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Kentucky Native American Rights Movement
2008-02-03 19:11:00
When dealing with Native American Rights in Kentucky one can get extremely frustrated and fast. This year is no exception as we wait yet again. For the 4th or 5th year in a row, Rep. Reginald Meeks (D) has filed legislation that would finally protect our Native American Burial sites and designate those sites as actual cemeteries. But for the 4th or 5th year in a row my personal caucus of members of the House says only two words, no chance. The bill is HB295. On the other hand an alternative bill has been drafted and sent to the proper agency for processing. Still no word on this legislation and no word on the progress of the processing. I know it has to be chaos in the LRC so I will refrain from suggesting that, yet again, it appears the Native American peoples of Kentucky are getting the cold shoulder. The only other option I have is fight in another way and I promise everyone it will be devastating on a non-violent front. There is still a chance for success this year but time is ...

Vote Scott Alexander, Possible Landslide in Bell and Harlan Counties
2008-02-02 19:25:00
On Tuesday February 5th, Bell , Perry, Harlan and Leslie Counties will go to the polls and elect a new State Senator. Former state Rep. Scott Alexander (D) is facing state Rep. Brandon Smith (R), Smith answers to the Republican hierarchy, people like Senate President David Williams (R). Williams has no regard to our welfare and our region's prosperity, to elect Brandon Smith would be a tragedy. Brandon Smith is knocking on Church doors saying Scott Alexander supports casino gaming. The Republican State Leadership Committee, RSLC, is running a negative ad (HERE) showing Alexander as a casino loving hack, of course the Herald Leader has not reported that and probably wont, they are clearly backing Smith. Scott Alexander wants us to choose if WE want casinos or not and Brandon Smith does not want YOU to have a choice. Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D) is also urging that his constituency support Scott Alexander on Tuesday and has a wonderful ad running in the district. Rep. Ri...
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Kentucky Judges that Contribute to Political Campaigns
2008-02-02 15:54:00
The Lexington Herald Leader's Ryan Alessi broke the amazing story of a District Judge candidate that contributed a whopping $200 to a political campaign, backed by Governor Beshear, and received an appointment by Governor Beshear for the office he is a candidate for. First the information was rumored to have been supplied to Alessi from a relative of an opponent of the now District Judge John Paul Chappell of London. Chappell is highly respected throughout Laurel County and every person I have spoken to says he is one of the good guys and does not deserve the treatment he is receiving from the Herald Leader. I am disgusted that Alessi would even hint that Beshear would sale a Judges hip, not to mention for $200. I have a list of Judges that have contributed in the past. I expect no reaction, as usual, from the Lexington Herald Leader. They apparently have one mission, to stick it to a sitting Governor and I don't think it matters if you have an (R) or a (D) after your name. We s...
More About: Political , Contribute , Campaigns , Kentucky

Col. Andrew Horne presents Issues Platform
2008-02-01 03:55:00
U.S. Senate candidate Col. Andrew Horne (D) has released an abbreviated version of his comprehensive issues platform (HERE) and it appears the he may be the only candidate, so far, that actually has an issues platform. Horne released his ideas on everything from Jobs & Trade to Coal and Education. Quite a few people in Eastern Kentucky are waiting on Col. Horne's energy platform and more specifically his views on coal and coal production. Horne briefly mentions clean coal as a viable green option for future clean energy, which we will certainly need. He also stated the very important fact that while U.S. energy production is a concern for those who worry about the future of our environment, it is also a national security concern. Our ability to produce our own energy without dependence on foreign sources is one of our most significant national security isues. More issues below, Read Horne's entire abbreviated platform (HERE) Jobs & Trade:   We need to be do...
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Runoff Election one step closer to being eliminated
2008-02-01 02:26:00
The 40% gubernatorial rule is one step closer to being thrown on the legislative scrap heap. Last year a true fear existed that a wealthy candidate, Bruce Lunsford, could spend his or her way into a runoff election. In the event of a runoff election the wealthy candidate certainly has the advantage and hopefully we will never have to worry about this possibility again. Now we go back to the fear of a crowed gubernatorial primary and a winning candidate only winning with, say, 32%. Does that percentage represent the people? It is hard to say but the winner wins. From Capitol Notes The Kentucky House voted 92-3 today to repeal a state law that requires the top vote getter in a gubernatorial primary who receives less than 40 percent of the vote to face off in a runoff primary with the second highest vote getter. Under House Bill 18, sponsored by Rep. Darryl T. Owens, the candidate with the most votes in the primary--whether their percentage of the vote is above 40 percent or not--...
More About: Election , Step , Closer

