Archive for the 'Mitch McConnell' Category

Mitch McConnell Wins, But Republicans Lose.

Jim Pence November 5th, 2008

November 4, 2008
Louisville, Kentucky
Needless to say I’m very disappointed that Bruce Lunsford didn’t beat Senator Mitch McConnell, but I can take comfort in knowing that I gave it my best shot to get rid of Mitch McConnell’s slimy ass and  I also realize that Bruce Lunsford must be disappointed because Bruce gave this race his all. The way I see it the best man didn’t win, but on the brighter side the policies of Senator Mitch McConnell inspired the rest of America to elect Barack Obama.
I suggest if the Republicans are smart they will ditch Mitch McConnell as their Senate Minority Leader, but I hope they don’t because Mitch McConnell inspired millions of Americans all across this land to vote for Barack Obama and helped the democrats gain House and Senate seats. Nationally Mitch McConnell is the gift that keeps on giving and if the Republicans keep Mitch McConnell as their minority leader Mitch will lose them more House and Senate seats in 2010. Keep up the good work Mitch.
As a Kentuckian I apologize to the majority of of the citizens in the United states of America that we didn’t get rid of senator Mitch McConnell and I thank all of the states that voted to elect Barack Obama as the next President of the United States of America.
Last night we saw history being made and I just couldn’t let this moment go by without trying to capture it so I put my camcorder next to a flat screen TV and videotaped Kentucky folks watching Barack Obama giving his victory speech. As I videotaped these folks watching Barack Obama, with tears of joy running down my 70 year old cheeks, I knew I was at the right place at the right time even if it was Kentucky.
The video is below.

Hillary Clinton In Kentucky To Ditch Mitch McConnell!

Jim Pence November 3rd, 2008

November 2, 2008
Louisville,Kentucky
Hillary Clinton was in Louisville Sunday to help Bruce Lunsford ditch Mitch McConnell. This is her 2nd trip here to help Bruce Lunsford defeat Mitch McConnell. Bill Clinton was here in Kentucky stumping for Bruce Lunsford in October and Ashley Judd was here Saturday . This race is being watched all over the country and Bruce Lunsford has a real chance to take Mitch out.
Video clips of Hillary and Bruce are below.

Our Own Ashley Judd Stumps for Democrats In Kentucky. You Go Girl!

Jim Pence November 2nd, 2008

Louisville, Kentucky
November 1, 2008

What a day Ashley Judd speaking for Democrats, Lisa Tanner singing our National anthem (Wow can that girl sing) and Bruce Lunsford , a man that will shake your hand, doesn’t dodge a debate and will speak before regular folks with the video camera running. Bruce Lunsford is the real deal, I don’t care what the Chamber of Commerce says.
Below are 3 Videos in this order:

  1. Ashley Judd
  2. Lisa Tanner
  3. Bruce Lunsford

Mike Watt traveled all the way from Mayfield, Kentucky to shoot photos of the event. Click here to view his photos. Thank you Mike!
I shot a few photos also. Click here to view them.
Realizing some folks couldn’t make it to the event Mike and I have tried to give you a flavor of the event through our eyes with our cameras and camcorder. Enjoy.


McCain/Palin = Hate And Racism! Youtube Video.

Jim Pence October 28th, 2008

Dtidh Mitch
Those of us that live in rural areas of Kentucky understand the McCain/Palin code words when they speak of Barack Obama and we understand what McCain/Palin are trying to do. They (McCain/Palin) accuse Barack Obama of being the a redistributioner of wealth, when in fact those they are speaking to  have received more than their share of our wealth Click here and here to see what I mean.
They (McCain/Palin) use code words like terrorist and "who is the real Barack Obama" to excite their base and get their right wing racist bigots to go the extra mile for the cause and those of us that remember the J.F.K ., M.L.K . and R.F.K . assassinations are outraged because we know where this kind of rhetoric takes us and I suggest the McCain/Palin ticket does to.
It’s a sad day when the McCain/Palin ticket inspires people like Ashley Todd , Nathan Johnson, Shawn Robert Adolf, Tharin Gartrell , Paul Schlesselman and Daniel Cowart but progressive folks like me that live in rural areas understand what’s going on and we are happy that the real right wing agenda is finally showing it’s self for what it really is, hate and division!
I understand that every Republican is not bad, but I also understand that the word Republican has become synonymous with racism, division, hate and that’s a shame and that’s why I’ve put together the graphic and video below because I’ve had enough of the phony McCain/Palin Republican hate agenda!

