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.

• 2008 KY U.S. Senate Race , Bruce Lunsford , Hillary Clinton , Mitch McConnell
• Comments(25)

Jim Pence October 31st, 2008

• 2008 KY U.S. Senate Race , Bruce Lunsford , Hillary Clinton
• Comments(5)

Terri Whitehouse August 30th, 2008

Sen. Mitch McConnell had this to day to the Messenger-Inquirer about Sen. John McCain’s VP choice of Gov. Sarah Palin yesterday:

Clearly, picking a little-known governor from Alaska was an effort to appeal to women voters.

McCain was looking for someone who was not of Washington, who has a reputation as a reformer like him and on the foreign policy stuff, he’s going to say, “I’ve got the experience. I don’t need it in a vice president.”

The test will be when it’s all over, it will either look like a genius move or a Hail Mary that went imcomplete.

So, what do you think? Mitch McConnell: true believer, or just kidding himself because he’s power-hungry? Personally, I thought Sen. McCain came across as less-than-enthused about his own choice.

Appealing to women? I don’t know about all ya’ll, but I don’t vote with my vagina.

Of course, what do you expect from a party of dumb shits that think people are only voting for Obama because he’s black. Talk about just not getting it.

And while we’re on the topic of vaginas, why is Rep. Ed Whitfield so scared of them? Vagina dentata, perhaps?

• 2008 First CD Race , 2008 Presidential Campaign , Barack Obama , Bigotry , Commentary , Ed Whitfield , Heather Ryan , Hillary Clinton , John McCain , Lipstick On a Pig , Mitch McConnell , Republican Party Decline , Sarah Palin , Women
• Comments(4)

Jim Pence May 22nd, 2008

Senator John McCain was a no show. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning cut and ran from the troops and voted against the 21st Century G.I. Bill!!! These 3 senators have terrible ratings when it comes to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

According to Time Magazine:
This is not the first time McCain, who has a proud history of opposing what he views as excessive government spending, has found himself at odds with his fellow veterans on legislation. He’s voted for veterans funding bills only 30% of the time, according to a scorecard of roll-call votes put out by the nonpartisan Disabled Americans for America. Under the same system Obama has a 90% rating — though, of course, he has spent a much shorter time in Washington.
“Senator McCain clearly needs to be recognized for his military service and in some respects that will play to his advantage, but when it actually comes to delivering health care and benefits during war, Senator McCain’s going to have some explaining to do,” said Paul Sullivan, director of the nonpartisan Veterans for Common Sense.

Project Vote Smart Ratings Of Senators John McCain, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning.
“The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is to ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops & Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. We uniquely empower Iraq & Afghanistan combat veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues.”

Name John McCain Barack Obama Hillary Clinton Mitch McConnell Jim Bunning

Rating D B+ A- D D-

• 2008 Presidential Campaign , 21st Century G.I. Bill , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , Iraq War , Jim Bunning , John McCain
• Comments(10)

Matt Gunterman May 21st, 2008

I’ve had to answer so, so many questions about the Clinton victory in Kentucky from international friends. I’ve been answering as best I can and in as nuanced a way as possible [ahem]. Here’s a little (brilliant) international perspective. Before you know it, we’ll be having gay marriages all over Kentucky.

From The Guardian (UK):

• 2008 Presidential Campaign , Hillary Clinton
• Comments(6)

Jim Pence May 21st, 2008

Kentucky exit polls indicate that 21% of KY voters said race was important. My question is this, how many folks were asked that question, but didn’t respond honestly?
I suggest the racist voted yesterday and they have been exposed and it can no longer be said, with any honesty, that race doesn’t matter here in Kentucky.

CNN exit polls indicate that 21% of KY voters said the race of the candidate was important. Of them, 81% voted for Hillary Clinton, while 16% cast a ballot for Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, 18% of those who said race was important to them were white, and almost nine of 10 voted for Clinton.
For all the talk of the impact of gender bias in the Democratic contest and, most notably, in media coverage of the battle, the race of the IL senator persists as a variable for many rural, white voters

• 2008 Presidential Campaign , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , Kentucky , Racism
• Comments(7)

Terri Whitehouse May 9th, 2008

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.

• 2008 KY U.S. Senate Race , BBQ , Barack Obama , Bruce Lunsford , Hillary Clinton , Kenneth Stepp , Kentucky , Kentucky Dems , Michael Cassaro , Mitch McConnell
• Comments(12)

Jim Pence May 7th, 2008

Hillary Clinton squeaks by in Indiana with a 51 to 49 win and loses by 14 points  in North Carolina.
Last night  Tim Russert  said “We now know who the Democratic nominee will be.” He added: “The Clintons have a big decision to make in the morning.”
I believe Tim Russert has it right. This race is over!!!!

• 2008 Presidential Campaign , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton
• Comments(6)

Jim Pence April 14th, 2008

(Cross posted at Hillbilly Report)
I needed a break from the all the bullshit politics and decided to have a little fun so I put together the video below using clips from a movie I remember seeing as a child, “Annie Get Your Gun” and used a few of my Obama and Hillary clips and put together something lighthearted.
Jim

• 2008 Presidential Campaign , Annie Oakley , Barack Obama , Hillary Clinton , Video , Youtube
• Comments(7)

Jim Pence March 31st, 2008

• 2008 Presidential Campaign , Hillary Clinton , Ruby Laffoon , Video
• Comments(2)