Alessi's $200 for a Judge Appoitment Source May Be a Bit Fishy
2008-02-01 02:08:00
A little rumor floating around is Alessi's tip off came from a relative of a non-partisan candidate for the 27th District Judge race that covers Knox and Laurel counties. I am not in the habit of taking on Judges, so I will be careful here. One of Laurel County's most powerful and wealthy family's, the Dyke family, is rumored to be the source of this tip. Harold "Fish" Dyke is a registered candidate for the position. Even Republican blogger Jonathan Gay, Cyberhillbilly, is praising Governor Beshear (HERE) for this appointment. Kentucky Progress is drinking the Alessi kool aid and is on the attack, hell even Pat Crowley has "greased" the wheels on this one. If $200 buys you a Judgeship in Kentucky, I have some ocean front property in Tennessee I would like to sale you. I thought my blog could get a bit tabloid from time to time but Pol Watchers has beat us all with this story. Shameful.
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Rep. Rick Nelson (D) Endorses Scott Alexander for State Senate
2008-01-31 17:14:00
Good to see our regional elected officials standing for a unified region. Rep. Rick Nelson (D, Bell-Harlan) has officially endorsed Scott Alexander for State Senate district 30. Nelson's popularity is evident in the region, he has no opposition to his candidacy for reelection. His statement is also a testament to the growing popularity of regional and local forums/blogs and the communications power these website have.   I would like to ask the members and readers of the playhouse to consider voting for Scott Alexander for the state senate seat.I believe Scott would do a very good job. I believe that he is honest and sincere about helping our citizens. Because he has worked as a underground coal miner, he knows the value of a honest days work.It is important for me to have someone that I can trust to do the right thing for our area and to work with me to help our region. I believe that person is Scott Alexander!I wanted our citizens to know where I stand on this election a...