David Boswell Picks Up Two More Newspaper Endorsements; Has Lead in Latest Poll.

Jim Pence October 27th, 2008

Over the weekend, David Boswell picked up the endorsements of the Courier-Journal and the Elizabethtown News-Enterprise, and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a poll showing that if the election were held today, David Boswell would beat Brett Guthrie, 47%-41%.
On Friday, the News-Enterprise backed Boswell, saying, "Boswell with his experience and expertise clearly would be more likely to have a voice in shaping the policies that are most important to residents of the 2nd Congressional District…" On Saturday, Boswell also picked up the endorsement of the Courier-Journal, who said "he has been willing to take the right position on difficult issues…"
In addition to the endorsements, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a poll showing David Boswell with a 6-point lead over Brett Guthrie. Boswell leads Guthrie as the candidate who "will do more to protect jobs in Kentucky" and who "will fight to protect the middle class."
The Boswell campaign also released a new ad this weekend on the "Guthrie Gamble" – Guthrie supports putting pensions in the stock market, he is a champion for NAFTA and other trade deals that will send jobs overseas, and he raised money from Dick Cheney and his friends in big oil while Kentucky families were paying more and more at the pump.

Questions About Senator Mitch McConnell’s Military Service!

Jim Pence October 27th, 2008

December, 2007 we submitted a request for the Selective Service Classification Records for Senator Saxby Chambliss,  Rep Tom Tancredo and Senator Mitch McConnell. When we received the Selective Service Classification Records from the Selective Service System all of the records were included with the exception of Senator Mitch McConnell’s and his was an extract put together by Richard Flahavan, Associate Director for Intergovernmental Affairs. When Richard Flahavan was questioned about sending us an extract of Senator Mitch McConnell’s Selective Service Classification Record, he responded in writing that " Selective Service no longer has access to Selective Service records for men born prior to 1960." Knowing that we had already received the full Selective Service Classification Records for Senator Saxby Chambliss, Rep Tom Tancredo born in 1943 and 1945 respectively we felt that  Richard Flahavan was possibly covering for Senator Mitch McConnell. In Richard Flahavan’s extract he writes "the U.S. Army ordered him to undergo an Armed Forces Physical Examination which he did July 9, 1967. Apparently, he did not pass because he was released from the U.S. Army Reserve August 15, 1967." I just love that word apparently!
Several correspondences later we decided to request the information we needed from the National Archives Southeast Region in Atlanta and they sent us Mitch McConnell’s complete Selective Service Classification Records and when we looked under column 7 Armed Forces Physical Examination it was blank , indicating that Mitch McConnell did not receive a Armed Forces Physical Examination as stated by Richard Flahavan, in his extract. If the Selective Service Classification Record is correct and Mitch McConnell didn’t receive Armed Forces Physical Examination, then how could he flunk the Armed Forces Physical Examination he didn’t take and what is the real reason Mitch McConnell didn’t serve his country during the Vietnam war?
Senator Mitch McConnell has an obligation to clear this up and I’m suggesting he publish his military discharge papers for all of us to see and until that time we have good reason to believe he has something to hide.

The Big Democratic Guns Come To Hardin County.

Jim Pence October 26th, 2008

October 25, 2008
Radcliff, Kentucky
The big boys were in Hardin County, Kentucky today and they were fired up and ready to go. Among those at the rally were former Nebraska Governor and former U.S. Senator J. Robert “Bob” Kerrey, former Governor John Young Brown Jr., Governor Steve Beshear, Congressman John Yarmuth , David Boswell , Bruce Lunsford , Mike Weaver, former Senator Walter"Dee" Huddleston, Greg Fischer, State Rep Jimmie Lee and more.
This tells me the Democratic party is leaving no stone unturned to win in November. I have put together 4 fairly short videos of the event and they are below. I also managed to get a few photos, click here to view them.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear


Bruce Lunsford

John Yarmuth

David Boswell

McConnell Camp Files Charges Against Lunsford And Lunsford Aide.

