Kentucky Horserace: McConnell’s Rival Pulls Even

[babylonsister]

:evilgrin:

Kentucky Horserace: McConnell’s Rival Pulls Even
By Katherine Rizzo, CQ Staff

From Political Perceptions, wsj.com


Sen. Mitch McConnell has either hit a speed bump or hit the wall.

In the middle of September, Sen. McConnell seemed to be sitting pretty.

As the Senate’s Republican leader, Sen. McConnell had succeeded in thwarting majority Democrats on bill after bill – a proficient player of the inside game who made sure the minority wasn’t muscled aside on major legislation.

His party has long been on a path to lose seats in November, but expected to maintain what they call their “firewall” – enough Republican seats that if the party line held, Democrats couldn’t get the 60 votes needed to move even halfway-controversial legislation.

Unlike the House, where Minority Leader John A. Boehner of Ohio has been besieged and second-guessed by fellow Republicans, there’s been no grumbling against Sen. McConnell in the Senate’s Republican ranks. As long as he won his own re-election contest in November, there appeared to be no doubt that Sen. McConnell’s caucus would re-elect him as their leader. And given his extreme financial edge – a cash-on-hand advantage of $9.1 million versus Democrat Bruce Lunsford’s $1.3 million – plus the advantages of being the incumbent, Sen. McConnell hasn’t been viewed as a teetering candidate. A lot more attention has gone to the seats considered closer calls – Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, New Hampshire, Colorado, Minnesota, Louisiana, Maine and Alaska.

Despite some up-and-down polling waves earlier in the campaign season, a flip of the Kentucky seat seemed unlikely as recently as three weeks ago.
Big Lead in Early Polls

Public polls in July and August showed Sen. McConnell with a double-digit lead. In early September, Sen. McConnell’s campaign released polling figures that had him up 52 percent to 35 percent, and a poll for the lefty Web site DailyKos.com showed McConnell with an almost-as-comfortable lead of 50 percent to 37 percent.

But look now.

more...

http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002968591

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

1. Bagging McConnell would be supersweet.

[babylonsister]

2. That would be the sundae with the cherry on top! nt

[AlCzervik]

3. good read and did i see somehwere yesterday that he was skipping out on a debate?

or did i just make that up?

[babylonsister]

4. You are good! I hadn't heard that, but you are right...

League of Women Voters axes Senate debate after McConnell declines
By Trey Pollard


The League of Women Voters of Kentucky has cancelled their planned U.S. Senate debate after U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) declined an invitation to the event, which was scheduled to be broadcast on statewide television.

"We're very disappointed that we could not get both major senatorial candidates to agree to participate in a debate this year," said LWV President Teena Halbig, in a statement. "We believe that televised debates are one of the most effective ways for voters to learn about the candidates and their positions. Exposing voters to a rigorous debate of the critical issues facing this nation today is a cornerstone of the democratic election process in America."

“It is regrettable that Senator McConnell has chosen to deny Kentuckians that opportunity by declining this statewide broadcast opportunity,” added Halbig.

McConnell's opponent, Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford, had already added the debate - which was set for Oct. 7 - to his schedule.

The LWV's press release said McConnell's campaign was asked if another date would be preferrable, but the incumbent's camp reportedly said "we are just not interested."

:wow:


http://www.politickerky.com/treypollard/1733/league-women-voters-axes-senate-debate-after-mcconnell-declines

[AlCzervik]

6. The League of Women Voters, them i miss and how bout that Mitch is either a total coward

or he thinks he's just above having to debate or both.

[babylonsister]

7. I hope the folks in KY think less kindly towards him because he

doesn't seem to think a debate is important. I'd be angry... You're right; both, and either way, he's not deserving of anyone's vote.

[Hubert Flottz]

10. He was whipped good in the last debate that he did attend!

Had the truth smeared all in his face and he couldn't take it again!

[Hubert Flottz]

5. I'd love to see Mitch sent packing!

That would be so damned sweet!

[DemoTex]

8. TX closing, NC closing, GA closing, KY closing .. other close senate races?

Since I live in SC, where the Democratic candidate for the US Senate has zero chance against Lindsey ("Five Rugs: Five Dollars") Grahamquacker, I'm putting my meager donations on the Democratic candidates in those close states. I've already made several donations to Al Franken.

[notaboutus]

9. Don't Want To Get My Hopes Up in KY

I have watched in amazement election after election. KY democrats outnumber republicans 2 to 1 but they vote republican 2 to 1. I will not speak of the poverty and education level in the state. This is a place where guns, religion and race are more important than health, education and prosperity. That is why so many college educated adults leave the state. This year colleges in KY handed out the most degrees ever. Pray it continues and that they stay.

[babylonsister]

11. Well, I hope you GOTV, AGAINST this wimpy man. If your state

votes in the right leadership, that'd be a step in the right direction. We're pulling for you.

[notaboutus]

13. Registering Voters this weekend!

Thank you. I worked real hard for Kerry in 2004 I was a precinct captain. Used my own money to make fliers. Knocked on doors and people still didn't turn out to vote like they should have. I know this year will be different. I am have already volunteered to drive people to the polls on election day.

[babylonsister]

14. Excellent, notaboutus, and a belated welcome to DU!

I love me my Dems with their hearts squarely planted in the right place! :hi:

[Bake]

12. Please, KY, send Mitch packing!!!

Bake