on Northup supporters! She can definitely gain 5 points in three weeks if we keep working! That other poll was probably a survey of one county or something.

These are the facts… Anne Northup is not losing huge. She is merely losing. This picture is different. Last week, Fletcher said Northup is losing huge. She is not. She is only losing. Everyone must know this. She is ONLY losing.

Derek Combs (Blogging Between the Lines)

2007-05-01T01:34:00.000-06:00

From Blue Grass, Red State:

Lexington, Kentucky

Today I join Senator Bunning, Steve Pence and many others around the Commonwealth! I proudly and enthusiastically announce that I am endorsing Anne Northup for the Republican Nomination for Governor. Over the last several years I have watched the current administration bumble, stumble and fall.

(Today, I joined Senator Bunning, Steve Pence, and many others in renouncing my mind. I proudly and enthusiastically announce I support someone with one three word talking point. I am not deterred by her campaign, which has bumbled, stumbled, and fallen repeatedly)

I watched the Governor make numerous puzzling decisions in politics, taxes, and policy. In the early days of this administration, I have observed this Governor go after the teachers health care. In a Commonwealth that proclaims "Education Pays", I couldn't help but wonder why the current Governor would go back on his campaign promise and attack hard working teachers' health care. There are teachers in the Governor's home county of Montgomery, that have cried out to me about the hardships of those original policies. Fortunately, the teachers brought enough pressure to make the Governor change his mind and position.

(I have watched Anne make several puzzling mistakes in her campaign. Her education report was uneducated. Fortunately, Kentucky Steele was there correcting her.)

Kentucky Deserves Better! (Than Anne Northup)

I was dumbfounded that the first Republican Governor in 30 years, would raise taxes on small business. This Tax was a Mill Stone tied around the necks of small businesses of Kentucky. This tax had the effect of strangling the Entrepreunerial Spirit, which is the backbone of the Republican Party. This TAX caused Kentucky to fall behind it's surrounding states. Kentucky's job growth and business friendliness have been adversely compromised.

(I was dumbfounded when the Kentucky Club for Growth revealed the truth concerning Northup.)

Kentucky Deserves Better! (Than Anne Northup)

Governor Fletcher announced continually and proudly that over 61% of his political appointees are registered Democrats. Many of these appointees are still involved with the leadership of the democrat party. Many of these appointees are holdovers from past Democrat administrations. This is ridiculous for a Republican Governor! For those who support Governor Fletcher and believe that he has appointed bad people, remember . . . The Governor is the man that made these judgments.

(Governor Fletcher should fire all Democrats. However, he tried this and was branded unethical. Congresswoman Northup would have continued acting unethically. Why did Governor Fletcher stop?)

Kentucky Deserves Better! (Than Anne Northup)

Governor Anne Northup is Kentucky's best choice! (For failure in November)

Derek L. Combs
Chairman Emeritus
Montgomery County Republican Party State
Chairman Emeritus Kentucky
Young Republican Federation
Chairman Emeritus
6th District
KY Young Republican Federation

Rx for Corruption

2007-05-01T01:23:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher and Congresswoman Northup are politicians. The assumption is their policy is purchased. Previously, this assumption concerned state contracts, not substantive legislation such as healthcare. Unfortunately, the aforesaid is now untrue.

From the Kentucky Post:

Until this campaign season, Dr. Phillip Aaron had never given money in a governor's race. But the Adair County family physician said he would really like to see Gov. Ernie Fletcher re-elected. So much so that he contributed $250 to help with campaign costs. Doctors have become a force in Kentucky politics, providing from their ranks two candidates for governor and one for lieutenant governor, and lavishing them with cash.

So far this campaign season, they have made some 350 contributions worth more than $200,000 to Kentucky gubernatorial candidates who will appear on the ballot in the May 22 primary, according to records from the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Marty White, head of government relations for the Kentucky Medical Association, said physicians have traditionally been involved in the political process, and that their influence seems to be growing in the state.

