This is painful to write. Please stick with me through another rant.
Voters should not cast their ballot on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 for Democrat Todd Hollenbach for Treasurer. Not suggesting anyone should vote for Melinda Wheeler, the Administrative Office of the Courts hack who wants to abolish an entire constitutional office, but you absolutely should not vote for Hollenbach.
From day one I went to bat for Todd as he appeared to be an intelligent, progressive guy with a great heart. He served on the Kentucky Human Rights Commission. He pledged a financial literacy program the entire country could envy. He possessed an amazing comprehension of facts and an even better understanding of the office for which he is running.
Unfortunately, Todd has joined the ranks of bigoted haters and refuses to disavow. He has publicly, privately, loudly, quietly and every way in between praised his recent endorsement (PDF Link) by crazy Frank Simon and the Freedom’s Heritage Forum. And he has given those nutsos cash contributions.
Common sense would seem to dictate that Todd would denounce this horrible endorsement in the same manner in which Jonathan Miller has done. Would seem even more of a reasonable situation upon learning that Todd has many gay loved ones in his family. But that’s not the case. He’s ignorantly standing up in support of hate with the likes of Ernie Fletcher and Stan Lee. Todd may not personally be a bigot but his actions are impossible to ignore. To think I raised money for this guy!
I have absolutely grown to love and adore members of Todd’s extended family over the past two years. They’re wonderful people who contribute to society in ways you could never imagine without knowing them personally. So my decision to denounce Todd’s behavior should have no bearing on the way his family is viewed. It’s one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do.
Just needs to be said that Todd Hollenbach does not deserve your vote. Not even if he decides to publicly denounce the Simon endorsement. It’s a shame and an absolute embarrassment that the Kentucky Democratic Party and organized labor across the Commonwealth are blindly supporting hatred by advocating the election of Todd.
Saddened,
Jacob Payne
17 responses so far ↓
1 Nick Wilkerson // Nov 2, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Exactly WHEN were you shocked by the rabid homophobia (for pay, if not genuine, although I am unconvinced) of this man? When he ran his mean-spirited, anti-lesbian campaign against Tina Ward Pugh? When he sought and exploited Simon’s endorcement during the primary for Treasurer? I assume you haven’t known him long or are aware of his past–failed–campaign history.
Nick
2 jake // Nov 2, 2007 at 2:43 pm
I’m well-aware of Todd’s past.
That said– people CAN become enlightened and change their tune. That’s exactly what Todd assured me had happened. He personally told me he was wrong and remorseful. Unfortunately I was misled or lied to.
3 flubby // Nov 2, 2007 at 9:04 pm
Think what you will of her platform, but Melinda Wheeler is no “hack.” She started as a low-level pretrial officer in eastern Kentucky when few women were employed by the courts, and spent her distinguished career working her way up to AOC Director.
She’s her own woman– not a Bruce Lunsford apologist.
4 Fbombs for Jaysus // Nov 2, 2007 at 9:15 pm
Wheeler had a most undistinguished “career” at AOC and her choice of campaign manager alone tells me all I need to know about her character. I wouldn’t vote for her if she were running against Frank Simon himself. It certainly doesn’t mean I’ll vote for Toddy, but Wheeler is way too wingnut shady for me.
5 jake // Nov 2, 2007 at 10:09 pm
HAHA! What? Must have been a mistake when she destroyed all those court records in Louisville, eh?
And who is a Lunsford “apologist”?
If you’re insinuating that we’re taking Lunsford money to run this site you’ve got your blogs mixed up. We’re not bought & paid for by any group, organization or candidate/former candidate.
6 JD // Nov 3, 2007 at 11:57 am
Jake I think I know what this bashing of Todd is all about. From what I have heard floating in the state party is that you threatened to get Todd back for not hiring you after your loss with Bruce Lunsford. You apparently begged him for a job and he decided not to hire you because he didn’t have the funds, so you told him you would make him pay. Is this any way to treat a fellow Democrat? Or better yet why are you letting a vendetta against Todd cloud your vision on who the real targets are, the Republican Party?
7 jake // Nov 3, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Haha. What the flip kind of crack are you smoking? I’ve never once discussed a job with Todd nor would I work on an unexciting down ticket race. His family can vouch for that.
Rick Redding and I went into business together well before the May primary and I had absolutely no plans to work for any candidate after May.
Further, none of the many writers at Page One (including myself) are Democratic hacks. Or Republican hacks, for that matter. If someone does something stupid we’re going to talk about it regardless of party affiliation.
