June 20, 2007 — FRANKFORT, Ky. — There remain seven weeks until Fancy Farm, the wonderfully old-fashioned political gathering and stump-speaking the first weekend in August in far western Kentucky.
Much could happen between now and then – a special session, gearing up of the gubernatorial campaign, jockeying among Democrats for the pleasure of opposing Mitch McConnell in next year’s Senate race, and perhaps some intrigue among leaders of the Democratic House.
Look for Gov. Ernie Fletcher to call a special session, probably after the Fourth of July. Like the old joke about a ne’er-do-well in my home town who took a bath once a month – whether he needed it or not – Fletcher isn’t going to be deterred by a lack of urgency or agreement among lawmakers. It’s about the election and he seems determined to have the session – whether we need it or not.
Greg Stumbo is talking about running for McConnell’s seat, joining Democrat Charlie Owen in thinking the time is right to topple the Senate Republican Leader. I doubt in the end Stumbo will take the plunge. His public flirtation sounds more like a recently defeated candidate making sure the public doesn’t forget him. But imagine the smile on McConnell’s face when he heard the news and the delight of his opposition research team contemplating Stumbo as a target.
The decision by Democratic leaders in the House to commission an audit of the Democratic House Campaign Caucus is prompting speculation the caucus director, Jonathan Hurst, may be the target of those who sought the audit. Others wonder what impact it might have on Speaker Jody Richards’ plans to seek another term as Speaker. On top of that, some wonder if gubernatorial nominee Steve Beshear might want a Speaker with a more forceful leadership style to help win passage of expanded gaming and the rest of his agenda. Of course, Beshear needs to win election first.
This past week started and ended with news of David Williams – both of them. The Republican Senate President was in the news at the end when Richard Beliles of Common Cause of Kentucky filed an ethics complaint against Williams for a lunch he hosted for lobbyists. But it was the other David Williams – the Democratic nominee for agriculture commissioner from Glasgow who runs for some office in every election – who began the week in the headlines. He was arrested for allegedly menacing and harassing his niece, the Glasgow City Clerk. That David Williams received nearly 161,000 votes in the May primary, due almost entirely to name recognition-confusion. The Republican Williams must look at those votes and think perhaps his gubernatorial prospects might be better than some think.
Of course there’s also the mischievous idea of a Barren County Democratic wag who wants to persuade David Lynn Williams (the Democrat) to re-locate to Tompkinsville in neighboring Monroe County which is in the Senate district of David Lewis Williams (the Republican). His idea is then to have the Democrat Williams file for the Republican Williams’ seat and produce a ballot of David L. Williams (D) versus David L. Williams (R).
“Barren County wins either way,” the wag proclaims, grinning. “And we might win twice.”
No need to wait for Fancy Farm to enjoy the political entertainment.
Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com.
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