"I think overall, physicians are becoming more in tune with just what impact public officials can have on the practice of medicine and the delivery of health care in Kentucky," White said. "Health care is a major, major issue for all Kentuckians and all Americans, and physicians probably understand that more than most. It makes sense for physicians to be engaged in the process.”

Like Aaron, most of the physicians who have contributed during this gubernatorial election cycle have given to Fletcher. He has received some 200 contributions worth $108,000. Fletcher's opponents this time around haven't fared as well, at least not yet, according to campaign finance records. Republican challenger Anne Northup received 63 contributions totaling $45,700, and the GOP's Billy Harper received donations from three physicians totaling $1,500.

On the Democratic side, physicians split their contributions among five candidates. Former Lt. Gov. Steve Henry, a Louisville physician, has received 34 contributions totaling $27,000 from doctors. Former Lt. Gov. Steve Beshear, who has a physician, state Sen. Daniel Mongiardo of Hazard, as a running mate, received 37 contributions totaling $53,000.

Democratic contender Jonathan Miller, the current state treasurer, received 34 contributions totaling $16,800. Other non-doctor candidates didn't fare as well when it came to campaign contributions from physicians. Speaker of the House Jody Richards got $3,900 from eight physicians. Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford had $3,000 in contributions from three physicians. Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith and Harlan County demolition contractor Otis Hensley received none.

Doctors support candidates who know the importance of improving health care, said Fletcher campaign manager Marty Ryall. Fletcher has used the governor's office to push preventive care programs, to encourage sharing of medical records electronically, and to shore up the state's financially troubled Medicaid program for the poor and elderly. "Physicians from across the commonwealth are supporting his re-election campaign because they know that Governor Fletcher, as a fellow physician, is making improving health care a top priority," Ryall said.

Aaron said he wants to support a candidate who is concerned about the Medicaid patients he sees in his practice. "When I talk to Ernie Fletcher, he talks to me about the poor," Aaron said. "We have to take care of our poor people."

The governor also pushed unsuccessfully for a measure that would have appropriated money to provide vaccines against the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, which causes cervical cancer. Aaron, a Republican, called that a bold move on Fletcher's part, one that could have had political repercussions. "We need leaders to be leaders," Aaron said. "So many politicians won't come out in support of anything."

In Kentucky's last legislative session, White said the state medical association monitored more than 300 bills that could have affected health care. That, White said, is why physicians want to be part of the process, and that's why they're providing financial backing for doctors who enter politics. "I think for the most part, physicians respect other physicians and believe their brethren have a good understanding of the importance of a strong medical community in Kentucky."

Blatant Immaturity

2007-05-01T01:16:00.000-06:00

Their actions are infantile. Their behavior is childish. Yet, we should support their candidates? They reflect their candidates.

From Blue Grass, Red State:

I can't believe those guys at the Fletcher campaign, that one guy, or immature Louisville College Republicans, or whoever registered http://bluegrassredstate.com and pointed it to the Fletcher campaign site.

That's really stupid. It's just more evidence of how the Fletcher people like to stifle and frustrate free speech. Clearly, it doesn't actually stop me from speaking, but it does interfere with search results, therefore pulling traffic away from this site which is not supporting Fletcher in this primary election.

It's also just another reason why I will not vote for Ernie Fletcher in November of 2007 if he wins this primary election. It doesn't really matter all that much, though, because I'm shutting this site down anyway.

UPDATE: It is registered by Domains by Proxy, the same people who registered www.northuphoover.com for that one guy.

Jefferson Review Questions Northup

2007-05-01T00:59:00.000-06:00

In 1994 Anne Northup helped draft and then cosponsored HB 366. HB 366 was a 95 page mandated health plan that would require every Kentucky resident to show proof of health insurance before paying Kentucky taxes each year under penalty of fine!

This bill would have required Kentucky taxpayers to guarantee the financial success of the health insurance company whose basic health plan they would be forced to purchase under penalty of fine.

