Steve Beshear smoked Ernie Fletcher on Kentucky Tonight’s debate last evening. As John Stamper says, they argued bitterly and Ernie took the brunt of things. Who knew Steve could hold his own? [KET, H-L]

Fletcher and Beshear trade jabs on ethics. You fill in the blanks. [C-J]

Judge denies Williams’ request to stop ethics hearing. No one is surprised. [PolWatchers]

Fletcher and Beshear agree on ‘Bucks for Brians’ and Ernie pledges $100million if re-elected. Vote buying? Everyone waits with baited breath for Steve Henry to claim he contributed millions to the program. [PolWatchers, C-J]

Jim Bunning was wrong. 57% of Kentuckians disapprove of the war. 11% unsure. You know what that means. 3/4ths of Kentuckians think it’s a crock of shit. [PolWatchers]

Ernie debuts faith-based office this week. The Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives is modeled after Dubya’s plan and will seek to provide government funding for religious orgnization, further blurring the separation of church & state. [C-J]

Fletcher & Beshear to debate at NKU on Oct 3, 7:00 P.M., will be broadcast around the state. WCPO, WAVE3, WKYT, WNKU radio. [Enquirer]

Okay, a non-gubernatorial story. Anne Northup is hard at work raising money for Erwin Roberts’ bid against John Yarmuth. [NRCC]

Someone is paying attention to the economy. Federal Reserve cuts key short-term interest rate by half a point from 5.25% to 4.75%. First cut in four years. [CNN]

Don’t forget the mainstream media’s blatant attempt to ignore Kentucky Farm Bureau’s discriminatory practices.