Washington Times: "McConnell's base of support erodes"

The national media is continuing to pick up on the fast growing grassroots movement that is sweeping Kentucky to elect Larry Forgy and send Mitch McConnell packing back to Louisville in 2008. The latest story is from the Washington Times:

Sen. Mitch McConnell's close backing of President Bush on immigration and the Iraq war is costing him support among Kentucky Republicans, and, according to some party members, hurting his chances for re-election next year.

He even could face a primary challenge from former Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Forgy, who contends that Mr. McConnell's in-state problems are compounded by job losses to producers beyond America's borders.

“The average Kentuckian feels we are giving away this country with both hands —

jobs are going, essentially the primacy of the people who made this country great is going, and Mitch McConnell is lumped with the Washington types on this,” Mr. Forgy said.

“And the war in Iraq is less troublesome in Kentucky than in many other places, but it is not popular here, and Republican voters see Mitch's views as too close to the president's on the war,” said Mr. Forgy, a Lexington lawyer...

“The immigration issue is trouble for everyone in central Kentucky,” Republican state Sen. Tom Buford said. “The Iraq war is always difficult for all incumbents, even if they support pulling the troops out. It is a no-win situation when elections are at risk.”

A county party chairman who supports Mr. McConnell but asked not to be identified said Mr. McConnell's re-election next year is uncertain — despite the Capitol Hill clout he brings Kentucky — unless he shows the folks back home he understands their distrust of Washington on enforcing immigration laws.

The chairman said he has tried to tell Mr. McConnell that he needs to assure the party's base that he opposes Mr. Bush's immigration bill.

The Kentucky Republican Party, torn by the immigration issue, was further fractured when critics claimed Mr. McConnell had acted behind the scenes to back an ultimately unsuccessful primary challenge by former Rep. Anne Northup against Gov. Ernie Fletcher earlier this year. The Fletcher faction of the state Republican Party is backing the “draft Forgy” campaign.

The fact that Republican Party county chairman are afraid of going on the record is another indication that McConnell is threatening Republican activists with retribution, just as he did to those supporting Governor Fletcher against Anne Northup in the spring. If the Louisville liberal continues these tactics, he can rest assured that his fate will be similar to Anne Northup's come next May.

Nunn Should Get Behind Larry Forgy

There has been much speculation as to what former state Rep. Steve Nunn will do in the Republican 2008 Senate campaign. Reports were that Nunn was none too pleased with former Rep. Larry Hopkins comments during the Governor's primary:

The party "had been so divided by Louie Nunn (a former governor who backed Forgy) and Larry Forgy, it was just impossible to put back together," Hopkins said.

Everyone knows these comments were ludicrous, since it was McConnell who tore the Republican Party apart, not only in 2003, but also in 1999 when he went back on his word of staying neutral:

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."

Governor Louie Nunn was a strong backer of Larry Forgy in his race against Larry Hopkins, but it is not a given that Rep. Steve Nunn will stay out of the Senate race and endorse Forgy. Remember that Steve Nunn is far more moderate than the true conservative Forgy, and Governor Nunn endorsed Bob Gable in the 1995 primary, recording a hard-hitting radio ad against Forgy. However, it is a good sign that Rep. Nunn has so far refused to endorse McConnell, and with some encouragement, he may be able to be persuaded to stay out of the race and back Larry Forgy for the Republican nomination in 2008.

Novak: Republican Senators May Revolt Against McConnell

Bob Novak reported in his weekly column this morning that several Republican Senators now may go public in their discontent with the lack of leadership from Mitch McConnell, leading to what may be his replacement as minority leader:

Discontent with the GOP leadership is growing within the slender band of Republican reformers in both the House and Senate. They are considering but have not decided whether to go public.

This comes as no surprise, since several Republican Senators have made no secret at their disgust with McConnell's shunning of conservatives over the past few months. One Republican Senator even told Novak that McConnell "should be relieved of command for dereliction of duty."

Republican Senator Norm Coleman recently went public over the Iraq debate, saying, "at this point, I can't even tell you where Mitch is." Trent Lott also slammed McConnell over carrying the liberals' water on lobbying reform and amnesty, saying "after the exhibition I saw on immigration, I don't suspect there's going to be a lot of strength and dynamic leadership here." It appears that its just a matter of time until the national conservative leaders join the growing movement in Kentucky, and get behind Larry Forgy to provide some real leadership in the U.S. Senate.

