The Political Bridge

Senator Ted Kennedy: Hall of Fame Senator by Frank Leidermann, Editor

In the late 1950’s, then Senator John F. Kennedy headed a special Senate committee that selected the five most outstanding U.S. Senators, no longer living, to be placed in a hall of fame, filling five vacant portrait spaces, in the Senate reception room.

 

The Kennedy criteria had been to judge candidates for “acts of statesmanship transcending party and state lines” and to include “leadership in national thought and constitutional interpretation as well as legislation.”

 

With the input from an advisory committee of 160 scholars, who nominated 65 possible candidates, five were selected by the Kennedy Committee and approved by the Senate in 1959. They were: Henry Clay (KY), John Calhoun (SC), Daniel Webster (MA), Robert Taft (OH) and Robert La Follette, Sr. (WI).  In 2004, the Senate added two more distinguished deceased Senators, Arthur Vandenberg (MI) and Robert Wagner (NY).

 

Now another deceased Senator needs to be added by the Senate to make the list the Elite Eight.

 

If ever a Senator met the criteria “acts of statesmanship transcending party and state lines” and “leadership in national thought and constitutional interpretation as well as legislation" it is Senator Edward M. Kennedy. It is as if Ted Kennedy followed the criteria as set by his brother’s 50’s special Senate committee during the course of his Senate career.

 

Senator Kennedy was a Senator’s Senator, a Statesman’s Statesman. He was the Man of The Senate.  And, indeed, he is one of the Elite Eight.

 

Ted Kennedy was diligent, articulate, gracious, kind, and a maker of hundreds of laws that touched us all. He was the finest of Senators and great friend in championing laws that helped the little men and women of America.

 

He was Camelot’s finest knight.

 

His brother John would be proud that Ted made his Senate Hall of Fame.

Senator Robin Webb’s Tremendous Victory Builds Momentum for a Democratic Kentucky Senate By Frank Leidermann, Editor

   

Kentucky Senate Democratic Leader Ed Worley said it best last week in the Courier-Journal, “Dominoes fall one at a time.”

 

This year the Democrats have been on a roll in recapturing formerly held Republican Senate seats in special elections: first in Western Kentucky with the victory of Democrat State Senator Mike Reynolds, and last week with a second victory in Eastern Kentucky with the new Democrat State Senator, Robin Webb, who was sworn in today.

 

“Robin Webb won a tremendous victory for the Democrats,” said State Senator Tim Shaughnessy. “It makes for a sound foundation for Democrats to gain control of the Kentucky Senate next year.”  

 

With Robin’s victory, Democrats are now within two seats of being even in the Senate, and within three seats of capturing the majority. The Senate is now 20 Republicans, 17 Democrats and one independent.

 

“Kentucky Democrats win when they are united,” said State Senator Denise Harper Angel. “The Kentucky Democratic Party had a fabulous GOTV effort in the special election for Robin that got her vote out and greatly helped in producing the win.”

 

Carter County voters gave their native, Robin, a 1200 vote margin, a strong vote of confidence for their state representative of twelve years. She would break even in the other county of her House District, Lewis County, where Republican registration is three to one over the Democrats. Robin’s home district gave her the necessary margin to beat back the mean spirited Republican attack ads against her that produced a win for her opponent in three of the four other counties in rest of the Senate District. Robin won by 282 votes by beating Republican Jack Ditty, 8684 to 8402.

 

Robin Webb’s victory was essential in building the momentum for Democrats to capture the Kentucky State Senate. It will be done, one Senate seat at a time. A United Kentucky Democratic Party can make it happen. As Kentucky Democratic Party Chair Charlie Moore said, “Kentuckians around the state are energized to take back the Kentucky Senate next year and this was the first step!” 

 

I am going out today to buy some dominoes for the Kentucky Senate Democratic Caucus.

Mongiardo(D-KY) campaign for U.S. Senate announces roll out of county campaign coordinators: Marks start of campaign's extensive statewide field organization roll out

NEWS ADVISORY

 

August 31, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Contact: Kim Geveden  (502) 682-2010

               kgeveden@drdan2010.com

               Annette Lee    (502) 498-4008 x230

               aml@drdan2010.com

  

FRANKFORT - Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo's U.S. Senate campaign today announced five of its six congressional district field coordinators who will be responsible for executing the campaign's grassroots organization and voter contact efforts across the Commonwealth.   

"Our congressional district field coordinators are seasoned political veterans who have all been involved in previously successful statewide campaigns in Kentucky. Let there be no question, Daniel Mongiardo will have the most extensive grassroots/field organization in Kentucky since Senator Wendell Ford's campaigns. We're very excited to have these talented men and women on board, organizing and spreading Daniel's message across the Commonwealth," said Kim Geveden, campaign spokesperson.  

The Mongiardo Campaign's 3^rd Congressional District Field Coordinator will be announced separately on September 20 along with the District's 18 Legislative District (LD) Coordinators and Jefferson County Campaign Committee members. 

Today's announcement marks the first in a series over the coming weeks in which the Mongiardo Campaign will rollout its statewide campaign organization, beginning with county campaign coordinators for all 120 counties and culminating with its statewide campaign committee chairs from 15 regions.  