HB 366 also created financial incentives to replace malpractice jury trials with binding arbitration. This far reaching 95 page bill devoted 20 pages to replacing tobacco with an alternative crop and even created regulations and fines for riding a bicycle.

Does Mrs. Northup believe that an ordinary House Bill is a legitimate mechanism for effecting such a paradigm shift?

Mrs. Northup has been a strong supporter of free trade agreements.

How does Mrs. Northup define "Free Trade" and "Global Competition"? Does she define "Global Competition" as changing our identity? Europe, Japan and Canada have "Universal Health Care" and limited access to jury trials. If Mrs. Northup's "Mandated Health Plan" had become law.... Kentucky, like Europe and Japan would have had universal health care and limited access to jury trials. Most Americans do not define giving up their identity and joining the other team as competition!

Does Mrs. Northup believe that Kentucky must have limited access to jury trials and a subsidized health industrial complex in order to compete successfully in a global economy?

Europe and Japan subsidize their health care system, but they also subsidize other key industries using tax dollars to purchase capital equipment and retrain employees . Europe and Japan also have the highest individual savings rates in the industrial world because of their high consumption taxes.[Please note Kentucky is now using our tax dollars to retrain Ford manufacturing employees]

Queen Anne – My Take

2007-04-27T22:18:00.000-06:00

This incident screams Queen Anne. She is preening royally. She is acting as she has already mangled May and conquered November. Her “Fletcher can’t win” rhetoric has ballooned her ego. Pathetically, she is parading as Kentucky’s assumed emporess. In reality, she is merely a monarchal pain.

Northup’s actions were juvenile, repugnant, and thuggish. She could have ignored the non-supporter. Instead, she threatened him. She treated him as a don would a target. The aforesaid illustrates that Northup is the wrong selection. Anne Northup is a career politician, a lousy campaign, and a reprehensible human being.

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

An offhand comment by Anne Northup has caused a political squall within the Republican hierarchy, fueling speculation about just how neutral two of the Kentucky GOP's most prominent officials really are in this primary race for governor.

The names of state Senate President David Williams and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell -- both of whom have insisted they are not endorsing in the Republican primary for governor -- neverthelesshave been dragged into the strange saga that started Tuesday in Manchester while Northup was campaigning there.

Northup, that afternoon, spotted on the street state Sen. Robert Stivers, who is backing Gov. Ernie Fletcher's re-election bid instead of her candidacy. When she approached Stivers, Northup said she had heard some Republicans were considering challenging Stivers' re-election in 2008. "It was just a little joking matter, which Anne probably shouldn't have done," said Republican state Rep. Tim Couch of Hyden, who was escorting Northup around Clay and Leslie counties. "I wouldn't have done it. But it was a joke."

Once word reached Stivers' Senate colleagues, including Williams, it raised concerns about whether Northup was recruiting challengers to officials who weren't supporting her in this primary. Stivers didn't return calls for comment. Northup's campaign manager Michael Clingaman said the exchange was "lighthearted" and that Northup and Stivers had since talked. "He has assured her there's no ill will," said Clingaman, who declined to discuss the matter further.

But the remark, however, touched off a chain of calls through the GOP's ranks, culminating with a teleconference Wednesday among Republican state senators. On that call, Stivers described the encounter with Northup. And Williams, the Senate president from Burkesville, explained that he called McConnell's state office director, Larry Cox, in Louisville to ask him to tell Northup "not to threaten" senators, said Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, who was on the call. "In my personal opinion, that connects Anne Northup to Mitch McConnell," said Buford. "If you call Larry Cox to get to Anne Northup, that tells you where Mitch is. I believe 100 percent that McConnell got her into this (the race) and now he can't figure out how to get her out."

Cox did not return a call for comment. And Williams declined to discuss their conversation. But McConnell's chief of staff in Washington adamantly denied that the state's senior senator and Republican leader in the U.S. Senate is in any way involved in the governor's race. "People from every camp have tried to drag Sen. McConnell into this primary," said Billy Piper, McConnell's top aide. "Any insinuation that he's anything but neutral is 100 percent baseless. We're going to help whoever the nominee is in the fall."

