Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Why is Stumbo Running for Lieutenant Governor?

Ever since the Lunsford/Stumbo announcement, I have been asking myself why Stumbo isn't at the top of the ticket? He is the highest ranking Democrat in the state and as such probably has a number of lackeys in the state party infrastructure. He has years of legislative experience and has won a statewide election. Plus his ego is the size of Kentucky. Lunsford, his ticket mate, doesn't have any of those things with the exception of the large ego. So why is Stumbo settling for second fiddle?

I have a theory why Stumbo isn't running for governor. He is lazy.

I think he looked at what it would take to raise the hundreds of thousands of dollars he would need to win the primary and said "Nah, I'll find someone who can self fund the campaign". Better yet, if he wins he gets the prestige and honor of being Lt. Governor without having to do any work. We all know that Lt. Governors don't do anything, but wait to see if the Governor dies.

I only have to look back at his quote last week about being Governor for all of the proof I need.

���The governor���s job is a full-time job���
Let me para-phrase. The governor's job is a lot of work, and I am not wanting to do it. Heck if we look at his tenure as AG, we can't find where he has pursued anything other than Fletcher with any zeal.

I think he wants all of the power and accolades of being a "leader" without having to do any of the work necessary to get there and stay there. That is why he isn't running for re-election and he isn't at the top of the ticket.

Posted by elendil at 11:54 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Tuesday, 30 January 2007

Lunsford/Stumbo '07

It is official. Lunsford and Stumbo are teaming up to form the ethically challenged ticket in an effort to win the Democratic party.

Saying he would spend "whatever it takes" to win, millionaire Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford announced yesterday that he would run for governor in the May 22 Democratic primary.

"This time, I really feel a calling," said Lunsford, 59, who spent more than $8.1 million in the race four years ago, only to abort his campaign four days before the primary.

As expected, Lunsford announced that his running mate for lieutenant governor would be Attorney General Greg Stumbo.

He said Stumbo, who served more than two decades in the state House and was Democratic floor leader before being elected attorney general four years ago, has an unparalleled knowledge of politics and state government.

"We have a state that's on its backside. And if there's anybody that knows how to get up off their backside, it's me and it's Greg," Lunsford said at a news conference.

I couldn't have written a better script than to have these two guys team up together.

First we have Lunsford who knows all about the "backside" of business. His shady dealings with nursing home company Vencour are well known. First there were the questionable policies for home residents. And worse, the complete screwing of employees and stockholders by misrepresenting the companies financial situation. All while he made off with millions of dollars.

Then we have Stumbo. He has all kinds of "ethical" problems. On the personal side, he refused to pay child support for child until DNA evidence proved he was the father. On the political side, he spent two decades in the state house were he had close ties with everyone nailed in the Boptrot scandal.

Now by running for Lt. Governor, he confirms what many of us have already known. That his tactics as AG were nothing more than an attempt to damage Governor Fletcher so he could run for a higher office. I almost forget to mention the ethics panel ruling that said his candidacy would be a "conflict of interest".

I can't wait to hear these guys excoriate Fletcher for his ethical problems. That will definitely be the pot calling the kettle black.

Posted by elendil at 2:41 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Thursday, 25 January 2007

Quote of the Day

From Pol Watchers

But Stumbo said his wife, Mary Karen Stumbo, and he have a 7-year-old daughter, Kassidy, and they did not want to miss seeing their child grow up.

���The governor���s job is a full-time job,��� Stumbo said, noting that he ���really missed a lot��� when his children from a previous marriage were young.

And here I thought the Attorney General job was a full time job. Silly me!

Posted by elendil at 11:08 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Beshear Wants To Limit Pardons

Beshear, in an attempt to make political hay from Fletcher's pardons came out today with an idiotic idea for limiting the Governor's pardon powers.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Beshear called Thursday for the General Assembly to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow governors to issue pardons only to people who have been convicted of crimes.

Beshear, a Lexington attorney and former lieutenant governor, said Gov. Ernie Fletcher, a Republican, abused his pardon power in 2005 when he issued a blanket pardon of everyone ��� except himself ��� in a criminal investigation of his administration���s hiring practices.

���The power to pardon was never meant to allow a governor to hide criminal acts by his political friends from the public,��� he said.