WHAS's Hebert: Forgy Still Exploring Senate Campaign

Mark Hebert reported today that Larry Forgy is still exploring a primary challenge to the Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell. Forgy is now making it clear that if Mitch does not turn out the Northup/McConnell voters that are now supporting Beshear, McConnell can expect to be sitting in Louisville on the sidelines in May:

Larry Forgy wouldn't rule out, or in, a run against Mitch McConnell next year when I asked him about that prospect at the Fancy Farm picnic. Forgy says he's glad to hear McConnell is helping Gov. Fletcher's reelection bid and the senator's help is really needed in Jefferson County where Fletcher is particularly weak. In response, McConnell told reporters "I have nothing to say to Larry Forgy."

WKYT's Bryant: Forgy Keeps Door Open For Senate Campaign

Bill Bryant reported this week that Larry Forgy is still considering a Senate campaign against Mitch McConnell this spring. Its more important than ever to encourage Forgy to run, now that polls are making it clear that the showboating McConnell is all talk and is doing nothing to help turn out the Northup/McConnell supporters in Louisville for Governor Fletcher:

FORGY KEEPS ADMONITION IN PLACE

Former Republican candidate for governor Larry Forgy is still indicating he could mount a primary challenge to McConnell next May. Forgy says he wouldn’t have to decide until after the November election and says it will depend on how vigorously McConnell supports Governor Fletcher’s re-election bid. Forgy disavows personal connection to signs boosting him for the senate seat at Fancy Farm and to a Draft Forgy website. But he is aware of those and other efforts to entice him into the race.

After narrowly losing the 1995 governor’s race to Democrat Paul Patton, Forgy went on to lose a race for the Kentucky Supreme Court. But he has remained active in politics and has frequently advised Fletcher.

McConnell, who has already raised millions for his race for a fifth term in 2008, is expecting a tough challenge next year.

Where's Anne?

84 days since the May primaries and Anne Northup has refused to make a single appearance for Governor Fletcher. Mitch, she's your puppet. After the poll last week showing a majority of Northup/McConnell voters are supporting Steve Beshear, its time to step up to the plate. If Mitch McConnell refuses to get Anne Northup and her turncoats to go to bat for Governor Fletcher, he can expect to be spending a lot of time with them in Louisville after he is unseated by Larry Forgy next May.

Hey Mitch, Return The Money

Even after the news that the FBI raided the home of Alaska Senator Ted Stevens, Mitch McConnell refused to return the $2,500 he received from Steven's Northern Lights PAC last cycle.

Conservatives have been calling on McConnell to help lead the charge in cleaning up the corruption that brought our party down in 2006, but the Louisville liberal McConnell simply will not listen. Sen. Trent Lott blasted McConnell again over the issue, saying:

“After the exhibition I saw on immigration, I don’t suspect there’s going to be a lot of strength and dynamic leadership here [to oppose the lobbying reform legislation], but we’ll see,” he said, referring to GOP criticisms of McConnell’s lack of visibility during the final days of the unsuccessful immigration debate in June.

Lexington Herald Leader: Governor Fletcher Refuses To Endorse Mitch McConnell

Ryan Alessi had an interesting column today on the tension still remaining from Benedict McConnell's backstabbing of Governor Fletcher and Kentucky's conservatives:

While Fletcher says that he and Republican U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell are friends again, the governor has stopped short of saying that he'll endorse McConnell for re-election in 2008...

Fletcher wouldn't say whether he'll discourage other Republicans from challenging McConnell.

It should be noted that Fletcher also said he didn't expect to draw a GOP challenger for his re-election and ended up with two.

Justin Brasell, McConnell's general consultant for his re-election bid, said whether Fletcher endorses or not is up to the governor. But he said reports of any animosity between the two GOP leaders are exaggerated.

"No, there's no source of frustration at all," Brasell said. "I think the governor and the senator are getting along just fine."

Yeah, right. Who does Brasell think he is kidding? The Courier-Journal reported that a poll last week showed a majority of Northup/McConnell voters are supporting the Democrat Steve Beshear. Apparently the Louisville liberal McConnell thinks he is getting along with the Governor so well that he doesn't have to work any of the Louisville voters that he talked into turning on Governor Fletcher. If he keeps this up, Larry Forgy will send McConnell packing back to Louisville himself next spring.

Moneyman Mitch Does Casino's Dirty Work

After making an incredible comeback to trounce McConnell/Northup in the Republican primary in May, Governor Fletcher is now storming again by pounding the liberals over their plans to bring casino gambling to Kentucky.

This comeback by Governor Fletcher is only foreshadowing next year's Senate primary in which true conservative and anti-gambling candidate Larry Forgy will hammer the Louisville liberal and Mitch "Moneyman" McConnell, who has accepted over $14,500 in campaign cash from the casino gaming industry, including $6,000 from Harrah's and $3,000 from Mandalay Resort Group. Anyone think these donations have helped the Las Vegas casino owners push their legislative agenda?