Jim Pence October 23rd, 2008

Pol Watchers

A Republican campaign aide for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell has filed a criminal complaint against Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford and his top consultant alleging that the two stole a digital recorder and intentionally erased it after a debate Thursday morning in Western Kentucky.

Richard St. Onge III., a staffer working for National Republican Senatorial Committee, filed the complaint Thursday afternoon charging Lunsford and Achim Bergmann with petty larceny and destruction of property, according to a statement from the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

After the final debate between the U.S. Senate candidates, Republicans with McConnell ’s campaign accused Bergmann of taking and then erasing the GOP staffer’s digital recorder.

Bergmann called it a mix-up because the recorder was on Lunsford’s podium during the debate and he picked it up with his papers.

Bergmann called the charges ridiculous.

"It’s a distraction," Bergmann said. "It’s a distraction. It shows desperation on their part."
Read more.

Folks In Western Kentucky Chant Ditch Mitch McConnell

Jim Pence October 23rd, 2008

October 23, 2008
Kentucky Dam Village Convention Center:
As we all know this is the last debate Senator Mitch McConnell agreed to have. After this debate there will be no more because Mitch McConnell  has turned down all of the others , including the KET offer that would have been televised for the whole state to see. Once again Senator Mitch McConnell picked a time and venue that made it difficult for his constituents to see him in action. This was an early morning debate and live streamed via the web. Surely Mitch understands that most folks are working this time of day and wouldn’t be able to see him tell us how good things are and surely he knows that it takes high speed internet service to watch live streaming video, but I guess Mitch felt this was the patriotic thing to do.
Plenty of folks were outside the convention center to greet Mitch (snark), but they never got a glimpse of Mitch. Some say he slipped in the back door and others say he waited in a local gasoline station until the protestors left before he went into the Convention Center. Hell who knows, but I do know this Bruce Lunsford walked in the front door of the Convention Center like a man on a mission. Bruce didn’t dodge anyone.
It was a real sight to behold. Right there in Western Kentucky Mitch McConnell’s stronghold and folks were chanting Ditch Mitch and 24 years is enough. I suggest to you these folks are the real patriots and I’ll bet the ones there that served in the military would be more than happy to show you their military honorable discharge papers. How about that Mitch? When will you show us yours?
Click here and here to view photos. Special thanks to Mike Watt for the photos.

Bill Clinton Coming To Kentucky To Stump For Bruce Lunsford.

Jim Pence October 22nd, 2008

Former Presiden Bill Clinton will be in Bowing Green and  Paducah,  Kentucky to stump for Bruce Lunsford Lunsford Friday October 24, 2008 (see details below). Unlike Mitch McConnell, Bruce Lunsford doesn’t hide from regular Kentucky folks and this event is free and open to the public.

WHO : President Bill Clinton and Bruce Lunsford

WHAT: Lunsford Senate Campaign Rally in Paducah

WHEN: Friday, October 24, 2008

Press call time is at 9:15 a.m.

Doors open at 10 a.m.

Program begins at 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: Robert Cherry Civic Center

2701 Park Ave Paducah

WHO: President Bill Clinton and Bruce Lunsford

WHAT: Lunsford Senate Campaign Rally in Bowling Green

WHEN: Friday, October 24, 2008

Press call time is at 11:15 a.m.

Doors open at 1 p.m.

Program begin at 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Bowling Green/Warren County Regional Airport

1000 Woodhurst Street Bowling Green

New Bruce Lunsford Ad Focuses on Bush-McConnell Economic Crisis.

Who’s Backing Brett Guthrie?

Mitch’s last 3 SUSA polls show record high disapproval ratings

Joe Sonka October 20th, 2008

(crossposted at Barefoot and Progressive)

SUSA has its lastest approval/disapproval numbers for Mitch McConnell, and they are…. not…. good. He’s at 44/49, which means that his last three disapproval ratings from Aug., Sept. and Oct. (47,50 and 49) are his highest ever in the SUSA polls dating back to early 2005.

