KyKurmudgeon

The 129th Annual Fancy Farm Picnic drew what seemed to me a smaller crowd than normal, possibly because there are no statewide elections this year. Here, in no particular order, are a few observations.

Among the notables in attendance (other than the speakers): Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Gov. Steve Beshear’s 2011 running mate, worked the crowd accompanied by his son. And the only declared candidate to replace the erstwhile “Mayor for Life,” businessman Greg Fisher, who lost to Bruce Lunsford in the 2008 Democratic U.S. Senate primary, was also there with his son. But I doubt he found many folks who can vote in the Louisville mayoral race at this Western Kentucky event.

Former Gov. Paul Patton was on the grounds, maintaining “contacts,” as was former U.S. Rep. Carroll Hubbard. A number of state legislators who attended interim committee meetings in Mayfield late in the week stuck around for the barbecue and bombast.

Perennial candidate Gatewood Galbraith, who says he will run for governor as an Independent in 2011, was there with a following of supporters wearing yellow T-shirts with the slogan “Now is the Time” on the back.

And I had the good fortune of scarfing down the wonderful barbecue and fresh veggies in the company of former state Sen. and former state Supreme Court Justice Walter Baker and a few of his Glasgow pals. Very entertaining company.

Although the food was excellent, as always, the signs and the political theater that usually show some wonderful creativity were rather blah this year. A few of the T-shirts were a bit better.

“This Rand is Your Rand” shirts were worn by backers of Rand Paul, son of former presidential candidate and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul. Secretary of State Trey Grayson’s supporters sported a rather blah “Run Trey Run” shirt. And I saw several shirts that featured a variation on the standard “No Smoking” (or whatever) symbol that had the circle and slash covering the single word “JERRY.” I suspect these were representatives of labor.

But the most creative T-shirt I saw featured this statement on the back:

“I’M A DEMOCRAT
YOU’RE A REPUBLICAN
LET’S BE FRIENDS
I’LL HUG YOUR ELEPHANT
YOU KISS MY ASS!!”

Whew! It got hot at Saturday’s 129th Annual Fancy Farm Picnic, but not from the weather. A fairly constant breeze kept the mid-80s temps tolerable.

What got hot was the race between Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo and Attorney General Jack Conway for the 2010 Democratic nomination for U.S. senator. They went after each other with a passion that assures this will not be the polite Democratic primary contest Kentuckians witnessed in the 2007 gubernatorial campaign. And Secretary of State Trey Grayson must be loving it, because the Republican frontrunner stands to benefit from any fracture the D’s suffer as a result of a heated Mongiardo-Conway race.

Mongiardo took the first shot, reminding the crowd, “Jack Conway is a proud Duke Blue Devil, and I’m a proud Kentucky Wildcat.” And that was one of the nicer things he said about Conway.

“I may be a doctor and lieutenant governor,” he said, “but I certainly wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. In the Senate I’m going to stand up for people who eat barbecue with a fork, not caviar with a silver spoon.”

“Silver spoon” was a constant theme of his speech. “Jack is a nice guy, but he chooses to fight for silver spoon issues preferred by the champaign and caviar crowd.”

Mongiard also attacked Conway on the cap-and-trade issue. “Jack’s energy tax is a job killer,” he said.

“I went there before Christian Laettner,” Conway said in response to the Duke reference, “and I’ll take this pledge. Joe B. Hall is running around out here somewhere. If it will help you out and make you feel better, I’ll pledge to lay down in front of these cameras, and we’ll let Joe b. stomp on my chest.”

In regard to Mongiardo’s other attacks, Conway said, “Dan, you may be an ear, nose and throat doctor; but you’ve misdiagnosed me. When it comes to me, you can’t hear the truth, you can’t smell the truth, and you sure as hell can’t speak the truth.”

Both men tried to verbally connect themselves to Wendell Ford, the former governor and U.S. senator from Western Kentucky. Conway even quoted him in a feisty response to the vocal crowd that tried to drown out his speech. “You all can holler all you want at me,” he said, “and I can hear you. But it’s like Wendell used to say … go ahead and chew on my hide. Chew on it. It only grows back tougher. And I’ve been around awhile, and you’re looking at one tough son of a bitch.”

On the cap-and-trade issue, Conway pledge to never cast a vote that hurt coal “and you have my word on that today.”

