The Political Bridge

Independent Poll Shows Rand Paul with a Big Lead in the Republican Senatorial Primary in Kentucky

Raleigh, N.C. –Rand Paul holds a large lead over Secretary of State Trey Grayson in Public Policy Polling’s first look at the race. Paul is up 44-25 on Grayson. 39% of likely primary voters have a favorable opinion of him to 13% unfavorable while 22% view Grayson positively to 15% unfavorable. Paul is winning the votes of conservatives by a 47-20 margin, while Grayson holds a 36-34 lead with moderates.

For more information on these data: Download PPP_Release_KY_1222

Joe Arnold of WHAS-TV Reports that Senate Republican Candidate Rand Paul is Polling Very Well in KY

Rand Paul supporters stuffed the ballot box in an online poll to persuade Public Policy to select the Kentucky U.S. Senate race as their final poll of 2009.  And it appears Paul got a stocking stuffer in return, according to the PPP. ".... the Kentucky general election numbers we'll release Wednesday show Rand Paul doing only one point worse than Trey Grayson against Jack Conway and three points worse against Dan Mongiardo."

For more on these data click Joe Arnold

River City Mayors Endorse Dr. Daniel Mongiardo(D-KY) in U.S.Senate Democratic Primary

NEWS RELEASE

December 17,  2009 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kim Geveden
(502) 682-2010
[email protected]

Annette Lee
(502) 498-4008x230
[email protected]

 

FRANKFORT --- A group of River City Mayors announced their endorsement of Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate Candidate Daniel Mongiardo in the Democratic Primary today. This group includes the mayors of seven cities along the Ohio River in Northern Kentucky.  The River City area, home to Sen. Jim Bunning and Sec. of State Trey Grayson, is considered one of the more conservative areas in the state.

“It is an honor to have the endorsement of the River City Mayors. I’m excited to have their support as we work together to expand economic opportunity and improve transportation in Northern Kentucky while creating jobs,” Mongiardo said.

“We’re proud to be standing with Dr. Dan.  He has the vision, determination and the independence that Kentucky needs in a senator.  We trust him to do what’s right for not just the river cities but all of Kentucky,” said Covington Mayor Denny Bowman.

“We need a Senator who will fight for Kentucky’s working families in Washington and I think Daniel Mongiardo is the best person for the job.  I’ve supported him in the past and I support him now.  He has the experience and the leadership abilities that I know will make him an excellent United States Senator,” added Jerry Peluso, Mayor of Newport.

In addition to Bowman and Peluso, the River City Mayors endorsing Mongiardo are Bellevue Mayor John “Jack” Meyer, Dayton Mayor Ken Rankle, Highland Heights Mayor Greg Meyers, Ludlow Mayor Ed F. Schroeder and Wilder Mayor Stanley Turner.

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The Dr. Rand Paul Campaign(R) for U.S. Senate in KY Has Been Raising a Bunch of Money

The Rand Paul for U.S. Senate campaign has amassed $500,000 in campaign contributions for the 4th quarter.

According to the campaign's website, it has raised nearly $1.7 million over the last eight or so months.

 

Senate Roll Call on the Lauterberg(D-NJ) Amendment to Provide for the Importation of Prescription Drugs