Senator David Williams (R) Insults Senate District 30
2008-01-31 03:28:00
Senate President David Williams (R) has never had nothing but contempt for Senate District 30. His complete disregard for our Mountain People is punctuated by the fact that his dark wit offends even the thickest skinned Harlan and or Bell Countian. To serve this master is to serve an empty suit so I hope the Democrats of Senate District 30 unify their voices and send Rep. Brandon Smith (R) home. While many of the good people in Harlan County have the Christian habit of forgiving and forgetting, we should not forget that Senator David Williams (R) was the chief architect in splitting Harlan into 4 House Districts, ending a unified Harlan in the State House.  
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Governor Steve Beshear's Ethics Reform Bill Passes House Without Opposition
2008-01-31 01:45:00
As promised, Governor Steve Beshear (D) has pushed through the House a comprehensive ethics reform bill. HB 250 passed without opposition in the House today 94-0. Also this bill will provide more robust whistle-blower protection, an increased amount in regards to personal gifts to public servants, state employees will not be able to seek employment from individuals that they were directly involved with on the job and expanded jurisdiction for the Executive Branch ethics code that will cover all boards with salaried members and regulatory panels.
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Scott Alexander (D) is a Step Ahead of Brandon Smith (R)
2008-01-30 23:55:00
Reports out of Harlan and Bell Counties suggest that Scott Alexander (D) is pulling away from his Republican counterpart Brandon Smith (R). Reaction from Smith's failure to file candidacy papers for his 84th House District seat is mixed, one Perry County republican told me that Smith never let on that he would not file to run for the seat and some are very upset that no Republican candidate filed to defend the seat. Most blame Smith's silence for that clear screw-up. I am pleased that every Harlan resident I talked with today are joined at the hip in support of Alexander, even a few Republicans in Bell and Harlan said they would cast their votes for Alexander. Alexander surprisingly out-raised Smith $162,396 to $106,285, so far. To most that follow politics, this is a sign of weakness for the Republicans, especially a Republican that is considered to be slightly wealthy. Some notable contributions for Alexander include, Leslie County Democratic Chair Edmond Collett gave $1000,...
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Beshear Mixes a Little Sunshine with the Budget Gloom
2008-01-30 11:10:00
Governor Steve Beshear (D) addressed our Commonwealth's budget concerns and while some are relieved, others may not have received that project or money for a particular project. My main concern was primary education and it deserved to be spared the rod and was. Hopefully the General Assembly can work together for a longterm solution for our Commonwealth's financial problems. We need a steady revenue stream and while I am a proponent to solutions like expanded gaming, casinos are not best solution for longterm success. Our children and the industries they will hopefully be employed by is the longterm solution, casinos would give us an opportunity to accelerate the rebuilding of our infrastructure. It is all about moving forward faster.  From the Kentucky Democratic Party Tonight, Governor Steve Beshear spoke strong, honest words to the General Assembly and to the people of Kentucky concerning the state's financial health and his plans for a responsible budget. In spite of...
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Governor Beshear's Press Release In Regards to Bruce Lunsford's Senate Run
2008-01-30 00:49:00
Before Kentucky Blogosphere begin their assault on Governor Beshear for even mentioning Lunsford's name, they must first sit down and think. I think it would hypocritical for the Blue blogs to rebuke Beshear for speaking out, after-all they are currently slamming the Jefferson County GOP for discouraging a potential candidate from running. Is it not OK for the Red but OK for the Blue? Beshear should encourage anyone and everyone to run, if they are able and Lunsford is certainly able. So lets see how many so called good Democrats carry this. I again read over the press release sent to us from Governor Beshear and failed to realize the significance of the heading. Seems the media have been hounding the Governor's office for a response and they got one. In response to media requests, please find below a statement from Governor Steve Beshear in regards to the filing by Bruce Lunsford for US Senate .Last December, before any of the other Democratic candidates had decided to run,...
More About: Press Release , Press

Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate: Who is the Favorite?
2008-01-30 00:13:00
Now let the spinning, grinning and grinding begin as we have a full house in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate . Perennial candidate Bruce Lunsford (D) did indeed file his papers today and will spend another 5mil trying to at least win one primary in his controversial political career. With more than $10 million spent in his last two losing efforts, Lunsford has yet to garner more than 21.4% of the vote. Rumors have been burning across the Commonwealth that Governor Steve Beshear (D) is poised to announce an endorsement for Lunsford. Will a Beshear endorsement finally push Lunsford over the top? With the massive library of campaign ad material available for Lunsford and the massive additions to come, I can not see how a Lunsford would survive, unless the Democratic field stays crowded. At this time I believe with 8 frigging candidates in this Democratic primary, Lunsford could slip through because he has the most name recognition and the cash. It is a damn shame that no matt...
More About: Primary , Favorite

2nd Congressional District Loses Ron Lewis (R)
2008-01-29 23:49:00
Can't say that I am sorry to see him go and I am sure many, including Jim Pence, are probably jumping for joy. The candidates for this Congressional seat know their way around a campaign. My early favorite is long time County Judge Executive Reid Haire (D). Two State Senator's, one from each party, will give it go as Sen. Brett Guthrie (R) will represent the Republicans and Sen. David Boswell (D) will run for the blue team. Bosewell has a tough fight on his hand with Haire.
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State Representative Surprises?
2008-01-29 23:30:00
This is my give a damn list of State House races or lack there of. This is all according to the Secretary of State's website, I have no idea if their website is completely updated or not. 87th House District Representative Rick Nelson (D) will go unchallenged, but will apparently offer his constituency a campaign website, it would be refreshing if more of our elected officials were out in the open. I will have his website address when it is released. 45th House District Representative Stan "the stache" Lee (R) will unfortunately go unchallenged. I can not believe there is not one one Democratic candidate in his district, maybe in 2010. 84th House District - This will probably be the election to watch in the mountains, with no Brandon Smith (R), apparently he could not run for both the Senate and the House, on the ballot we will have a Democratic 84th House District. Add one more to the majority. 82nd House District Representative Charlie Siler (R) draws a familiar opponent a...
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Kenneth Stepp Files his Candidacy Papers for U.S. Senate
2008-01-29 17:35:00
Manchester Democrat Kenneth Stepp has filed his papers to run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate per the Secretary of State's website. Stepp was throttled in the 5th District Congressional race against long time Republican Hal Rogers in 2006.   Stepp won with 47,362 votes in the 2006 Democratic primary and in the General he managed to obtain only 52,367 votes to 147,201 votes for Rogers. People in the 5th congressional District remember this 73.8% to 26.2% mauling and one area political type says he could also become a spoiler for a Horne, seeing the Fischer candidacy may be designed for that fact if Bruce Lunsford chooses to run today.
More About: Files , Papers , Candidacy

