I'm hearing reports all over the state of Republican candidates for local office who are winning wide support despite Ernie Fletcher's woes.
In the last few hours I have heard very encouraging central Kentucky news from County Judge candidates John Wilson in Garrard county, Danny Godbey in Lincoln county, and Randy Bowen in Powell county. All three seek to succeed Democrat incumbents. Lincoln and Powell counties are both historically Democrat counties.
I hesitate to wonder out loud how things might be turning out with a Republican governor engaged in the local races all this year.
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Friday, August 25, 2006
GOP "Insurgency" Not Dead Yet
Larry Forgy said of the Fletcher Deal: "I feel the Republican insurgency is killed by this."
I'm not sure which side is actually leading the "insurgency," but the Fletcher administration can't depend on yesterday's end of the merit hiring court case to heal what ails his bid for re-election.
It is going to take one heck of a 2007 General Assembly session to do that.
I'm not sure which side is actually leading the "insurgency," but the Fletcher administration can't depend on yesterday's end of the merit hiring court case to heal what ails his bid for re-election.
It is going to take one heck of a 2007 General Assembly session to do that.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Warning To State Employees
E-mail scammers have apparently sent a phony message to Kentucky state employees and their families who have accounts at Commonwealth Credit Union. The subject line on the e-mail is "Urgent Notice: Five question survey" and promises to insert $100 into the accounts of people who respond.
The Commonwealth Credit Union did not send this message. Spread the word.
The Commonwealth Credit Union did not send this message. Spread the word.
All Allegations?
Governor Fletcher issued a statement this afternoon that read "I have been cleared of all charges against me and exonerated of all allegations."
I wish he had stuck to "moving Kentucky forward."
The Republican primary for Governor will be moving forward very soon. Billy Harper is polling right now.
I wish he had stuck to "moving Kentucky forward."
The Republican primary for Governor will be moving forward very soon. Billy Harper is polling right now.
Greg "Cut And Run" Stumbo Gives Up
Saying the Governor was likely to pardon himself anyway, AG Greg Stumbo today gave up the merit hiring investigation that he hoped would cause Kentucky voters to forget his own sordid past.
What a coward.
The big question now is will Governor Fletcher make the most of this mulligan and engage significant policy initiatives for the next session of the General Assembly?
There are no white hats in this affair and this event serves only to pour gasoline on the already-raging political fire in Frankfort. In giving Stumbo a pass today on his "political witch hunt," Governor Fletcher doesn't look so hot either.
This issue now just settles in as a nebulous public sense of the same old cronyism in Frankfort that we were already sick of.
What a coward.
The big question now is will Governor Fletcher make the most of this mulligan and engage significant policy initiatives for the next session of the General Assembly?
There are no white hats in this affair and this event serves only to pour gasoline on the already-raging political fire in Frankfort. In giving Stumbo a pass today on his "political witch hunt," Governor Fletcher doesn't look so hot either.
This issue now just settles in as a nebulous public sense of the same old cronyism in Frankfort that we were already sick of.
Stumbo Press Conference Set
Today at 12:30.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: The charges against Governor Fletcher have been dropped by Judge Melcher and can't be brought again. Apparently, Governor Fletcher admitted some wrongdoing by his administration.
Stay tuned.
UPDATE: The charges against Governor Fletcher have been dropped by Judge Melcher and can't be brought again. Apparently, Governor Fletcher admitted some wrongdoing by his administration.
The Next Misleading Liberal Rant
Daily Kos is a leftist website with a lot of readers. Because of its many readers, Daily Kos is very likely to cause big problems for Governor Ernie Fletcher next year in his run for re-election.
Yesterday, the site put up a small notice with very large implications:
Mark Nickolas over at Bluegrass Report updates us on his lawsuit against the state of Kentucky. As you might recall, the Republican governor ordered all state agencies to block liberal blogs like his, while leaving conservative ones alone.
