I’ve spent the past two weeks driving all over Eastern Kentucky hearing about how horrible Jack’s campaign is. Dozens upon dozens of Democratic elected officials and leaders here in the region tell me they’ve never once heard from him or his campaign. So today I’m breaking my silence.
Folks with Jack Conway’s U.S. Senate campaign and with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee tell me that his (Conway’s) overpaid consultant has been claiming credit for various Rand Paul stories I have written. Namely, those mentioned by Keith Olbermann on MSNBC’s Countdown. While silly, for sure, it’s a look at just how misguided Jack’s primarily political advisor is.
Said individual hasn’t responded to email or voicemail, so I can’t get to the bottom of it (he obviously wouldn’t tell the truth, so not sure why I bother). But let me emphatically state: he had nothing to do with anything I have written. He didn’t push any story. In fact, four hours after the 2002 letter story hit this website, Conway’s campaign staffers were begging me for a copy of the letter. The campaign has nothing to do with my research file or my research efforts.
I’m not keen on crap like that. I’m not getting paid $150,000 every other month to consult on campaigns. So when I write something or uncover something, I’d appreciate it if Jack’s jackass consultant would step off. Lest I write about his shenanigans in Florida that would surely sink his career.
And when a candidate tells me crap like this will stop – crap that could end up sinking a campaign ship? – I expect it to stop! Three or four weeks is plenty of time to resolve these issues. Though, this is just one teeny little issue out of dozens of major ones.
You’ll probably want to read the rest of this mess after the jump…
I’ve kept my mouth shut publicly and have attempted to handle the many problems rolling out of Jack’s shop privately for nearly two months. But this campaign is EMBARRASSING. The DSCC tells me how horrified they are that Jack’s maintained this guy and that this guy continues to call the shots. You’d think that would count for something.
The campaign spokesperson has attempted to play me and spun me left and right (she says otherwise, but the facts agree with me, as do other Conway staffers who have reviewed correspondence and done their own questioning). And every five seconds there’s something horribly embarrassing going on involving Google ads, silly petitions, mind-numbingly stupid email blasts, major press calls not being returned, appearances missed, massive fundraising opportunities ignored, excuse after excuse made by multiple staffers.
When will this sinking ship get its act together?
To Jack: You and your family read me so I know you’re seeing this. You need to take these negative views of your campaign seriously. Stop blowing them off. Ditch the dead weight staff who are only out for the paycheck and run a real goddamn campaign. I know they’re all friends, but this isn’t about making people happy. It’s about winning a U.S. Senate race. You’re in a bad spot politically when supporters like me are on the verge of ignoring your candidacy.
I won’t embarrass you by calling out your campaign’s super-awful-embarrassing-scary moment when you DIDN’T START MAJOR ONLINE FUNDRAISING IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST RAND PAUL FLAP. Despite your spokesperson telling me that you were doing so, of course. I won’t embarrass you by pointing any of that out, no sir. Won’t point out that you missed out on literal millions in contributions a la the “You Lie!” incident.
You need to take action today. I have given you multiple opportunities and courtesies. Stop dragging your feet before Democrats leave you in droves.
You blew Shively off to walk around the zoo the day before the election. Your campaign hasn’t bothered reaching out to key players you need to win in Eastern Kentucky. You’re telling Rand Paul to release his Medicare billing history while you refuse to release your Personal Financial Disclosure. I could go on and on. PLEASE DO SOMETHING.
You have countless Republicans ready to sit on their hands to help beat teabagger king Rand Liberty Christ Don’t Let The Non-Whites Eat In My Restaurant Paul. And your campaign is ignoring them.
Oh, and Jack? You know others often follow my lead when it comes to talking about your race. I’m afraid they may follow my lead on this front, which could impact your ability to raise netroots funds. If even a few people stop paying attention, that could be less than ideal. Neither of us want that to happen.
I’m about to foam at the mouth. So…
COME ON. Jesus.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Lisa Graas // Jun 15, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Yup.
2 DMA // Jun 15, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Wow. Good to know. Let’s please hope Mr. Conway takes your advice.
3 jake // Jun 15, 2010 at 2:54 pm
Regardless of political bent and whether or not you support Jack Conway, I think most folks agree that Kentucky can only benefit when our U.S. Senate candidates do the right thing.
It’s a rare occasion when the NRSC reaches out to me and says they’re holding back because they’re embarrassed for Jack’s campaign.
Hopefully Jack will realize how serious this is.
4 Brian // Jun 15, 2010 at 2:59 pm
I agree on many points…
I guess I’ve convinced myself there is some shadow organization that has everything together at Conway HQ. I’m hoping they have a good volunteer structure in order when I return to Kentucky July 8th.
I’ve been trying to get national progressives motivated behind Conway, but it’s kind of hard when he won’t make forceful stands on the issues.
It’s easy to see why we shouldn’t support Self-Certified Dr. Demento, but I think Jack should start giving us reasons why we SHOULD support him.
