KyKurmudgeon

Mmm! Mmm! The mention of leftovers from the picnic makes my mouth water. Oh, well, let's get on with the catching up bit:

1. State Rep. Greg Stumbo sure loves to keep the political pot boiling, doesn't he? By endorsing Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark's bid to retain that position in the upcoming D leadership elections, the former House floor leader and attorney general aligns himself squarely against House Speaker Jody Richards, who is backing Rep. Joni Jenkins' attempt to unseat Clark. Since the impending retirement of D Whip Rob Wilkey leaves Clark as the odd man out among returning D leaders, Stumbo's endorsement also makes those rumors that he's really angling for the Judiciary Committee chairmanship seem unlikely. Legislators who want to chair committees don't make a habit of bucking a majority of leadership. All of which has to increases speculation that Stumbo really will challenge Richards for the speaker's chair.

2. Apparently, state Education Commissioner Jon Draud learned a lesson from his erstwhile attempt to sweeten the benefits in his contract and the heat he took for pimping his new state ride with costly options. Telling the state school board he doesn't need a raise when the state is struggling with budget woes should earn him some points.

3. Political candidates shake up their campaign organizations for a variety of reasons, some of which are not good. Don't know what prompted the recent changes in multimillionaire Bruce Lunsford's campaign against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, but some of those changes apparently signal an increased interest in the race by national Democratic leaders. And that is a good thing for Lunsford.

4. One of the things I missed in transferring my observations about the Fancy Farm Picnic from my notebook to Saturday evening's post ("Scenes from a sweltering Fancy Farm Picnic") was the way the "Two-time loser" shouts from the R side of the crowd early in Lunsford's speech morphed into "Three-time loser" by the end of his address. Don't know if that was pre-planned or not, but it clearly indicated what the R's in attendance thought of his chances against McConnell.

5. I didn't hear him deliver the line myself, but Democratic state Senate candidate Carroll Hubbard earned a place in Fancy Farm lore by saying, "When (Senate President) David Williams takes a sleeping pill, the other Republicans in the Senate take a nap." Classic, truly classic.

Sunday’s column:

This and that before special session hell descends on the state Capitol:

Why “special session hell”? Because the cavernous Capitol does not lend itself to proper climate control.

Like two-thirds of the porridge Goldilocks found at Grizzly Manor, it can be too hot or too cold but seldom feels just right.

When you take warm summer days, add the body heat of all the folks drawn to a legislative session and throw in the voluminous hot air generated by bloviating politicians, you create Dante’s Inferno.

However, our anticipated visit in special session hell is based on the assumption that the agreement House and Senate leaders reached on reforming public pension programs doesn’t fall apart before the opening gavel drops. And experience suggests a handshake between these two sides doesn’t assure anything.

After all, in this year’s regular General Assembly session, Senate President David Williams told reporters that “we will pass the House version” of pension reform if the Democratic-controlled House objected to changes the Republican-controlled Senate made in the legislation.

When House Democrats did object to some of those changes, Williams went back on his word. The end result was that pension reform died in the regular session, which is why we now face the prospect of special session hell.

Assuming, of course, no one goes back on their word this time around.

                                                            * * *

State Rep. Greg Stumbo loves chaos. The Prestonsburg Democrat thrives in it. He’s a politician whose plans remain in constant flux until the last possible moment. Even after that moment passes, you must pay close attention, lest the zig he starts out on suddenly becomes a zag.

So, when he tells a couple of reporters he might take a run at Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark in next year’s House leadership races, Stumbo quite possibly could be creating a diversion that holds everyone’s attention while he maneuvers toward his real goal, whatever that might be. Or he really could be considering taking a run at Clark.

But if Stumbo’s upset at House Democratic leaders for failing to support Gov. Steve Beshear’s casino gambling initiative, as he claims to be, it makes no sense to go after Clark, who was one of two members of leadership (Majority Whip Rob Wilkey was the other) who consistently sided with the governor on the issue.

Besides, a speaker pro tem doesn’t get nearly as much time in the spotlight as Stumbo grew accustomed to during 18 years as House majority leader and four years as attorney general.

At least not under Speaker Jody Richards. Unlike Williams, who routinely turns the Senate gavel over to President Pro Tem Katie Stine and retires to his office to plot strategy or whatever else he does there, Richards rarely leaves the House chair for longer than it takes to make a quick visit to the bathroom.

If all Stumbo wanted was to be back in leadership, he could have had it for the asking by speaking up when Wilkey announced his retirement. That would have scared away most if not all of the competition for the post.