Gov. Ernie Fletcher Refuses To Endorse Mitch McConnell For Reelection

The Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell got what he deserved this week as Gov. Ernie Fletcher refused to endorse him, after the Governor was swept up in the excitement building in the upcoming campaign of his close friend, strong supporter, and true conservative Larry Forgy. After Mitch McConnell refused to support Governor Fletcher and stabbed him in the back by recruiting Anne Northup, carried Teddy Kennedy's water on the immigration bill, and continues his unethical ways, it should be only a matter of time until several top Republicans around the Commonwealth endorse Larry Forgy and send Mitch McConnell back to Louisville.

Alessi: Forgy Issues Warning To Mitch McConnell

Ryan Alessi's column today in the Lexington Herald-Leader included a stern warning from Larry Forgy to Mitch McConnell that the Louisville liberal McConnell better deliver votes for Governor Fletcher in his hometown:

Among the 135 names on the list for the Aug. 28 event at the Lexington home of Dr. Russell and Jill Travis is Larry Forgy, a former GOP gubernatorial candidate and ardent Fletcher supporter who has criticized McConnell for not sticking up for the governor.

Forgy, who hasn't ruled out challenging McConnell in a primary next spring, said he's waiting to see what McConnell will do to promote Fletcher this fall, especially in the senator's hometown.

"He can be very helpful in Louisville," Forgy said.

It is no secret that McConnell's backstabbing of the Governor by recruiting Anne Northup to run against him has damaged his support in Louisville. Now, it is up to the Louisville liberal McConnell to deliver votes for Governor Fletcher in his hometown or he will face his own defeat to a true conservative, Larry Forgy, in 2008.

Lexington Herald Leader: Forgy Sees No Reason To Rule Out A Senate Run

The Lexington Herald Leader reports that Larry Forgy is still considering a challenge to Mitch McConnell for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. In addition Forgy issued a stern warning to the Louisville liberal McConnell that he better deliver for Governor Fletcher in his hometown:

Some morsels from the 127th annual Fancy Farm political picnic:

Someone placed fluorescent fliers on car windshields in the picnic parking lot saying, "Vote for a straight Republican. Vote Forgy U.S. Senator '08."

There was no further explanation.

Forgy, who was attending the event, said he didn't know who was responsible, but said he was aware of a Web site, www.draftforgy.com, that's encouraging him to take on U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in a Republican primary next year.

Forgy said he wants to wait until after the governor's race is over in November before deciding whether to run. Specifically, he said he wants to see how McConnell helps Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher in the senator's hometown of Louisville.

But Forgy also wouldn't rule out challenging McConnell. "I don't see any reason to rule it in or rule it out," he said. McConnell declined to comment on his 2008 re-election or potential challengers.

Mark Hebert Reports A Huge Presence Of Forgy Supporters At Fancy Farm

The excitement behind Larry Forgy's upcoming U.S. Senate campaign at Fancy Farm made it clear that the grassroots activists of the Republican Party are lining up behind Larry Forgy as he mounts a primary campaign against Mitch McConnell. Mark Hebert of WHAS reports:

Most talked about signs: On the two lane road to Fancy Farm, there were
three signs saying "Vote "straight" Republican. Vote Forgy. U.S. Senator '08."
At the picnic there were fliers placed on dozens of windshields saying "Vote A
Straight Republican. Vote Forgy U.S. Senator '08."

Mitch McConnell is married to U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao and has
daughers from a previous marriage.

Forgy told me he had nothing to do with the signs but suspected one of his
supporters from Leslie County did. He said he was glad to see Mitch McConnell
actively supporting Ernie Fletcher, but wouldn't rule out, or in, the
possibility of running against McConnell in a G.O.P. primary next year.

State-Journal: Observers Note Forgy As One Of Fancy Farm's All-Time Greats

The State-Journal had a great preview of Fancy Farm this week in which in noted that Republican Tom Utterback recognized Larry Forgy as one of the all-time great stump speakers:

Democrats will certainly attack Fletcher over the Merit System scandal
which resulted from the investigation of alleged violations of state hiring
laws, Forgy said.

"I think the governor's integrity is beyond reproach," he said.

He attended the picnic many times between 1966 and 1995, and Utterback
heard speeches from many candidates, including "Happy" Chandler. However, Forgy
is still one of the best stump speakers, he said.

