During a conference call a few moments ago, Rep. John Yarmuth (KY-03) announced Barack Obama’s Kentucky leadership team. But he didn’t do it on the call, the list was sent via email after everything wrapped up. Meaning we can’t yet tell you who’s on the list.
They are: We’ll have those names up in a few minutes.
UPDATE:
Finally have that fancy list. Here’s Barack Obama’s Kentucky Leadership Committee:
- Former Louisville Councilman Bill Allison, Jefferson
- Former Councilwoman Denise Bentley, Jefferson
- Elizabethtown City Council Member, Anthony Bishop, Hardin
- Former City Council Member George Brown, Fayette
- Congressman Ben Chandler, Woodford
- Mayor of Madisonville, Will Cox, Hopkins
- State Representative Jim Glenn, Daviess
- Former Franklin County Judge William Graham, Franklin
- Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton, Jefferson
- Former State Senator Nicholas Kafoglis, Warren
- Former State Senator David Karem, Jefferson
- State Representative, Dennis Keene, Campbell
- County Judge Executive Darrell Link, Grant
- Former Congressman Ken Lucas, Boone
- Former State Senator Michael Maloney, Fayette
- Former Congressman Romano Mazzoli, Jefferson
- State Representative Reginald Meeks, Jefferson
- Former State Senator Danny Meyer, Oldham
- Former Lexington Mayor Pam Miller, Fayette
- Former State Treasurer Jonathan Miller, Fayette
- State Senator Gerald Neal, Jefferson
- County Judge Executive Billy O’Banion, Owen
- Louisville Councilman Tom Owen, Jefferson
- State Representative Darryl Owens, Jefferson
- Former Circuit Judge Lewis Paisley, Fayette
- State Representative Ruth Palumbo, Fayette
- Former State Senator Georgia Powers, Jefferson
- Campbell County Commissioner, Ken Rechtin, Campbell
- State Senator Ernesto Scorsone, Fayette
- Councilwoman Barbara Shanklin, Jefferson
- State Senator Tim Shaughnessy, Jefferson
- County Commonwealth Attorney Gordie Shaw, Woodford
- Bardstown City Council Member, Bill Sheckles, Nelson
- Former Bowling Green Mayor Patsy Sloan, Warren
- Louisville Councilman David Tandy, Jefferson
- Councilman George Unseld, Jefferson
- Former Congressman Mike Ward, Jefferson
- State Representative Jim Wayne, Jefferson
- State Representative Susan Westrom, Fayette
- Councilwoman Mary Woolridge, Jefferson
- Congressman John Yarmuth, Jefferson
During the call, Yarmuth said he doesn’t think Obama should concede Kentucky (even though he’ll likely lose the state) to Clinton but he thinks Clinton should drop out of the race on May 21. (We think Clinton should drop out now, since it’s impossible for her to catch up to Obama. And because her campaign team in Kentucky is wholly corrupt. Just in case you were wondering.)
The Obama campaign also announced the Western Kentucky endorsement of Madisonville Mayor Will Cox and that of Northern Kentucky State Rep. Dennis Keene.
Oh, and Obama’s camp says he won’t be in Kentucky this Friday due to scheduling conflicts. Though they say he could appear (thanks to Joe Arnold’s questioning) via video to address the crowd. Let’s just go ahead and say it: If Obama can’t show up in Kentucky at one of the most publicized events of the year, he doesn’t deserve to win in Kentucky. It’s embarrassing. There’s no reason he shouldn’t show up. None. Not after last night’s close race in Indiana.
39 responses so far ↓
1 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // May 7, 2008 at 1:10 pm
As soon as the KDP announces Obama coming to the big fund raiser, I’ll sign up.
2 UK_Alumni // May 7, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Yarmuth and Chandler are clearly smart enough to have figured this one out- let’s see how long it takes the KDP to catch up.
Unless HRC is showing up to give a concession speech, she’s got nothing to say that I want to hear.
3 Terri // May 7, 2008 at 1:39 pm
This weekend provides the perfect opportunity for both candidates to put to rest any attacks about elitism and being out-of-touch with “regular folk.” I’ll base my vote on the best cornholer.