Those two fired-up speeches make the oratory of other declared and potential Senate candidates seem a bit tame. Grayson’s best line in an OK speech came after he congratulated Mongiardo (whose wife is pregnant with their first child) and Conway, whose wife recently delivered their first child.

“You all will love being parents,” said Grayson, the father of two young daughters. “The good news is that babies eventually sleep regularly. The even better news is that after November 2010, you will have plenty of time to spend with your families.

Among the Tier 2 candidates, Democrat Darlene Fitzgerald Price impressed me a bit by delivering a spirited speech extemporaneously. Her main theme was that government has been bought by “the bigs” - various industries and special interest groups. If members of Congress were in NASCAR, she said, they would have to wear the names of their sponsor on their sleeves and a big “For Sale” on their bumper. She punctuated the latter remark by pointing at her posterior.

Republican businessman Bill Johnson also delivered his remarks off the cuff. The 10-year military veteran said, “My job now it to fight the domestic enemies, and there are a lot of them.” When someone in the crowd shouted out President Barack Obama’s name, Johnson said, “And Obama is one of them.” He also said the entire Democratic Pary is a “wrecking crew.”

Maurice Sweeney, an African-American businessman from Jefferson County with roots in Western Kentucky, descibed himself as a “conservative Democrat.” He said most politicians are predictable. “With me, you can’t guess what you’ll get,” he said, which is an unusual pitch for votes.

Rand Paul, the son of former presidential candidate and U.S. Rep Ron Paul who is expected to officially enter the Republican primary in the near future, failed to impress me. He accused both parties of hypocrisy, and criticized Congress for passing a bank bailout bill no one had read.

He also described Conway as “the epitome of a career politician” because, after a 30-minute discussion of the cap-and-trade issue, Paul claimed he had “no idea” what Conway said. Thing is, though, Conway is in the second year of his first term in elective office. Paul has every right to criticize Conway for obfuscation if Conway hemmed and hawed on the discussion of an issue. But “career politician”? Not! At least, not yet.

Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo will lead off the political speechifying at Saturday’s 129th Annual Fancy Farm Picnic. He will be followed by Attorney General Jack Conway and Secretary of State Trey Grayson. All three are announced candidates for the 2010 U.S. Senate race.

They will be followed to the podium by four other announced or potential candidates: Rand Paul, Darlene Fitzgerald Price, Bill Johnson and Maurice Sweeney. Their order of appearance will be determined by coin flip.

After the Senate candidates have made their pitch, state Auditor Crit Luallen, Treasurer Todd Hollenback, state Sen. Ken Winters and state Reps. Fred Nesler and Steven Rudy will appear in that order.

All speakers will be limited to five minutes.

Thanks, as always, to Mark Wilson, chairman of the political portion of the picnic, for providing the info.

Ol’ Kurmudgeon took some time off earlier this week to compensate for spending the weekend on the job at the 129th Annual Fancy Farm Picnic. I’ll be on that long road to Western Kentucky Friday.

But I’ve already written Sunday’s column on the obvious topic of the week, and it should post automatically Sunday morning. And I’ll be blogging about the politicking (and maybe a bit about the yummy food) Saturday afternoon and evening.

If you’re also headed that way and see me at the picnic or on the streets of Paducah in the evenings, come up and say howdy. Hope to see a lot of you there.

Sunday’s column:

Republicans who shopped state Rep. Robin Webb’s story to various media outlets in recent days no doubt hoped the focus would be on the suspension of her law license, her bankruptcy and her bout with post-traumatic stress and depression.

Turns out, though, the full story behind those events from years ago establishes Webb as a sympathetic figure — a victim of domestic violence who went through some serious hell, survived it and emerged a stronger person.

But even though it may backfire on them, the fact that R’s tried to use her misfortunes against her shows how desperately they want to hold onto the 18th District Senate seat vacated by former Sen. Charlie Borders, who accepted an appointment to the Public Service Commission.

If Webb beats Dr. Jack Ditty in the Aug. 25 special election, it could confirm a couple of Republican fears.

First, a Webb win would validate Gov. Steve Beshear’s use of his appointment power to create opportunities for flipping R seats in the Senate.

