The Wendell Ford legacy is not necessary one to be proud of if your a democrat from Rural Kentucky. If you recall 1994, Ford was in his hay day of power as Majority Whip and the undisputed king of the Kentucky Democratic Party. When the opportunity presented itself for Ford to stand up to the Clinton Administration and stand behind Kentucky traditions and beliefs, what did Wendell Ford do? He sold out Kentucky and Kentuckians responded by wiping out the Democrats.
Issue after issue, Wendell Ford sat idle and let the liberal establishment do whatever they wanted. Because of Ford the Kentucky Democratic Party has never recovered and probably never will. It's unfortunate but for some reason Kentucky Democrats have always had an inferiority complex or felt the need to be validated by the east coast liberals. Why I don't know. My Mother always said that there was nothing wrong with being nice to people but that didn't mean you had to invite them home for dinner. Some where along the line I guess Ford decided he liked having dinner at their house instead of coming home to Kentucky to have dinner.I find it ironic that the KDP headquarters which bears his name resembles the present condition of the Kentucky Democratic Party-empty,dilapidated,disingenuous, and wore out.
I do know that Rural Democrats hold people like Wendell Ford and Bill Clinton responsible for destroying our party in Kentucky.The farmers have not forgotten. The military has not forgotten. The veterans have not forgotten. The gun owners have not forgotten. Home schoolers have not forgotten. Christians have not forgotten.
Now, Wendell Ford wants us to vote for Jack Conway? I guess I would like to ask the good Senator if he expects Jack Conway to continue where he left off- Selling out the values and traditions of Rural Kentucky Democrats. Ford had his moments but in the end he sold out his own people to be popular in Washington. Light one up Senator and let's lose a few more seats for old time sakes-how bout it!!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Political Climate In Western Kentucky & The South
Trying to catch up after being on the road for much of the last few weeks. My travels have taken me all over the South and I came away with a pretty good feel for the political climate. I must admit that I have not kept up with Kentucky politics as of late and have spent the last few days trying to catch up.
In Western Kentucky there does not seem to be a great deal of interest in the Primary. Folks are either angry, turned off or both. The consensus is that people are waiting until November to get even with Obama, Pelosi and Reid. I think a low turn out in Rural Kentucky would probably be to Jack Conway's favor if they turn out in the Urban areas. It's obvious this race has turned ugly. I still think Monjiardo would be the best candidate in November given the back lash to the ultra liberal agenda in Washington. Conway has gotten caught up trying to secure his liberal base while at the same time trying not to get blown out in Rural Kentucky. It would appear that most of the Democrat Leaders in Kentucky have decided that they will stand with Liberal factions in Washington and the DNC as opposed to saving and rebuilding a moderate to conservative party in Kentucky. This is not surprising because I have witnessed this through out the South in the last few weeks. The result is that the Democratic Party in most Southern states in non-existent. I could not find any Democrats who were willing to support the Democratic Party at any level. I once thought that the Democratic Party in the Southern States were smart enough to keep their wits about them but I think that is no longer true.
While the Democratic Party will continue to thrive in Urban areas championing a liberal social agenda there is no longer a future for Democrats in the South. I'll will go ahead and say it-the Democratic Party is DEAD in the South and probably Western Kentucky for good. There are not many issues or platforms that will sell down here nor is there anybody who is interested in hearing about it. In short- taxes, immigration, abortion, gun control, moral issues, cap & trade, coal, tobacco and entitlement programs have forced moderate and conservative Democrats away or to the sideline.
In Kentucky, I have friends on all sides of this Senate race but I fear that having a primary is probably an act of futility because I think the Republicans win big in November. For those who have not drank the liberal waters then they stand a fighting chance. Ten percent of voters who consider themselves neither liberal or conservative will decide many of the elections around the nation. These middle class voters are rarely engaged in politics. They have been known as the "Silent Majority", "Reagan Democrats", Perot supporters, Independents and now Tea Party folks. I think it is a mistake for any candidate or party to discount them or disparage their concerns. The Tea Party organization did not create this outrage or movement-they simply stepped in front of the crowd and said let's go. As history has shown this will be short lived and by next year it will be politics as usual in many places for another 15 or 20 years.