Trent Lott Hammers McConnell's Lack of Leadership

The National Journal's CongressDailyAM reported this morning that a furious Trent Lott slammed Mitch McConnell's lack of leadership in carrying Teddy Kennedy and Harry Reid's water for a second time. Now the Louisville liberal is trying to shove the Democrats' sham ethics bill down our throats to cover up his own personal baggage while he prepares for a race against Larry Forgy:

Asked whether Republicans could muster the votes to block cloture on the lobby bill, Lott seemed to suggest Minority Leader McConnell would not take a strong stance leading Republican opposition to the bill.

“After the exhibition I saw on immigration, I don’t suspect there’s going to be a lot of strength and dynamic leadership here [to oppose the lobbying reform legislation], but we’ll see,” he said, referring to GOP criticisms of McConnell’s lack of visibility during the final days of the unsuccessful immigration debate in June.

Republican aides privately criticized McConnell for putting his re-election concerns before the leadership needs of his party; the proposed immigration reform was deeply unpopular in McConnell’s home state of Kentucky, where he has said his Senate seat is targeted by Democrats.

Hinderaker: McConnell Throwing Away Heritage To Join Unethical Democrats

Leading Republican commentator John Hinderaker of Powerline blog wrote an important piece today highlighting Mitch McConnell's refusal to see how ethics problems are ruining the Republican Party's election hopes. As if Tom DeLay, Mark Foley, Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney, and Conrad Burns were not enough in 2006, now Mitch McConnell is conspiring with Harry Reid to allow Ted Stevens to keep his committee assignments while the Democrat leader is prolonging this embarrassment to the GOP and running laps around the Louisville liberal. Now Mitch McConnell is going to give the Democrats another victory by giving them the allusion of strength in passing a bill that is nothing but a condemnation of the Republican Party:

The "ethics reform bill" now making its way through Congress marks the end, for now at least, of any serious effort to reform the earmark process. This is a sad thing for the Republican Party. Through all of modern history, up until the last two or three years, the Republicans were the party of clean government. It was the Democrats who were associated with bribes, corruption, machine politics, and so on. The idea that the current Republican leaders in Congress--I am thinking especially of Mitch McConnell--are willing to throw away this heritage, and join with the Democrats in suppressing any serious effort at reform--is profoundly depressing.

Sabato: McConnell "Has Got To Be Worried"

Mitch McConnell should be commended for finally deciding to return from Washington and campaign for Governor Fletcher. However, he should be well aware that Kentucky conservatives are not going to forget that even after Governor Fletcher won the nomination, Mitch McConnell decided to carry Teddy Kennedy's water for 3 months before lifting a finger for the Governor:

Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said McConnell's active support for Fletcher in the fall campaign was a political necessity for the senator to ensure Republicans are united behind him when he runs for re-election in 2008.

"McConnell knows that at least until November his bread is buttered on the side of Ernie Fletcher," Sabato said Monday by telephone.

If Mitch McConnell thinks he can simply stop by a few Fletcher/Rudolph fundraisers for 10 minutes and regain the support of the Commonwealth's conservatives, he is sadly mistaken. McConnell has one last chance to hit the campaign trail and start knocking on doors, or the Republican nominee in 2008 is going to be a true conservative named Larry Forgy.

Rothenberg Downgrades McConnell's Reelection Chances

On the heals of a new Survey USA poll that shows McConnell's support among conservatives is collapsing, national political analyst Stu Rothenberg has downgraded Mitch McConnell's reelection hopes. Rothenberg has traditionally listed the Louisville liberal's seat as "safe," but now only gives McConnell a clear advantage.

That advantage is quickly slipping away as Larry Forgy is gaining steam. McConnell now has a choice: Either deliver for Governor Fletcher or watch your own reelection hopes continue to drop like a rock.

Where's McConnell?

Its been 60 days since the Republican "Unity Rally" and the Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell has yet to praise Governor Fletcher a single time.

Sounds like its about time for Larry Forgy to enter the race...

McConnell Approval Rating Among Conservatives Falls 12 Points In July

Can you even imagine how much farther the Louisville liberal's rating will be when he is exposed by Larry Forgy? McConnell has fooled Kentucky's conservatives for years by saying one thing in Kentucky and doing another in Washington. Now its time to put this to a stop. According to Survey USA, McConnell's approval numbers among Conservatives have fallen from 77 percent on June 11 to 65 percent on July 16.

In Eastern Kentucky, home of our legendary conservative Congressman Hal Rogers, McConnell's approval rating has now fallen to 42 percent approval and 52 percent disapproval.