Piper noted that McConnell organized Kentucky's GOP congressional delegation to host a unity rally at party headquarters in Frankfort the Saturday after the May 22 election. Cox did call Northup about the incident with Stivers, said Couch. But Northup's campaign declined to comment on that conversation.

Who's supporting whom?

In addition to the Manchester incident, the Republican senators' conference call also touched on general trends in the GOP primary race, which features Fletcher, Northup and Paducah businessman Billy Harper.

For instance, the senators discussed results of a poll, taken this week by the Tarrance Group for Fletcher's campaign, showing the governor leading, Buford said. Marty Ryall, Fletcher's campaign manager, confirmed a poll was taken Monday and Tuesday. A summary was dispatched in an e-mail to 25 key supporters, he said. Even though Williams convened the conference call and directed the conversation toward the primary, he stopped short of revealing whether he is supporting Fletcher, said Buford.

"I think that he had already decided that Fletcher was it," Buford added.

Williams' spokeswoman at the Senate, Lourdes Baez-Schrader, said she wasn't on the conference call because it was political, but added that "no one endorsed anyone."

Sen. Tom Jensen, R-London, said he sensed from conversations with Williams toward the end of this spring's legislative session that Williams had picked a side --at least privately. But Jensen, who has endorsed Fletcher, said he would not reveal details of those talks. Williams has introduced Fletcher with positive remarks at recent public events in his southern Kentucky Senate district. "Sen. Williams has been quietly helpful and supportive," said Ryall, Fletcher's manager. "We consider him a friend, but publicly he's neutral."

Couch, the state representative and Northup supporter, said he received a phone call from Williams this week that he described as an attempt to "strong-arm" him and determine whether he was helping to recruit a challenger to Stivers. Couch denied talking with any prospective challengers, and he expressed "disappointment" that Stivers allowed Northup's comment to mushroom into a political soap opera. "It's very unfortunate that these guys are doing it," he said of Stivers and Williams.

Couch also said Williams has "flip-flopped" and is outwardly supporting Fletcher. "I guess he's jumped on the bandwagon," Couch said. "He and Fletcher are two peas in a pod. One's just taller than the other."

Kentucky Pachyderm 2 Pummels Queen Anne

2007-04-27T22:08:00.000-06:00

On his kypolitics.org site, former Fletcher spokesman Brett Hall is reporting a confrontation between Anne Northup and State Sen. Robert Stivers that took place earlier this week in Stivers' hometown of Manchester. (The Lexington Herald-Leader has a slightly different take penned by Ryan Alessi in Friday's edition.) Hall says that Northup threatened Stivers, a strong Ernie Fletcher supporter, with a recruited primary opponent.

He further reports that Stivers called Senate President David Williams, who in turn called a Mitch McConnell operative who's a strong Northup supporter, and that conversation was followed in short order by a mea culpa call from Northup to Stivers. If this really happened, and we have no reason to believe that it didn't go down as Hall described it, Northup may have just shot herself in the foot in a staunchly Republican area of the state. Stivers represents the counties of Knox, Clay, Owsley, Lee, Wolfe, Morgan and Magoffin.

The first four are part of the so-called "old 5th" that is the most heavily GOP region of Kentucky. Wolfe remains a Democrat stronghold, but Republicans are on the rise in Morgan and Magoffin. Incidentally, Ernie Fletcher's father spent his childhood in Magoffin County and the governor still has plenty of relatives there. Stivers is very highly thought of in his district and it would be very hard to recruit a challenger who could beat him. Stivers is active in community affairs in most all of his counties.

Northup is picking on the wrong person if she's trying to pick a fight with him. Fundraising numbers posted on Hall's site also show that this is Fletcher country. Northup has received contributions from only two of the counties in Stivers' district, $3,750 in Knox and $350 in Morgan. We have it on good authority that when Fletcher recently attended a public event in one of the smaller counties in Stivers' district, one in which no corresponding fund-raiser was planned, he went home with a similar amount for his campaign.

