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.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Conservative Musings Leans Harper
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.
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
*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.
*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…
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Conservative Edge Compliments Billy Harper
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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