Home > Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote XML U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 111th Congress - 1st Session as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate Vote Summary Question: On the Amendment (Lautenberg Amdt. No. 3156 ) Vote Number: 378 Vote Date: December 15, 2009, 07:06 PM Required For Majority: 3/5 Vote Result: Amendment Rejected Amendment Number: S.Amdt. 3156 to S.Amdt. 2786 to H.R. 3590 (Service Members Home Ownership Tax Act of 2009) Statement of Purpose: To provide for the importation of prescription drugs. Vote Counts: YEAs 56 NAYs 43 Not Voting 1 Alabama: Sessions (R-AL), Nay Shelby (R-AL), Yea Alaska: Begich (D-AK), Nay Murkowski (R-AK), Yea Arizona: Kyl (R-AZ), Nay McCain (R-AZ), Nay Arkansas: Lincoln (D-AR), Yea Pryor (D-AR), Nay California: Boxer (D-CA), Yea Feinstein (D-CA), Nay Colorado: Bennet (D-CO), Nay Udall (D-CO), Yea Connecticut: Dodd (D-CT), Yea Lieberman (ID-CT), Yea Delaware: Carper (D-DE), Yea Kaufman (D-DE), Yea Florida: LeMieux (R-FL), Yea Nelson (D-FL), Nay Georgia: Chambliss (R-GA), Yea Isakson (R-GA), Yea Hawaii: Akaka (D-HI), Yea Inouye (D-HI), Nay Idaho: Crapo (R-ID), Yea Risch (R-ID), Yea Illinois: Burris (D-IL), Yea Durbin (D-IL), Yea Indiana: Bayh (D-IN), Yea Lugar (R-IN), Yea Iowa: Grassley (R-IA), Nay Harkin (D-IA), Nay Kansas: Brownback (R-KS), Yea Roberts (R-KS), Yea Kentucky: Bunning (R-KY), Yea McConnell (R-KY), Nay Louisiana: Landrieu (D-LA), Yea Vitter (R-LA), Nay Maine: Collins (R-ME), Nay Snowe (R-ME), Nay Maryland: Cardin (D-MD), Yea Mikulski (D-MD), Yea Massachusetts: Kerry (D-MA), Yea Kirk (D-MA), Yea Michigan: Levin (D-MI), Nay Stabenow (D-MI), Nay Minnesota: Franken (D-MN), Nay Klobuchar (D-MN), Nay Mississippi: Cochran (R-MS), Yea Wicker (R-MS), Nay Missouri: Bond (R-MO), Yea McCaskill (D-MO), Nay Montana: Baucus (D-MT), Yea Tester (D-MT), Yea Nebraska: Johanns (R-NE), Nay Nelson (D-NE), Yea Nevada: Ensign (R-NV), Yea Reid (D-NV), Yea New Hampshire: Gregg (R-NH), Nay Shaheen (D-NH), Nay New Jersey: Lautenberg (D-NJ), Yea Menendez (D-NJ), Yea New Mexico: Bingaman (D-NM), Nay Udall (D-NM), Nay New York: Gillibrand (D-NY), Yea Schumer (D-NY), Yea North Carolina: Burr (R-NC), Yea Hagan (D-NC), Yea North Dakota: Conrad (D-ND), Nay Dorgan (D-ND), Nay Ohio: Brown (D-OH), Nay Voinovich (R-OH), Yea Oklahoma: Coburn (R-OK), Nay Inhofe (R-OK), Yea Oregon: Merkley (D-OR), Nay Wyden (D-OR), Nay Pennsylvania: Casey (D-PA), Yea Specter (D-PA), Yea Rhode Island: Reed (D-RI), Yea Whitehouse (D-RI), Nay South Carolina: DeMint (R-SC), Nay Graham (R-SC), Nay South Dakota: Johnson (D-SD), Yea Thune (R-SD), Nay Tennessee: Alexander (R-TN), Yea Corker (R-TN), Nay Texas: Cornyn (R-TX), Yea Hutchison (R-TX), Yea Utah: Bennett (R-UT), Yea Hatch (R-UT), Nay Vermont: Leahy (D-VT), Nay Sanders (I-VT), Nay Virginia: Warner (D-VA), Yea Webb (D-VA), Nay Washington: Cantwell (D-WA), Yea Murray (D-WA), Yea West Virginia: Byrd (D-WV), Not Voting Rockefeller (D-WV), Yea Wisconsin: Feingold (D-WI), Nay Kohl (D-WI), Nay Wyoming: Barrasso (R-WY), Yea Enzi (R-WY), Yea

U.S. Senate Candidate Daniel Mongiardo(D-KY) Denounces EPA Decision to Regulate Greenhouse Gas Emissions as Attack on Kentucky’s Economy and Coal Industry

Urges Conway to Join Him in Standing Up for Kentucky’s Working Families

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FRANKFORT – Lt. Governor and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Mongiardo today strongly denounced as an “attack on Kentucky’s economy and coal industry” the Federal Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement that it would begin drafting regulations to selectively limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emission without waiting for Congressional action.
 
