Finally. Ryan Alessi digs around to find out why Andrew Horne dropped out of the U.S. Senate race. As Ryan says, Andrew uncharacteristically refused to return telephone calls to him for an entire week. Further allowing the blogosphere to spread the truth of what really happened, allowing us to tell everyone that Andrew Horne was forced out of the race. All without having to do the dirty work himself. That should speak mountains to the hacks accusing us of being dishonest. It’s true. Andrew is allowing others to detail what went down. By remaining quiet. Silence is golden.
Advice to Ryan: Call us next time. We’ll give you inflammatory statements about what really happened and provide off-the-record evidence.
One of the funnier comments is from Beshear Chief of Staff Jim Cauley who is tied tightly to Bruce Lunsford via Achim Bergmann:
“Andrew made his decision all by himself with no encouragement from us,” Cauley said. “The governor told Andrew there would be other opportunities.”
As for Horne’s reasons, “you’d have to ask Andrew,” he said.
Cauley had the audacity to be dishonest. Painfully so. He may want to think twice about repeating this line, as we have a mountain of evidence to the contrary.
Read the rest, including B.S. denials from the DSCC along with evidence backing our claims up after the jump…
The same goes for the DSCC, who denied pressuring Andrew while at the same time admitting the organization backs Lunsford:
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which Lunsford said played a big role in talking him into the race, also denied putting pressure on Horne.
“No, we have never urged anyone not to run for the seat. Our goal all along has been to encourage opposition to McConnell,” said Matt Miller, DSCC spokesman.
That group’s executive director, J.B. Poersch, traveled to Kentucky this winter poking around for a well-known, well-funded candidate. Among the stops he made was Beshear’s office.
“I think the DSCC wants a candidate that can run and beat Mitch McConnell and has said that Bruce is a very attractive candidate for that reason,” Cauley said. “They gave that message to everyone who would hear it.”
But it’s one thing to recruit prospective candidates, and another to push others aside. Cauley said he didn’t think that occurred.
Note toward the end of that how Cauley admits the DSCC was chasing Lunsford and then denied the pressure against other candidates like Horne and Fischer. Something that has occurred in both camps.
How do we know it’s occurred? Well, to beat a dead horse, we have evidence. Here’s just a bit of the email we have received from people with complete credibility:
From a Fischer campaign staffer:
Schumer, et al has all ready screamed and yelled and threatened Greg and some of his key financial backer saying they will ‘crush’ Greg’s abiltity to raise money. We lost a couple of consultants that we had offered positions too because Schumer found out and basically said if you want any more work from DSCC – do not take Fischer race…
From a Horne campaign staffer:
Beshear’s people and the DSCC basically came in and screwed the entire campaign. When we wouldn’t drop out of the race they started threatening Andrew, his financial backers, elected officials who supported him, his campaign staff, told us we would never work on a Senate race again. Beshear’s people made it very clear to us that we could never work on a state race again either as long as Jennifer Moore or their other people are involved with the party.
This barely scratches the surface.
25 responses so far ↓
1 kilowat // Feb 18, 2008 at 11:40 am
now they are posting this about Heather Ryan, I guess the KDP didn’t pick her that will leave her out, I would rather have someone with a few ball and a spine and a fire in her belly than the one they have been picking,the money stinks
QUOTE
Heather Ryan is radioactive (1.00 / 1)
Heather Ryan is radioactive. She does not have the endorsement of the Kentucky Democratic Party or a single elected Democrat Official in Western Kentucky or any Democrat candidate running in 2008. Call the KY DCP and you will find out why. Call (502) 695-4828. Put your money toward ousting Mitch McConnell this time. We can get Ed Whitfield and Jim Bunning in 2010 with real candidates who can run away with the election. We need a strong State Senator to run.
by Demsrule on Mon Feb 11, 2008 at 08:46:31 PM EST
2 Judy // Feb 18, 2008 at 11:43 am
Thanks to Ryan Alessi of the Herald-Leader for this story. He says that Andrew Horne’s name will be on the May 20th ballot, so we do not have to vote for a Louisville multi-millionaire or Schumer’s pal Lunsford.
We can vote for Andrew Horne. Splendid idea.
3 James R. // Feb 18, 2008 at 12:17 pm
ANDREW HORNE IS STILL ON THE BALLOT!!
GREAT, WE CAN STILL VOTE FOR HIM AND TELL THE GOVERNOR TO GO TO TENNESSEE!
4 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Feb 18, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Thanks for producing some very damning evidence, Jake.
This pretty much re-confirms why I am an independent.
And it is especially saddening to see that the Democratic Party, not unlike the GOP, is not very democratic in their nominating processes. The veil has been removed, and many people now will not be voting in the Senate race this November. I’ll probably stop short of endorsing America’s Villain Mitch McConnell, but he’ll get the delight of winning by default. Oh wells.
I don’t vote for nominees selected undemocratically. Period.