Fletcher is very popular in this region and many loyal Republicans view Northup with disdain and outright dislike for challenging the incumbent instead of throwing her full support behind him. This is the second really dumb thing Northup has done in the last month or so. Remember this report in which Northup explained her no-show at the Kentucky Press Association's candidate forum by saying she didn't want share the stage with the Democrat candidates and have to listen to what they had to say?

That wasn't exactly the brightest thing to say in a state where Democratic registration still outpaces GOP registration. Now she threatens to "primary" a very popular state senator who happens to support the incumbent governor? Not real bright. Of course it'll be hard for Northup to recruit an opponent for Stivers from her position as an ex-Member of Congress and failed gubernatorial candidate, which is what she'll be after May 22. And it's highly possible her threat to Stivers will be a key reason why she'll lose next month.

Brett Hall Rebukes Queen Anne

2007-04-27T22:06:00.000-06:00

State Senator Robert Stivers was leaving the Clay County Courthouse Tuesday in his hometown of Manchester when he spotted Anne Northup talking to a few locals.

Stivers, an attorney and one of 15 state senators backing Governor Ernie Fletcher in the GOP primary, stopped to say hello. That was when things got ugly.

Northup reportedly told the veteran legislator and senate judiciary chair that she was going to contact people in his district to recruit a primary opponent to run against him in 2008, among other things.

None too happy about that news, Stivers contacted his good friend, Senate President David Williams to fill him in on Northup's threat to primary him.

Williams then called Larry Cox, who heads up U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell's state operations, informing him of his displeasure. Basically, it went something like this, "Tell your candidate, Mrs. Northup to kindly stop threatening members of my caucus."

Moments later, Northup was on the phone with Stivers offering a profuse apology for her remarks.

Wednesday afternoon, GOP state senators convened on a conference call to discuss the incident. The Senate President asked them to inform them immediately of any similar incident.

Queen Anne’s Royal Gaffe

2007-04-27T22:04:00.000-06:00

From On the Mark:

Governor Fletcher's former press secretary Brett Hall, claims on his blog that Anne Northup threatened to recruit an opponent for Sen. Robert Stivers because of Stivers' support for Fletcher. Keep in mind that Hall is still a big Fletcher supporter and his wife works for state government, but I'll pass this tidbit on because it's interesting. Here's Hall's website

From OSI Speaks:

Did Northup make a "veiled political threat" against Sen. Robert Stivers, regarding a possible opponent for him, or was her comment a "joke taken out of context"? Read the H-L piece, judge for yourself and please share your thoughts.

How Very Small of Him

2007-04-27T21:59:00.000-06:00

Governor Fletcher has pledged reimbursement? He has incumbency’s trappings, purse power, campaign “official” appearances, and state funded plane access. Expecting Kentucky’s taxpayers refunded was appropriate.

From the Lexington Herald-Leader:

Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s campaign reversed course and now will voluntarily reimburse the state coffers for a portion of travel costs when the governor attends political events, such as fund-raisers, while on a trip for official business. The campaign issued a statement today saying that it’s working on creating on a "pro-rated reimbursement rate" based on the number of political stops on a trip compared to the number of official events, such as check presentations, ribbon cuttings and announcements. "This is new ground for Kentucky politics as it is the first time an incumbent governor has campaign extensively while in office," said campaign manager Marty Ryall.

The decision comes after the Herald-Leader reported that 11 of Fletcher’s 16 campaign fund-raising events since March 1 occurred in or near a Kentucky city in which the governor made a public appearance that same day. The cost of flying the state airplane to eight of those cities was $7,819.50, according to the Herald-Leader’s analysis. And initially, the campaign said it had no plans to reimburse any of that because state law — unlike other states and the federal guidelines for the U.S. president — doesn’t require it. "We’re following the law as it’s written in Kentucky," Ryall said at that time.