4 jake // May 7, 2008 at 1:43 pm
“Puttin 4 Mutton” caused me to get choked on my delicious soy beverage.
5 Steve Bittenbender // May 7, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Jake,
I agree with you (for the first time in God knows how long). Obama should be here Friday, and it would shameful if he doesn’t make a few visits throughout the state leading up to the primary.
But while Indiana was indeed close, Southern Indiana was decidedly Clinton country. The only Ohio River county that was close was Vanderburgh (Evansville), which Clinton won by 1,000 votes (52-48). In fact, Obama only broke 40 percent in the three Ohio River counties closest to Illinois. Conversely, the three counties closest to Cincinnati went to Clinton 3:1.
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/county/#INDEMMAPprimary
6 » Evening Headlines, State of The Race, And I’m Out What’s Required: Progress in the Commonwealth // May 7, 2008 at 4:20 pm
[…] is going to address the KDP fundraiser Friday night…by video. Are you kidding me? Like Jake, I don’t think he deserves to win this state if he’s not going to stop here for the biggest political event we’re having all year. […]
7 Steve Bittenbender // May 7, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Jake,
I agree with you (for the first time in God knows how long). Obama should be here Friday, and it would shameful if he doesn’t make a few visits throughout the state leading up to the primary.
But while Indiana was indeed close, Southern Indiana was decidedly Clinton country, according to CNN’s map. The only Ohio River county that was close was Vanderburgh (Evansville), which Clinton won by 1,000 votes (52-48). In fact, Obama only broke 40 percent in the three Ohio River counties closest to Illinois. Conversely, the three counties closest to Cincinnati went to Clinton 3:1.
8 rocknation // May 7, 2008 at 9:16 pm
No fair: the WV primary is next Tuesday, KY’s is the Tuesday after. Of course Obama should give WV first priority. Would you care as much about how WV would feel if the circumstances were reversed?
9 Jake // May 7, 2008 at 9:29 pm
No fair? Please. It’s a one-hour flight for a one-hour event. He can make the sacrifice because he’s done it in other areas of the country. And as I reported later in the day, the secret service has confirmed he intends to visit.
10 Tina // May 7, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Summary of some good reasons to support Barack Obama. Share this with undecided friends across the Kentucky. http://acropolisreview.com/2008/04/top-reasons-to-give-barack-obama-your.html
11 Tina // May 7, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Oops… meant across Kentucky.
12 Jeff Noble // May 8, 2008 at 8:28 am
You have Judge Graham’s occupation incorrect. Maybe that is what the Obama camp sent you.
He was never Franklin County Judge, which is an administrative post, held in Jefferson County by Ken Herndon, although all of the Jefferson County Judge’s administrative duties were statutorily transferred to the Mayor in the 2000 Merger legislation. I’ve often wondered how constitutional duties could be transferred statutorily - but, I digress.
Judge William Graham was elected as a Franklin District Judge, a judicial post, in 1978, the year I graduated from high school. He moved up to the Circuit post in 1983, and remained a Franklin Circuit Judge until his retirement in 2006. At the time of his retirement, he was the Chief Regional Circuit Judge for most of central Kentucky. He is also one of the most progressive politicians in the state and was the biggest thorn in David Williams’ side during most of his career, as cases related to State government are, for the most part, heard in the Franklin Circuit Court.
JN
13 jake // May 8, 2008 at 8:30 am
Yup. Copied & Pasted from the Obama camp’s email.
Thanks for the heads-up.
14 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 10:38 am
Obama isn’t going to spend significant time in Kentucky because he DOESN’T CARE about us. His new clean coal direct mailer to us is a blatant example of pandergate 2.0, yet no one seems to care.
Barry Obama is just another politician. He will not build the broad coalition of voters necessary to win in November. And we will wake up on November 5 and wonder how we shot ourselves in the foot again. Thank you party elitists!!! Your smug factor always manages to screw us over!!
15 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // May 8, 2008 at 10:47 am
Obama will be here.