Oh, and Democrats were undersampled at 47% in the poll (57% registered in the state)

If there was ever a time to Ditch Mitch, it is NOW.

Go volunteer and donate.

AIG Loves Mitch McConnell

Quick Hit: Lunsford In Time

Terri Whitehouse October 17th, 2008

We have a race, folks:

Lunsford argues that pork projects don’t make up for the economic policies McConnell has shepherded through the Senate. “Kentuckians don’t have a chance to vote out George Bush,” he says, “but they do have a chance to turn out his henchman.” Election Day will determine whether voters are angry enough to do just that. (more)

(h/t: Page One)

Senator Mitch McConnell it’s time to debate the issues. Where are you?

New Video from the DSCC

Shawn Dixon October 15th, 2008

I thoroughly enjoyed it . Thoughts?

McCain Takes the Bait, Will Bring Up Ayers Tomorrow Night

Shawn Dixon October 14th, 2008

It appears Sen. John McCain will take Sen. Barack Obama up on his challenge.

In an interview on a St. Louis radio station, McCain said Obama’s comments that “I didn’t have the guts” to talk about William Ayers in the last presidential debate have “probably ensured” that the former 1960s radical will come up in Wednesday’s debate.

It looks like McCain will take the bait and bring up Ayers in tomorrow night’s debate. This will be a bad move for McCain and will likely be the nail in the coffin for his campaign. When people watch McCain attack Obama (who most people say already looks more “presidential”) with something trivial, McCain will look angry, out of touch and dare I say, “erratic.” And it will just allow Obama to calmly and coolly explain how ridiculous this faux scandal really is and retire it from the news cycle.

H/T Politicalwire

Heather Ryan KET Debate. What Happened To The Audio?

Jim Pence October 14th, 2008

Heather
Yesterday after hearing about the stunt Ed. Whitfield pulled (read the back story here ) I decided to go to Lexington and ask KET if I could videotape the Heather Ryan and the no show Ed. Whitfield debate. I arrived at the Lexington KET facility early but the very nice lady at the desk was busy receiving complaints from Heather Ryan supporters. When the nice lady behind the desk caught up with her calls I asked her if I could video tape the so called debate and she directed me to a very nice young man by the name of Todd. Todd told me I couldn’t video tape the debate but I could shoot some ‘b’ roll before the debate. This was very disappointing news because I was looking forward to shooting video of the debate and uploading it to youtube good audio and all, if you know what I mean. Well there I was Lexington about 90 miles from home frustrated and pissed all at the same time when I received a call telling me that Heather Ryan was going to hold a press conference at 6:30pm right there at KET. So I got my video equipment ready, Heather shows up, but no press just me a lowly blogger with a video camcorder. I video taped the press conference( the video is below and the audio ain’t bad for a dumb ass hillbilly). Right after the press conference, with no press, Heather Ryan started getting prepared for the debate and I was allowed into the debate area to shoot some ‘b’ roll but was ushered out just before the debate started to a conference like room with a big overhead projector and I watched the so called debate there. After the so called debate I started receiving calls that the audio of the so called debate had dropped off just before the so called debate started. I believed the callers but the audio at KET was perfect. I know because I had just watched the debate there. Two callers from Kentucky’s 1st District told me the audio dropped off exactly when the so called debate started. Now this was really getting hard to believe but my wife recorded the so called debate and I knew I would be able to check it out when I got home. When I got home I played the tape and sure enough the audio seemed to drop off exactly when the so called debate started. Still I found that hard to believe so I captured the video to my editing system and looked at it very close and was amazed. Sure enough the audio dropped of exactly when the so called debate started. It was then that I knew I would have to prove this beyond doubt and I believe I have. I put together a short video of footage of just before the debate and just after the debate started and did not enhance the sound and then screen captured the audio levels of the short video. The photo of the audio levels is below and the video is just below that. Proof positive. Do I believe this was an accident? Hell no I don’t!
Audio Levels

Heather’s press conference video is below.

