Bruce Lunsford’s campaign allowed Greg Fischer to have his fun for a few weeks. The campaign and prominent Democratic leaders gave him every opportunity to stop his shenanigans. But now they’re snapping back. Something about not disarming?
Proof that Lunsford is ready for the general election? Hot dem-on-dem action, kids. Hot.
For those of you who can’t access YouTube at work, we’ve included a non-YouTube version after the jump…
UPDATE: Lunsford’s campaign just put out a release about the ad. Read excerpts after the jump.
Excerpts from the Lunsford release:
Greg Fischer’s first attack was full of myths, false accusations and mischaracterizations. If Greg took the time to study and understand the issues involved in the healthcare industry, he would know better than to approve that ad.
And worse, Greg Fischer has had his problems with the federal government concerning his own business interests. Greg should know better than to mischaracterize accusations about a company I ran that had 62,000 employees and cared for 45,000 patients a day.
Regarding Fischer’s latest attack, I would never deny I endorsed Ernie Fletcher in the 2003 general election. I’ve been very upfront about that mistake. I have apologized for it publicly and I certainly wasn’t alone. More than a hundred thousand Kentucky Democrats were duped by Ernie Fletcher’s promises of change and bipartisanship.
However, Greg can’t have it both ways. While he calls himself a cradle Democrat, he too has supported Republicans in the past and his father and sister, both very active in his campaign, have as well. I know them both well and he does not attack them. Plus, he knows that I have a 30-year history of actively supporting Kentucky Democratic campaigns while he appears to have just become a regular contributor only after considering this run for Senate. At the time Greg began considering a run, he had contributed under $4,000 to Democrats. When I was recruited to run for Senate, I had contributed more than $120,000 to Democrats.
-SNIP-
Greg has invited a discussion of his record on several occasions, saying all candidates should be vetted. He has been attacking my character for weeks and since he shows no signs of changing course, we have no choice but to set the record straight and tell the truth about some of his hypocrisies.I don’t like being in this position but this election is too important to Kentucky to take a chance on allowing another desperate distortion to go unchallenged. As the Lexington Herald-Leader said, my record has been thoroughly vetted but Greg’s has not.
28 responses so far ↓
1 .... // May 14, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Pretty tame. The ad wouldn’t be that big of a deal if Fischer hadn’t been so self righteous. Now it just shows he is a hypocrite.
2 TJ // May 14, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Anyone with half a political IQ knows you don’t go negative unless you have poll numbers that show some fallout.
It’ll be interesting to see if Lunsford goes back to all positive over the weekend.
3 the original // May 14, 2008 at 3:38 pm
The thing is, all of those OSHA violations except for one occured when Fischer didn’t work for Dant Clayton, which started in 2001. Also, the total of all of Fischer’s family members Republican contributions combined don’t even match Lunsford’s. So much for his no negativity pledge.
4 jake // May 14, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Fischer’s campaign has given multiple start dates for the beginning of his employment with Dant Clayton. So they’ve got something to hide. And what’s fair game is fair game.
His family may not have given thousands upon thousands of dollars to Republicans, but hypocrisy is hypocrisy.
FISCHER, GREG
10/3/2000
$350.00
Northup, Anne M
FISCHER, GREG
7/1/1998
$250.00
Rebecca Jackson for County Judge Executive
FISCHER, GREG
10/8/1998
$250.00
Northup, Anne
FISCHER, CHRISTOPHER
5/27/1999
$100.00
MURGATROYD, RICHARD for County Judge Executive-KENTON
FISCHER, GEORGE
5/21/1998
$250.00
Northup, Anne
FISCHER, GEORGE
5/24/2004
$250.00
Northup, Anne M
FISCHER, GEORGE E
3/24/1995
$1,000.00
Dole, Bob
FISCHER, GEORGE E
7/14/1999
$1,000.00
Bush, George W
FISCHER, GEORGE
3/31/2006
$250.00
Northup, Anne M
FISCHER, M LYNN
9/4/1996
$250.00
McConnell, Mitch
Thought being truthful wasn’t negative?
Can’t have it both ways.
5 jake // May 14, 2008 at 3:49 pm
P.S.
I’ve seen their poll data. Sinking numbers isn’t the case.
There isn’t even fallout among SurveyUSA and the H-L poll.