Ryall said today the campaign has reconsidered and is working with the governor’s office to calculate how much the campaign would owe dating back to Jan. 1. The forumla takes into account the number of political and official stops per trip. For instance, if the governor attended one campaign function and two meetings on state business, the campaign would cover one-third of the travel costs.

The campaign’s statement also points out that federal laws for members of Congress don’t require a U.S. representative’s re-election campaign to reimburse travel costs from Washington to the legislator’s home state as long as the trip includes at least one official event.

One of Fletcher’s rival in the Republican primary for governor is Anne Northup, a former congresswoman from Louisville, whose campaign for governor criticized Fletcher for not reimbursing the state. "That begs the question of how much she has reimbursed the federal government for travel to and from Louisville during her congressional campaigns," Ryall said.

Northup lost her bid for a sixth term last fall. The Northup campaign dispatched a statement dismissing that question, saying Fletcher "in typical fashion is making an excuse and playing the victim."

The statement did not include any data as to Northup's travel from Congress. "Ernie Fletcher campaigned on going to Frankfort to clean up the waste, fraud and abuse yet this is a perfect instance of how he has wasted taxpayer dollars and found every way possible to abuse the system for his own political gain," the statement from Northup's campaign manager, Michael Clingaman said.

Selling A Governor

2007-04-25T18:41:00.001-06:00

On Monday, the Lexington Herald-Leader profiled Governor Ernie Fletcher. Their article was ridiculous. I will not share the contents. Simply stated, Fletcher should have paid for the advertising.

Restraining the Campaign

2007-04-25T18:33:00.001-06:00

From OSI Speaks:

The H-L has done another good write-up. This one is on Billy Harper, who rejects calls to quit the Governor's race and instead declares that he's a better candidate than Northup or Fletcher because "I'm not a politician. I've come out of the business ranks where I know what it is like to make a payroll." Is Harper a better candidate or is he a "drag" on the Republican gubernatorial "race"?

Billy Harper is a drag. Billy Harper is a candidate. Anne Northup and Ernie Fletcher, they are a pair of drags.

Money As Expected

2007-04-25T18:30:00.000-06:00

From Pol Watchers:

The re-election campaign for Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher shows that the incumbent has collected a total of $2,980,216 in the election cycle, including $1,292,401 since Jan. 1, 2007. Meanwhile, Anne Northup, another Republican candidate for governor, and her running mate, Jeff Hoover, have raised more than $1.5 million for their campaign. That includes a $500,000 loan from Northup and her husband, Woody Northup.

Fletcher has spent $1.8 million this year and now enters the last month of the campaign with $935,819 in the bank, according to the report summary just filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. The Northup-Hoover campaign, in its 32-day pre-primary report, said it had about $980,200 on hand. "Jeff and I have been thrilled with the support we have received from people all over the Commonwealth," Northup said in a statement. "As the governor’s own campaign said last week, if you are an incumbent, it is easier to raise money, but we are thrilled with the response we have gotten despite the governor trying to prevent people from donating."

The report listed donations from more than 2,000 people in 67 counties. "Our efforts have been picking up steam each week and the momentum is building," Northup said, noting that the campaign reaped more than $110,000 contributions in the five days leading up to the close of the books.

Of the loan from the Northups, campaign manager Michael Clingaman said, "Their loan demonstrates how deeply they believe the Republican Party needs a new standard bearer who can put the failures of the Fletcher administration behind us."

Paducah businessman Billy Harper, the third Republican candidate for governor, has not yet filed his campaign finance report. Statewide candidates have until midnight Wednesday to file.

Obviously, Governor Fletcher and Congresswoman Northup raised money. They are politicians. Politicians talk (a lot) and consume donations. The monitary explanation? Fletcher has been bought. Northup was a Congresswoman. If elected, both will Kentuckians and serve special interests.

Speaking Anti-Abortion

2007-04-25T17:04:00.000-06:00

Ask Republicans an abortion question. Unsurprisingly, you will receive various versions of “I support life.” Concerning Kentucky, Governor Fletcher treasures informed consent. He is cuddling the pro-life movement. Anne Northup said life four times. She is kissing the pro-life movement. Billy Harper opposes abortion, except concerning rape or incest. He is honest.