Jim Pence March 30th, 2008

This was my first time to attend the Ruby Laffoon event in Hopkins County and it was great. Special thanks to Hopkins County Democratic Party Chair Brenda Harris Glover and all of the Democrats in Hopkins County. I know I must have called Brenda Harris Glover 5 or 6 times the week prior to the event and she answered the phone every time and was more than accommodating. The Hopkins County Democratic Party has a jewel and that jewel is Brenda Harris Glover. I knew this gal was smart when I received a email from her and she had a .mac email account, OK some PC users are smart to but I found this girl to be exceptional.
The event included a great meal.
Four of the Democratic primary Senatorial candidates spoke at the event and Dale Emmons spoke for Bruce Lunsford, who couldn’t make it to the event. The 4 senatorial candidates were Michael Cassaro, Greg Fischer, James E. Rice and Kenneth Stepp.
Heather Ryan 1st District Congressional candidate gave a rousing speech.
Jerry Lundergan introduced Hillary Clinton and Hillary was well received, by those in attendance.
I hope to have video up of all the senatorial candidates, Heather Ryan and Jerry Lundergan introducing Hillary Clinton by Sunday evening.
I hope to have video up of Senator Hillary Clinton by Monday.
Thank you Hopkins County, I had one helluva time.

• 2008 First CD Race , 2008 KY U.S. Senate Race , Dale Emmons , Hillary Clinton , James E. Rice , James Rice , Jerry Lundergan , Kenneth Stepp , Michael Cassaro , Ruby Laffoon
• Comments(8)

Matt Gunterman November 25th, 2007

James R. Carroll has some tidbits of interest in his “Notes from Washington” in the Courier-Journal this Sunday.

First up: Rep. Hal Rogers (R) is in deep denial, just like Sen. Mitch McConnell (R). As I pointed out here at DitchMitchKY back in August, at Fancy Farm this year McConnell was bashing Sen. Hillary Clinton (D) and using her presumed unpopularity in Kentucky to justify his belief that 2008 wouldn’t be bad for Republicans at all in the state is she were at the top of the Democratic ticket. As I pointed out then, the Survey USA presidential match-up polls for Kentucky showed Clinton defeating every potential Republican candidate at the time.

Well, it appears that Rep. Hal Rogers (R) is working under the same assumption about Clinton’s potential and popularity in Kentucky. From Carroll:

[...]

Political analysts see the GOP retirements as a sign that many Republicans believe their status as the minority party could be lengthy.

Rogers is not of that view.

More Republicans have retired in previous elections, he said.

“We feel good,” Rogers said of House Republicans. “We feel we’re doing some good things. We think next year may not be all that bad.”

A presidential election brings out voters who don’t otherwise vote in congressional races, and that can help the GOP, Rogers said.

The Democratic presidential nominee is likely to be Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., “and that will be good for us,” he said.

[...]

###

The times have changed in Kentucky. This isn’t 1994, when then First Lady Hillary Clinton was burned in effigy in Owensboro, Kentucky [with Rep. Ron Lewis (R) looking on in approval].

This is 2008 we’re talking about here, and it’s a whole other ballgame.

Second juicy piece from Carroll’s piece is this from the Club for Growth:

[...]

As you know, from time to time we offer ratings of lawmakers from groups across the ideological spectrum. This week we have ratings from the conservative Club for Growth.

The group has put out 2007 House and Senate “RePORK” cards. Lawmakers were rated on whether they supported what the Club for Growth viewed as anti-pork measures. The lower the lawmaker’s score, the more “porky” they are considered.

Only four senators scored what the group considered perfect 100 percent ratings. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., was given an 87 percent, and McConnell got a 53 percent.

[...]

As Joe Sonka would say, “Calling Larry Forgy!”

UPDATE via Sonka: Matt’s words are backed up again by the SUSA poll #’s released yesterday. In head-to-head matchups Hillary Clinton beats ALL Republican challengers. Every damned one of them

Giuliani (R) 44 (45)
Clinton (D) 48 (47)

Romney (R) 39 (41)
Clinton (D) 54 (50)

Huckabee (R) 36 (39)
Clinton (D) 55 (49)

McCain (R) 47 (49)
Clinton (D) 48 (45)

Good luck with that anti-Hillary strategy, Rogers/McConnell.

• Hal Rogers , Hillary Clinton , Mitch McConnell , Opinion Polls , Pork Spending
• Comments(0)

Matt Gunterman October 11th, 2007

Democratic presidential front runner Hillary Clinton essentially called Sen. Mitch McConnell — who’s led the charge of smearing 12 y.o. Graeme Frost and his family — a bully today.

Sadly for Mitch, I’m not so sure he could beat up a 12 y.o. boy.

From ThinkProgress:

• Hillary Clinton , Mitch McConnell , SCHIP
• Comments(1)

Matt Gunterman August 21st, 2007

Remember how Senator Mitch McConnell pilloried Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton at Fancy Farm and was simply shocked when the crowd rose to its feet in cheers at the mention of her name?

Well, now that phenomenon is quantified.

These polls results from Survey USA were posted over at DailyKos this evening.

A couple Red state matchups Hotlist
by kos
Tue Aug 21, 2007 at 03:42:32 PM PDT

These poll numbers from SuveyUSA were received via email. For whatever reason, they’re not online yet. But check out how Hillary — perhaps our weakest nominee for red state matchups — does in some of those states.

SurveyUSA. 8/13. Registered voters. MoE 4.3%.

[...]

Kentucky. 8 Electoral Votes. Bush won 2004 by 20%. (6/11 results)
Clinton 49 (44)

Giuliani 44 (47)

Clinton 51 (49)
Thompson 44 (45)

Clinton 53 (51)
Romney 41 (42)

[...]

• Hillary Clinton , Opinion Polls
• Comments(0)