"Given that every primary poll taken thus far shows Daniel Mongiardo with a strong advantage over his primary opponent, we are very confident that our extensive field organization combined with an energized base of everyday working Kentuckians at the grassroots level will counter whatever big money our opponent raises from out-of-state and moneyed interests," Geveden said. 

Following are the Mongiardo Campaign's congressional district field coordinators: 

1^st CD - Ron Hazlett, former 1^st CD Field Coordinator - Beshear/Mongiardo ‘07

2^nd CD - David Neville, former Democratic Agriculture Commissioner candidate and Statewide Agricultural Coordinator - Beshear/Mongiardo ‘07

3^rd CD - To Be Announced on September 20

4^th CD - Lou Gunnell, Democratic Party & Women's activist  

5^th CD - Alan Alsip, Chief of Staff to former House Speaker Bill Kenton

6^th CD - Diane Hancock, Member, Fayette County Women's Network and 6^th CD Field Coordinator - Beshear/Mongiardo ‘07 

  Following is the schedule for announcing Mongiardo's statewide campaign organization: 

August 31 -- 5^th Congressional District County Coordinators

September 1 -- 6^th Congressional District County Coordinators

September 2 -- 1^st Congressional District County Coordinators

September 15 -- 4^th Congressional District County Coordinators

September 17 -- 2^nd Congressional District County Coordinators

September 20 -- 3^rd Congressional District Legislative District (LD) Coordinators

September 23 -- Statewide Constituency Group Coordinators

October 1 -- Regional/State Campaign Co-Chairs / Committee Members 
 

# #

POLITICAL CAMPAIGN ANNOUNCEMENT EVENT: Kimberly Greenwell Announces Bid for State Representative in KY House District 33

 

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

WHEN:  Wednesday, September 2, 2009

 

TIME:  6-8 p.m.

 

WHERE:  Sawyer Hayes Community Center, 2201 Lake Land Road, Louisville, KY

 

Louisville, KY– Louisville businesswoman Kimberly Greenwell announced today that she is running for  the office of state representative in the 33^rd House District.

Her campaign will kick-off Wednesday, September 2^nd  from 6 pm to 8 pm with an open fundraising event at The Sawyer Hayes Community Center in the E.P. “Tom” Sawyer Park, where residents of Louisville’s 33^rd district can come out and meet Greenwell.

“I am running because we are at a critical point in Louisville and in Kentucky.  It’s time for leadership we can count on to improve the quality of life and to implement meaningful economic and educational policy for our community.  It’s time for a change!  I will be a strong advocate for working families, labor, for our teachers, our signature industries and natural resources. I will be the kind of leader who will do everything in my power to work cooperatively with leaders to move our district and Kentucky forward.”

Greenwell worked for seven years in broadcast media sales with WAVE 3 - TV and is currently an interactive media consultant with Metro Mojo of Louisville.  She has been actively involved in community service projects including:  Susan G. Komen Foundation Pink Tie Ball, Children’s Hospital Foundation Alliance, Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Humane Society, Strike Against Cancer Committee, and the American Heart Association.

The campaign website is www.KimberlyGreenwell.com, where people can learn more about Greenwell, sign up for campaign updates, volunteer, and contribute by check or credit card. For questions regarding the kick-off event please contact Brandy Bailey at (859) 581-9002.

###

Zogby Poll for 8/31/09: Several Core Constituencies Souring on Obama

 Press Release from the Zogby Corporation

 

UTICA, New York - President Barack Obama's job approval rating is down to 42%, with a decline in approval from Democrats the leading factor.

 

The tables below compare changes from July 24 to Aug. 31 in Obama's job approval among some of the groups who were Obama's strongest supporters in the November election;

Democrats	Aug. 31	July 24
Approve	75%	88%
Disapprove	13%	10%
Not Sure	12%	2%

 

Liberals	Aug. 31	July 24
Approve	86%	95%
Disapprove	4%	4%
Not Sure	10%	2%

 

African-Americans	Aug. 31	July 24
Approve	74%	83%
Disapprove	21%	17%
Not Sure	5%	.4%

 

Ages 18-29	Aug. 31	July 24
Approve	41%	59%
Disapprove	41%	38%
Not Sure	19%	3%

 .

The Obama Administration’s Falling Approval Ratings: Looking Back in Fear or Anger by DrTed

"You’re (to a conservative older man) hurt because everything's changed (in Britain),Alison tells him, and Jimmy’s (angry radical) hurt because everything's   stayed the same." from John Osborne’s 1956 play—Look Back in Anger

 

Keep that thought in mind as I discuss plausible (at least to me) reasons for President Obama’s relatively low approval ratings.

 

The Gallup Poll reports that President Obama’s approval ratings (which are approximately 50%) for the first August of his term are lower than six of his seven predecessors.  Bill Clinton was the only President with lower approval ratings.  (Click here for the Gallup Report’s data on presidential approval ratings.)