From Kentucky Post:

For some candidates in the governor's race, the topic of abortion is more complicated than simply a "yes" or "no." While some of the 10 candidates are firmly planted, others find themselves straddling the issue between what they personally feel and how they think government should handle the touchy subject. The Associated Press asked each of the 10 candidates - three Republicans and seven Democrats - their positions on abortion and whether they favored imposing restrictions on the procedure. The responses were generally split along party lines.

The three Republicans were, for the most part, supportive of abortion limits. Meanwhile, most Democrats felt personally against the procedure, but not in favor of banning it. Gov. Ernie Fletcher, who is seeking a second term, said his "convictions are pro-life." An ordained Baptist preacher, the Republican governor said he's worked during his first four years to reduce abortions in Kentucky. "I have worked to create a culture of life in Frankfort, by working to protect all children, both born and unborn," Fletcher, who is also a physician, said in response to the AP questionnaire.

Fletcher is facing challenges from two of his past political comrades, former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup and Paducah businessman Billy Harper. Seven Democrats, meanwhile, are seeking the nomination in the May 22 primary. They are: former Lt. Govs. Steve Beshear and Steve Henry, demolition contractor Otis Hensley Jr., Lexington attorney Gatewood Galbraith, Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford, state Treasurer Jonathan Miller and House Speaker Jody Richards.

On the GOP side, Fletcher and Northup both used the term "pro-life" to describe themselves and have endorsements from the Kentucky Right to Life Association. Fletcher said he supports "informed consent" laws that would require women seeking an abortion to have a face-to-face meeting beforehand.

Northup held a similar view. "The value of all lives are precious and that includes the lives of the unborn," Northup said. "I am pro-life, and I support any measure that preserves the sanctity of life."

Harper said he opposed abortion, except in rape or incest cases, or when an expecting mother's life is at risk. House Speaker Jody Richards, a Democrat to whom the Right to Life Association gave high marks, shared the same opinion as Harper. Lunsford, however, said he supports "a woman's right to choose." "I believe it is a personal, private matter between a woman, her family, her doctor and her beliefs," Lunsford said.

Not all Democrats, however, were as clear in their responses. Beshear said the state can help reduce the number of abortions through education, health care and with new jobs. "Studies show that as the financial status of women improve, the number of abortions decrease," he said.

Henry, who is also a physician, said he did not personally support abortion and would never perform one. "I do not believe governors have the right to place their personal beliefs or make decisions on this issue for the people of Kentucky," Henry said.

Miller also said government can play a role in decreasing the number of abortions by reducing unwanted teen pregnancies. This could be done through teaching sexual abstinence, education, reducing poverty and promoting adoption, he said. "We must partner as government, parents, concerned citizens, clergy, as a community to reduce the number of abortions in Kentucky and the country," Miller said.

Women are allowed to have an abortion, but should be informed about the consequences, Galbraith said. "I am against abortion. Who isn't?" Galbraith said. "I believe women seeking abortions should be fully informed about its medical consequences and educated about what they are really doing which is ending a baby's life."

Hensley said in an interview that he hates abortion, but would not favor banning the procedure. Nevertheless, Hensley said he would create a panel consisting of people on different sides of the issue to address abortion. "The abortion issue works to divide us, both within our state and nationally," Hensley said. "We must begin to take steps to resolve this issue."

Martin Cothran, a spokesman for the Lexington-based Family Foundation, said that a candidate's view on the issue is important in Kentucky. "A lot of people consider a person's view on abortion to be what you would call a disqualifying issue," Cothran said. "People feel pretty strongly about it, and if they take a position on it that they don't agree with, they simply look around to see who else there is."