Mongiardo said, “While the EPA may have the legal authority to regulate greenhouse gas emission, its decision to move forward unilaterally without Congressional action risks endangering Kentucky’s weak economy, without realizing any significant environmental benefits.  It defies common sense.  The EPA’s decision to selectively regulate gas emissions only at power plants, refineries and large, energy-intensive industries will fall hardest on states like Kentucky.  If this ill-conceived plan is allowed to go forward, it will cost Kentucky more jobs and increase electric rates significantly more for Kentucky consumers and damage Kentucky’s economy more relative to other states.”
 
Mongiardo challenged his Democratic Primary opponent, Attorney General Jack Conway, to join him in denouncing the EPA’s decision to develop and selectively enforce regulations governing GHG emissions, “I am calling on Jack Conway to join me in taking a clear and decisive stand for Kentucky’s working families, condemn this Administration’s decision and urge Congress to take the necessary action to stop it.  Our families and our state’s economy are hanging by a thread.  Now is not the time for expressing ‘strong concerns’ or 'serious reservations.' Now is the time for standing up and being counted.  Will Jack Conway stand up for Kentucky’s working families and be counted?” Mongiardo asked.
 
Mongiardo jumped on EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson’s statement that her decision to selectively enforce greenhouse gas emissions regulations on some industries were reasonable, common-sense steps that would improve the environment “without placing an undue burden on the businesses that make up the better part of our economy.”

Mongiardo said, “Either Ms. Jackson has anointed herself as the sole arbiter of deciding what is a ‘good’ business and what is a ‘bad’ business or she is saying that she and EPA regulators under her direction – will decide which businesses, which states’ economies and which states’ consumers will bear the greater share of the costs for complying.  Either way, the audacity of such a statement is absolutely outrageous.  No bureaucrat should ever wield such unchecked power – to decide who will be ‘winners’ and who will be the ‘losers.’  Mongiardo added, “The fact is selectively imposing new emission regulations on some greenhouse gas emitters, but not all is blatantly unfair and should be unlawful.  By the agency’s own admission, refineries, power plants and large, energy-intensive industries account for only half of all GHG emissions.  Why is Ms. Jackson not applying the same rules and regulations to the other half?  Is it because doing so would be politically untenable?  Congress must assert itself and either change the law or withhold funding if the EPA insists on pursuing this ill-conceived path.”
 

 

WAVE-3 TV is Reporting that U.S. Senate Candidate Daniel Mongiardo(D-KY) Wants Kentucky to Serve as a Hub for the Proposed National High-Speed Rail System

NEWPORT, KY (AP) - Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo says if he is elected to the U.S. Senate, he will propose extending a passenger rail system into the state to serve as a hub for the country.

Mongiardo says his plan calls for two types of local passenger rail connected to a national high-speed rail system being proposed by the Obama administration...

U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Daniel Mongiardo (D-KY) Supports Dorgan-McCain Amendment Allowing For Importation of Prescription Drugs

NEWS RELEASE

December 11, 2009 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contact: Kim Geveden
(502) 682-2010
[email protected]

Annette Lee
(502) 498-4008x230
[email protected]

Urges  Kentucky Senators To Support Measure To Reduce Costs and Increase Competition in Drug Market for Kentucky's Families and Seniors

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FRANKFORT --- Lt. Governor and U.S. Senate Candidate today voiced his support of the “Pharmaceutical Market Access and Drug Safety Act” that would allow for the import of FDA-approved prescription drugs.  Costs of these drugs from overseas are often much cheaper than in the United States. The amendment was introduced this week by Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Sen. John McCain (R-A.Z.).   The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has stated this plan would save the government $19.4 billion over the next decade.
 
“I strongly support allowing the importation of FDA-approved prescription drugs from Canada and other countries with safety standards comparable to the United States.  I urge Senators McConnell and Bunning to support this common sense measure to lower prescription drug costs. The last thing people should have to worry about is whether to fill a prescription or put food on the table. This bill would increase competition and drive down healthcare costs. As a doctor, I feel that this is a long overdue step to make sure Kentucky families and seniors get the prescription drugs they need at a cost they can afford,” Mongiardo said.

 

 

A Non-Political Blog on All-things Louisville Takes a Close Look at Dr. Dan Mongiardo's(D-Candidate for U.S. Senate) Mass Transit Proposal

(December 3, 2010, Dr Dan Mongiardo, Lt Governor of Kentucky and candidate for U.S. Senate proposed a rapid access monorail (RAM) serving Louisville.)