They know this isn't true. Kentucky Progress remains one of several conservative sites blocked. But the truth hardly matters here. There will be only three gubernatorial races nationwide next year. When Daily Kos calls on its liberal readers from sea to shining sea to send money to Kentucky to defeat the Governor who blocked liberals, literally millions of dollars will flow in to the campaign of the Democrat nominee.
Yesterday, the site put up a small notice with very large implications:
Mark Nickolas over at Bluegrass Report updates us on his lawsuit against the state of Kentucky. As you might recall, the Republican governor ordered all state agencies to block liberal blogs like his, while leaving conservative ones alone.
They know this isn't true. Kentucky Progress remains one of several conservative sites blocked. But the truth hardly matters here. There will be only three gubernatorial races nationwide next year. When Daily Kos calls on its liberal readers from sea to shining sea to send money to Kentucky to defeat the Governor who blocked liberals, literally millions of dollars will flow in to the campaign of the Democrat nominee.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Merit Hiring Settlement Rumor
All is quiet on the merit hiring case, but rumors are swirling that a settlement is in the works.
Official Frankfort has been buzzing all day with speculation and denials.
Who cares? I don't know. And this late in the day, nothing seems likely to come out before tomorrow anyway.
Just the latest scuttlebutt.
10:53 P.M--- Apparently the Lexington Herald Leader has the whole story and they are holding it for the morning paper. Perhaps a noon press conference.
Official Frankfort has been buzzing all day with speculation and denials.
Who cares? I don't know. And this late in the day, nothing seems likely to come out before tomorrow anyway.
Just the latest scuttlebutt.
10:53 P.M--- Apparently the Lexington Herald Leader has the whole story and they are holding it for the morning paper. Perhaps a noon press conference.
An Issue We Can Agree On?
I'm still waiting for my liberal friends to convince me Kentucky's Certificate of Need (CON) program does anything to lower healthcare costs. Interestingly, I'm still waiting for the same thing from my conservative friends as well.
Could it be the only people who support limiting competition in healthcare benefit financially from the lack of competition?
An example might be illuminating. Do you need a heart catheterization in Kentucky? That will be $10,000, thank you very much.
But in Ohio, $900 will get 'er done.
The only difference is Kentucky has CON and Ohio doesn't.
Why isn't everyone talking about this when we have a doctor for a Governor?
Could it be the only people who support limiting competition in healthcare benefit financially from the lack of competition?
An example might be illuminating. Do you need a heart catheterization in Kentucky? That will be $10,000, thank you very much.
But in Ohio, $900 will get 'er done.
The only difference is Kentucky has CON and Ohio doesn't.
Why isn't everyone talking about this when we have a doctor for a Governor?
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Do Crystal Methamphetamine
A U.S. Senate candidate to our west in Missouri is getting some unwanted attention because of her alleged fondness for crystal methamphetamine.
Even better, Claire McCaskill is having stoner Willie Nelson in for a fundraiser tonight. Should be a wild time.
Even better, Claire McCaskill is having stoner Willie Nelson in for a fundraiser tonight. Should be a wild time.
Sex Offenders, The New Pioneers?
Defending sex predators has to be a thankless job. Not that I am about to thank Marlene Gordon of The Coalition For The Homeless for trying, but it is easy to see how hard she is working to drum up sympathy.
She wants us to believe Kentucky's new law to ban sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of certain places where children congregate is a bad thing. Gordon says the law is causing predators to conceal their whereabouts, driving them underground, and making them more likely to strike again.
Nonsense.
The whole idea behind making life uncomfortable for sex offenders is to make them think twice before committing their crimes. Failing that, they deserve whatever they get. In fact, they deserve worse than our society will inflict upon them.
Even if your bleeding heart won't let you see that tougher laws against sex offenders protect society by giving us more weapons to prosecute them with, you can't really believe, as Gordon states, that therapy and a desire to "safely re-integrate these folks" does anything but keep our most vulnerable citizens at a strategic disadvantage to perverts.