6 jake // May 14, 2008 at 4:40 pm
P.S. Those OSHA cases and citations? Four of them (#108005240, #108005802, #114962483, and #114969603) are for SerVend International– not Dant Clayton. Nice spin, though.
Oh, and the latest Fischer camp spin is that Fischer started working for Dant Clayton on June 12, 2002– conveniently one week after a nasty lawsuit began so he doesn’t have to take the heat. But before that lawsuit information came to light, Fischer’s camp told me he started way earlier (don’t recall the date off the top of my head, but I’ll dig for the email).
7 the original // May 14, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Still, these pale in comparison to throwing old women out of nursing homes, and bankrupting large companies without losing any of your own investment. If Fischer has the time and the money, he’s free to hit Bruce for that.
8 jake // May 14, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Considering that Bruce didn’t physically throw anyone out in the street and has said repeatedly he corrected that shiz when he found out, I’d say that’s far-fetched.
As far as him bankrupting Vencor? Many companies in that line of work suffered the same fate– it wasn’t just Bruce. But Vencor is fair game if you’re telling it honestly and accurately.
Though, his situation is the only one where he spun off a separate company and gave stock holders equal shares so they weren’t totally effed. They’d accepted and kept that stock, they’d be rich SOBs these days.
9 Bilked // May 14, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I don’t care if Lunsford gave away free senior care, I can’t shake the image of him standing on the podium endorsing Ernie Fletcher.
I’m voting for Fischer
10 the original // May 14, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Still. Using your same argument, Jake, then Fischer “corrected that shiz” when he found out and it’s no longer an issue.
11 ... // May 14, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Fischer donated to Northup multiple times, essentially he endorsed her against some good Democrats. I can’t shake that image.
12 jake // May 14, 2008 at 9:07 pm
From what I can tell, Fischer didn’t correct a darn thing. You don’t get CITED BY OSHA if you’ve corrected something.
13 Mike Bailey // May 14, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Too bad about this ad. Lunsford was likely to cruise to victory without it, and he could have remained above the fray.
14 jake // May 14, 2008 at 9:29 pm
He’s going to have to attack McConnell in the fall, so why back down to hypocrisy now?
Greg Fischer was given the opportunity to shut up. Prominent leaders asked him to handle himself professionally. He ignored their request and kept him his shenanigans. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander in politics.
15 the original // May 14, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Yeah, but are the “prominent leaders” going to ask Lunsford to be quiet? No, because they’re all Schumer’s bitches. Lunsford didn’t earn anything in this race. It was all handed to him. Lunsford attacking Fischer is just as “divisive” as Fischer attacking Lunsford, but John Y. won’t be writing any letters to the Courier about it.
16 ... // May 14, 2008 at 10:48 pm
No one is going to ask Lunsford to just sit there and take it. Fischer started the fight and needs to take his lumps.
17 Beverly Naive // May 15, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Thanks Jake for always helping to set the record straight. I’m going to a Democratic Fundraiser in Northern Ky tonight, as a Bruce Lunsford volunteer; and I for one am glad to finally see the truth come out. It’s about time; just like the Courier Journal said,”The truth is out there if people will only look.”
18 CRawertTrainer // May 15, 2008 at 2:54 pm
So let me see if I have this right…Lunsford and other Dems in a letter attacked Greg Fischer for a negative ad (I suppose the truth can be negative to some). But now it is OK for Lunsford to do the same thing he promised not to do??? Beware of Lunsford’s promises is all I have to say.While Fischer may have contributed a paltry amount to Republicans he didn’t endorse Ernie Fletcher. What’s Greg’s $850 compared tot he $60,000 Lunsford has contributed to Republicans since 1990?Lunsford must be getting scared if he is creating false attack ads that he denounced before. It was right of Fischer to call Lunsford on his lies and what I call near-criminal ventures. I know you are just sitting there with your fingertips on the keyboard, Jake, waiting to respond to pro-Fischer blogs.
19 jake // May 15, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Carol–
Greg Fischer’s ad was a complete distortion, as anyone reading the Courier-Journal or this site would know. Swallowing propaganda is easier than doing your own research, though, I know.
Beware of Lunsford’s promises? I know both you and your husband and for you to attack someone’s personal character without knowing them personally is totally out of character for you. I am disappointed and I suggest you actually get to know Bruce before mindlessly repeating the Owsley Brown meme.
I’m also disappointed that the two of you would align yourselves with A.J. Carrillo’s actions that led to the resignation of the campaign’s well-known Communications Director.
