Both multimillionaire Bruce Lunsford and former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup now qualify as three-time losers.
This time, at least, Lunsford got closer than he has in the past, losing to incumbent Sen. Mitch McConnell by 6 percentage points. But Lunsford got close in spite of, not because of, the campaign he ran. It left a lot to be desired. I am still stunned that, over the last week of the campaign, the Lunsford camp didn’t air ads about the close ties McConnell has to the recently convicted Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska.
In a year that approached a perfect storm for Democrats nationwide, Northup never had a chance of regaining her former seat from Rep. John Yarmuth in the most progressive congressional district in the state.
Lunsford’s desire to win an election is evidenced by the millions of his own wealth he committed to the three losing campaigns. So, he may try again. But it’s doubtful he will ever have a better chance than he had against McConnell.
Three losses in three straight years probably ends Northup’s political career.
Larry Dale Keeling, a columnist for the Lexington Herald-Leader, has spent most of his 35-plus years in journalism reporting on or writing editorials and columns about Kentucky’s politics and political issues. He now brings his experience and expertise on those topics to the KyKurmudgeon blog.
Larry I enjoy reading your articles even if I disagree with very little of what you print. One of the reasons I disagree with you is what I perceive as a decided Liberal slant and take on nearly every issue you write about. The following line from this article is most telling.
… Rep. John Yarmuth in the most progressive congressional district in the state.
Why would you not just come out and use the word “liberal” in lieu of “progressive”? Do you consider a more conservative district less progressive? When did a liberal district corner the market on progressiveness?
Even as much as I disagree with you I do enjoy reading a different point of view that at least has been researched before printing, biased opinions maybe but at least you research.
Bias,
Thanks for the comments, and for being open to my biased opinions. Isn’t that what all opinions are?
In regard to “liberal” and “progressive,” some people consider the words to be interchangeable. I think you can be progressive without being liberal. A progressive may be left of center without being way left.
All of that said, I will admit that the 3rd District also is the most liberal district in the state. But on the whole, I think progressive is a more accurate description.
ldk
Sen. McCain would have received far fewer votes without Sarah Palin. She energized the conservative base. Why? Because she is a “true” conservative. That is why liberals have attacked her, calling her “stupid”, “unqualified”, “looney”, ect. They can’t debate the issues because they would lose the argument every time. Instead, they resort to name calling. They do it to every conservative.
One party gets total control and goes too far left or right and then the party in power gets slammed. Look at the elections in 1980, 1994, and 2006. Obama, Pelosi and Reid will try to go too far left and they’ll pay for it in either 2010 or 2012.
Sarah Palin isn’t going anywhere Larry, and you know it. She is a political rock star. If she were a liberal you would agree.
No, I would not agree that anyone with as little experience and qualifications as Palin is a “rock star,” whether liberal or conservative.
ldk
She has more executive experience than President Elect Obama.
She’ll have at least four years of executive experience when 2012 rolls around.
I recall during the 2004 Democrat National Convention that after Obama gave a speech multiple pundits were calling him a political rock star after the speech. What was his experience level then???
The news media died in this election. No candidate, no matter what ideology or party affiliation deserves to have the national media in his/her back pocket the way Obama had in this past election. No candidate, no matter what ideology or party affiliation deserves to have the national media personally attack him/her the way the media did Sarah Palin in this past election.
So much for the media being the “watchdog” of our government. Don’t tell me you didn’t notice the biased coverage Larry.
I hope President Obama is a strong successful President. Our country needs one right now. I’m willing to give him a chance. But if things don’t go well, I’ll be willing to give Sarah Palin a chance in the future.
I know this never got much debate in the media, but President Obama is considered a “rock star” with as little experience as Palin and no one cared.
Why care if conservatives want to believe in Palin?
Larry, Which county or congressional district, would you say, is the most ‘progressive’ in the country? I’ve tried to find the answer myself using google, but that’s no help.
Thanks,
Ted
Ted,
I have no idea which is the most progressive congressional district. I would assume it’s somewhere in California or New York.
ldk