Update from Pol Watchers: Bruce Lunsford, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, apologized Wednesday for a misstatement during a statewide televised debate on Monday about his prior campaign contributions to Republican candidates.

 

LOUISVILLE, May 13, 2008 – Bruce Lunsford did not tell the truth during the KET Democratic Senate Primary debate last night when he said he didn’t donate “tens-of-thousands of dollars” to Republicans. According to state and federal election finance records, Lunsford has given more than $60,000 to Republican candidates since 1990.

In the most heated moment of the debate, Lunsford criticized Fischer’s financial contributions to Democrats as insufficient. Responding to the attack, Fischer pointed to Lunsford’s financial contributions to Republican candidates. “Bruce has given tens-of-thousands of dollars to Republicans,” Fischer said.

Lunsford then accused Fischer of distorting the truth “I haven’t given tens-of-thousands of dollars to Republicans. In fact it’s just the opposite,” Lunsford said.

The following list of Lunsford contributions to Republicans shows that Lunsford gave $60,850 to Republicans from March 1990 to Ocober 2006. The list is compiled from records from the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance; Arkansas Secretary of State Office, New York State Board of Elections; and the Federal Election Commission.

 

06/10/97 National Republican Senatorial Committee $2,500.00

07/10/97 Bluegrass Committee (Sen. McConnell’s PAC) $2,500.00

07/11/97 Citizens for Bunning $1,000.00

07/30/97 New Republican Majority Fund $5,000.00

03/16/98 Bluegrass Committee (Sen. McConnell’s PAC) $2,500.00

04/24/98 Northup for Congress $250.00

07/09/98 Northup for Congress $1,000.00

10/27/99 McConnell for Senate $250.00

04/07/00 Bush for President Inc. $1,000.00

05/01/02 Lamar Alexander for Senate $1,000.00

05/15/02 Mike Huckabee $1,000.00

05/22/02 Janet Huckabee $500.00

05/25/04 Republican Party of Kentucky $1,000.00

06/23/04 Northup for Congress $500.00

03/14/05 Northup for Congress $500.00

10/13/05 New York State Senate
Republican Campaign Committee $1,000.00

10/31/05 Rep. Trey Grayson, Sec. of State $1,000.00

05/15/06 Northup for Congress $1,600.00

05/15/06 Northup for Congress $500.00

10/05/06 Northup for Congress $1,500.00

Total $60,850.00

 

“I don’t enjoy having to point out this discrepancy,” said Fischer. “But when a candidate for public office stands before a statewide audience on live TV and says something that’s blatently false, I think you have to point that out.”

In another misleading attack during last night’s debate, Lunsford lambasted Fischer for failing to support Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth in 2006. However, Lunsford failed to disclose that he himself contributed $4,100 to Yarmuth’s opponent, Republican Anne Northup in that campaign.

“Lunsford has a problem with the truth. He’s demonstrated a pattern of distortion when it suits his purposes,” said Kim Geveden, Fischer campaign political director. “He’s bending the truth when he describes Vencor, a company he bankrupted, as one of the greatest business success stories in Kentucky. He’s bending the truth when he defends his record as CEO of Vencor, by saying the company never admitted guilt when it paid a $104 million fine to settle Justice Department charges of fraudulent billing. And he outright lied last night when he said he hadn’t donated tens-of-thousand of dollars to Republicans.”

“The pattern is clear,” Geveden said. “When you confront Lunsford with facts he doesn’t like, he twists, distorts and hides the truth.”

Lunsford’s history of supporting Republicans is well documented. In 2003, Lunsford entered the Democratic Primary race for Governor against fellow Democrats Jody Richards and Ben Chandler. However, four days before the election, Lunsford abruptly quit the race. Then during the general election for governor, Lunsford endorsed Republican Ernie Fletcher and appeared at a press conference with Sen. Mitch McConnell to make the announcement. After Fletcher won the governor’s race, Lunsford chaired the Fletcher transition committee that re-cast Kentucky’s executive branch in a Republican mold.

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Below is a Youtube play list of Mike Cassaro, Greg Fischer, Bruce Lunsford and Kenneth Stepp.
All 4 of the videos are on the player below.
Special thanks to Ed. Marksberry.

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It’s that time of year again, folks. As soon as January hits, I get antsy with anticipation for baseball season and, perhaps even more so, BBQ season. I hope to enjoy both this weekend. Squee!

Owen Covington at the Messenger-Inquirer reports that neither Sen. Barack Obama nor Sen. Hillary Clinton will be in Owensboro this weekend, though representatives of the campaigns are coming. Unsurprisingly, Sen. Mitch McConnell also has better things to do than hang out at the beer garden in McConnell Plaza. Of course, I don’t suppose he’s ever pretended to be a real “man of the people” or anything. (*cough* elitist *cough*)

Organizers are “working to get the other Republican candidate, Daniel Essek, to attend.” Yeah. The guy who, earlier this year, listed a Tennessee address for his campaign. The Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate who have confirmed so far are Bruce Lunsford, Kenneth Stepp, and Michael Cassaro.