You neglected to mention that Bruce has given hundreds of thousands of dollars to Democrats over the years.
Creating attack ads has nothing to do with being scared. They’re not false, either. They’re wholly accurate and you’re free to browse this website for more information in both the stories and the comments.
The primary election is a different beast than the general. But that doesn’t mean you can’t fight back if you’re jumped. Greg Fischer doesn’t get a free ride. And if he and his supporters can’t deal with attacks in the primary, how on earth will they deal with the monstrosities in the general?
20 the original // May 15, 2008 at 4:03 pm
You think Fischer can’t deal with attacks? Your boy Bruce must’ve had his feelings hurt pretty badly if he had everybody write a letter to Fischer to complain about his ad, which really wasn’t that much of a distortion (Bruce Lunsford owned the company which threw old people out of nursing homes–how much more responsible can you get?).
21 jake // May 15, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Like I said, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
And… I only see one of these guys winning next Tuesday. And who is it? Yeah, not Greg Fischer.
Folks who are anti-Lunsford purely because they’ve heard Jonathan Miller, Greg Fischer, myself or others over the years complain about him need to get off your soapbox. Wednesday you’re all expected to stand behind the Democratic nominee or you get what you deserve– six more years of Mitch McConnell.
At this point it doesn’t matter that the DSCC fucked Kentucky or that Fischer wasted an opportunity to win this election. What matters is ousting McConnel and forcing him to spend his loot.
22 Carol Rawert Trainer // May 15, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Jake, what I know of Lunsford I learned mostly from the CJ who is now forgetting the past. I don’t know what caused the campaign director to resign so I cannot comment on it right now. And for you to state that I “align myself with A.J. Carillo’s actions…” is just flat out false. I don’t really need to explain to you that I do not swallow propaganda and I do a lot of research before making my decision. I think of myself as an educated and intelligent person. Just because I don’t agree with your assessment of the political scene doesn’t make me less so. And Jake, if I really wanted the truth I would not come to pageoneky to get it. You are very biased…and I am as disappointed with in you, as you are in me. I think many of the KY Dems are giving up the moral high ground and are not standing on principle simply because they go where the money is-Lunsford. I want a good, hard working honest man (or woman) to represent me and Lunsford does not fit my bill. Go Greg!
23 man, fuck this // May 15, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Prior to this race, I would’ve had no problem with Bruce against McConnell.
It wasn’t until this race that I really learned how full of shit Lunsford is. What pissed me off the most is when during the debate, he had the balls to say (with a straight face, too) that he is a “fighter” and his approach to the campaign would prove that.
Biggest load of horse shit ever. Fischer is a fighter- he’s stayed in this race no matter what Schumer has thrown at him. Bruce hasn’t done shit and the race is being handed to him. Fighter, my ass.
Heh. This comment form doesn’t recognize “Schumer” as a word. It suggests replacing it with “Schemer.” How apt.
24 jake // May 15, 2008 at 4:31 pm
You know, this is something that often comes up. Being biased doesn’t always mean you’re not being truthful or reporting the facts. Not everything truthful and factual is non-partisan and balanced. That’s just reality. And reporting every screw up by the Fischer campaign, while biased, is hardly out of bounds for politics.
What I see from my perspective is the DSCC came in and fucked Kentucky. Royally. C&O Brown fucked Kentucky royally. And now the two sides are fighting like Jerry Abramson and Doug Hawkins.
Anyone who thinks Greg Fischer and Bruce Lunsford are super-different are suffering severe delusions. They’re both richer than god and are equally disconnected from the common man. Greg Fischer spends weeks upon weeks in the Mediterranean and sits on a mountain of cash that he is afraid to spend. The only difference there is that Bruce spends his.
They’re both rich guys. One is gonna win, one isn’t. If you really cared about having a “fighter” or a real “working man” — you would have fought to keep Andrew Horne in the race.
And to address the comment from the Fischer staff member who left the “fuck this” message: Greg Fischer SOUGHT the support of Chuck Schumer. He and Matthew Barzun traveled to Washington, D.C. and when rejected immediately acted like they hated the man. That’s fucking hypicrisy and a half.
If Greg had really put forth the effort required to win this race– he’d be winning right now. Instead he sat on his hands for months, afraid to spend money, constantly listening to A.J. and Kim, constantly buying the spin that he’d win no matter what. And now he’s fucked.