Voters are not interested in solutions that cost them more money or lead to tax increases. They are mad and they want taxes cut, spending reduced and government to stop trying to solve problems with their money. In Kentucky and across the nation polling is consistent regarding how voters feel about elected officials, debt and taxes. Americans don't trust Washington to solve problems and they don't trust the Democratic response to the problems which is to create costly entitlement programs and hope our economy remains better than Greece.
In Kentucky decisions have to made by the General Assembly but right now politics is only about one thing and that's what I call the "Eastern Kentucky Sand Box". The General Assembly is run by two East Kentucky boys who don't let other children play in their "Sand Box". As of late these two seem willing to do nothing but keep defecating and covering up the mess with more sand. In the end the "Sand Box" is theirs and but at some point somebody is going to have to clean out the mess because it's starting to smell. The answer is simple to save their political skins. No new projects. No new spending, no borrowing, cut government, no legislation that calls for spending revenue. Pretty simple folks.
Speaker Stumbo who has years of experience and a good track record of working with other Rural Legislators will have to probably make the unpopular choice which is keeping Frankfort running on a bare minimum without new projects. It's time to play Harry Truman. It's not a fun role but it's one that people will respect and vote for. If everyone in Frankfort wants to sit at the track and waste time waiting on a long shot to come in, then that's OK by me but in the mean time I would suggest bringing forth a budget even if it hurts.
While working in races in many other states I see that most folks share the same concerns from state to state and it is not a good time to be holding hands with liberals in Washington. Enough politics for now. I hope to talk about my flood experience in Franklin, TN and share some insight from my seminars and the Society of Business, Industry and Economics Conference I attended a few weeks ago.
In Western Kentucky there does not seem to be a great deal of interest in the Primary. Folks are either angry, turned off or both. The consensus is that people are waiting until November to get even with Obama, Pelosi and Reid. I think a low turn out in Rural Kentucky would probably be to Jack Conway's favor if they turn out in the Urban areas. It's obvious this race has turned ugly. I still think Monjiardo would be the best candidate in November given the back lash to the ultra liberal agenda in Washington. Conway has gotten caught up trying to secure his liberal base while at the same time trying not to get blown out in Rural Kentucky. It would appear that most of the Democrat Leaders in Kentucky have decided that they will stand with Liberal factions in Washington and the DNC as opposed to saving and rebuilding a moderate to conservative party in Kentucky. This is not surprising because I have witnessed this through out the South in the last few weeks. The result is that the Democratic Party in most Southern states in non-existent. I could not find any Democrats who were willing to support the Democratic Party at any level. I once thought that the Democratic Party in the Southern States were smart enough to keep their wits about them but I think that is no longer true.
While the Democratic Party will continue to thrive in Urban areas championing a liberal social agenda there is no longer a future for Democrats in the South. I'll will go ahead and say it-the Democratic Party is DEAD in the South and probably Western Kentucky for good. There are not many issues or platforms that will sell down here nor is there anybody who is interested in hearing about it. In short- taxes, immigration, abortion, gun control, moral issues, cap & trade, coal, tobacco and entitlement programs have forced moderate and conservative Democrats away or to the sideline.
In Kentucky, I have friends on all sides of this Senate race but I fear that having a primary is probably an act of futility because I think the Republicans win big in November. For those who have not drank the liberal waters then they stand a fighting chance. Ten percent of voters who consider themselves neither liberal or conservative will decide many of the elections around the nation. These middle class voters are rarely engaged in politics. They have been known as the "Silent Majority", "Reagan Democrats", Perot supporters, Independents and now Tea Party folks. I think it is a mistake for any candidate or party to discount them or disparage their concerns. The Tea Party organization did not create this outrage or movement-they simply stepped in front of the crowd and said let's go. As history has shown this will be short lived and by next year it will be politics as usual in many places for another 15 or 20 years.