5 Below Ground // Feb 18, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Interesting that Alessi didn’t mention Poersch’s trip to Kentucky was over the weekend before the Jan. 29 filing deadline.
6 jake // Feb 18, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Just thought I’d add for those reading the comments… this is the most read story in the history of Page One.
Both good and bad news, I think.
7 Daniel // Feb 18, 2008 at 2:06 pm
What a tragedy.
I’ve never been so upset with the DSCC and the KDP in my life.
8 winstnsmth // Feb 18, 2008 at 2:50 pm
If the KDP keeps treating us proles the way they do, we’ll have no other choice but to try and organize a ground-up alternative to them, and then vie for statewide recognition. I can’t think of a parallel, but there’s got to be other precedents for an unheard faction such as us to get representation within our party.
Another approach is to rally around one candidate and flex our collective muscles. Neither Kelley nor Ryan have democratic challengers, but there’s already pressure on both of them — it’s going to be a long slog without any encouragement. So give $5 or $10 or even just $2.18 (today’s date) to their campaigns to let them know you’re there for them. Kelley08.com / RyanForKentucky.com
The KDP specifically wants to squelch these campaigns. Who feels like saying F- You to the KDP? I sent heather $20 this morning, and that’s $20 worth of dissent.
9 Daniel // Feb 18, 2008 at 3:54 pm
I hate to say it but Lundergan actually looks better at this point…
10 kilowat // Feb 18, 2008 at 4:56 pm
http://www.opensecrets.org/states/contrib.asp?State=KY&Year=2008
11 John Lowe // Feb 18, 2008 at 5:23 pm
To all the Horne supporters, do not jump over to Greg Fischer. Fischer and his supporters, the Browns, convinced John Yarmuth and the Louisville money to sit out the primary [so much for loyalty]. Also,
Fischer is talking out of both sides of his mouth. He told elected officials that he would spend 5 million of his own money to get their support over Horne and telling the grass/net roots that he is a regular guy and it shouldn’t be about money.
If he is still on the ballot I am casting a vote for Horne.
12 briansmith // Feb 18, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Thanks for bringing up the KDP’s treatment of Heather Ryan, kilowat. Heather has the unique distinction of being screwed by both the Republican establishment and the Democratic Party elite. Her story is compelling, and her campaign will be INTERESTING to say the least. She is truly the bravest Dem running for office this year. She KNOWS she will never get the support of the establishment (the KDP sent her a letter covered in dirt and coffee stains, and a KDP political director named Brian blew off a meeting with her the day before the deadline). This will be a true grassroots campaign with a realistic eye towards the chances of success. It will be a hell-raising experience though. Please show your support, she is an experienced Democratic operative and true progressive.
13 Mike Bailey // Feb 18, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I also have my concerns about Fischer, but it isn’t so much him personally – it is the Browns. I disagree with their attempts to play kingmaker nearly as much as I disagree with Schumer and Beshear’s clumsy and amateurish attempts to play kingmaker. Quite frankly, I think Lunsford was dragged into Schumer’s scheme after a ton of begging and pleading that would have been hard for anyone to resist. So now that I have thought it out, it is hard for me to get mad at Lunsford himself for getting in. My disappointment on that front goes to “Lizzy” Schumer and Beshear. The Browns apparently decided that their deep pockets meant they could play the same game, and they are supposedly progressive. (Has anyone ever heard them giving lip service to campaign finance reform? They sure don’t act like they support it…) Now their money seems like small change when faced by Lunsford’s war chest. If this is going to devolve into a race about nominating a rich guy, why not nominate the REALLY rich guy instead of a distant second place like Fischer? I’m just sick about this whole mess.
14 dudeguy // Feb 18, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Don’t pigeonhole Fischer. Listen to him speak before you pass judgment. It’s quite possible to have a one on one with him if you actually go to an event that he attends, and you’ll see that he’s not like Lunsford. He does have passion, which is the opposite of what Horne supporters (not all of them, just the fanatics) had been yelling.
After all the biased crap that the blogosphere spewed while Horne’s campaign was still alive, some impartial articles are starting to be written. Fischer isn’t a tool of the Browns, they merely encouraged him to enter the race. He also has a good reputation in the business world, unlike the pirate Lunsford.
John Lowe, what’s your beef? Just wondering. I see you post that everywhere, and I’m curious as to what your motivation is.
15 jake // Feb 18, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Greg Fischer may be a good guy but let’s get one thing straight: The Browns most certainly have done more than encourage him to run. They’re responsible for fracturing the Democratic Party in Louisville-Jefferson County and are responsible for a portion of the upset surrounding the senate race at current.
There’s no way around it. C&O are trying to play kingmakers and it’s unfortunate.
If you want to give Greg Fischer legitimacy, I suggest leaving C&O completely out of it. They’re persona non grata with Democrats these days.