Oh yeah, there’s also the KDP fundraiser tonight in Louisville at the Kentucky International Convention Center. I understand it’s quite a bargain compared to those thousand dollar dinners the GOP has.

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(crossposted at B & P)

I’ve honestly never seen supporters of a candidate gloat about being 25 points down in a poll with only 20 days until an election. I’m not sure whether to laugh or feel sorry for them. It’s like they are Greg Fischer’s Tinkerbell constituency: just clap louder and everything will be OK.

What’s not funny is that Fischer’s folks are actually believing their own hype in order to justify starting Mitch McConnell’s attack Vencor ads for him. For all this talk about Lunsford’s “baggage”, the only relevance I can see is that Fischer is serving as Mitch McConnell’s bellboy, doing all of Mitch’s heavy lifting for him. Once more, pointing out the Fletcher endorsement and claiming he’s too far to the right are fair game; beating on Vencor is simply Mini-Mitch mudslinging.

And I love this ridiculous theory about how Lunsford will inevitably fail at the end of the campaign. The last time I checked, Jonathan Miller wasn’t in this race about to drop out and hand over a significant % to Fischer. And the last time I checked, criminal Steve Henry isn’t in the race imploding with supporters going to Fischer. Looking at this objectively, there’s absolutely no comparison between this year and last year.

Want more proof? 80% of voters say they have already made up their mind, with only 20% saying they might change their mind. It’s simple math.

(There also seems to be little discussion of Fischer’s internal poll from two months ago showing the race 39%-22% for Lunsford. Does this mean that Fischer has dropped 8 points in the past 2 months???)

You may not like it (as I don’t), but Bruce Lunsford is in all likelihood our nominee, and it’s time to close ranks behind him if he wins this primary so we can Ditch Mitch. Every time Fischer makes this low blow, Mitch McConnell is sitting back and laughing. It’s like Greg Fischer’s campaign is being run by Hunter Bates. It’s sick.

So to all the Fischer supporters: I have no beef with you, but once this primary is over, if Bruce is our nominee, we have to let bygones be bygones and focus on Mitch.

Remember, when Greg Fischer makes statements like this:

“…replacing Mitch McConnell with Bruce Lunsford is no change at all”

…he is simply deceiving you. He’s insulting your intelligence. We may not love (or even like) Bruce, but he is NOT Mitch McConnell. Not even close. Not in the same ballpark. Our state and our country can’t afford to let grudges stand in the way of ridding us of Mitch once and for all. (looking at you, Crazy Shark)

(P.S.- since when is Greg Fischer the candidate of the KY Netroots? I know of only one pro-Fischer website. Odd…)

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(Cross posted at Hillbilly Report)

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(Cross posted at Hillbilly Report)
The video below is a political ad made by a Democrat. Can you imagine what we will be seeing when the Republithugs air their political ads against Bruce Lunsford, if he wins the Kentucky Democratic Primary race for US Senate?
To Bruce Lunsford’s credit, he’s spending a ton of his own money to win this race, but Senator Mitch McConnell isn’t exactly broke.
Bruce, no one wants Senator Mitch McConnell out of office more than I do, hells bells, I’ve spent time and money, along with others that have spent their time and money to get rid of his ass. I realize we’re just grassroots folks with limited budgets, but we haven’t been slackers when it comes to Ditching Mitch McConnell and we will continue to do so.
My questions are these:
Bruce are we gonna be subjected to watch videos like the one below all summer?
Bruce do you have something on Mitch McConnell that we aren’t aware of?
Your comments are welcomed!

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(Cross posted at Hillbilly Report)
I’ve traveled all over Kentucky, on my own dime, doing my best to shoot video of all the Democratic candidates so folks here in Kentucky can view the candidates on Youtube and get a feel for who best represents them. All of the candidates have been very cooperative and respectful of what I am trying to do. They seem to understand the importance of attending events and trust me to shoot video of them so folks here in Kentucky can make up their own minds.
Further more I have, on my own dime, videotaped numerous protest against Senator Mitch McConnell and these protest and the videos of these protest have made Senator Mitch McConnell vulnerable.
The problem is this, Bruce Lunsford has been absent from the events I’m speaking of and the only video information the voters receive from Bruce Lunsford are his commercials, commercials that he can buy with his unlimited personal fortune.
Here in Kentucky we already have a Senator, Mitch McConnell, that refuses to appear before regular folks and it’s beginning to look like Bruce Lunsford is of the same mold.
There’s a reason why Senator Mitch McConnell doesn’t speak to groups of folks he has no control over here in Kentucky, he knows he will get booed out of the place and he’s scared shitless that I will put that on Youtube for the world to see.
I suggest that Bruce Lunsford has the same fear and I challenge him to stand up like a man and start attending events like all the other Democratic candidates do.
Chuck Shumer might think this is OK for Kentucky, but this Hillbilly is here to tell you that shit won’t flush!!
So I put together the video below, so there would be no doubt as to how I feel about what appears to be a chicken shit Democratic candidate for the US Senate!!!!!
Jim Pence