84th House District Democratic Primary Preview
2008-01-29 11:00:00
No matter the end result of the Senate District 30 Special election, we will have a crowded Democratic Primary for the 84th House District race. We will know by 4pm tomorrow just how many Democrats will file to run for the seat seemingly vacated by Rep. Brandon Smith (R). The 84th House District is a Perry Countian's dream as most of the district resides within the Perry County boarder. At this point we have 3 fairly decent Perry County Democratic candidates and one fairly well known and respected Harlan County candidate. The pair to watch in Perry County is Chester Jones and Fitz Steele. With a complete dog fight in Perry County it may be possible for the vote to become so diluted that a Harlan candidate may indeed slip through the primary, though a long-shot. I will do a short, what I know about each candidate, not much and show their recent campaign contributions just for effect. Fitz Steele (Perry) - Just about everyone that seems to know Steele has only good things to say ...
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CyberHillbilly Gets it Wrong This Time
2008-01-29 04:57:00
Jonathan Gay, A.K.A Cyberhillbilly, usually gets it, he is usually on point and probably the best blogger in the Commonwealth. But he slipped tonight as he attacked Col. Andrew Horne (D) and played the partisan game of portraying all national Democrats that does not agree with everything NSA as terrorism loving devils. I usually do not side with the ACLU, sorry guys but I have been on the other side of the Ten Commandments fight for too long, but I do believe in their root principles. But facts are facts, screwing with the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (FISA) poses a severe threat to our right to privacy guaranteed by the Fourth Amendment and I am open for business for anyone, anytime for a good argument or debate on the subject. The facts are this, the Federal Government most likely eavesdrops on anyone at anytime. We do not live by the wire and the retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies is a wonderful front for future abuse. The Government plucks ...
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RUMOR: Governor Beshear to Endorse Lunsford?
2008-01-28 23:28:00
At least that is what a group message from Col. Andrew Horne's Facebook site was saying. Horne's Facebook site is NOT considered an official communications medium of the Horne for U.S. Senate campaign and is in no way officially affiliated with the campaign but it does echo a fear that Governor Beshear's recent public encouragement for a Lunsford candidacy is rattling nerves in the Horne camp. I have not been able to gather any new information in regards to a potential Lunsford run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate but at least we will know one way or the other tomorrow around 4PM. I will have a complete analysis of the U.S. Senate race tomorrow around 6PM.
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Crazy Mailer Distributed in the 30th District Senate Race
2008-01-28 23:17:00
Page One has had this mailer up for most of the day and it is one of the strangest pieces of campaign propaganda that I have seen in a long time. See the mailer (HERE) and (HERE). I have talked to a couple of people in Harlan today and they said it turned their stomach, looks like another blunder from the amateurs from the RPK. The mailer echoes the message expressed by a so called Democrat,former state Rep. Roger Noe. Noe of course blasted Governor Beshear (D), LT Gov. Mongiardo (D) and many Democratic officials for his failed bid to become the Democratic candidate in this special election. I am glad this is not common place in Kentucky politics, we wouldn't know who was Democratic or Republican.
More About: Race , Crazy , District , Senate , Mailer

