Democrats fighting for political lives

The Kentucky Post ^ | 06-10-2003 | Feoshia Henderson

[Republican Wildcat]

Kentucky Democrats are fighting for their political lives in this November's elections, two party nominees told Kenton County Democrats Monday night. "This is the biggest threat we've faced in our lifetime in the Democratic Party," state auditor candidate Crit Luallen told members of the Kenton County Democratic Club Monday night at Walt's Hitching Post in Fort Wright.

"The trend in this state is moving Republican. We've all got problems learning how to confront that challenge."

Republicans, behind gubernatorial candidate Ernie Fletcher, think this is their best chance at the governor's mansion since Louie Nunn left office in 1971. And if Fletcher wins in November, the GOP may hold onto the office for awhile, said Alice Baesler, the Democrats' nominee for agriculture commissioner.

"If we lose this governorship, there's no telling how long it will be before we get back in," she said.

Luallen, who resigned earlier this year as Gov. Paul Patton's cabinet secretary, acknowledged that the two-term governor's admission of an extramarital affair had hurt the party, but said Democrats must get past that by reminding voters of past achievements.

"We have vulnerabilities here, no one knows that better than I know it. Paul Patton's recent scandals have caused a definite negative perception for Democrats in Kentucky. But we have to move beyond that. We have to talk about what Democratic leadership has done in this state, and what it's going to do in the future," said Luallen.

Both Luallen and Baesler said their campaigns would focus on Northern Kentucky, though neither had specific dates they'd return to the region.

"This area is critical," Luallen said. "The growth and vitality of Northern Kentucky is central to our state's future."

Luallen, who won the primary handily, didn't fare as well in Northern Kentucky. She placed second to Jim Glenn, an Owensboro professor. But in a show of party support for Luallen, Glenn's daughter, Kim Glenn, who lives in Fort Mitchell, attended the meeting.

Baesler, wife of former Lexington congressman Scotty Baesler, faces Richie Farmer, a former UK basketball star, who got more primary votes than any other Republican and most Democrats running for statewide office. Only Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ben Chandler and his former opponent, House Speaker Jody Richards, got more.

Baesler, a former state Agriculture Department employee and farm owner, said she'll stress her experience in the campaign.

"It takes leadership to help create those new markets (for farmers) that we've got to create," Baesler said.

Democrats must work to arouse voter interest this fall in Northern Kentucky, Baesler said. Candidates will have their work cut out for them. Voter turnout in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties in May was about half of the state average.

[Republican Wildcat]

Elections this year (2003) in Kentucky! Help us out by supporting these candidates!

Trey Grayson for Secretary of State!

Linda Greenwell for State Auditor!

Ernie Fletcher for Governor!

Adam Koenig for Treasurer!

Richie Farmer for Agriculture Commissioner!

[Zavien Doombringer]

[martin_fierro]

Democrats fighting for political lives

No wonder.

[Dems_R_Losers]

Thanks for the post! I am another Republican Wildcat (living in northern Virginia now.)

Go Ernie! Go Richie!

[TheGeezer]

WIth NKY becoming the new suburbia, cleaner, safer and more fun than SW Ohio, more attentive to productive citizens' desires, is it any wonder it's becoming more Republican?

[Republic Rocker]

OK Freepers...... I'm a Californian and i just made a small donation to the cause...... click on The Gov. to be and checkout his website....

Time to take back this nation. We are fighting hard here in Cali. and looking out for our brothers and sisters throughout the country.....

[DPB101]

We have to talk about what Democratic leadership has done in this state

Big mistake I would think.

[Republican Wildcat]

Yes, indeed. That was a laughable quote from her.

[DPB101]

Funny how you don't even have to know about Kentucky to guess what Democrats did. I haven't been in the state in 20 years.

[fieldmarshaldj]

KY 'Rats running scared *ping*

[Republican Wildcat]

Thank you, kind sir, for helping us end decades of Dem domination. We have not held any of the State offices in more than 30 years. We are hoping to sweep all of the offices this year.

[Republican Wildcat]

oh...there is a candidate named Jack Wood running for Attorney General, but he does not have a website that I know of.

[Republican Wildcat]

Graft, corruption, incompetence, patronage, nepotism... were those some of your guesses?

[Republican Wildcat]

Indeed...I'm not sure why the Democrats would want a high turnout up there...

[Impy]

I think Grayson and Farmer are the best bets to win down ballot races.

[Republican Wildcat]

bttt

[Republican Wildcat]

bttt

[Republican Wildcat]

(one more shameless bump)

[ladyinred]

Perhaps if democrats learned once and for all that the American people are not all a bunch of liberal socialist fascists, they wouldn't be having such a hard time getting elected! The Clintonizing of the party has done them much damage.