Posted on 12/03/2002 8:45:10 AM PST by CreekerFreeper
FRANKFORT - U.S. Rep. Ernie Fletcher of Lexington officially launched his campaign for governor yesterday and tapped Hunter Bates, an aide to U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, to be his running mate in next year's Republican primary election.
The move signaled a potentially heated Republican primary next spring, and disappointed state Rep. Steve Nunn, a Glasgow Republican who also plans to run for governor.
Nunn said McConnell had told him he would remain neutral in the GOP primary, but Fletcher's selection of Bates "gives the appearance that McConnell is right in the middle of all this, and it's contrary to what he has said at least twice to me."
McConnell issued a brief statement but did not mention what role, if any, he had in the selection.
"Hunter Bates is the leader of the next generation of Kentucky Republicans. I commend Congressman Fletcher on his choice," the statement said.
Fletcher insisted yesterday at a news conference in the state Capitol that Bates' selection was his decision, not McConnell's. He said he had appointed an informal committee to come up with prospective running mates and that Bates' name was among four or five finalists. Fletcher declined to name members of the selection committee or other finalists on his list.
Fletcher said he chose Bates, 35, because of his knowledge of government and his intellect. He had been touted by McConnell shortly after the Nov. 5 election as a candidate for the 4th Congressional District in Northern Kentucky in 2004.
Fletcher and Bates also traveled to Northern Kentucky and Campbellsville University yesterday to announce their team. They are to be in Owensboro, Paducah, Bowling Green and Somerset today, with a rally ending the day in Williamsburg.
Fletcher said he and Bates will tell Kentuckians that it's time for a change after 31 years of Democratic control of the governor's office. Louie Nunn, father of Steve Nunn, was Kentucky's last Republican governor.
Steve Nunn said he might announce his running mate next week. He said he is considering four prospects. He identified three of them -- state Reps. Bob Heleringer of Louisville, Lonnie Napier of Lancaster and Jon Draud of Crestview Hills.
Jefferson County Judge-Executive Rebecca Jackson, who also has formed an exploratory committee for governor in the GOP primary, had little to say about Fletcher, Bates and McConnell. "I'm running for governor, and only the senator knows what he is going to do," she said.
Other Republicans considering running for governor are state Sen. Virgil Moore of Leitchfield, former Pulaski County school Superintendent Bert Minton, actor and director Sonny Landham, and retired Army four-star general John G. Coburn.
What was his record last year?
Senator Moore and I were having a sample of Kentucky's finest corn squeezins' at the lobby bar of the Hyatt Lexington while awaiting the start of the UK/High Point game last night.
I am in total amazement at the number of people that stopped by to say hello to one of Kentucky's most popular state senators, most who are acquainted with him on a first name basis.
These well-wishers come to Kentucky games from every corner of the state:
So, Virgil was greeting a County Attorney from Northern Kentucky as well as a successful Western Ky farmer. He seemed to have many friends right there in Central Ky as well as the good basketball fans from the mountain counties.
Some retired soldiers came by to greet the decorated Viet Nam vet and retired Army officer, Virgil Moore.
A high point of the evening with the Senator Virgil Moore came when a distinguished and pronounced southern drawl of greeting came over droaning hum of the lobby crowd.
When I turned to see, it was from the old former 1970's Governor Julian Carroll that has been a friend of Virgil's for many years.
This seems to be the way of the liberty-minded Virgil Moore. He already knows and is trusted by the people of Kentucky.
This pattern goes on if he is attending a local pig roast or, a big event like the Kentucky State Fair or the Kentucky Derby.
Please click on the campaign page link to photos that FReeper RonPaulLives provided earlier on this thread, to get a sample of Virgil's warm nature towards people.
Has he decided to run? I can help out from Northern Kentucky.
CF is on some kind of personal vendetta and personally, he is rather tiresome. The more I hear from him the more he whines like a Dem.
I'll be in touch soon.
I helped run his campaign.
You're both good men.
We have a lot to do for the cause of liberty.
I will be calling on you soon.
We'll find another case at another time, for lively debate.
For now, let's try to keep cool and stay friends. Not one good Kentuckian can be spared, if he's on our side.
OK ?
Since you mentioned Rebecca Jackson.... She is a very likeable lady personally. BUT,.......
Do you know Rebecca's pro-choice stance?
Her anti-property rights positions?
Do you know about her anti-gun anti-CCW policies?
How about all of the taxing and spending of the Jefferson County fiscal court which she has led?
Did you know that she consistantly obstructed Senator Dan Seum, Sen Katie Stein, Sen Julie Denton and Sen Virgil Moore's efforts to rid Jefferson County of the dispicable VET auto emmissions testing? (They were successful in the end I may add.)
Do you know that she has turned her back on all but the most liberal of GOP candidates in this state? Ask Don Bell how she treated him in 2000?
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