It is obvious that this proposal is a "backlash" against the blanket pardons issued last year by the Governor. (I didn't hear calls for these types of proposals when Democrats (ie Patton) were pardoning their cronies for much more egregious offenses). And like most "backlash" legislation it is a horrible idea.

The first question we need to answer is should the Governor be able to pardon people? The answer is yes for one simple reason. It provides a balance to the judicial system by allowing the Governor to free an individual who was wrongly convicted of a crime Otherwise the judicial system would have the only say in a person's punishment whether it is wrong or right. There is no other way for the judicial system to review any case.

Knowing this, what difference does it make when a person is pardoned? By forcing the person to be convicted you are subjecting them to unimaginable court costs when they would have been pardoned anyway. Heck If a governor was going to pardon someone then I would rather they did it up front than later for no other reason than to save the taxpayers a bunch of otherwise wasted money. Let the voters decide if the Governor's decision was right or wrong instead of introducing stupid constitutional amendments.

Posted by elendil at 11:04 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Wednesday, 24 January 2007

U.S. and Energy

This comment was excellent and I wanted to promote it to the front page along with my thoughts.

As much as I'm a proponent of Adam Smith's policies (and Hayak's and Schumpeter's), I frankly don't see how we can accomplish such an awesome task as diversifying our energy supply without the federal government.

I think we need federal funding for energy research, in particular. I'm particularly interested in coal technology.

By saying we shouldn't invest public dollars in alternatives aren't we saying that public dollars already spent on subsidizing the current regime are ok? Think of how much it costs us, in treasure and blood, to keep the Middle East stable.

Dick Lugar had a good article about this issue a few months back in the National Interest.

Here's the link: http://www.nationalinterest.org/Article.aspx?id=10852

I think this argument falls into the trap that proponents of "big government" want you to believe. First they want you to believe that our economy is so dependent on oil and fragile that it would fall apart with high oil costs. We must intervene in the middle east to make things stable so we can keep the price of oil cheap.

I have a hard time believing that for two reasons. One, I think our economy is flexible enough to make the changes necessary to succeed if oil prices rise sharply. Secondly, if oil is going to be an albatross then let the prices rise! I guarantee that given a few years of gas prices over $4 or $5 dollars you would have replacement technologies. The only reason we don't see "alternative fuels" today is because gas is under $2.50 a gallon.

Why do I believe that? Because everything I have read on alternative fuels show the they becomes viable when gas prices rise to over $3 a gallon. Heck it even becomes viable to mine the "dirty oil" up in Canada at that point. It is for this reason, that I don't worry about being held hostage by the oil producing countries. Because at some point if prices do get high enough, it does become cheaper to use alternative fuels. At that point those "oil countries" will be screwed and return to being desert wastelands. And they know it. Do you think it is coincidence or luck that oil prices have come back down since their high point last year? I don't.

Posted by elendil at 11:16 PM in National Politics
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Fletcher Has Been A Horrible Governor?

It looks like the jobless rate in Kentucky down to 5.2%. That is just horrible. For me, I don't see how we can not stand another four years of his leadership.
Posted by elendil at 10:53 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Tuesday, 23 January 2007

Bush on Energy and Alternative Fuels

One of the low points of President Bush's state of the union was when he meandered into the area of "alternative fuels". During this segment I couldn't tell the difference between him and the liberals who run Congress.

It is in our vital interest to diversify America's energy supply -- and the way forward is through technology. We must continue changing the way America generates electric power -- by even greater use of clean coal technology ... solar and wind energy ... and clean, safe nuclear power. We need to press on with battery research for plug-in and hybrid vehicles, and expand the use of clean diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel. We must continue investing in new methods of producing ethanol -- using everything from wood chips, to grasses, to agricultural wastes.

We have made a lot of progress, thanks to good policies in Washington and the strong response of the market. Now even more dramatic advances are within reach. Tonight, I ask Congress to join me in pursuing a great goal. Let us build on the work we have done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next ten years -- thereby cutting our total imports by the equivalent of three-quarters of all the oil we now import from the Middle East.

To reach this goal, we must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017 -- this is nearly five times the current target. At the same time, we need to reform and modernize fuel economy standards for cars the way we did for light trucks -- and conserve up to eight and a half billion more gallons of gasoline by 2017.