Roger Noe Accuses Beshear, Mongiardo and the Kentucky Democratic Party of B
2008-01-27 03:52:00
Now this is getting ridiculous, but most insiders knew something was brewing. Former state Rep. Roger Noe (D) was considered at one time to have been the front runner to be the Democratic candidate in the upcoming special election for Senate District 30, but a number of circumstances eventually did Noe in and another former state Rep. Scott Alexander (D) was chosen to represent the Democratic party. Today Roger Noe presented a letter to the Hazard Post accusing the Beshear Administration, Leaders of the Kentucky Democratic Party and former Bell County Democratic Party Chair Leo Haggerty of breaking the law. Noe claims Haggerty's new job with GOLD was pay back for his support of Alexander, that is totally false. Cyberhillbilly has posted the letter (HERE). Some in Harlan are saying that Noe and Senate President David Williams (R) are batting for the same team trying to bring down LT Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (D), that has not been confirmed, but the timing of Senate President Williams...

Obama Destroys Hillary Clinton In South Carolina
2008-01-27 02:49:00
Exit polling is showing that Illinois Senator and Presidential candidate Barrack Obama (D) captured 80% of South Carolina's coveted African American vote and has throttled Hillary Clinton in thats state's Democratic primary. With 67% of the votes counted, Obama has 54% to Hillary's 27%, Edwards is third with 19% and it may be the end for him. Hillary had turned up the heat on Obama in the last week and during a recent Democratic Presidential debate Clinton slammed Obama for representing slumlord, Antoin "Tony'' Rezko. Clinton should have kept her mouth shut as a photo of Her, Rezko and former President Bill Clinton popped up on the Internet and that might have sealed her fate in South Carolina .     

Page One: Lets Make Fun of a Hillbilly Contest, Excuse me Scott Alexander C
2008-01-27 02:36:00
OK, as a female political friend of mine said, Scott Alexander is no Jack Conway, but I wish people would not make fun of him. Page One is following the lead of a handful of jerks that left a ton of very distasteful comments made on a recent Pol Watcher's article that sported a photo of Scott Alexander, the comments on that particular thread were embarrassing and everyone of those jerks should be ashamed of themselves and so should Page One. No one should be made fun of because of the way they look and I am disgusted that Jacob Payne would stoop to the level of an anonymous commenter. Also BlueGrassRoots owner Joe Sonka chose to join in on the fun and I am disappointed in him as well. When I was in high-school and college, a long time ago, I walked the hallways looking for those elitist jerks making fun of people, you know the rich kids having a little fun with the goth kid, the gay kid, the ugly kid or the disabled kid, pretty much anyone that was a little different, every school...
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UPDATED: David Williams Spews More Venom; Harlan County Judge Executive Res
2008-01-26 00:56:00
I am happy to say Pol Watchers is a blog after-all! They have proved that point beyond any reasonable doubt as they have posted the hearsay story of the year. Senate President David Williams (R) gives the Lexington Herald Leader a dose of "what I have heard and I hear" and Kentucky's largest newspaper soaked it all up like a biscuit on runny gravy. The Herald Leader failed to mention the feud that has existed between Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D) and Senate President David Williams (R) and the fact that Williams is going to waist tax payer's money by meeting with our Attorney General over hearsay and bullshit. It makes me wonder how Williams ever passed the bar. Of course STILL no mention or rebuttal from Williams on the fact that U.S. Rep Hal Rogers (R, KY-5) has been actively campaigning for Republican state Senate candidate Brandon Smith, Williams of course called Governor Steve Beshear's (D) support of the Democratic candidate, Scott Alexander, “intimidation or...
More About: Judge , Harlan , Venom , Executive