Despite the hopes and dreams of the ACLU-types, we should support this good law and seek more of the same.
She wants us to believe Kentucky's new law to ban sex offenders from living within 1000 feet of certain places where children congregate is a bad thing. Gordon says the law is causing predators to conceal their whereabouts, driving them underground, and making them more likely to strike again.
Nonsense.
The whole idea behind making life uncomfortable for sex offenders is to make them think twice before committing their crimes. Failing that, they deserve whatever they get. In fact, they deserve worse than our society will inflict upon them.
Even if your bleeding heart won't let you see that tougher laws against sex offenders protect society by giving us more weapons to prosecute them with, you can't really believe, as Gordon states, that therapy and a desire to "safely re-integrate these folks" does anything but keep our most vulnerable citizens at a strategic disadvantage to perverts.
Despite the hopes and dreams of the ACLU-types, we should support this good law and seek more of the same.
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Real Referendum On Gambling
Greg Stumbo is as much a legitimate candidate for Governor as the Easter Bunny is ready to start making little rabbits with Jennifer Aniston. His position on gambling is interesting, but in no way does it erase concerns about his past.
There is a referendum on gambling this year and it will take place in the 34th Senate district of Madison, Lincoln, and Rockcastle counties. Senator Ed Worley (D-Richmond) is an outspoken supporter of casinos and racinos. Senator Worley's opponent, Barry Metcalf, is against expanded gambling.
If you want to know which way casino gambling is going in Kentucky, this is the race to watch.
There is a referendum on gambling this year and it will take place in the 34th Senate district of Madison, Lincoln, and Rockcastle counties. Senator Ed Worley (D-Richmond) is an outspoken supporter of casinos and racinos. Senator Worley's opponent, Barry Metcalf, is against expanded gambling.
If you want to know which way casino gambling is going in Kentucky, this is the race to watch.
Concentrating On 2006
First-term legislator Jim DeCesare (R-Bowling Green) is the kind of leader Kentucky needs. His was one of only two votes against the state budget earlier this year.
For conservative people, that was a very good thing.
Lots of people give lip service to smaller government and conservative principles. Jim is the real deal.
For conservative people, that was a very good thing.
Lots of people give lip service to smaller government and conservative principles. Jim is the real deal.
Democrat Math Stays In Vegas
Greg Stumbo wants to spend education dollars without teaching basic math, fight crime while establishing "criminal enterprise zones," and cut property taxes while blowing the lid off the state social service liability.
That's right, Stumbo wants casinos in Kentucky. And he wants them now.
We will need several extra layers of education bureaucracy to avoid actually using the revenue casinos bring in on teaching kids the reasoning skills that might otherwise keep them out of casinos. Should we go ahead and start condom programs and free needle exchanges for the extra hookers and junkies who will be drawn to the neighborhoods near our casinos? And the three dollars in social services damage for every one dollar in casino tax revenue will only satisfy those same kids who aren't learning any math.
All this from the same people who don't want you earning any more on your savings than Social Security wants you to have.
That's right, Stumbo wants casinos in Kentucky. And he wants them now.
We will need several extra layers of education bureaucracy to avoid actually using the revenue casinos bring in on teaching kids the reasoning skills that might otherwise keep them out of casinos. Should we go ahead and start condom programs and free needle exchanges for the extra hookers and junkies who will be drawn to the neighborhoods near our casinos? And the three dollars in social services damage for every one dollar in casino tax revenue will only satisfy those same kids who aren't learning any math.
All this from the same people who don't want you earning any more on your savings than Social Security wants you to have.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
Bubba And Hillary Parse The War
The most dangerous political hacks in America try to spin "cut and run."
KAPT Goal: Fleece Taxpayers?
Kentucky's Affordable Pre-paid Tuition program (KAPT) keeps losing money.
The taxpayer-backed program is due to release its actuarial analysis any day now. Expect to see the program's deficit to have gotten several million dollars larger.