 

 Maybe, President Obama like President Clinton tried to change America too much, too soon. Everything (physicists tell us) resists change.   You know—a body at rest tends to stay at rest; a body in motion tends to stay in motion.

 

This administration has made history by appointing the first Hispanic jurist to the U.S. Supreme Court—Judge Sonia Sotomayor.

 

Thanks in part to the Obama administration’s stimulus package, the great recession of 2007-2009 has abated (according to the Congressional Budget Office). 

 

After eight years of rest on economic and social issues under baby Bush’s administration, the Obama administration has tried to make history by proposing climate control measures, by trying to reform America’s antiquated health care system, and by fighting for “The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.”         

 

Or perhaps, the new America under Obama seems for many to be like the old America under George W.

 

President Obama, like George W. Bush, has tabled alternative energy initiatives.  Like George W. Bush, President Obama is supporting the offshore drilling of oil. Moreover, Obama’s energy policies have helped (either directly or indirectly) the financial interests of his political cronies.

 

The Wall Street Journal (August 18. 2009) has reported that President Obama has underwritten offshore drilling in Brazilian waters. Interestingly, George Soros (an early and enthusiastic supporter of Obama) has been purchasing large amounts of stock in Petroleo Brasileiro SA-Petrobras, a Brazilian petrochemical giant.

 

Remember those evil hedge fund firms and investment banking firms that were the cause of all our financial evils.  They are doing quite well under the Obama administration’s economic policies. Some say that they are doing better than ever.  The Washington Post claims that those 'too big to fail' banks have grown even bigger and more powerful. According to Yahoo Finance, hedge funds are hiring again after downturn.

 

Yet, the economic recovery has not occurred for many Americans.  Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce have indicated that disposable income was slightly lower in August than in previous months. There is a projected 38% fall in U.S. farm income for 2009. The employment for young people has hit a record low.

                                                           

To many Americans, the Obama administration has been one of the most liberal in history. Everything is changing, with more change (such as taxes) on the way.

 

To me, America has stayed roughly the same. The financial markets (rather than the manufacturing sectors) control the American economy. The economic winners and losers in this economic recovery are the (types of) people who have been America’s economic winners and losers since the Reagan presidency.  

 

Perhaps then, the Obama administration cannot win.   The more conservative and more established Americans are fearful because America is moving forward.  They are fearful that the Reagan era of tax cuts is finally over.

 

The more liberal (and mostly less established) Americans are angry because the Obama administration is not moving far nor fast enough. They (including myself) are angry because the New Deal and The Great Society seem to be forever dead.

 

Looking back in fear or anger appears to be the current state of America’s body politic.

                                                           

From the Gallup Poll Organization: President Obama's approval ratings as compared to those of his seven predecessors

The Gallup Poll

                                                                                

Barack Obama's Most Recent

Weekly Approval Rating Average 52%

                                       (Aug 17-23, 2009)

Other Elected Presidents in August of First Term:   

                                      

George W. Bush           56%

                                       (August 2001)

                                      

Bill Clinton                    44%

                                       (August 1993)

                                      

George H.W. Bush        69%

                                       (August 1989)

                                      

Ronald Reagan              60%

                                       (August 1981)

                                      

Jimmy Carter                 63%

                                       (August 1977)

                                      

Richard Nixon               62%

                                       (August 1969)

                                      

John Kennedy                76%

                                       (August 1961)

                                      

Dwight Eisenhower        74%

                                       (August 1953)

 

 

Grant to aid stem-cell research goes to the University of Louisville; Congressman John Yarmuth helped secured

By Sheldon S. Shafer and Patrick Howington - The Courier-Journal

A University of Louisville Medical School program focusing on cell-transplant research is the recipient of a $1.6 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Defense that U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3rd District, helped secure.

The fundswill primarily go to support research into adult stem-cell transplant technology at U of L's Institute of Cellular Therapeutics. The money will be passed through the National Foundation to Support Cell Transplant Research.

Read More: The Courier-Journal

Robin Webb Accepts Oath In Kentucky Senate

by Tony McVeigh, Kentucky Public Radio Capitol Bureau

FRANKFORT, KY (wuky) - After submitting her House resignation letter to Gov. Steve Beshear, Robin Webb was sworn-in as State Senator for the 18th District. Carter Circuit Judge Rebecca Phillips did the honors. Sen. Webb, who's been in the House since 1999, says she's looking forward to her now role. "I've got a lot of friends on both sides of the aisle there, people that I've worked with on issues and the budget. The dynamic may be a little different, but the process and the I think everything is pretty close to the same."

Read More and Listen to the KPR Radio News Report at WUKY - Kentucky Public Radio

KY State Leaders Prepare for H1N1 With Summit This Week reports 89.3 WFPL

Stephanie Sanders - 89.3 WFPL

Health, education and public safety officials will meet later this week in Frankfort for a Pandemic Influenza Summit organized by the state government.

State epidemiologist Dr. Kraig Humbaugh says the novel H1N1 flu strain hit earlier this year, and they used to track cases by getting information from each county. But now they monitor H1N1 much in the same way they do seasonal flu, by tracking cases on a state level with the use of some partners in the health field.

Read More: 89.3 WFPL