And re: elitists, it certainly is a good thing that the least elitist of the two running in the Democratic race is getting the nomination.
I find it amazing how some people refuse to see that Hillary is a leader in the DLC, the conservative Democrat organization that values corporations over people, and that isn’t elite?
16 jake // May 8, 2008 at 10:48 am
What the crap? Party ELITISTS are the reason Obama is so popular around the country? HAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Hillary has personally spent $11.4 million of her own $110 million private stash. Obama’s probably worth like $2 million.
So who’s the elitist again? Riiiight. It’s *never* the good old boy candidate who happens to be elite. Always the grassroots candidate who is the elitist.
And if you think either candidate gives two flips about Kentucky, you’re sorely lacking an understanding of the political game.
17 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 11:01 am
Understanding the political game?
Oh, I do my friend. I understand that at least HRC can talk about Kentucky without a teleprompter feeding script and rhetoric down my throat.
I understand that McCain will be launching Wright attacks relentlessly.
I understand the 527s will have a field day with cocaine ads.
I understand that Rezko will actually be investigated by the meida and our darling Barry will be forced to answer their questions. Or maybe he’ll just eat his waffle.
And finally, I understand the high price of arugula.
18 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // May 8, 2008 at 11:04 am
I think I’ve been realizing something, but I’m almost afraid to bring it up.
I’m starting to wonder if the “elitist” term is a code word being used by some backwards-thinking (ok, racist) Democrats in describing support for a black person over a white. Something on the order of “Only well-to-do boutique liberals would want to see a black man ascend to power above a white woman”. They think this even while ignoring that Obama has fought long and hard for this nomination, and has earned it. It’s not like he has sat back, while all the support just came to him, gift-wrapped with a bow on top — Obama has organized very well and fought this race HARD.
Hopefully, Kentuckians will decide to judge Obama on the content of his character.
19 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // May 8, 2008 at 11:11 am
Voter, if you are a Democrat, what will YOU do the counter the Republican assault against nominee Barack Obama? Or do you just want to hand the Republicans the election on a silver platter?
20 jake // May 8, 2008 at 11:25 am
It may not be a racist code word but it’s definitely a code word.
And last time I checked, Voter, only one candidate in the presidential race has been backed by party hacks Chuck Schumer, Dianne Feinstein, Steve Beshear, Terry McBrayer, et al and it’s not Barack Obama. That backing has absolutely nothing to do with who the better candidate is or who cares more about voters and everything to do about power politics and party corruption.
21 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 11:30 am
Steve, excellent argument you raise!
Obama’s people have worked hard and organized well in their efforts. I commend them for that. The Clinton campaign has failed to recognize that very important necessity.
To the point: I think many elitist, white, affluent people support Obama based on his principles but I also think many support him because he is black, and they believe voting for him makes them better. They feel like a vote for Obama rescinds the terrible history of the white race berating and enslaving the African-American race. And personally, I think that is a mistake. If we want to talk candidly like the Obama campaign asserts, let’s face it: it takes more than that. It takes vigor and passion to address the issue. We cannot rescind history but we can try to make policy that promotes African-Americans in key areas where it is most needed. That said, Obama’s candidacy is amazing and historic. The first viable African-American candidate in the United States. Of course it inspires the race because it breaks a glass ceiling and says “yes we can” in so many ways. It is a rally cry.
I was absolutely inspired when I heard him speak in 2004 at the convention. Amazed. Elegant presentation that made sense. Then I heard him give the exact speech in 2006 as an intern in D.C. I started thinking what exactly has he done in the year and a half he’d been in the Senate? Why wasn’t he speaking about other things. Realistically, he’d probably already unofficially begun his presidential campaign and was carefully choosing his audience and words. But I wonder why his words don’t match his actions. He has not done anything substantial. Face the facts. Do some research. There just anything substantial. And Clinton exaggerates her accomplishments, but at least she was there, exposed to situations and legislation.
I don’t know if I can vote for Obama in November. I am a Democrat who stands and fights for the platform but I just don’t know if I can cast a vote for a myth. I don’t think he can change Washington in his first 100 days. There are just a lot of unknowns. And I am not the only person who feels this way…and I am a staunch Democrat.