Voters are not interested in solutions that cost them more money or lead to tax increases. They are mad and they want taxes cut, spending reduced and government to stop trying to solve problems with their money. In Kentucky and across the nation polling is consistent regarding how voters feel about elected officials, debt and taxes. Americans don't trust Washington to solve problems and they don't trust the Democratic response to the problems which is to create costly entitlement programs and hope our economy remains better than Greece.
In Kentucky decisions have to made by the General Assembly but right now politics is only about one thing and that's what I call the "Eastern Kentucky Sand Box". The General Assembly is run by two East Kentucky boys who don't let other children play in their "Sand Box". As of late these two seem willing to do nothing but keep defecating and covering up the mess with more sand. In the end the "Sand Box" is theirs and but at some point somebody is going to have to clean out the mess because it's starting to smell. The answer is simple to save their political skins. No new projects. No new spending, no borrowing, cut government, no legislation that calls for spending revenue. Pretty simple folks.
Speaker Stumbo who has years of experience and a good track record of working with other Rural Legislators will have to probably make the unpopular choice which is keeping Frankfort running on a bare minimum without new projects. It's time to play Harry Truman. It's not a fun role but it's one that people will respect and vote for. If everyone in Frankfort wants to sit at the track and waste time waiting on a long shot to come in, then that's OK by me but in the mean time I would suggest bringing forth a budget even if it hurts.
While working in races in many other states I see that most folks share the same concerns from state to state and it is not a good time to be holding hands with liberals in Washington. Enough politics for now. I hope to talk about my flood experience in Franklin, TN and share some insight from my seminars and the Society of Business, Industry and Economics Conference I attended a few weeks ago.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Kentucky Legislators Agree to One Year Budget
It is 7:28 CST and the word out of Frankfort is that legislative leaders have agreed to a one year budget. It is my understanding that nobody got everything they wanted. Compromise being the key word here. I also hear that the Governor may very well veto certain portions and is none too happy about certain programs that are near and dear to him being axed. I guess we will all get the details in a few hours.
Robert Penn Warren: Interview With Justice Bill Cunningham
What makes a good story? For me it is one that begets many more. Tomorrow, Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham & Governor Beshear will be in Todd County to dedicate the new signs which promote the childhood home of Robert Penn Warren.
The Warren house is in the small town of Guthrie, KY which sits along the Kentucky-Tennessee line south of Elkton. It's not an easy find even if your looking for it. I have travelled to Guthrie many times and have gotten turned around. Tiny Town which sits down the road is an intersection of Highways 41,79, and 181. I can remember a few years ago I had to fill the pulpit at Gurthie & Elkton Christian Church and bout not made it.
Robert Penn Warren was America's first poet laureate and that should be a big deal to Kentuckians. He was from Guthrie by the way not Louisville or Lexington. (Sorry, could not help myself). I asked Justice Cunningham to share with me some of his thoughts about the subject and he seemed to feel strongly that the missed storyline is about the community of Guthrie. " I can't wait to be there", said Justice Cunningham who spoke of how this small community non-profit organization has worked tirelessly to preserve the Warren home and legacy. "They have struggled, preserved it and restored it on a tight budget," said Cunningham. At one time there was consideration to moving the house to Western Kentucky University Cunningham pointed out. We talked about how we (the communities)had to give something up for the sake of progress with the new four lane 68/80. We both agreed that something was lost now since the road bypasses all the small towns between Hopkinsville and Bowling Green. Cunningham commented, "I really appreciate being able to get to Bowling Green faster but I miss the history and beautiful scenery driving through places like Fairview, Elkton, Auburn.We need to get people off the highways and I think this signage will help."