16 John Lowe // Feb 18, 2008 at 8:56 pm
There you go dude. Calling Horne supporters biased. The perfect way to get their support.
My motivation is what I said before. Fischer is not what he claims. Behind the scenes he tells elected officials he will dump in 5 million so they should support him above Horne. Now that Lunsford is in he doesn’t want to talk about $$ because Lunsford has more of it.
Regarding Fischer’s speaking, a few hundred people have probably heard him speak by now and know you are full of it – he sucks.
17 dudeguy // Feb 18, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I was just saying that he’s not a puppet, like Joe Sonka seems to think. They may have fractured the party, but Fischer isn’t just a tool of theirs.
18 Joe Sonka // Feb 19, 2008 at 12:50 am
Please point out where I call him a puppet, I’d be interested if you could find that.
He is a pawn, however.
And calling Horne supporters “fanatics”? Yea, keep on doing that, see how that strategy works.
19 Curt Morrison // Feb 19, 2008 at 1:57 am
I’m with James R. & Judy (above) on this one.
I’m voting for Horne via absentee ballott as soon as they let me.
I suspect this coup might have been over something as banal, petty and insignificant as Christy and Owsley Brown II wanting to hand select a candidate that they could trust to work with Yarmuth & Abramson to ensure the complete death of the East End bridge.
I know it sounds unbelievable, since we are in a war, our currency is spiraling to worthlessness, foreclosure rates are at an all-time high, healthcare is a mess, etc.
But it’s still my theory.
Snooty people scared of a bridge: missing the big picture.
20 Marty // Feb 19, 2008 at 6:58 am
I have called for a campaign to vote for Andrew Horne as a write in ballot, but if he is to be on the ballot, then why not work towards this goal. Fischer might not remain in the race when he sees how little support he has garnered.If it is Lunsford and Horne left on the ballot, how sweet would it be to elect Andrew over the KDP and the Shumer trolls objections.
I sent Heather $100 as soon as she declared…what on earth could be worse than Ed Whitfield…a disgusting Repuglican…she is honest and a fighter…everyone…support her!
I am still hoping for a law suit against her Board which will determine when they are under oath…how Mitch influenced her dismissal.That is illegal for Mitch.
21 Forks of Elkhorn // Feb 19, 2008 at 7:54 am
If you vote for Horne, whose name will be on the ballot, your vote will not count, since his votes wont be counted.
Mr. Bailey seems to be endorsing Lunsford, at least half heartedly; Dudeguy likes Fischer. Horne is out, whether on his own or at the hands of Schumer, or at the hands of the Browns, or maybe it was Jennifer Moore, or Jerry Lundergan, or maybe it was Carroll Hubbard, or Julian Carroll. Or maybe it was Darth Vader.
How many conspiracies are out there? Lt. Col. Horne made a decision just like Gov. Romney did. To stay in the race wasn’t worth the candle or his time. Romney bills at a high rate and I am sure Horne does too. They can make more of their life elsewhere than dealing with all these two-faced politicos, including the ones closest to them who only told them what they wanted to hear.
I hope Lunsford or Fischer endorses the East End Bridge, which the rest of us out in the state need to by-pass Louisville and its whiners as often as we can.
I understand if you want to vote for Horne on May 20. Just remember, it wont count for anyone, and your vote will be wasted. Vote for David Williams instead if you want to carry this sour grapes attitude to its most ludicrous end.
22 Gregg Wagner // Feb 19, 2008 at 8:35 am
I will vote for Andrew Horne. My vote will not be wasted. I do not care if it will be counted or not. It will not be wasted.
It will never appear in Bruce Lunsfords column anyway whether in a primary or in a general election.
This is not about sour grapes. This is about principle. I would rather lose with an honorable man that I am proud to support, than someone that I would be embarrassed to tell my mother I voted for.
23 Lunsturd // Feb 19, 2008 at 8:44 am
John Lowe,
You sound really plugged in behind the political scenes, wired in with all of the public officials.
I sure could use another political establishment insider like you. Need a job? Trust me – you will have a very comfortable home in my campaign. I have the support of the Washington Establishment and Frankfort elite. If looking for a job, Call my satellite campaign office (502) 564-2611.
24 John Lowe // Feb 19, 2008 at 11:01 am
Interesting spin – if I don’t like Fischer I must be pro Lunsford. I have heard that Fischer finally hired himself a web savy Campaign Manager. That explains the sudden influx of semi positive Fischer posts. How many ploggers [paid bloggers] have you hired?
BTW – I don’t know who I am for other than Horne.
25 Marty // Feb 21, 2008 at 7:28 am
If a candidate has his name on the ballot, and has SUSPENDED but not withdrawn, explain Elkhorn why the votes will not be counted. You are fabricating that information. What proof is there of the supposition that a candidate duly placed on a ballot who has not formally withdrawn will not be recognized if the people vote for him. In fact it is my understanding that write in ballots also must be counted. Give some evidence of your contention.
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