KET Got It Wrong; They Owe Heather Ryan “Equal Opportunity” To Run an Infomercial

Shawn Dixon October 13th, 2008

From a KET press release regarding Ed Whitfield’s threat of legal action if KET didn’t run his infomercial in place of him showing up for a debate with his opponent Heather Ryan:

“The Whitfield campaign requested to broadcast a recorded statement. Under the ‘equal opportunities’ requirements of Section 315 of the Communications Act and the FCC’s rules, KET is obliged to provide equal time by broadcasting the recorded statement,”

The relevant portion of the statute that the KET press release is citing reads as follows:

§ 315. Candidates for public office

(a) Equal opportunities requirement; censorship prohibition; allowance of station use; news appearances exception; public interest; public issues discussion opportunities. If any licensee shall permit any person who is a legally qualified candidate for any public office to use a broadcasting station, he shall afford equal opportunities to all other such candidates for that office in the use of such broadcasting station: Provided, That such licensee shall have no power of censorship over the material broadcast under the provisions of this section.

KET caved to Ed Whitfield’s unreasonable demands and they did not have to. As their former station manager said here, they have embarrassed themselves and set a terrible precedent that threatens their future. As I mentioned earlier, no incumbent will ever again debate on KET if they can just send in an infomercial and demand the station run it.

The FCC has issued several opinions that make the threshold for meeting the “equal opportunity” requirement very clear. When a television station offers to set up debates and that station doesn’t try to set limits on what candidates can talk about or the topic of the debate and offers a reasonable format and time arrangements, they have met the “equal opportunity” requirement. Whitfield declined KET’s offer and would not be a party to the negotiations. Ed Whitfield, as we know, had no intention of ever debating Heather Ryan. By offering to work with both candidates and negotiate with them, KET satisfied the “equal opportunity” requirement of the statute.

But, even if you accept KET’s attorney’s argument that they had not met the “equal opportunity” requirement, they did not have to run Whitfield’s infomercial. When a station doesn’t meet that standard, they don’t have to give the opposing candidate any demand they ask for, like demanding an infomercial be played after your opponent speaks with no opportunity for rebuttal. They simply need to offer comparable opportunities.

From an FCC opinion on meeting the requirements of § 315:

If complete agreement cannot be effected with all candidates, the licensee may implement his plans as to candidates who have agreed thereto and, as to any who have not agreed, make available, upon request, opportunities comparable to those accorded his opponents in the program, in accordance with the literal language of Section 315.

Again, this decision isn’t applicable because KET originally met the “equal opportunity” requirement. But, for the sake of argument, in the worst case scenario, they could have simply offered Whitfield an opportunity to come on a program with a format like the one Heather faced. Instead, they offered to run his propaganda for free.

Now, all this raises a bigger question: since KET originally met the “equal opportunity” requirement, do they now owe Heather Ryan an “equal opportunity” to run her infomercial?

BREAKING: UPDATE: Whitfield’s Actions Threaten To Completely Stifle Public Debate in Kentucky

Shawn Dixon October 13th, 2008

Earlier I reported that not only is Ed Whitfield not going to show up to his debate on KET against opponent Heather Ryan, he is demanding that KET run a video produced by his campaign after Ryan’s appearance on KET even though Whitfield declined the invitation to appear.

But, DMKY is learning there is more to the story. According to Ryan, Whitfield’s attorneys have been negotiating with KET about running the video since last Friday without so much as giving her any notice of the discussions. The Whitfield campaign threatened legal action the station unless it runs the video. Further, his campaign demanded that the segment be run after Heather Ryan speaks.

KET apparently completely agreed to his requirements and this morning at the 11th hour the television station informed Ryan that they will give her 30 minutes of time and then will run Ed Whitfield’s produced segment without giving her a chance to respond. What’s worse, she can’t even see the contents of the video and has no way to know what Whitfield might say about her and can’t defend herself or her record. This means that Ed Whitfield is essentially being given free time by KET to run an infomercial while Ryan is being subjected to tough questioning by a moderator.