 

Broken Sidewalk. Com had this analysis of the RAM system:

 

On paper, the RAM system is vastly superior to any alternative. The level of service seems reminiscent of the heavy rail subway systems in places like New York and London in peak hours, without the crush of bodies or sky-high fares.  

. If RAM can get into that study, and back up its claims, it seems like there’s a good chance the system would get built and become an international success...

 

To read more of this analysis click RAM 

Conway(D-KY) Heralds His U.S. Senate Campaign Team

For Immediate Release

 Contact: Allison Haley

December 8, 2009

 Office Phone: 502-632-1820

www.JackConway.org

 Mobile Phone: 859-539-5430

 [email protected]

LOUISVILLE – The U.S. Senate campaign of Democratic candidate Jack Conway announced his campaign team today. The team includes some of the Democratic Party’s top advisors, leading experts on winning tough battleground states and unmatched Kentucky success.

”We have put together one of the best teams in the country. This team will allow us to execute a professional plan to win back Wendell Ford’s U.S. Senate seat. I welcome our new members of the team, Jonathan Drobis and Allison Haley, and I look forward to a great year ahead," Conway said.

Jack Conway’s Team includes: 

•  Media Strategist: Mandy Grunwald of Grunwald Communications has served President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on both her Presidential and Senate campaigns, Senators Ken Salazar, Al Franken, Jeanne Shaheen, and Amy Klobuchar as well as numerous other national leaders. Grunwald also worked for Kentucky Senator Wendell Ford and Governor Wallace Wilkinson.
• Campaign Manager: Jonathan Drobis. Drobis has experience in nearly every component of campaigning from working with field operations on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign to political strategy and direct mail with a prominent consulting firm to his most recent position as Deputy Campaign Manager for Bill Thompson, Democratic candidate for Mayor of New York City.
• Press Secretary: Allison Haley. Haley is one of the most experienced communication experts in Kentucky having served as Communications Director for Bruce Lunsford’s U.S. Senate campaign, the Kentucky Democratic Party and House Speaker Pro Team Larry Clark’s office and as a long-time political reporter.
• Media Strategist and General Consultant: Mark Riddle of Fletcher Rowley Riddle, has served as Conway’s longtime advisor. His media firm has elected over a dozen Members of Congress and numerous leaders across the country. FRR, Inc has worked for Attorney General Jack Conway, now Congressman Ben Chandler, Mayor Jerry Abramson, Mayor Jim Newberry and elected leaders across Kentucky.
• Pollster and Senior Strategist: Pete Brodnitz of Benenson Strategy Group was named Pollster of the Year in 2007. Brodnitz’s firm polls for President Barack Obama, the Democratic National Committee and DSCC Chair Senator Bob Menendez. Their work includes huge Democratic wins for Tim Kaine for Governor, Senators Jim Webb, Jeff Merkley the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, among others.
• Direct Mail and Senior Strategist: Joe Hansen of Ambrosino, Muir & Hansen, a leading direct mail firm that currently represents 20 US Senators and 14 Governors. AM&H was also chosen as the Western region mail firm for the Obama campaign. Joe Hansen has been active in Democratic campaign for 25 years. He has managed 4 successful US States Senate campaigns, and has served as the executive director of the DSCC in the 2000 cycle.
• Research and Strategic Positioning: Benjamin Jones of New Partners has served as a lead research strategist with the Obama campaign and the DNC during the 2008 election cycle, and served as Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's director of research during the 2001-2005 election cycles. Jones has worked with more than 65 campaigns in 27 states, including U.S. Senate, congressional, gubernatorial, mayoral and state legislative races.
• Senior Advisor: Charles Halloran of DC-based Spectrum partners boasts a career spanning from Bill Clinton’s New Hampshire Primary through his work at the Democratic National Committee, DCCC and Capitol Hill. Halloran is one of the top campaign operatives in the country, and will now primarily be assisting the campaign from his office in DC. He recently served as general consultant to five winning congressional races in 2008 and played an integral role in Conway’s record-breaking fundraising effort while serving as interim campaign manager.

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