National Republican
politics and the tremendous response to come one, come all Tea Party invitations
have impacted this session more than you know. With the GOP scrambling to
prevent further internal hemorrhaging, they see the value added by increasing
numbers with folk who have a taste for tea.
An interesting
Elephant Wrestlemania match is pending. The main event features the
tag-team of JB, RP, DW, and they now seek to introduce their newest team
member, “BIG T Party”! They don’t have a team name, but will be going up
against the team known throughout the state as “The Established Link”.
This team is composed of Big Daddy Mc, Tre’ Baller, and the Elephant, man.
Let’s all be sure to watch just how far out in middle of the mat DW goes with
BIG T. I hear the Established Link team has also made
contract overtures to BIG T Party, so there is a question of Party loyalty, for
sure, and no one wants to be bushwhacked by a supposed team member!
After all, there are
so many different Tea groups in Kentucky. I am trying to learn if they
have a consistent message; a common purpose and plan; a direction they are all
moving in together and one they all are in agreement with? I want to know
and understand this group, but they seem to be all over the road – and reckless
driving is dangerous. Get that corn popped – extra butter please -- and
put up your feet. This should be fun to watch!
It is the belief of
some knowlgeable individuals that Senate President David Williams was never
interested in having a budget. No need for one if he, too, has developed
a taste for tea and the Tea Baggers are insisting that government is
dysfunctional and not being able to pass a budget is proof.
By helping to
mobilize and shore up this new political ideology that is to the right of even
the state Republican party, Mr. Williams has clearly made his stand against the
Republican establishment; perhaps because of the angst he feels for not being
the Chosen One for the US Senate seat.
And is there anyone
who believes Mr. President might have overplayed his hand this session?
Rumor has it that an anthropologist found what might turn out to be backbone
material in the Senate Chambers this session. It is unknown just how old
this material might be, but it is currently being studied at a confidential UK
lab facility. When queried about why Dems in the Senate seemed to follow
the leader on the budget, I was advised it is commonly thought that it’s better
to go home with a budget. Really? Seems this session they violated
their own rule. . .
Governor Beshear has
certainly had a bumpy ride this session. Early in the session, he was all but
locked out of the process when his budget proposal was DOA. On the final
night of the session, he held a press conference, thumbed his nose at the
legislature and proclaimed, “I told you so”!
In reality, the
General Assembly had an opportunity this session to place itself in a position
of having unprecedented influence in future state budgets. We spoke of
this early on in the session. It proved to be an opportunity that has
been frittered away. Governor Beshear is right to call us back. The
Executive Office has been rehabilitated as it relates to the budget and the
office and this governor is, again, a major player. The governor,
however, now has a serious challenge. He has to now use the power of the
office to bring in the leadership of both chambers and he has to help forge the
compromise needed to get a budget. What if he cannot do this?
What incentive will there be for Williams to cooperate?