More appointments could be expected. For instance, Majority Floor Leader Dan Kelly might get the judicial appointment that has been the subject of much Frankfort chatter, opening up a seat in a district where Democrats should be very competitive.

A second fear arises from the racetrack slots legislation killed in Senate committee during the June special session of the General Assembly.

Webb voted for the measure in the House and can expect financial support from the horse industry in her race against Ditty. If a Democrat backed by horse money successfully flips an R seat in Eastern Kentucky, some Republican senators from horse country who opposed racetrack slots could get a bit nervous about the prospect of the industry coming after them the next time they’re on the ballot.

Of course, a Webb victory in the 18th District is far from guaranteed. And if she does lose, some observers expect Beshear to adopt a “what’s the use” attitude about a judgeship for Kelly. I disagree.

Should Kelly run for judge next year, as some expect him to do if he doesn’t get an appointment, that would mean trying to pick up his seat in an election that might feature Secretary of State Trey Grayson at the top of the Republican ballot as a U.S. Senate candidate who can get his party’s voters to the polls.

Better for Beshear and the Democrats to try to pick up Kelly’s seat in a special election because, if they’re successful, the D winner would then run as an incumbent in 2010. And incumbents generally win.

Given recent events, one might assume all of this maneuvering over Senate seats by both parties arises from Beshear’s desire to pass expanded gambling legislation and Republicans’ desire to thwart him.

That is a factor, but there is a much bigger end game for both parties — the legislative and congressional redistricting that comes after the 2010 census.

If the Democrats can pick up a couple of seats in special elections this year, they would only need to flip two more in 2010 to retake the Senate and have total control of redistricting. But if Republicans can retain a majority, no matter how slim, they will be able to control Senate redistricting and force House Democrats to negotiate on congressional districts.

Kentucky may well lose a congressional district after the next census. If that happens, 2nd District Rep. Brett Gutherie could be the odd man out no matter who controls the Senate. He’s the newest member of the delegation. And Warren County, where he lives, is nearly surrounded by the 1st District already.

Of course, if Democrats retake the Senate, they could create a Tennessee border district stretching from Somerset to Hopkinsville, lumping Gutherie with fellow Republican Reps. Ed Whitfield and Hal Rogers. But they wouldn’t be that diabolical, would they?

Gov. Steve Beshear today appointed three new members of the Judicial Nominating Commission for the 11th Judicial Circuit and District. He also reappointed one existing member. Senate Majority Leader Dan Kelly reportedly has an interest in an open judicial seat in that circuit. Could this be the first step in the process of appointing Kelly to that seat and opening up another Republican-held Senate seat for a special election?

The three new appointees are:

Blanche C. Minor, of Mannsville, is a retired state employee.  The appointment replaces Ruth T. Hagan, whose term has expired.  Minor shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2010.

Vernon E. Bagby, of Greensburg, is a retired funeral director.  The appointment replaces Wilma D. Grigsby, whose term has expired.  Bagby shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2012.

David R. Carney, of Springfield, is a factory technician with Trim Masters, Inc.  The appointment replaces Bobby G. Curry, whose term has expired.  Carney shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2012.

The reappointed member of the commision is:

Shiela W. Newcomb, of Campbellsville, is a field business office manager for Kentucky Utilities Company.

Checking around to get different observers’ reaction to Gov. Steve Beshear’s choice of Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, I got a response from someone who, for the purpose of this post, will be known as Anomalous (his choice) that deserves to be shared.

“Mostly, I’m baffled,” Anomalous wrote in an e-mail. “Lt. Governors should bring at least one of two things to the ticket: money or votes. I don’t see either as a result of this pairing.”

Anomalous then cited Occam’s Razor Theory, which generally holds that the simplest of two or more competing theories is the preferable one, before adding:

“Subsequently, the two theories here would be: 1) this is a brilliant political move (for reasons yet to be determined), or 2) this is an indicator of the lack of political acumen in the administration (as previously demonstrated).”

I guess it’s safe to say Anomalous is unimpressed, either by the choice or the administration.

Calling all golfers! Or at least all D golfers. The Graves County Democratic Executive Committee will co-host a golf scramble two days before the 129th Annual Fancy Farm Picnic. The scramble begins at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 30, at South Highland Country Club. Contact Romey Holmes at 270-623-8078. (Thanks to Holly Erwin for passing the info along.)