In McConnell's hometown of Louisville, his approval numbers have fallen to 44 percent approval (down from 51 percent last month) and 49 percent disapproval (up from 44 percent a month ago).

McConnell "Has Some Skeletons In His Closet"

With the entry of Democrat Attorney General Greg Stumbo into the 2008 Senate race, it is more clear than ever that the Republican Party needs a nominee that does not have McConnell's ethical challenges, to provide a clear contrast to Stumbo:

In 2001, a woman sued Stumbo, claiming that he had fathered her child while he was married to another woman and then reneged on an agreement to pay support. A court later ruled that there was no agreement between Stumbo and the woman, but DNA tests proved that the child was Stumbo's. He later began paying support.

In 1991, while opposing tougher drunken-driving laws in the General Assembly, Stumbo pleaded guilty to public intoxication and paid a $100 fine after his car ran into a ditch.

However, McConnell is the last person that will be able to run on ethics as Stumbo made clear:

"I think Senator McConnell has some skeletons in his closet too. If he chooses that route, I promise him that it will be a two-way street."

Time: "McConnell Is Digging His Own Hole"

The leading conservative site RealClearPolitics.com has recently partnered with Time Magazine to provide excellent analysis of the 2008 campaigns. This article made it clear that last weeks events that saw McConnell undermining General Petraeus by playing political games with our troops will not help his reelection hopes:

We wrote recently about some potential electoral trouble in which Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell could find himself, should Iraq remain in a bad state and Congressional Republicans continue to be so unpopular.

Today, more bad news for the Kentucky senator, as the state's Attorney General, Greg Stumbo, has formed an exploratory committee and is thinking about a bid in 2008. But Democrats should be warned, the race will not be a slam dunk.

They are right on. The race will be far from a slam dunk after we nominate a true conservative in Larry Forgy. Recent stories note that while Kentucky is likely to go Republican, the odds are far greater if the Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell is not the nominee:

However, serving in Kentucky, a state likely to go strongly for the Republican Presidential nominee, may make arguments about McConnell's obstructionism moot. But if the presidential race hinges on Iraq, it could be that, by refusing to let Democrats make decisions about the war, therefore giving them responsibility for its progress, McConnell could be digging his own hole from which he'll have to extricate himself next year.

McConnell "Went Home For A Nap" During Iraq Vote

These are the types of theatrics that are simple embarrassing to the Kentucky Republican Party. Mitch McConnell decided he was too tired to lead the Senate Republicans during the Iraq vote last week so he went home to take a nap:

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Louisville, also skipped the 5:13 a.m. vote. During the first half of the night, however, he held court in his leadership office, meeting with lawmakers and even serving dinner to many of them and their staff members. Finally, however, McConnell needed his rest.

"He went home for a nap - had to take a break from the 'theatrical display' organized by the Dems," said his spokeswoman, Julie Adams.

Blitzer Cuts Off CNN Interview After McConnell Lies About Ignoring The Petraeus Report

Wolf Blitzer cut off his interview with Mitch McConnell on CNN's Late Edition today after McConnell lied about listening to the advice of the generals on the ground. The Louisville liberal McConnell made claims about other Senators pledging to ignore the report of General Petraeus, when it was in fact McConnell himself who has made such pledges in the past week:

McConnell said he doesn't know what Petraeus will say in September..."I don't know what's going to happen in September," he said. But if there's a stampede by Senate Republicans defecting on Iraq, he said, "No, I'm not going to lead it."

Its clear that the Republican Party needs leadership on Iraq since McConnell has again been MIA over the Iraq debate. Not only does Kentucky's Republican Party need Larry Forgy, but the national GOP does as well.

New York Times Editorial Board Slams McConnell's "Political Showmanship"

The New York Times compared Mitch McConnell to Tom Daschle this morning, sparking mroe conversation that his scenario is growing increasingly similar to the former Senate minority leader who lost his reelection bid in 2004. Only the Democrats were not smart enough then to replace him and nominate someone who can win. In 2008, Kentucky's conservative voters will have a choice: nominate a sure loser in the Louisville liberal Mitch McConnell or elect a true conservative in Larry Forgy. The editorial board writes:

The minority leader, Mitch McConnell, notes the Democrats engaged in similar guerrilla tactics when they were in the minority. But Mr. McConnell should keep in mind that voters can tell the difference between principled resistance and political showmanship. The Democrats’ former minority leader, Tom Daschle of South Dakota, lost his seat three years ago when he was roundly attacked by the opposition for running a partisan, obstructionist minority.

The Iraq war stands apart as a watershed issue — a downward spiral that the public increasingly sees as a colossal waste of the nation’s blood and treasure.