But if Stumbo wants to be back at center stage, it would make more sense for him to challenge Richards instead of Clark. In doing so, he possibly could win the support of his longtime friend Majority Leader Rocky Adkins. And after Richards publicly endorsed Rep. Joni Jenkins’ bid for speaker pro tem, Stumbo certainly could count on the backing of Clark and his supporters.

That would be a formidable threesome to contend with in leadership elections. And it could be bolstered by support from anti-Richards candidates for whip and caucus chairman.

So, what will Stumbo do? He probably doesn’t know yet. And certainly, the rest of us won’t know until he decides the time is right to tell us. But the chaos in which he thrives has begun.

                                                             * * *

Education Commissioner Jon Draud’s contrition for pimping his state ride came way too late to be considered heartfelt.

I'm spending much of this week learning about the new software the H-L will be using in the near future. But a couple of items merit quick hits.

1. Possession really isn't nine-tenths of the law, despite the old saying. But sometimes, perception can be nine-tenths of leadership. If everything doesn't fall apart (as it has a habit of doing where the General Assembly is concerned) and a special session produces pension reforms that address the massive unfunded liabilities of Kentucky's public employee retirement systems, everyone involved will deserve credit. But by taking the initiative and calling legislative leaders back together after they failed to get the job done during this year's regular session, Gov. Steve Beshear got ahead of the game instead of letting the game come to him, thus creating the perception of leadership on his part. Smart move.

2. One area where Beshear consistently has shown some strength of leadership has been in his dealings with the Council on Postsecondary Education. He prevailed in a confrontation with the council over the hiring of Brad Cowgill as president when Cowgill resigned. And his recent appointment of former Gov. Paul Patton to the panel suggests Beshear is strongly committed to the principles of the higher education reforms of the 1997. Beshear's other two appointments - former Lexington Mayor Pam Miller and Paducah lawyer Glenn Denton - are quality choices as well. But Patton was the driving force behind the 1997 reforms and knows better than most what course that legislation intended for higher education in Kentucky. It also says something about Beshear that he gave a former governor who built a solid record of accomplishment before being caught in a sex scandal a chance to step into the spotlight again. Some governors, particularly those who have yet to accomplish much, might be reluctant to risk creating a situation that could lead to comparisons that could be unflattering for them. Beshear had the confidence to do just that.

On the spur of the moment, I took a couple of days off last week, which explains the lack of posts Thursday and Friday and the lack of a Sunday column. But now, I have some catching up to do.

1. A couple of weeks ago, Senate President David Williams defended spending money renovating Senate offices while health and social services programs are being cut by saying, "You're talking about people who you couldn't print enough money for. I don't accept the premise that they're cutting anything to the bone." But after Republican senators who are facing challenges this fall started taking heat on the issue, Williams a hold on the $448,997 project, which is also costing the state $400,000 in rent to house the agencies kicked out of the Capitol Annex to make room for the Senate expansion. Surely, I can't be the only cynic who figures this project will regain its priority status along about Wednesday, Nov. 5.

2. Other state and local agencies should look at the feasibility of the flexible four-day work week Secretary of State Trey Grayson is implementing. Grayson's plan not only will help his employees save some money on gas, his offices will be open longer each day to serve the public.

3. By waiting until the race was over to throw his support as a Democratic superdelegate to Sen. Barack Obama, Gov. Steve Beshear made himself look wishy-washy.

4. Here's hoping Beshear and Grayson continue their attempts to one-up each other on government transparency. A contest of that nature can only lead to freer and easier access to public records.

5. Bully for U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth for his Jefferson-Jackson Day Dinner remarks on racism. The exit polls during the Kentucky primary proved we still have a long way to go in this state to eliminate what he rightly referred to as "blind hatred."

Catching up on a few items:

1. For the first time in 20 years, there will not be a Bush or a Clinton at the top of a major party's' presidential ticket. The times really are a-changin', as Dylan might say.

2. Former Gov. Paul Patton deserves a seat on the Council on Postsecondary Education. He wrote the book on higher education reform in Kentucky, proposing the legislation enacted during a 1997 special session and using the force of his political will to overcome opposition from some entrenched higher education interests. He would be an excellent addition to a panel that has seen a bit of turmoil lately. His knowledge and insight might be particularly beneficial in evaluating applicants during the search for a new permanent president.

3. Former Gov. Ernie Fletcher added insult to injury when he chose Diversity Day in 2006 to sign an order removing a ban on discrimination due to sexual orientation that Patton had implemented in state government. Gov. Steve Beshear did the right thing Monday when he issued an executive order reinstating anti-discrimination protections for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender state workers. They deserve the same respect afforded to other employees.