And add state Auditor Crit Luallen to the list of confirmed speakers during the political oratory portion of the Aug. 1 picnic.

At the official kickoff of his re-election campaign Monday, Gov. Steve Beshear said he will not attend this year’s 129th Annual Fancy Farm Picnic. He will be on a family vacation instead. Beshear’s new running mate, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, will attend the Aug. 1 picnic but will not be one of the speakers.

So far, the confirmed speakers include Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, Secretary of State Trey Grayson, state Treasurer Todd Hollenbach, state Sen. Ken Winters, state Reps. Fred Nesler and Steven Rudy. In addition to Mongiardo and Grayson, three other candidates in the 2010 U.S. Senate race are on the program: Republicans Rand Paul (a Bowling Green ophthalmologist) and Bill Johnson (a Todd County businessman) and Democrat Darlene Fitzgerald Price (a former Customs agent).

Sunday’s column:

FRANKFORT — Robert Burns got it right about “The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men.”

After addressing a few aspects of Beshear-Abramson 2011 in Wednesday’s column, this mouse’s scheme for Sunday involved letting Republican Sen. Charlie Borders’ resignation lead into a discussion of Democratic efforts to take back the state Senate. That, in turn, would lead to a few words about the ultimate prize at stake for both parties in next year’s Senate races: control of and/or influence over the legislative and congressional redistricting that will follow the 2010 census.

Ah, well. That scheme now must be shelved until another day.

For even though Gov. Steve Beshear’s gambit in appointing Borders to the Public Service Commission rippled Kentucky’s political waters last week, the waves kept churning around Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, who is expected to be introduced as Beshear’s 2011 running mate Monday.

Hallway chatter in Frankfort at week’s end had some elements of labor casting about for someone capable of taking a Beshear-Abramson ticket out in the Democratic primary. Such is their dislike for the erstwhile “Mayor for Life” of the state’s largest city.

I can’t see that happening. A bloody 2011 Democratic primary would play into Republican hands come that November.

But the mere fact that this daydreaming was occurring  suggests the backwash from Beshear’s choice could be considerably greater than he anticipated.

In Louisville, the Metro Council began taking an increasing interest in the secrecy about how a controversial forgivable loan of tax dollars the Abramson administration approved for a company developing an additional venue at 4th Street Live was spent.

And two African-American members of the state House from Louisville, Reps. Darryl Owens and Reginald Meeks, released a joint statement criticizing Abramson over a comment he made to a West Virginia newspaper in which he attributed the need for merging Louisville and Jefferson County governments in part to the city getting “poorer, blacker and older.”

By week’s end, I began to sense that a Beshear-Abramson 2011 ticket does far more for Abramson — by giving him an excuse not to run for re-election next year and risk being ridden out of office on a figurative rail — than it does for Beshear.

Because I’m still left with my initial question about this match-up:

What does Abramson bring to Beshear’s table that benefits the governor?

Not votes, that’s for sure. A running mate who alienates two core Democratic constituencies — labor and African-Americans — doesn’t bring votes to the table.

No, those constituencies won’t run to embrace a Republican candidate in November 2011. But they might sit at home, which could be just as damaging.

Fund-raising help? Yeah, there is that. In the private sector, Abramson would make a consummate salesman. So, he’s ideal for making a pitch to the money crowd.

But a sitting governor who hasn’t shot himself in both feet and at least three vital organs doesn’t need help raising dough. In politics, money flows toward incumbents like water down a drainpipe.

So, unless Beshear just finds the whole money-grubbing process distasteful and wants to dump it on someone else, adding Abramson’s fund-raising skills to his own is like unloading both barrels of the shotgun on one little varmint.

Best I can tell from deciphering the late-week chatter, what Abramson really brings to Beshear’s table is a comfortable fit. The two apparently get along well, which is not always the case in such political marriages.

Now, comfort is a good thing. I enjoy comfort. I wish I could enjoy more of it than I can afford right now. And that is the thing about comfort: It comes at a cost.

So, if Beshear and Abramson want to spend four comfortable years together after November 2011, it might be wise of them to spend some uncomfortable moments between now and then, the kind of uncomfortable moments that involve making amends and trying to keep core Democratic constituencies from sitting out an election.