This move sets a dangerous precedent in Kentucky politics. If Ed Whitfield is allowed to demand that KET run his infomercial only after Heather Ryan speaks and with no rebuttal, then why would any incumbent candidate ever debate on KET again? They wouldn’t. Instead from here on out you’ll just have incumbents produce infomercials and threaten legal action against KET if they don’t run their propaganda.

Please call KET and Ed Whitfield and tell them that if there was ever a time in our country’s history to have a debate, that time is now!

UPDATE
Politicker is reporting that KET is citing FCC regulations as requiring them to run Whitfield’s infomercial.

KET: 1-800-432-0951

Ed Whitfield
District Offices
Hopkinsville, KY
(270) 885-8079 Voice
(800) 328-5629 Toll Free

Tompkinsville, KY
(270) 487-9509 Voice

Henderson, KY
(270) 826-4180 Voice

Paducah, KY
(270) 442-6901 Voice

Ed Whitfield Afraid To Debate, Threatens KET

Shawn Dixon October 13th, 2008

Our good friends over at West Kentucky Journal of Politics (WKJP) are reporting that chickenhawk Ed Whitfield, who backed out of a debate on KET with his opponent Heather Ryan, has sent a pre-taped video message to KET and told them they must run it tonight in place of him showing up for the debate.

What a complete disgrace. This is a man who is asking us to send him back to Congress for the umpteenth time and he doesn’t even have the decency to show up to a debate and talk about his ideas (or lack thereof) for Western Kentuckians. And, even worse, he threatens KET and demands that the video must run without rebuttal because of the fairness doctrine. This is despicable and unbecoming behavior for a U.S. Congressman.

Follow the link above to WKJP and give KET a call and tell them your opinion. Or, call Ed Whitfield’s office and let them know you want the congressman to debate or he won’t get your vote!

District Offices
Hopkinsville, KY
(270) 885-8079 Voice
(800) 328-5629 Toll Free

Tompkinsville, KY
(270) 487-9509 Voice

Henderson, KY
(270) 826-4180 Voice

Paducah, KY
(270) 442-6901 Voice

Conservatives See The Presidency Slipping Away

Shawn Dixon October 13th, 2008

Doom and gloom from today conservative commentators. They see that the McCain Campaign is in shambles; this is mostly a result of failed Republican policies leading us to this point in history where we are fighting two wars and taxpayers are left holding the bag after Wall Street collapses.

From Bill Kristol in the NY Times:

It’s time for John McCain to fire his campaign.

He has nothing to lose. His campaign is totally overmatched by Obama’s. The Obama team is well organized, flush with resources, and the candidate and the campaign are in sync. The McCain campaign, once merely problematic, is now close to being out-and-out dysfunctional. Its combination of strategic incoherence and operational incompetence has become toxic. If the race continues over the next three weeks to be a conventional one, McCain is doomed.

Extra Extra Read All About It!

With the economy in peril, the Sec. of Labor campaigns for Mitch

Joe Sonka October 11th, 2008

(crossposted at Barefoot and Progressive)

You’d figure with the economy collapsing and jobs vanishing in America, the Secretary of Labor would have better things to do than campaign for a soon-to-be lame duck Senator. Ah, but not when that Senator is you’re sometimes-live-in husband.

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao told a group of about 50 Owensboro women Friday that her husband, Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, deserves another term so that he can continue to use his clout and influence to help Kentucky and “continue to help Kentucky go in the direction we want.”

Chao campaigned for her husband at a Women to Women Luncheon at the downtown Musick Dance Studio on Second Street.

She reminded the group that McConnell has delivered $500 million in U.S. tax dollars to Kentucky — including a handsome sum for Owensboro projects, including $50 million for riverfront development.

McConnell also delivered on a $1 million funding request for integrating the city-county 911 system and secured $3 million to build the new H.L. Neblett Community Center.

“It makes no sense to trade Mitch in for a rookie who is only a few years younger,” Chao said. “There is no way he can accumulate the seniority Mitch has.”

Our tax dollars at work. Lovely.

And how nice of her to keep spreading the failed meme that Mitch is as powerful D.C. insider. Elaine must not have gotten the memo that this is NOT the year to say such things…

At least your nails look good, girl!

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