In 1965 Robert Penn Warren conducted numerous reel-to-reel interviews for his book Who Speaks for the Negro? My research for this post led me to an article from the Fall 2008 Edition of "arts AND SCIENCE", the magazine for Vanderbilt University's College of Arts and Science. The article written by Sandy Smith tells the story of how Mona Fredrick and Sarah Nobles found the semi-lost reel-to-reel interviews by Robert Penn Warren. Smith shares with us how Fredrick, the executive director of the RPW Center for Humanities and staff associate Sarah Nobles track down these interviews. The Journey led them to the library at Yale University where they found some of them. They had apparently never been catalogued. The remaining interviews were found at the University of Kentucky. Neither school knew what they had in their possession. The article is a good read and I would suggest it. The great thing is that Fredrick and Nobles were able to reunite the collection and move it all to digital recordings.
Robert Penn Warren had collected and what is now considered a treasure chest of interviews with civil rights leaders and activist. This list includes interviews with Stokley Carmichael, Charles Evers, Vernon E. Jordan, Jr, Martin Luther King Jr., Adam Clayton Powell Jr, Carl T. Rowan, Malcolm X, Andrew Young and many more.
Link to listen to Robert Penn Warren interviews- http://whospeaks.library.vanderbilt.edu/
This archival collection is available to listen to for free. I have included a link. I want to thank Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham for sharing some time with me. Justice Cunningham has written a number of books about places and events in Western Kentucky and I have included a link to his website. A good story leads to many more and this one did for me. I did not share everything but I believe if you take some time to follow the bread crumbs I have left for you then you will be rewarded with more stories not yet told.
Link to Justice Bill Cunningham- http://www.billcunninghamonline.com/
Monday, March 29, 2010
Governor Beshear Loses Friend and Business Associate
I was saddened to hear of the death of Paul K. Tuner of Hopkinsville. Paul was known for having a sharp legal mind and a quiet demeanor. Most folks, even in Christian County, didn't know that Paul Turner was one of Governor Steve Beshears closet friends. Both were raised in Dawson Springs and it is common knowledge that both shared success as associates in the banking business.
Judge Turner had served as a former City Judge and Circuit Judge for Hopkinsville and Christian County. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Judge Turner had also served in the U.S. Army.
The Turner family were neighbors for much of my life. Paul was the last of the Judges to resided on Sunset Circle. I grew up on North Sunset and the Turners lived on South Sunset. Just about all the old families are gone now from the Sunset subdivision which I believe started about 1960. It was a neat place to grow up. We were only a couple hundred yards from Hopkinsville High and Middle School. As a teenager our neighborhood provided for all our needs. Judge Soyars was Circuit Judge and lived next door. Judge Ruff was District Judge and lived a few doors up. Mr. Cavanaugh owned the Miller beer distributorship and he lived three doors up. Mr. Meece owned the Dairy Queen and he lived behind us. General Lindsey Freeman owned a fur shop and there was always something cool to find in his garage. The good General was also known to have a few cases of Coors beer around back before it was available to folks outside Colorado. By my count their are only four families who remain from the 60s.
Judge Turner's visitation is tonight and most expect the Governor to pay his respects. My thoughts and sympathy go out to the Turner Family.
Judge Turner had served as a former City Judge and Circuit Judge for Hopkinsville and Christian County. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Judge Turner had also served in the U.S. Army.
The Turner family were neighbors for much of my life. Paul was the last of the Judges to resided on Sunset Circle. I grew up on North Sunset and the Turners lived on South Sunset. Just about all the old families are gone now from the Sunset subdivision which I believe started about 1960. It was a neat place to grow up. We were only a couple hundred yards from Hopkinsville High and Middle School. As a teenager our neighborhood provided for all our needs. Judge Soyars was Circuit Judge and lived next door. Judge Ruff was District Judge and lived a few doors up. Mr. Cavanaugh owned the Miller beer distributorship and he lived three doors up. Mr. Meece owned the Dairy Queen and he lived behind us. General Lindsey Freeman owned a fur shop and there was always something cool to find in his garage. The good General was also known to have a few cases of Coors beer around back before it was available to folks outside Colorado. By my count their are only four families who remain from the 60s.
