Business First, Louisville’s publication for conservative types in business is conducting a poll. They ask, “What is the most important issue in the presidential campaign?” 45% pick the economy, 21% pick the war in Iraq, 12% pick taxes, 9% other, 7% health care, 5% energy alternatives, 1% trade agreements. So Iraq is still a major issue with conservatives. Imagine that. [Business First]
Transy students to hold phone rally today for Sudanese refugee Lino Nakwa, whom we first told you about on Tuesday. A table is set up in Haupt Plaza on campus with telephones and information for you to contact Sen. McConnell, Rep. Chandler and other elected officials to register your complaints. [H-L]
House Speaker Pro-Tem Larry Clark says he’s embarrassed to be a part of House leadership in Kentucky. So, when’s it gonna be, Larry? When will you and the rest of the sorry lot in leadership step aside for new blood to move in? Maybe someone else could actually get things accomplished. [Hebert]
Steve Beshear is unhappy with the hiring of Brad Cowgill and referred it to the Office of the Attorney General. He wants to know if the spirit of the law has been violated. And we want to know if we’ll ever see leadership out of the governor so many broke their backs to elect. Not that we disagree with him on this one, there are just far more important pokers in the fire. [H-L]
Is Republic Bank of Louisville the new payday loan shark? We have a feeling this bad press isn’t going to make them very happy today. Where’s the mainstream media on this one? [Ralph Long]
Rep. Geoff Davis refuses to detail war simulation event that allegedly took place with Barack Obama. But Obama didn’t offer details, either. So. Who to hate this time? [PolWatchers]
1 response so far ↓
1 Mike Bailey // Apr 17, 2008 at 9:51 pm
Representative Geoff Davis has made national news in the last few days with a remark he made recently at a Republican fundraising event. He was quoted as saying of Senator Obama: “That boy’s finger does not need to be on the button…”
I do not know what was going through Representative Davis’ mind when he made these remarks, nor do the people commenting on Davis’ remark. Racism has been a serious problem in our country and unfortunately still exists. Ironically, Senator Obama has himself done much recently to help our nation confront the remnants of racism. Since racism is such an important issue, charges of racism should not be leveled lightly. We do not know what was in Geoff Davis’ heart when he used the poorly chosen word “boy”, but at this point it is fair to say we do not have the appropriate weight of evidence to judge this as an intentionally racist remark. Poor judgment? Yes. Deliberately intended to diminish Mr. Obama as an individual and denigrate his experience? Self-evidently. Fanning the flames of partisanship that paralyze our government? Absolutely. But racist? We can not afford to make a snap judgment in such a weighty matter as labeling someone racist.
It seems regrettable that a possible verbal gaffe has drawn national disapproval to Representative Davis when his voting record in Congress, which is clear and incontrovertible, should be far more influential in helping folks form their opinions of Mr. Davis. Representative Davis has voted against providing healthcare for children via SCHIP. Mr. Davis has voted to protect the payday lending industry, an industry which rewarded him with the dubious honor of donating more money to his campaign than to any other Representative or Senator. And Mr. Davis has continued to carry George W. Bush’s water in defense of the disastrous ongoing occupation in Iraq. I strongly feel that Geoff Davis’ votes give any reasonable observer ample reason to disapprove of his performance, without requiring us to speculate about his recent controversial comments.
Michael Kelley, MD
(posted by Mike Bailey, Treasurer – Michael J Kelley for Congress)
http://kelley08.com
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