22 jake // May 8, 2008 at 11:34 am
Yeah, Obama’s TOTALLY a myth. HAHAHAHA.
Guess they’re breeding that sort of ignorance in southern Tennessee these days.
23 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 11:45 am
That’s exactly the kind of smugness I decry. Keep feeling good about yourself!
You should read Flannery O’Connor’s “Everything That Rises Must Converge.”
And southern Tennessee has nothing to do with it. I fit the elitist mold that I hate.
24 jake // May 8, 2008 at 11:49 am
We’re smug because we crack the eff up at the absurdity of calling Obama a mythical creature? Please. That cracks my shit up.
25 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 11:50 am
Hmm, he is human; he has a heart and feelings like we all do. But what has he done?
26 jake // May 8, 2008 at 11:53 am
Go here: http://barackobama.com/
Read for yourself.
Or just google him.
I don’t have time to rattle on about the dude’s entire life. Not that Hillary doesn’t have an equally interesting life. I’ve read all of her books, including that awful It Takes a Village hunk of poop. (The rest of her stuff is wonderful and worthy of multiple reads. And in the realm of fairness: I hated Obama’s books.)
27 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 12:03 pm
How kind of you to inform this uneducated, illiterate, country bumpkin. Thank you so much for your time; please get back to your Starbucks.
28 jake // May 8, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Uh, I’m an elitist. I would never drink Starbucks.
Ha.
29 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 12:15 pm
haha at least we agree on that
30 Forks of Elkhorn // May 8, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Ok, what is arugula?
31 Forks of Elkhorn // May 8, 2008 at 12:38 pm
One other thing. Most of the names on the list mean very little to most of us. Jake, if you know something about some of these and why their support is important, especially all those former this and former that, fill the rest of us in.
32 jake // May 8, 2008 at 12:51 pm
There’s nothing super-significant. But they’re all people who have influence in real-life ways, unlike folks like Terry McBrayer who only know the big dogs.
Guess what I’m saying is they’re the everyday politicos and not the powers that be. They have individual influence that’s not tied to the traditional KDP establishment.
33 Voter // May 8, 2008 at 1:09 pm
arugula is an expensive type of lettuce. our good friend senator obama commented on “the high price of arugula” and how it is devastating the american family.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2007/10/obama_talks_arugula_again_in_i.html
34 Sophie Amrain // May 8, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Hi voter,
Obama suggested that farmers eking out a living could try non-standard crops to increase revenue. He mentioned arugula as an example of produce that fetches high prices.
So the meaning is opposite from what you insinuate. And the proper meaning can be understood from the link you gave.
35 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // May 8, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Obama has considerably more legislative experience (big state + U.S. Senate) than Hillary, so I don’t see why this is being short-changed so much. Also, Hillary got to where she’s at largely because she was the wife of Bill Clinton. Almost every other woman in politics today built up their political power without having to rely on a political husband to do it.
36 Mike Bailey // May 8, 2008 at 3:52 pm
I am a big fat elitist. I love Orange Juice, Arugula (even though I have never had it or heard of it I know I love it because I am an elitist), double-mocha-latte frappachinos (must be served in a chilled champagne glass), and Volvos (I was devastated to hear Republicans buy more Volvos than Dems - what is this world coming to?)
And all of us elitists only support Obama because of our big fat flaming cat-walking liberal guilt. And if you believe that… you are a moron.
37 cary stemle // May 8, 2008 at 5:23 pm
jake
what’s a “leadership” team?
this list looks like a “usual suspects” list of people with whom someone like obama must play nice.
what will they “do”?
38 Jake // May 8, 2008 at 5:25 pm
cary: oh, come on! you know. they’ll change the world or whatever and deliver Kentucky for Obama!
heh.
39 Judy // May 9, 2008 at 6:39 am
WHY would Obama want to come to the KDP event on Friday night, to appear on stage with Clinton and give her “candidacy” any kind of credibility?
He’s smart. He will come to Louisville, but not when Clinton is here. Good call by the Obama Team.
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