For the record: The only person to whom I’ve ever said “you’ll pay” is Steve Henry. Specifically, I was listening to him ask for illegal contributions before he was an announced candidate and I informed him he’d have to pay a steep financial and legal price for continuing. And whattya know…
8 Humphrey // Nov 3, 2007 at 2:47 pm
If we’re going to talk guilt by association, I notice that kypolitics.org has approvingly linked this article. So, from now on, I’ll be sure to attribute all of Brett Hall’s loony ideas to pageonekentucky.com as well.
Why don’t you focus on who would be a better treasurer, rather than culture issues irreverent to state finances? It’s pretty obvious from the ranting and tangential nature of this post that you have some sort of ax to grind.
With articles as poor as this, you should change your site’s name to “CircleJerkforOne.com”
9 gene // Nov 3, 2007 at 3:33 pm
I think Todd would do a great job.
10 jake // Nov 3, 2007 at 6:35 pm
KY Politics dot org linked to the story because the site’s editor is running Melinda Wheeler’s campaign. Please feel free to always associate me with that if you honestly think there’s no difference. Much appreciated. Because I’m so sure readers can’t tell a difference in right and left wing.
And what’s wrong with Brett as a person? Absolutely nothing. I may gag over his politics and many of his postings but let’s get real. He’s not the person responsible for screwing the Commonwealth up.
Unfortunately, Todd Hollenbach himself has made it difficult to focus on who would make the better candidate. (BlueGrassRoots has demonstrated this) And if you think being a gay-hating bigot doesn’t have anything to do with holding office? Think again.
The ax I have to grind is because of: Todd’s effective lie to me that he was not homophobic, that he supported a woman’s right to choose, and for his disgusting actions in promoting the Frank Simon endorsement. It doesn’t even have anything to do with odd, non-adult way in which he and Scalle have attacked people who question the Simon endorsement. Only has to do with his lie and inability to denounce bigotry and ignorance.
11 jaded dude // Nov 4, 2007 at 8:12 am
You were brave to post this, Jacob. Don’t let anyone at KDP lean on you. There are many of us out here who are sick of Democrats who won’t stand against discrimination.
12 Vicki // Nov 4, 2007 at 10:46 pm
You the man, Jake! Keep speaking truth to idiots. Great blog.
13 Vicki // Nov 4, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Unfortunately, Todd has joined the ranks of bigoted haters and refuses to disavow. He has publicly, privately, loudly, quietly and every way in between praised his recent endorsement (PDF Link) by crazy Frank Simon and the Freedom’s Heritage Forum. And he has given those nutsos cash contributions.
Nuff said. He’s not worthy. FOAD, Todd. What a skank.
14 Mike Bailey // Nov 5, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Time for a write-in for Treasurer and for Ag Commish.
15 Republican w/ a question // Nov 12, 2008 at 4:53 pm
I am not posting this to start any type of battle. But I would like to say some things and ask a question or two.
I am a registered republican but I do not vote nor support a person based soley on their political affiliation–heck, theres only two to really choose from. I love this web-site and the fact that it will call a person out regardless of affiliation, etc. I have noticed though that a majority of the respondents to the blogs are democrates (I am assuming that they are Democrates) talking about staying true to the party.
Why, if democrates claim to be the most progressive and open-minded, do you maintain allegiance to the democratic party and instead focus on the people who are running for office.
The reason I ask is because I am fairly young (under 30) and I want to be elected to Metro Council and I want for my constituents to elect the person not based on political affiliation but rather on who is going to do the most good for the neighborhood I live in. I would even like to run my election with the hopes that regardless of the outcome, both of us would be able to work together in hopes that “Two heads are better than one.” Hell, I want republicans to vote against me if they do not agree with me. I am just sick and tired of people liking and not liking others based soley on a persons polictical party. That is no different than judging a person based on their religious views, race, sexual orientation, physical disabilities, the list can go on and on.
Thank you very much for your responses and have a great evening!
16 jake // Nov 12, 2008 at 5:45 pm
I think most real progressives do focus on the individual and not the party. Unfortunately, some Democrats– just like Republicans– are avowed only to the party and would walk to the ends of the earth for anybody with a particular letter after their name.
We take tons of heat for calling members of our own party out. But. Uh, that’s what we’re supposed to do as Americans, right?
Either way, you’re pretty spot-on with your questioning….
17 Republican // Nov 13, 2008 at 7:00 am
Thank you for the response Jake and I appologize for not saying the same about republicans in my post–people in both parties do this and it is so frustrating when I hear people talk about being loyal to the party.
Has anyone thought about being loyal to their neighborhood, city, state, country and not just a stupid letter behind anothers last name?
I applaud you, Jake, for doing what you do here. Keep up the good work!
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