Secretary of state, auditor, AG candidates stump at Fancy Farm
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011, 9:15 p.m. – While some of the press left the media area after the gubernatorial candidates finished their remarks Saturday at Fancy Farm, most of the crowd and media stayed to hear from the rest of the candidates for constitutional office.
SECRETARY OF STATE. Though she lost the Democratic primary to a challenger and has no race in November, former Bowling Green Mayor Elaine Walker did her part to support her party as sitting secretary of state. She cited Gov. Beshear’s leadership in economic developing that benefited Bowling Green.
As for the candidate she lost to in the May primary, Walker said that Alison Lundergan Grimes was a person “who lives family values rather than just talking about them.”
ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES
ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES. Alison Lundergan Grimes had a very visible and vocal group of supporters raising signs and cheering as she took the podium chanting “Go Grimes Go!”
She told her supporters she was proud to be their candidate and thanked them for their support. While she had been to Fancy Farms many times (her father is Jerry Lundergan, former head of the Kentucky Democratic Party), this was her first as a candidate.
She spoke of her vision for “tomorrow’s Kentucky” that wasn’t about being a Democrat or Republican. She said it wasn’t about being partisan, but the goal was to be sure every vote cast is protected. She wants to build interest in voting among younger voters, and be sure her office can give help the small businesses that keep Kentucky’s economy growing.
She blasted Bill Johnson, her Republican opponent for using scare tactics she says are based on half-truths in his campaign. Citing her support in her opponent’s territory, she told her supporters she “feels like the adopted daughter of the West, and I thank you Western Kentucky.”
BILL JOHNSON
BILL JOHNSON. Bill Johnson opened by calling on conservatives to “throw out the liberals in Frankfort in 2011” and to do the same in Washington in 2012.
Johnson said he was inspired by Ronald Reagan to enter military service, and credited President Obama for inspiring him to enter politics.
As secretary of state, Johnson said voters without an address would not be allowed to vote. “It opens the door to voter fraud, and that as a policy is unacceptable,” he said.
He also supports a requirement that voters show a photo ID, telling the crowd “shouldn’t the security of our elections rise to the level of buying a pack of cigarettes?”
ADAM EDELEN
Johnson blasted Grimes for her stance opposite his on those issues, and said she supported the automatic restoration of voting rights for convicted felons – which prompted two young men in black-and-white-striped prison outfits to come before the crowd with signs stating “Felons for Grimes.”
STATE AUDITOR. Outgoing Auditor Crit Luallen praised her fellow Democrats and Beshear, whom she called “a man of principle.” She said that “narrow partisan interests have pushed the nation to the brink of disaster.”
Luallen said her remarks were not a farewell to politics, and added she would stay involved to encourage others to take up the mantle of public service. “This is a farewell to the auditor’s office, but not a farewell to the people of Kentucky.”
JOHN T. KEMPER III
ADAM EDELEN. Adam Edelen praised the leadership of his ticket, stating that voters who vote for him will know that he will continue the level of dedication to the auditor’s office that Luallen has during her two terms. He cited his record of accomplishment in both business and government.
“If you give me this opportunity, I will make you proud,” he said.
JOHN KEMPER III. Chants of “Bankrupt! Bankrupt!” greeted Republican nominee for auditor John T. Kemper III as he gave his comments.
Kemper promised to fulfill the duties of auditor, saying “it’s time of a debt-free Kentucky. It’s time for government to live up to their promises to the taxpayers.”
JACK CONWAY
ATTORNEY GENERAL. Attorney General Jack Conway took the podium to the cheers and jeers from across the crowd. He quickly moved into his record as Attorney General and cited the successes his office has had in prosecuting cybercrimes and in investigating prescription drug crimes. He’s also pushed other states to take part in prescription monitoring programs, and investigated Medicaid fraud within the state.
“It’s an example of promises made and promises kept,” he said. “It’s taking a public office and turning it into a public trust.”
Conway promised to continue to go after prosecuting “the same people his opponent used to represent.”
His comments ran long, and Conway was one of two speakers who had their comments cut short by bluegrass music recording of “Rocky Top.”
TODD P'POOL
TODD P’POOL. Madisonville attorney Todd P’Pool noted that Conway attacked his qualifications for office “but you appointed me more than 12 times to serve as a special prosecutor for your office … while I was prosecuting crimes in Kentucky, Jack was at cocktail parties with Nancy Pelosi.”
P’Pool took Conway to task for not opposing Obamacare as other states’ attorneys general had done. “When I am attorney general, in the first month Kentucky will report for duty in the fight against Obamacare,” he added. He was also critical of Conway for not fighting the EPA.
Like Conway, P’Pool ran out of time, his comments cut short by the sounds of “Rockey Top.”
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