Investment performance continues to lag tuition inflation and so its stated investment policy goal needs to be adjusted. Currently, the program seeks to "meet or exceed tuition inflation."
The programs ROI since its inception is 6.12%. That means investments are picking up a little more than half of the program's liabilities. You get to pay the other half.
The taxpayer-backed program is due to release its actuarial analysis any day now. Expect to see the program's deficit to have gotten several million dollars larger.
Investment performance continues to lag tuition inflation and so its stated investment policy goal needs to be adjusted. Currently, the program seeks to "meet or exceed tuition inflation."
The programs ROI since its inception is 6.12%. That means investments are picking up a little more than half of the program's liabilities. You get to pay the other half.
Saturday, August 19, 2006
Left Meets Right In Lexington
A very interesting political event takes place September 7, at a fundraiser for Lexington city council candidate KC Crosbie.
The guest speakers for the event will be former Republican party chair Ellen Williams and former Democratic party chair Terry McBrayer.
The guest speakers for the event will be former Republican party chair Ellen Williams and former Democratic party chair Terry McBrayer.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Reckless Disregard For Truth
Newspaper editorialists are quite fond of looking down their noses at those who play fast and loose with the truth. They like to depict those who spin or lie as beneath contempt, slimy, dirty, despicable, and evil.
Given that, how can they possibly rationalize today's drive-by smearing of Supreme Court Justice John Roach?
You might not like John Roach. You might hate him and want him to lose this November and go away. Even so, you can't justify the treatment he got on the editorial page in today's CJ.
They define a campaign poll by Justice Roach they haven't seen as a "low down, dirty poll." They turn a "no comment" answer to another paper into "his handlers at first wouldn't even admit ... they had conducted the survey." That would be the low-down, dirty survey they have never seen, but feel compelled to comment on nonetheless. The paper states without attribution to any source (the source happens to be the campaign of Roach's November opponent): "A number of angry voters say they were asked in the phone survey such slimy questions as whether it matters that Mr. Roach's opponent is "married with no children," is "soft on crime" and "feels that judges can create laws if the legislature has failed to act."
This isn't true.
What is important is The Courier Journal might know that it isn't true. What is critical is they should show some kind of discretion when they aren't sure what the truth is.
That is what libel laws are for.
It is tempting -- and perhaps prudent -- to ignore the wild spinning from Judge Mary Noble's campaign. Having the state's most venerable newspaper vilify him may be a net-positive for Justice Roach.
But today's editorial provides an open-and-shut case of libel and it would be fun to watch the pointy-heads at the CJ have to defend the indefensible when it counts.
Given that, how can they possibly rationalize today's drive-by smearing of Supreme Court Justice John Roach?
You might not like John Roach. You might hate him and want him to lose this November and go away. Even so, you can't justify the treatment he got on the editorial page in today's CJ.
They define a campaign poll by Justice Roach they haven't seen as a "low down, dirty poll." They turn a "no comment" answer to another paper into "his handlers at first wouldn't even admit ... they had conducted the survey." That would be the low-down, dirty survey they have never seen, but feel compelled to comment on nonetheless. The paper states without attribution to any source (the source happens to be the campaign of Roach's November opponent): "A number of angry voters say they were asked in the phone survey such slimy questions as whether it matters that Mr. Roach's opponent is "married with no children," is "soft on crime" and "feels that judges can create laws if the legislature has failed to act."
This isn't true.
What is important is The Courier Journal might know that it isn't true. What is critical is they should show some kind of discretion when they aren't sure what the truth is.
That is what libel laws are for.
It is tempting -- and perhaps prudent -- to ignore the wild spinning from Judge Mary Noble's campaign. Having the state's most venerable newspaper vilify him may be a net-positive for Justice Roach.
But today's editorial provides an open-and-shut case of libel and it would be fun to watch the pointy-heads at the CJ have to defend the indefensible when it counts.
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