While I agree that it is on our vital interest to diversify American's energy supply, I don't think the government should play any part in the process. Let's let the "free market" determine what alternative fuels should be used. Adam Smith teaches us that we must use the scarce resources that are given us to create goods that people want at the price they are willing to pay. By doing so, the raw resources are turned into something more valuable than their natural state. Any disruptions to the natural market creates a waste of these resources. By requiring "mandatory standards" and "government backed proposals", we are artificially valuing resources and propping up technologies that could not stand on their own merits. In the process we are not only wasting resources, but we are wasting the taxpayers money.

Only when we get out of the way and let the free market work can we find truly innovative and cost effective alternative fuels. For some reason, I don't see Congress and this president pursuing this avenue. They are too busy finding ways for government to solve the problems instead of removing impediments for this countries citizens to find solutions.

Posted by elendil at 11:52 PM in National Politics
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Monday, 22 January 2007

Battle Lines Are Forming

In the upcoming Republican Gubernatorial war, the battle lines are being drawn. Apparently the war will be a fight between urban Republicans and their rural counterparts. Fletcher has gotten the endorsements from 15 of the 20 Republican senators. Most of which are from rural Kentucky. Meanwhile Northup has gotten the backing of a few senators from Louisville and Lexington, and of course Jim Bunning (Although I don't know how that helps her any) In addition she appears to have the backing from the state party and the Louisville GOP, while Fletcher has rounded up support from the Republican Judge Executives in Northern and Southern Kentucky. All of which leaves Harper's campaign on life support.

It will be interesting to see if Northup will be able to shed her moderate label and make inroads out in the state. Especially the rural parts which have a strong distrust of Louisvillians. On the other hand Fletcher will have to take his message to the urban areas to pick off enough votes to guarantee a win and avoid a run off. Of course, I don't know what Northup's message is going to be? Other than the scandal, how has Fletcher been a poor Governor? Where has Fletcher been less than conservative? I don't see a lot of people talking about what a poor governor he has been. Which makes this whole thing seems absolutely pointless to me.

I don't see how anyone wins in this whole mess and that saddens me. That amount of money that will be spent on this primary is going to be astronomical. The winner will have at best a divided base. Making you wonder if the victor will have only won a Pyrrhic victory. You think that the Republicans would have need to be in power for more than 3 years before this bitter infighting would occur. I guess not.

Posted by elendil at 11:09 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Wednesday, 17 January 2007

Congress is Bad For the Economy

One of the promises by the Democrats in the upcoming session is that they plan to work more than the Republicans. That is going to be bad for the economy. Literally!

Check out this study by The Club for Growth. The study tracks the effect on the stock market when Congress is in session. The results don't reflect positively on Congress. After reading this report, it seems to me that the wise action would be to shorten the sessions of Congress down to a few days each year. It appears that such a course of action would do wonders for the economy!

Posted by elendil at 11:45 PM in National Politics
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Tuesday, 16 January 2007

Kentucky's Republican Party Civil War Begins

Up until now their have only been skirmishes between sides within the Republican party. Now, the war has begun.

Posted by elendil at 11:55 PM in Kentucky Politics
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Why Would Brohm Come Back?

I have been listening to a number of call in shows that have been flooded with talk about Brian Brohm's decision to come back for his senior season. Almost everyone seemed to think he should have gone pro instead of coming back. They all were citing the fact that he could be injured and out the millions he would have received coming out early. Most seemed to think that this was great for U of L, but bad for Brian. Personally, I think he decided to come back for his senior year because of the money and not from loyalty to the school.

Why? Because his draft stock is going to only go up next year. Now that Brohm comes back he vaults himself to the top of the quarterbacks in next year's draft. If he has a great year, he will end up a top 3 pick. That would secure him 30 - 50 million dollars instead of the 10 million he would have made this year. So you see he could very easily make "more" money by coming back for his senior season.

But what about the possibility of being injured? Minimal. He is a quarterback and not a running back. Quarterback's just don't get hit very often. On the other hand I understand why Bush left early, the chance of injury is much greater for him.

So I don't buy the "he did it for the school" routine. I think him and his family made the shrewd business decision by staying in school. And by doing so Brian gets the nice perk of having his status elevated to legendary in Louisville.