Governor Beshear Saves the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games
2008-01-26 00:14:00
Governor Steve Beshear (D) made a bold move and exhibited some true gubernatorial leadership today as he has saved the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games . Governor Beshear has diverted $28.6 million in state park funds to build the desperately needed stadium and a new exhibit at the Kentucky Horse Park. Of course the Lexington Herald Leader is spinning the tear machine for the now canceled state park improvements, the diverted funds were earmarked to fund park improvements. The World Equestrian Games would provide Kentucky's economy a much need infusion of cash and the publicity of the event would elevate Kentucky's reputation on the world stage. But the flavor of the week is, bashed Beshear berry as the MSM continues to spin every Beshear action in a negative light at every conceivable opportunity. Most of Kentucky's blogosphere are following suit and theme on most of the Commonwealth's blog's, Republican leaning and Democratic leaning are simply "bash the boss f...
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Uncle Hal out in the Field for Brandon Smith
2008-01-25 04:53:00
Congressman Hal Rogers (R-KY-5) is out on the streets and spreading the word for Rep. Brandon Smith (R) and backing his candidacy for the state Senate district 30 special election. We reported this (HERE) earlier in the week and we called on the press to ask Senate President David Williams (R) what he thought about it, after all he pitched a fit (HERE) when Governor Beshear campaigned for Smith's opponent, Scott Alexander (D). Of course that has not happened and it is becoming more and more evident that if it is not about Beshear bashing, the media will simply walk away. Middlesboro City Councilman Rob Lincks, Rep. Brandon Smith and U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers in Bell County Courtesy Hazard-Herald Online without permission
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Casino Showdown? Hypocrisy at its Worse
2008-01-25 00:49:00
The press seems to be amplifying the potentially explosive relationship between Governor Steve Beshear (D) and certain members of the Kentucky General Assembly. I have not heard much about the possibility or impossibility of a casino gaming amendment actually making on a ballot. On the surface the House seems prime to allow this amendment to become reality. The members that support casino gaming want it and the more conservative members simply just want to get it over with, so lets vote on it. Certain House Members seem dead set on forcing the Governor to allow them to pencil-whip any potential legislation. I will stay out of that fight, because it is the General Assembly who drafts most of our legislation. But the Governor also seems to be dead set on drafting this bill, his way. What happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object? We may find out in the weeks to come. The press has consistently ignored the fact that LRC economist low balled potential casino tax re...
More About: Hypocrisy , Casino

Now This is News
2008-01-25 00:17:00
OK certain positions have a certain amount of residual power that comes with it. A suggestion means a direct order, a look means a suggestion and no really means yes. Now Ryan Alessi has uncovered a whopper of a story that indicates that a cabinet secretary may have received special treatment. Oh the shame! We have real problems with our economy, healthcare, drugs..I could go on, but this is copy. From Pol Watchers FRANKFORT -- After Gov. Steve Beshear ran a successful election campaign promising government reforms to "earn the trust" of Kentuckians, one of the administration's first moves was to install non-essential turn arrows at a stoplight in the new Transportation Cabinet secretary's neighborhood. But GOD's curse would be on everyone if our media actually did take a look at the former, acting, Transportation Cabinet Secretary that spent a record amount of money and maybe it is just a coincidence but he seemed to have spent that money right before two elections. The c...
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Governor Beshear Wants Bruce Lunsford to Run for U.S. Senate
2008-01-24 04:03:00
As a Beshear supporter I have to analyze this move by Governor Beshear in a non temperamental and totally rational manner. I am almost spent with the anger bit and have very little left in the raw form of emotion. What, if anything, can Bruce Lunsford bring to the table? $10 million and name recognition. You do not spend that much dough in a race, as he did in the 07 Democratic primary, and not have a reasonable amount of name recognition. My predictions for the, soon to be coming if Lunsford jumps in, poll on our Democratic candidates name recognition. I would expect this poll to be commissioned sometime in late February. Bruce Lunsford - 32% Col. Andrew Horne - 22% Greg Fischer - 12% This will be the numbers, I will be within 5% either way. Horne is the man without the baggage and he is the only true person in this race. I will continue to support Horne even though it may appear that our Governors people will likely be working for Lunsford. My evaluation of Horne's cam...
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The Arena is Wrong: Benny Ray Bailey JR Filed for the 84th District House S
2008-01-23 23:15:00
The Louisville Courier Journal's political blog, The Arena , is reporting (HERE) that the long time state Senator Benny Ray Bailey (D) has filed for Rep. Brandon Smith's (R) 84th District house seat. I just got off the phone with his daughter-n-law and she says it is indeed Benny Ray Bailey JR that has filed for Smith's seat. The former Senator still lives in his native Knott County.
More About: House , Wrong