4. It's too bad the state can't figure out a way to repo Education Commissioner John Draud's costly ride, the one pimped out with $13,000 worth of extras that he now remembers he did know about. But then, that's small change compared to the $448,997 low bid submitted for the next round of pimping out the Senate's digs. And that doesn't include the $400,000 in rent the state will pay to house the agencies kicked out of the Capitol Annex so none of our senators will have to suffer the indignity of being stuck in that "rather small office" Senate President David Williams mentioned recently.

A search committee has recommended the Council on Postsecondary Education hire Dr. Richard A. Crofts as interim president while the search for a permanent president proceeds. Most recently, Crofts served as commissioner of higher education (the equivalent of the CPE president) in Mississippi. Prior to that, he held the same position in Montana. He currently is retired and lives in Palmetto, Fla. He's a former Kentucky resident who graduated from Fern Creek High School and Georgetown College. The search for a permanent CPE president is expected to take six to 10 months.

Sunday's column:

This and that as my taste buds dream of the pork, mutton and fresh veggies at the Fancy Farm Picnic:

Although both houses of the General Assembly have departed Frankfort (temporarily, at least), the posturing over Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s failed special session continues.

It has changed forms, though. Instead of listening to bombastic floor speeches, we get to read letters.

First, House Speaker Jody Richards sent a missive to Fletcher and Senate President David Williams, inviting them to join him in traveling to St. Louis to meet with Peabody Energy CEO Gregory H. Boyce to discuss an incentive package for the development of alternative energy plants.

Williams responded with a letter questioning the need for such a trip and criticizing Richards and the House for failing to act on the package before gaveling out of the special session.

I also question the need for this trip, but not for the same reasons as Williams. My doubts stem from the appearance the trip would create.

When I think of the state’s three top political leaders seeking an audience with a CEO on the CEO’s turf to discuss what the state can do for his company, the image that comes to mind is one in which weak medieval rulers journey to the court of a powerful king to pay tribute.

Maybe that’s the norm in economic development these days, but it still doesn’t look good.

                                         * * *

Dr. James W. Holsinger may not have changed any senators’ minds with his testimony before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee last week.

However, I’m going to take the former head of the University of Kentucky medical school at his word when he says a controversial paper on homosexuality he wrote in 1991 “doesn’t represent where I am today, who I am today.”

His refusal to bow to legislators who criticized a conference on lesbian health issues hosted by UK in 2002 helps me take him at his word.

Mostly, though, my willingess stems from the fact that public acceptance of homosexuals has grown in the last 16 years. We’re still far from the tolerant, inclusive society we should be. But the attitudes of many Americans have evolved, thanks to increased familiarity with our gay and lesbian friends, co-workers and family members.

So, until he proves otherwise, I’m willing to believe one of the attitudes that have changed belongs to Holsinger.

                                           * * *

I hope members of the Kentucky Board of Education bought lottery tickets Friday. It could have been the luckiest day of their lives.

Had Barbara Erwin taken the job of education commissioner and lived up to the negative reviews she received from folks at some of her other career stops, board members would have had a train wreck of their own making on their hands.

They should be thankful for the “do over” they received when she bailed — thankful enough to do a better job search this time.

                                          * * *

Yes, it’s a long haul from the eastern half of Kentucky to Fancy Farm, way out there just a hop, skip and jump from the Big Muddy.

Yes, the Western Kentucky Parkway at times can be a boring ride.

And yes, the heat index often hits triple digits on the first Saturday in August, reminding us all of what Noel Coward had to say about mad dogs and Englishmen.

But the folks of St. Jerome Catholic Church know how to throw what back in the day (my day, anyway) might have been called a political “be-in.”

Last year, some usual suspects — including a few media wiseguys — took a look at the list of politicos who chose to skip the 126th Fancy Farm Picnic and decided the long haul, the boring ride and the heat of dog days weren’t worth it.

Their loss.

They weren’t there when Secretary of State Trey Grayson “jumped off the high board” into the pool of gubernatorial ambition.

So what if he later climbed out of the deep end and ran for re-election? His fanciful leap is now part of Fancy Farm lore.

State Rep. Mike Cherry of Princeton became part of that lore, too. Roller-blading to the picnic as part of Democrats’ “Bicycle Brigade” protest of high gas prices, Cherry took a head-over-heels tumble onto someone’s lawn.

Who will leave their mark on Fancy Farm’s colorful history this year?

Don’t wait to read or hear about it. Go. Pig out. Watch the show in person. Afterward, check out Paducah’s lively “Downtown After Dinner.”

It’s worth the trip.