Posted by elendil at 11:36 PM in Sports Topics
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Sunday, 14 January 2007

Bad Economics = Bad Legislation

This week saw the opening up of the 110th Congress. It also marked the first time since 1994 that the house was controlled by the Democrats. So what does Speaker Pelosi's crew do in the first week? They pass what I am sure will be just the first of a series of idiotic pieces of legislation. The bill had two parts:

  1. A wage subsidy for unskilled workers, paid for by
  2. A tax on employers who hire unskilled workers.

What they did was pass legislation to create a tax which would be used to subsidize unskilled workers. Unfortunately it would only be a tax levied against employers who actually hire unskilled workers. That is completely asinine. Let's create a "subsidy" for the poor but then create a disincentive for employers who need unskilled workers.

Why would anyone ever consider such stupid legislation? This is a joke right? Nope, that is exactly what the Democrats (and a large number of Republicans) did when they voted to increase the minimum wage.

Posted by elendil at 11:45 PM in National Politics
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Thursday, 11 January 2007

Northup: Please Don't Run

I have followed Northup's career for a number of years and have met her several times. She is undoubtedly one of the most impressive people I have ever met. She is a genuinely nice person who people want to be around. Her work ethic is second to none, and she has shown that she can raise n incredible amount of money for her campaigns.

It is a shame that she lost in November to ultra liberal Yarmuth because she truly reflected the average person in the third district as a moderate Republican. Personally, I think she should wait until 2008 and have a rematch with Yarmuth when the national scene will probably be more favorable. What she souldn't do is run for Governor. It would be an unmitigated disaster for the Republican party.

Why? First off, the Fletcher campaign will be able to shred her in the primary because she is a moderate. The fact that she gets C's and D's from the NRA shows that she has a history of being anti-gun. In fact I believe she voted against the concealed carry legislation when she was a state representative. On top of that, her years in Congress show her to be the queen of pork. There is no way she could claim the mantel of fiscal conservatism. And lastly she is from Louisville. Outside of the metro area in Kentucky, Louisville is a four letter word. Being from there will be yet another strike against her.

What does that mean for the primary? It means that Northup is going to have an up hill battle to win the nomination. It will not be as easy as those backing her believe it will be because of the reasons previously stated. That means a bloody and expensive battle where the winner will be damaged and penniless.

Let's say Northup wins the primary. The key to a Republican victory in the fall will be western Kentucky. With Northup's exposure as a gun hating moderate in the primary, the Democrats will have a chance to run to the right of her. Combine her political record with the fact that she is from Louisville and I believe the Dems will recapture the western part of the state. Negating any advantage Northup might have in Jefferson county. Securing a Democratic victory in the fall.

Now if Fletcher wins, whatever Northup's team digs up on Fletcher will only be used against him in the fall campaign. She will also have successfully drained him of any financial advantage he may have had going into the fall election.

Not only that, but a divisive primary will split the party which is still the minority in the state and will weaken whoever the nominee is. And in a state where Republicans are still in the minority, it seems like a difficult way to maintain power.

So please Northup don't run. It will end badly for the party and we will assuredly lose the Governor's mansion.

Posted by elendil at 11:42 PM in Kentucky Politics
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New Years Resolution

One of the things I love about the New Year is the illusion that you can make a clean start. It is a time of 'resolutions'. Where you can reinvent yourself in preparation for the upcoming year.

I call it an illusion because you can change anytime you want at any point during the year. There is nothing special about the flipping of a new calendar year. Yet at the same time, there is something magical about the start of a new year. A feeling in the air that anything is possible.

I know I have fallen prey to the new year hype. And because of it I have decided to make some resolutions for the new year. One of which is to increase the amount of posting I will do on this site. Of course we are well into the new year and guess what? This is my first post of the year. So much for resolutions.

Unfortunately, I didn't have all of my ducks in a row to start the year so I have been scrambling to get my goals and plans in place for this year before to much of January slipped away.Fortunately, now that I have my goals for the year in place, I am ready to roll. So look for much more activity from me this year from this point forward.

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Posted by elendil at 2:09 PM in Announcements
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Monday, 1 January 2007

Happy New Year

I want to wish everyone a happy new year.

Posted by elendil at 11:54 PM in Announcements
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