From: Alecia Webb-Edgington
Sent: Mon, Apr 23, 2012 5:32 pm
Subject: Surprise Endorsements

Friends,
A few minutes ago we announced some game changing good news in this campaign!

Senator Jim Bunning and Congressman Geoff Davis both endorsed my candidacy for Congress at a rally in Covington early this afternoon.

Then you aren’t paying attention. Davis has been involved since day one and Jim Bunning has been pressured since the beginning.

But don’t let this go to your head just yet.

Why would Alecia roll something like that out before Derby in Kentucky when no one is paying attention to politics? Two big reasons: she’s tanked in the polls and couldn’t raise money if Greg Stumbo made it rain all around her (not just because she’s never in Frankfort to cast a vote). Common sense and political experience would have had her wait until after the Kentucky Derby. She’d roll out the Bunning endorsement (note: he promised both Moore and Massie he wasn’t getting involved) one week, the Davis endorsement the next and would do so with paid media. But. Uh. That common sense and political experience thing has to go out the window, apparently.

Unfortunately, neither the endorsement from Jim Bunning nor Geoff Davis will turn into much of a cash cow for Webb-Edgington. You’ll recall that Bunning couldn’t raise money for himself so he dropped out of the U.S. Senate race. And Davis? Look at his campaign finance reports. Most of his money – and he has readily admitted such on these pages – comes from Political Action Committees, lobbyists and companies that only give to sitting congresspeople. He says he accepts cash like that so he doesn’t have to be bothered with actually raising money and being politically indebted to anyone. He doesn’t have a campaign finance machine in Kentucky to rely upon. It’s unfortunate because Webb-Edgington’s folks are both Bunning and Davis people and have first-hand experience with the campaign finance realities in those camps.

One thing’s for sure: yesterday’s move likely caused more drama in the 4th District than it helped Alecia Webb-Edgington. Her campaign staffers have been busy trying to leave nasty comments here all night so we know they’ve got a lot of free time on their hands.

Primarily surrounding the reason Webb-Edgington is in the race.

While we think it’s silly, there’s plenty of speculation that she’s in the race to benefit Thomas Massie. Many believe she pulls votes from Gary Moore. So it’s not too far fetched.

After our earlier story that mentioned Larry Tomlinson being in business with Dick Knock, the guy running the Massie SuperPAC, everyone went crazy. Their jointly-owned LLC gave $10,000 to the SuperPAC.

Turns out? Tomlinson gave Geoff Davis $2,100 in 2006 and has been in close operation with Davis campaign folks since then. So has Dick Knock.

And that makes people freak out, spinning all kinds of stories.

Again – it’s silly. But that’s the latest political gossip.

The race is on to see how long it takes to get Mitch McConnell to endorse Gary Moore and Rand Paul to endorse his look-alike, Thomas Massie.

The flip-flop by Geoff Davis to endorse Alecia this late in the race should make it clear to the average reader that she’s hurting severely in the polls. Even with the endorsement, most believe it’s a Moore-Massie race.

So, by a show of hands, who thinks Jimbo will even know what’s going on?

You should go read this column about Al Smith’s memoir, WORDSMITH. And then you should read Al’s book. [Ronnie Ellis]

How little (fiscal) sense does Jim Bunning have left? He endorsed twice bankrupt John Kemper in the race for Auditor of Public Accounts. [AP]

Papaw Beshear still hasn’t repaid the state for all of his campaign-related travel. But that comes as a shock to absolutely no one. [C-J/AKN]

Wondering why people don’t trust or listen to teabagger hypocrites? I mean, arrests for theft and making shiz up aside? Here’s why – they’re continually foaming out the mouth with conspiracy theories that aren’t remotely based in fact. And they’re still telling everybody who’ll listen that they’re going to “take over the RPK.” One of them is, anyway, while using his faux non-profit as a payday and daily spam email machine. [David Adams]

HAHAHA! Papaw Beshear looks like Pinocchio in this fancy artwork. Check it out. [H-L]

Did you transfer all of your non-existent money from big banks to meemaw and poppop credit unions on Saturday? [Wonkette]

