KY's Ben Chandler Supports Wesley Clark for President

Lexington, KY, Herald-Leader ^ | 01-09-04 | AP

[Theodore R.]

Chandler supports Clark for presidency Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Democratic candidate running for Gov. Ernie Fletcher's old congressional seat says he's endorsing Wesley Clark for president.

Ben Chandler said Wednesday the retired Army general may help raise money for his campaign for the 6th District seat. Chandler said his endorsement was not dependent on Clark's assistance.

Chandler said Clark approached him as part of an effort to gather support in regions that the Democratic nominee needs to carry in the state.

Clark is also supporting Chandler, the state's former attorney general said Thursday in a phone interview. Chandler said the mutual support may boost him politically.

"It speaks to what kind of Democrat I am," Chandler said. "I think it tells the people here in this district that if they elect me they are electing a Democrat who is consistent with their values."

Clark may help raise money for Chandler by way of the Internet, said Bill Buck, a spokesman for Clark's campaign. Currently, there aren't plans for Clark to visit Kentucky during Chandler's special election contest against Republican state Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, Buck said.

"We look forward to standing side-by-side with him in the fall when he's running for re-election and we are looking to win the state of Kentucky," Buck said.

The National Republican Congressional Committee began running television commercials Wednesday on Kerr's behalf. GOP leaders have said they expect President Bush to campaign for her.

Kerr's campaign manager, Billy Piper, said the endorsement means Chandler "wants to work against President Bush."

Fletcher has set the special election for Feb. 17. It will be for completion of Fletcher's two-year term. Anyone wanting a full term will have to win the general election in November.

Meanwhile, Chandler visited with veterans in Lexington Thursday. Chandler said he felt veterans' issues have been underrepresented in Kentucky.

[HennepinPrisoner]

First Madonna and now Ben Chandler.

Clark is unstoppable now.

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[Redbob]

Surprise, Surprise!

Chandler knows that Dean would drag him down like throwing a rock to a drowning man.

[Theodore R.]

Do you think that KY voters might elect Chandler to Congress to protest Bush's immigration amnesty plan? Stranger things have happened.

[bethelgrad]

I personally don't think so. I live in Fletcher's old district. There are some strong democratic strongholds but there are a lot of military-loving, loyal Bush supporters here who would be glad to keep that seet Republican.

BTW, I live in Wilmore.

[LexingtonGOP]

I think Chandler's endorsement of Clark was quite shrewd. He's up against someone who is well known and now has a chance to go after some of the issues that Fletcher would have owned -- veterans, military, tobacco, homeland security.

Word is that Forgy-Kerr's polling is not very encouraging and this is her first big race. I'm not optimistic about our chances these days. Chandler will have a fair amount of sympathy votes and is not as evil as some other RATS who could run.

I hope things turn around here.