Judge Turner's visitation is tonight and most expect the Governor to pay his respects. My thoughts and sympathy go out to the Turner Family.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Conway Getting Out of Race: Rumor or Fact?
In the midst of the South Eastern Conference Basketball Tournament comes the word that Jack Conway may be getting out of the U.S. Senate race in Kentucky. This may be a rumor but in fact, it could be the case. Conway fared very poorly in just about every category in the USA Poll that was released last week.
I admit that it crossed my mind a few weeks ago that Conway might withdraw and instead seek the nomination for Governor next year. Not the best time to be an incumbent or a Democrat running for a seat in Washington. Incumbent Governor Steve Beshear has alienated most of Rural Kentucky and if you pair Conway with a popular figure from Western Kentucky then you might have one hell of a Primary next year.
I guess we will just have to see how all this shakes out.
I admit that it crossed my mind a few weeks ago that Conway might withdraw and instead seek the nomination for Governor next year. Not the best time to be an incumbent or a Democrat running for a seat in Washington. Incumbent Governor Steve Beshear has alienated most of Rural Kentucky and if you pair Conway with a popular figure from Western Kentucky then you might have one hell of a Primary next year.
I guess we will just have to see how all this shakes out.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
The Warning: A Must See PBS Documentary
I will have to admit that I'm behind the curve regarding having seen this documentary. Much to my surprise I can't find anybody who has seen it. This appeared in October of 2009 and I caught it a few days ago. Regardless of one's political stripes this is a must see. This is a jaw-dropping documentary that quite frankly may scare you when you see that the same folks are in charge of our financial markets today.
The story is about how one woman, Brooksley Born, who tried to warn Congress and the American people of a financial situation and practices that could possibly cripple our financial institutions. Born, who was Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, tried to regulate what is known as over the counter derivatives. This has to do with things that derive their value from something else like currency or bond rates.
Our financial guru's at the time and at present, Alan Greenspan, Robert Rubin, Arthur Levitt, and Larry Summers set out to stop her and they did. Born's credibility was attacked from every sector from Congress to Wall Street. This documentary offers up her testimony before Congress as well as interviews with all those who now admit she was right and they were wrong. I find it a little frightening that the Lieutenants of Greenspan and Rubin( Summers & Geitner) are now running things in Washington. I was amazed at watching Greenspan admit that everything he spent a lifetime believing about financial markets was wrong. These men freely admit in this segment that they did not like or respect this woman sticking her nose into areas that were reserved for them.
This is worth dedicating an hour to watch if you want to have a better and inside look at how and who put the Nation into this financial mess.
The program is a Frontline Documentary on PBS entitled "The Warning".
www.pbs.org
The story is about how one woman, Brooksley Born, who tried to warn Congress and the American people of a financial situation and practices that could possibly cripple our financial institutions. Born, who was Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, tried to regulate what is known as over the counter derivatives. This has to do with things that derive their value from something else like currency or bond rates.
Our financial guru's at the time and at present, Alan Greenspan, Robert Rubin, Arthur Levitt, and Larry Summers set out to stop her and they did. Born's credibility was attacked from every sector from Congress to Wall Street. This documentary offers up her testimony before Congress as well as interviews with all those who now admit she was right and they were wrong. I find it a little frightening that the Lieutenants of Greenspan and Rubin( Summers & Geitner) are now running things in Washington. I was amazed at watching Greenspan admit that everything he spent a lifetime believing about financial markets was wrong. These men freely admit in this segment that they did not like or respect this woman sticking her nose into areas that were reserved for them.
This is worth dedicating an hour to watch if you want to have a better and inside look at how and who put the Nation into this financial mess.
The program is a Frontline Documentary on PBS entitled "The Warning".
www.pbs.org
Kentucky Senate Race: Mongiardo Has Big Week
Dan Mongiardo took a big step this week towards winning the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Kentucky.
It was almost 10pm eastern time when I picked up the phone and found Lt. Governor Dan Mongiardo on the other end. I figured that I would keep it short considering the time and knowing the brutality of a day in Kentucky politics. I just knew the Lt. Governor would be tired and at best I was receiving a short courtesy call.