Beware of False Leaders, Speaking In Fletcher Clothing

2007-04-25T16:58:00.000-06:00

From On the Right:

Excerpt from John David Dyche's column in today's Courier Journal: Nothing has become Fletcher's governorship like the missionary zeal with which he is fighting to keep it. His campaign religiously preaches a distinctly messianic re-election message.

Fletcher's first ad portrayed him as a pure young soul facing persecution while walking through a playground equivalent of the valley of the shadow of death full of loud-mouthed little kids. In another bit of Baptist-flavored electoral evangelism, Fletcher's face emerges from a flame as the choir sings "This Little Light of Mine."

Forget a special legislative session. Fletcher's campaign feels more like vacation Bible school. In answer to Ernie's altar call, state contractors are apparently filling the Fletcher collection plate with offering checks. Where their treasures are, there will their ballots be also, or so he hopes. Comment: My favorite Fletcher religious gaffe was his statement to the Herald-Leader in its Monday profile in which he compared himself to Jesus Christ: "You can lead like Jesus and be successful."

But, he added, "there's a price to pay." Well after all, he did have disciples!

The Domestic Partner Dance

2007-04-25T16:52:00.000-06:00

Partner benefits in special session. Partner benefits not in special session. Special session dependent upon UK decision. UK approves partner benefits. Fletcher’s response?

University of Kentucky trustees approve domestic-partner benefits

University of Kentucky trustees on Tuesday afternoon approved domestic-partner benefits for opposite-sex and same-sex unmarried couples. The benefits are part of a major package that includes additions such as on-campus child-care centers and expanded opportunities for employee training and education for spouses, partners and children.

The benefits package passed by a 14-2 voice vote. Four trustees were absent. The "no" votes came from Pam May of Pikeville and Penny Brown of Corbin. The board's human resources committee approved the package earlier Tuesday by a 4-0 vote. Trustees Phil Patton of Glasgow, Sandy Patterson, faculty trustee Jeff Dembo and staff trustee Russ Williams all voted yes. A fifth trustee on the committee, Billy Joe Miles, was absent.

Governor says special session "unlikely" before primary

Gov. Ernie Fletcher said he doesn't expect to call a special session of the legislature until after the May 22 primary and is considering asking the General Assembly to address the issue of universities allowing domestic partner benefits. "It’s very unlikely that it might be before the primary," he told reporters in Louisville. "It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. After the primary is the most appropriate time."

3 in GOP discuss benefits for gays

The Fletcher administration may include the issue of domestic partner benefits for gays and lesbians working for state government in the call for a special legislative session. Robbie Rudolph, who is running for lieutenant governor on a ticket with Gov. Ernie Fletcher, said the administration talked about it today. Fletcher has said he wanted to call a special session to deal with the state's retirement system.

Both Fletcher and Rudolph oppose domestic partner benefits. "We'll take care of this once and for all," Rudolph said while discussing the issue during an hourlong debate on KET featuring the three Republican candidates for lieutenant governor.

House Minority Leader Jeff Hoover said Fletcher hasn't spoken to him about what he intends to place on the call for a special session, but he said adding it to the agenda might not have been needed if Fletcher had shown more leadership during the regular session. "If they hadn't closed their door every day at 5 o'clock — there wouldn't be a need for a special session," Hoover said in an interview later.

Hope Amidst Oblivion

2007-04-25T16:44:00.000-06:00

From Louisville Courier-Journal:

Ford Motor’s head of North American manufacturing told a Louisville conference today that the automaker is committed to fostering manufacturing innovation in the United States. Speaking at the Global Automotive Conference in Louisville, Joe Hinrichs was asked what role Ford’s Louisville plants would have in that vision.

"I know the plant well and I’m sure this plant will step up to whatever we have to do," he said, referring to the Explorer plant on Fern Valley Road Concern about the future of the Louisville Assembly Plant stems from lower sales of the Explorer and Ford’s plans to close seven assembly plants by 2009.

It has identified five.

The plant will step up? Kentucky hopes. Given only Fordfare, hollow assurances, and temporary employment, the workers are starving. Either they will succeed or Ford will perish.