5 jake // Jun 15, 2010 at 3:09 pm
There is no shadow organization.
And despite what Conway folks tell me, there are no changes that have been made and NOTHING is functioning like it should.
I could go on for days. But. Jack needs to wake up.
6 AttentionWhore // Jun 15, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Don’t hire any musicians!
7 Just me // Jun 15, 2010 at 4:56 pm
Good for you, Jake! The way it stands right now, I’m seriously considering not voting *at all*. Sure as hell wouldn’t vote for Rand…but Jack’s gonna have to get his shit together.
8 Whynoname? // Jun 15, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Just curious why you will not actually name the highly paid consultant who is sinking the campaign. Isn’t that part of the backscratching culture of campaigns? People will knock someone, but not directly. Not trying to provoke, just genuinely curious.
As for the NRSC holding back, I call bulls&@% on that. I am sorry, but the Republicans don’t hold back on account of anyones feelings. If they thought he was weak, wouldn’t they strike? Or is this the whole “throw him an anchor” trick?
9 jake // Jun 15, 2010 at 6:39 pm
I didn’t name the individual because that pisses him off even more. I’ve discovered, through trial and error, that the individual gets more fired up when I don’t mention his name… because it causes all kinds of speculation and pissiness.
NRSC did, indeed, hold back. I now know of at least two attacks they’re withholding for a while because of the embarrassing mess that is Jack Conway’s U.S. Senate campaign. And they do, indeed, do things like that. It’s always best to conserve funds for the real fight when your opponent is hitting himself in the balls, ya know?
10 SandyW // Jun 15, 2010 at 7:30 pm
Good grief now the Conway camp will never get a fire lit under it. Saying that the NRSC is holding back until they mount worthy campaign is no way to motivate them.
11 TallGuy // Jun 15, 2010 at 9:37 pm
“Jack should start giving us reasons why we SHOULD support him”. My very first LOL. Conway (Please, no JFK, Jack comparisons) is so yesterday, a Democrat who is sweeped into office by the over generous, hopeful public. “Ain’t going to happen” this year, Jack. The voters are looking for ANY reason to vote against fakes like Conway, pols who go to Washington, create a new life for Themselves and priority is only about their continuance every 2 or 6 years and the associated war chest.
To Jack: Bye, Bye, Mr. American Pie, Paul is going to leave you in the dust in November for one reason only. He knows the heartbeat permeating this great country and you don’t. Your kind are dinosaurs sir, and thank goodness for that.
12 TallGuy // Jun 15, 2010 at 9:46 pm
Only been following this site for a couple of months but am slowly getting impressed. Reading CJ articles is getting to (ok, always been) pale in comparison to what this place brings to the info table.
13 J // Jun 15, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Is it still the consultant he had when he first started? If that’s the case… the only thing readers would have to do is go back through your archive and find the name…
I think I know who it is, but I’m not going to be “that” guy.
14 Steve Magruder // Jun 16, 2010 at 8:35 am
Tallguy: And yet we already are seeing Mr. Paul act like the consummate politician, performing Olympics-worthy flip-flops and obfuscating every chance he gets. Why is Paul running except to “go to Washington, create a new life for Themselves and priority is only about their continuance every 2 or 6 years and the associated war chest.” Paul is no different and to pretend he’s different is to perpetuate a myth.
15 Coffee Party // Jun 16, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Rand has given me reasons to vote against him, but I still have no legitimate reason to for FOR Jack. I have no clue what he stands for, and at this point, in this competitive of a race, that’s concerning for Democrats. The fact that Daniel Mongiardo literally came within 30 votes per county of beating him, and he’s still not changing anything about his campaign, shows a real lack of competency.
16 Good Grief // Jun 16, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Yes, Jack Conway’s campaign is not as active as it should be, but I could never ever seriously consider voting for Rand Paul – a Texan who lied about being a legitimate board-certified physician. Brings back too many bad memories: Joe The Fraud Plumber. Thanks, but no thanks!
17 TallGuy // Jun 16, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Steve: If I have to admit, Paul will probably turn into the same o, same o, but he talks a good line and I will listen and watch. BTW: It is easy to BE FOR term limits, which excites the crowd, all the while knowing that no other person in Washington will vote with him, so just ignore that crap.
Good Grief: Why don’t you read more and comment less; Paul was Board-Certified years ago, it’s good for life, he’s a great MD or would not be in business (capitalism, market supply/demand, etc, etc) and it is voluntary to update it every X years. B-C is a life long “diploma”, but those who want to stay current will get re-certified if they wish. Paul simply asks why old docs get a pass and younger ones don’t; Sounds fair to me; Who in hell enjoys going to continuing education classes to stay current in their career field? Give me your thoughts unless you think I’m “lying”.
18 jake // Jun 16, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Nope. Board certification is not “good for life.” The Board says so.
Nice spin, Micatard.
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