The international press gets it right with this headline: Status quo seen in Mississippi, Kentucky governor races. [Reuters]

Mitch McConnell is finally right about something but it’s not just Barack Obama who wants the “Super Congress” to fail. Everybody does because it’s bogus. [Daily Kos]

Any predictions on which state legislator this $1.5 million water/sewer project Steve Beshear saved up to announce last week will benefit? [WYMT]

Duh moment: Kentucky’s budget outlook is bleak for the next two years. But everything is puppies and rainbows for tomorrow’s election. [C-J/AKN]

The Republican Party of Kentucky is still trying to encourage people to vote but we know no one will show up to the polls tomorrow. [More Ronnie Ellis]

While the mouth-breathers continue to push for nuclear power in Kentucky, don’t forget that the government itself tries to cover up the risks. [HuffPo]

Who’ll be buying all the votes in Breathitt County this year if everybody is already under indictment? [WAVE3]

It’s a shame Steve Beshear is refusing to do interviews so the state’s newspapers (plural) can merely profile him. What on earth is so horrible that the man can’t allow himself to be questioned? Jesus H. No wonder his people came after me – they’re simply terrified to exist. [Why Kentucky Can't Have Nice Things]

Of COURSE the teabaggers would love the most corrupt SOB the most. That’s how it works. [HuffPo]

Kentucky can’t get its ducks in a row to handle changes in Medicaid so the overhaul has been pushed back a month. [H-L]

Topix is a disaster. So much of a disaster that even Jack Conway recognizes it. Since the country won’t deal with it, we hear some legislators in Kentucky will finally take steps to deal with it. [NY Times]

Ethics thought Bill Johnson’s homeless-hating complaint was ridiculous and took no action. [CN|2]

Everyone basically forgot that the military would eventually stop hating the gays. [Wonkette]

This is what happens when teabagger electeds make crap up about the jobless. [HuffPo]

People in Kentucky know that Hal Rogers is corrupt and wastes millions of dollars by giving it to his friends and family. [The Hill]

Morehead has a fancy new road and airport rigged up for use. [Morehead News]

The state’s other newspaper figured out that Ethics said Elaine Walker can’t have that $500 gift. [C-J/AKN]

Wait, Jim Bunning has papers? And Northern Kentucky University is going to house them? Wow. [WLWT]

There certainly are some big differences in what firms reveal about the political donations they make. [The Economist]

Looks like the admission party is over for for-profit colleges. [Consumerist]

Did the BABY overdose or did the PARENT overdose the baby? Goodness gracious. [H-L]

The move by Democrats to keep the payroll tax cut may be a sad, stupid, doomed campaign. [Slate]

Of course Steve Beshear is gambling on how to pay off that $28 million payment on the unemployment insurance loan. [CN|2]

Fact: Kentucky is one of the worst 50 states in America. [Gawker]

Why, exactly, is Steve Beshear appointing people from Lexington to the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce? Colmon Elridge may have his ducks in a row but give me a break. Promoting these folks just so they can develop name ID and run for office is ridiculous. And giving employees of Kentucky American Water Company a seat on the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority? Really? [Press Release]

Is this diva routine story about Michele Bachmann or her “not gay” husband? [Wonkette]

Looks like Faux News is taking a move out of the Beshear/Conway/Walker playbook in attacking its critics. [Politico]

The National Labor Relations Board chairwoman is rolling on out to pasture after fourteen years. [The Hill]

Now they’re going to start putting Jefferson County parents in jail for sneakily sending their kids to Oldham County schools. I mean, can you blame them for not wanting their kids to deal with JCPS? [C-J/AKN]

Must be the goal of mouth-breathing Republicans to see just how regressive and discriminatory they can be for 2012 when it comes to the gays. [Reuters]

Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke says the US central bank won’t take immediate action to boost growth. No new stimulus, folks. [BBC]

Michele Bachmann takes issue with every single thing she doesn’t understand. No wonder she doesn’t realize her husband is gayer than the closet case state reps in Frankfort. [HuffPo]

Rich countries need to squeeze their economies less hard and get serious about growth so a double-dip recession can be avoided. [The Economist]