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Benton Kentucky held it’s annual “Tater Day” yesterday and thousands attended. Noticeable missing was Bruce Lunsford. I don’t want to be critical of Lunsford, but Bruce has missed what I consider 3 major events, the Louisville Metro Democratic Club Debate, the Ruby Laffoon Dinner and now the Tater Day event. One could easily conclude that Bruce Lunsford doesn’t really give a shit about being around regular folks, especially in Western Kentucky. I realize that some folks think it’s silly that I criticized Bruce for not attending events, but it seems to me we have a pattern here, but it’s possible that Bruce did attend, but wasn’t seen by the folks I talked to.
This blog has a place for comments and a comment from Bruce Lunsford as to why he didn’t attend or if he did attend the “Tater Day” event would be welcomed!
Mike Watt attended the event and took photographs, click here to view Mike’s photos of the event.

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Andrew Horne, a man I respect, has endorsed Bruce Lunsford. I know Andrew, I’ve been on the streets with him protesting the Iraq war and Senator Mitch McConnell’s policies, but I’m still going to do my best to remain neutral in this process to elect a candidate to defeat Senator Mitch McConnell.
Today, the Lunsford campaign invited bloggers to a conference call with Bruce Lunsford and Andrew Horne. I participated along with Joe Sonka of Barefoot And Progressive and Jacob Payne of Page One. Bruce Lunsford took a risk in doing this, and I respect him for doing so.
I asked him how he would combat the old Chandler ads and the endorsement he gave to Fletcher in 2003. He said that he’s apologized before and made amends last year by staying positive and helping Beshear out big afterwards. He said that it was an emotional response to the Chandler ads, and it was a bad mistake. He also said that beating Mitch would certainly heal all wounds. To view the videos I was speaking of click here, here, here, and here.
During the conference call Bruce took the time to explain why he didn’t attend the Ruby Laffoon event in Madisonville, Kentucky and I found his reason to be acceptable to me.
Much has been said about positive and negative campaigning during this race for the Senate, but I believe that tough and hard primaries are necessary to vet and prepare the candidates for the general election. I hope none of the candidates take any of their options off the table so that when we get to the general election the winner of the primary will be fully vetted and there will be no surprises in the general election. As in the past I will do my best to post as much video as possible of all the candidates, as objectively as possible, so that the voters can make their decision May 22, 2008, after all it will be the voters in Kentucky, not the bloggers or the media, who will decide the US senate Democratic primary and I have great confidence the voters will make the right choice.

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According to Greg Fischer’s web site Bruce Lunsford skipped Saturday’s Ruby Laffoon Democratic Dinner in Madisonville event to attend a $6 million horse race in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and had Dale Emmons speak for him at the event. As a voter I have to question Bruce Lunsford’s priorities. Is attending a $6 million horse race in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, more important than than meeting, greeting and speaking to the folks in Madisonville, Kentucky? As a voter that really wants to defeat Senator Mitch McConnell, I have this to say to Bruce Lunsford “get your act together”.
I know for a fact that Michael Cassaro, Greg Fischer, James E. Rice and Kenneth Stepp got to the event early and left late. These guys seem to have their priorities straight.
Bruce Lunsford also missed the Louisville Metro Democratic Club debate. Do we have a pattern here?
Videos of Greg Fischer and Dale Emmons speaking at the event.

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Via Page One comes news that the Metro Dems will host a debate tomorrow. Mark Hebert will moderate the debate between candidates Greg Fischer and Mike Cassaro. Bruce Lunsford will not be in attendance.

The debate will be held at the UAW Union Hall at 6:30 P.M. If you go, please consider this topic an open thread to discuss what you saw and heard there, as I won’t be able to make it due to my work schedule.

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(Cross posted at Hillbilly Report)

As I have said before in a previous post December 18, 2007, my goal as a progressive blogger, during the Democratic Senatorial Primary, will be two fold:

1. To give all of the candidates as much positive video exposure as possible.
2. To help any and all the candidates any way I can, to best of my ability, without actually being a part of their campaign.

We, as Democrats, have a chance to defeat Senator Mitch McConnell and that is what I’m going to focus on.
I wish all the candidates the best of luck and look forward to seeing each of them on the campaign trail. I also look forward to all the candidates working together after the primary to defeat Senator Mitch McConnell.
Jim Pence
It is in that spirit that I have posted the videos below of Dr. Mike Cassaro, Greg Fischer and Bruce Lunsford, in alphabetical order, speaking in Frankfort, Kentucky yesterday March 1, 2008.