25 Gehwul // May 15, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Jake, I have a few comments concerning your recent posting. I know the Fischer family personally, and I can verify that Greg’s brother’s name is not Christopher, but George Christopher, so I don’t think that that campaign contribution is a valid addition to your list. I know it only knocks $100 off of your total, but you have falsely reported.
Also, your assertion that Greg “spends weeks upon weeks in the Mediterranean” is a gross distortion. While he has spent several weeks at a time during the summer (with his family) in Greece visiting his wife’s PARENTS (the grandparents of his children), I would hardly classify this as a self-centered spending spree through the European continent.
Finally, I am extremely disappointed that you are “attacking someone’s personal character without knowing them personally,” which you so self righteously condemn your readers of doing as well. I KNOW that you do not know Greg Fischer personally so I don’t understand how you can possibly make so many of these judgments “accurately.”
26 jake // May 15, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I love how the same person keeps posting over and over again. Thanks for the pageviews.
That said, the contributions I reported are accurate.
Gross distortion? It costs thousands upon thousands to fly an entire family to Greece and back. That takes wealth. Not self-centered, but it takes tons of cash, as was my original point. But thanks for making assumptions.
I mean, Bruce Lunsford has a daughter in New York but that doesn’t change the fact that it costs an ass ton of money to spend so much time there, does it? Nope.
Sorry, but I don’t attack Greg Fischer personally or his character. I attack his laughable candidacy and all that surrounds him as a candidate.
27 Carol Rawert Trainer // May 15, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Jake, you are way out of line! About me working harder to elect Andrew…no one could have worked harder. I spent many many hours there helping and organizing and recruiting volunteers. Once again you speak as if you know something…which you don’t . In fact, your website is not worth my time. You grossly misrepresented Greg Fischer. He is not distant fromt he common man. He has a lot of heart and compassion and treats everyone with great respect. Greg will never be f—-ed. He will always be a winner because he has principle and stands by it no matter the cost. I will never support Lunsford. I see no difference between a Dem schiseter or a Republican one. Sounds like you want a win at any cost. I’m with Fischer all the way. BTW, I am surprised you can get away with the profanity on your website. And you do attack Greg personally. I’m signing off for the last time. Not worth wasting my preciosu time on anymore.
28 jake // May 15, 2008 at 8:26 pm
Hold your horsies. You’ll note that the part where I mentioned Andrew Horne was addressed to “man, fuck this” and not “Carol.”
This is absolutely hilarious. People getting their panties in a twist because their chosen candidate is losing and catching heat from a g-d blogger.
And why bother commenting if it’s not worth your time? If you had actually spent any time reading this site (which you haven’t, I can verify this with IP logs) you’d know that I’ve said very positive things about Greg and am a fan of his wife. You’d also know that I spent months leading the pack in the discussion of Bruce Lunsford’s negatives and was the only person in the beginning to out the DSCC and Chuck Schumer for forcing candidates out of the race. But all that’s convenient to ignore, I suppose.
No one said Greg Fischer wasn’t a principled man. But he *is* fucked because he can’t win on Tuesday. That’s not an opinion, not a personal attack. It’s reality.
Oh, yeah, I attack Greg Fischer personally. Please. He’s a candidate for U.S. Senate and I jump on his campaign every time it fucks up because– get this– his campaign has fucked up like 400 times. It’s politics and he’s a candidate running for one of the highest offices in all the land.
I don’t think anyone really cares if 20 or 30 Fischer supporters would never vote for Bruce Lunsford. I certainly don’t give two shits what you choose to do with your votes. Because, as I’ve repeatedly said, NO ONE CAN BEAT MITCH MCCONNELL.
Further, it’s almost laughable to me that so many people who have known me for years immediately flip their shit when they find out I’m saying something negative (and honest and truthful) about their candidate of choice. It’s like people have no earthly conception of reality and no idea that– get this– people have differences of opinion!
It’s disappointing that you, Carol, would have the gall to suggest I have any sort of character flaw after I went to bat for you– by lobbying the legal community and sending out messages to hundreds of thousands of people to alert them to the injustice you had suffered– after you were wrongly arrested for peacefully demonstrating many months back. That’s unfortunate. It’s a sad day when adults can’t have a debate or discussion without leaving in some sort of faux rage.
Grow up. I’m tired of people who can’t realize that you don’t always get your way in politics.