Well-I was wrong. I suddenly felt that I was at Fancy Farm standing in front of the podium listening to Dan Mongiardo speak. Was the Lt. Governor fired up!, that would be an understatement. Not only was he excited, but he was obviously mad and frustrated. I asked about the present mood of the voters regarding the national debt and Mongiardo replied," I've been to every county, people are upset, Washington works great for Wall Street. The majority in the Senate is not Democrats or Republicans, it's lawyers."
Mongiardo Has 18 Point Lead Over Conway
Receives Louisville Area Labor Council Endorsement
Jefferson County Leaders Announce Support
We covered many issues in our conversation from regional issues to those that concern all of Kentucky. Dan discussed in length about how our national debt and dependence on foreign oil have become issues of national security. Mongiardo has been a long time champion of creating jobs through the harvesting of Kentucky's natural resources- Agriculture & Coal. Committed to an energy policy that utilizes every possible source of energy to decrease foreign dependence, Mongiardo stated that the U.S. should invest in clean coal technology in a manner that creates jobs from coal and not reduce them.
We talked about what is a good use of taxpayers dollars and the Lt. Governor was adamant about government wasting money when we should be investing in infrastructure. "locks and dams, roads, high-speed rails, this is where we should be investing," said Mongiardo. "If we help create more jobs then this will mean more revenue."
I wanted to hear more about the mood of the voters and kept pressing the issue with the Lt. Governor. Mongiardo said he wanted to be clear on this issue and reemphasized that voters all across Kentucky were not only angry but very concerned about the direction Congress was taking regarding fiscal responsibility. Mongiardo said, "Tim, when I was growing up we had to have a litmus test for spending because we did not have any money to waste. It's a simple test, do we need it, do we have to have it, can we do without it."
We also talked about the military and our veterans. With Fort Knox and Fort Campbell being in Kentucky and growing everyday, I asked Lt. Governor Mongiardo how the military and veterans issues stacked up against other issues. Mongiardo replied, "National security is the most important issue." Regarding our veterans Mongiardo spoke of his experience as a medical doctor serving our veterans at the Lexington VA Hospital. "We have to take care of them when they come home, it is our responsibility to make this county a better place while they are fighting for us and I don't see that happening."
The health care debate is a hot topic and we discussed the issue. It was clear that Dr. Daniel Mongiardo believed that the issue has to be addressed in Washington and that any solutions would have to lower cost for people.
A good interview and a good week for Kentucky's Lt. Governor, Dr. Daniel Mongiardo. He topped off his week with the announcement that many prominent leaders in Jefferson County had given their support to him as opposed to Jefferson County resident Jack Conway. While many times these announcement's don't mean much I believe this announcement cut the Conway Campaign to the bone. I have listed some these folks below.
Larry Clark-Kentucky House Speaker Pro-Tem
(All Democrat State Senators in Jefferson County)
Sen. Denis Harper Angel, Sen. Perry Clark, Sen. Gerald Neal & Sen. Tim Shaughnessy.
Rep. Tom Burch- Chairman of the House Health & Welfare Committee
Sherry Conner-Mayor of Shively
David Karem-Former Senate Majority Leader
4- Metro Council Members, not to mention 4 former Chairman of the Jefferson County Democratic Party.
And a whole list more of local civic and labor leaders.
I appreciate the Lt. Governor spending some time with me on the phone and only wish I had the energy he did. As a former football coach I'm convinced that Mongiardo does not waste countless hours looking at himself in the mirror and combing his hair.I've said many times that winning the nomination for U.S. Senate would require bridging the gap between Urban Kentucky and Rural Kentucky and I think Dr. Daniel Mongiardo has successfully accomplished that this week in a big way. Dr. Daniel Mongiardo has proven that he is willing to work like a dog for all Kentucky. If Kentucky Democrats want to have success in the field come November, I believe it may be time to take the leash off- because this dog can hunt.
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