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(crossposted at BlueGrassRoots)

The proprietor of THE best blog keeping track of the Senate races coming up this Fall takes an in depth look at Kentucky's race against Mitch McConnell this year. Worth a look.

The Democratic primary will likely be dominated by three candidates: former state Secretary of Commerce and two-time gubernatorial candidate Bruce Lunsford, businessman Greg Fischer, and Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Horne. Lunsford is best known for his two Democratic primary defeats for Governor; Fischer is best known for his company's invention of the ice & beverage dispenser used by many fast food and other restaurants; Horne is best known for his 2006 Congressional campaign in Kentucky's 3rd district.

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Both from their videos and their websites (Horne, Fischer), I get the distinct impression that Lt. Col. Horne has a much clearer vision for why he is running for Senate, compared to Fischer.

Horne’s website has an issues section that touches on the economy, education, health care, Iraq, etc. Fischer’s site has no issues section.

In his introductory video, Horne discusses his personal, civilian-professional, and military background. He discusses personal motivations, from his wife’s health care battles to a desire to keep jobs from being shipped overseas to Mitch McConnell’s failed leadership. Horne even seems ready right now to take on McConnell in a debate with such zingers as “Senator Mitch McConnell is more than part of the problem; he is the problem,” “Simply put, while Mitch McConnell carries George Bush’s water on Iraq, I carried a rifle in Iraq,” and “This campaign is about you, not the lobbyists and political insiders; Mitch McConnell has forgotten that.”

In Fischer’s video, he highlights his business background and “outsider” status, but I simply don’t get a sense of what he is passionate about.

While Fischer has only been in the race a month, Election Day is less than nine months away, and primary day is even sooner – Fischer needs to do a better job of explaining why he’s running. I’m left with the distinct impression that, since Fischer has the capability of self-funding a significant portion of his campaign, he expected that his checkbook would lead him to the Democratic nomination. That will likely not be the case, especially considering Bruce Lunsford (and his ostensibly even larger checkbook) entered the race just before the filing deadline.

In his two failed gubernatorial bids, Lunsford spent about $14 million, and failed to win the Democratic primary either time. Nevertheless, it appears that Lunsford has the inside track on insider support, reportedly receiving the tacit encouragement of Governor Steve Beshear as well as national Democratic leaders in Washington DC, ostensibly because Lunsford has the most money to put into the race. There are two major flaws in that logic though. First, if Lunsford’s money couldn’t win him a statewide primary in two tries, there’s no overwhelming reason to believe his money will put him over the top in both a primary and a general against an exceedingly well-funded McConnell this time around. Second, depending on how much McConnell’s eventual Democratic opponent loans his campaign, by virtue of the “Millionaire’s Amendment,” McConnell will be able to increase the limits on how much he can take in from his contributors, further increasing his campaign war chest.

Additional concerns exist with Lunsford’s commitment to Democratic Party ideals. Lunsford has a very long history of political campaign contributions to Republican candidates and committees, including $1,000 to Mitch McConnell in 1993 and another $250 to McConnell in 1999. On top of that, after his failed 2003 gubernatorial primary bid, Lunsford endorsed the Republican nominee over the Democratic nominee – that Republican was corrupt Ernie Fletcher. I don't readily see how Lunsford answers the question from Mitch McConnell, "How is it that you can contribute to my campaign on one day, support my Party and my candidates one day, and then turn on me and my Party the next day?"

At this stage, Fischer and Lunsford both have as their task at hand to explain how their campaigns represent more than just checkbooks – why they're running and how their campaigns promote Democratic ideals. Of course, McConnell will be well-funded, but that alone does not win campaigns. In 2006, we saw a number of Republican incumbents significantly outspend Democratic challengers in losing efforts. Democrats Claire McCaskill and Jon Tester saw Republicans Jim Talent and Conrad Burns spend twice as much as they did, respectively. George Allen’s spending tripled Jim Webb’s. And Rick Santorum outspent Bob Casey by over $10 million. Those four Republicans lost despite enormous financial advantages.

This is not an endorsement at this stage, by any means. But, right now, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Horne appears to be the strongest Democratic challenger to take on Mitch McConnell and question McConnell’s shameful record before the voters of Kentucky. I encourage you to view his campaign introductory video again and visit his website.

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Ron Lewis won’t be running for reelection in KY-2. Reid Haire will join David Boswell in the Democratic primary for the seat.

Bruce Lunsford is in, joining a ton of Democrats who want to DITCH MITCH!

(h/t: PolWatchers, who will continue to have coverage on today’s filings.)

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