Emails are raising questions about Richie Farmer’s reporting of personal mileage. This will make you laugh out loud. [John Cheves]

What? Women should plan for rape like they plan for a flat tire? Are you kidding me? [Common Dreams]

Remember when Jim Bunning said Ruth Bader Ginsberg was gonna die in like five seconds? Turns out she’s alive and well and was, well, you’ll just have to click the link. Includes being serenaded by Placido Domingo. Poor Jimbo and his sad prediction. [Harvard Magazine]

Dear Hospice of the Bluegrass: Remember me? Remember when I told you that you’d end up having investigators on your tail? You know they will be there soon because you’ve already heard from both houses of the United States Congress regarding countless families experiencing situations conveniently similar to the one I alluded to all those months ago. Funny how that works. Have fun with that. Oh! I almost forgot! May House Bill 52 protect countless innocents from your incompetence. [Best Of Luck]

Nearly one in five young adults has high blood pressure because they weigh eight thousand pounds. [NPR]

Yesterday, Governor Steve Beshear announced emergency grants to eliminate dumps in 26 counties with flood damage were available. The counties eligible to apply for the funds (up to $30,000): Ballard, Boyd, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Daviess, Fulton, Graves, Greenup, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Jefferson, Lawrence, Livingston, Marshall, McCracken, McLean, Ohio, Oldham, Pike, Trigg, Trimble, Union and Webster. [Press Release]

Really? Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum AND Michele Bachmann are running for president? This is a humor lover’s dream come true. [WaPo, WaPo & USA Today]

An Exxon advertisement makes gas drilling seem simpler and safer than it really is. [Pro Publica]

The tornado death toll for 2011 now tops 500 and the season isn’t yet over. [Reuters]

Whattya mean those for-profit colleges spend much less on educating students than public universities? Surely not. [HuffPo]

Just about everybody believes Barack Obama experiences political problems because of the color of his skin. [The Hill]

We’re shocked that Republicans realized their unemployment bill was a gigantic disaster. Even more shocked that they pulled it. [Politico]

A University of Kentucky faculty group opposes an university loan for scoreboards. Thank goodness. [H-L]

Richie Farmer caved and gave up the furlough pay after all. Check his statement out. [Page One]

Soaring costs are forcing some renters to choose between shelter over their head or food in their bellies. [HuffPo]

The state Department of Education has approved a school corrective plan. Holding your breath? [C-J/AKN]

Good news for pet owners who frequent Kentucky State Resort Parks. Pet owners will pay a $25 fee to bring their pets into lodge rooms designated for pets. Pets aren’t allowed in park cottages, however. Guests taking a pet into a non-pet-friendly room will pay an additional $25 fee and a $100 cleaning charge. [Press Release]

The former chancellor of the University System of Ohio is a candidate for the University of Kentucky presidency. [H-L]

How fitting! A chamber of commerce lobbyist is freaking out over President Barack Obama’s donation disclosure plan. [NY Times]

Bet they’ll freak out over Obama telling congressional leaders to end oil subsidies, too. Even though Boehner has called for the same thing. [USA Today]

How President Barack Obama seeks a political wedge as oil prices skyrocket. [HuffPo]

That bald eagle on Ron Paul’s logo is just cold trying desperately to escape him! Liberty!!1! [Wonkette]

This story about lawmakers receiving increasing numbers of threats reminded us of the crazy guy who threatened Jim Bunning last year. Also, it reminded us of Jim Bunning. [The Hill]

“Addia Wuchner will bring real-world business experience, uncompromised integrity and a dedicated commitment to public service to the job of State Auditor. This is a position that is critical to ensuring that state government offices, programs and grants are administered effectively and efficiently and overseen independently and fairly. I have the utmost confidence in Addia. Mary and I offer her our endorsement and support in the May 17th Republican primary and in the general election this fall,” said Senator Bunning.

Does Bunning’s endorsement matter? Or would Mitch McConnell’s be more valuable?

P.S. I thought the subject line of the email – “Wuchner Announces Bunning Enorsement” (verbatim) was a nice touch.

Do your thing.