After yesterday's devastating loss, Lt Gov Mongiardo is out trying to spin the loss as no big deal.
Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo said this morning that he doesn't think the Republican victory in an Eastern Kentucky Senate race Tuesday will be a setback to the Beshear administration’s agenda.
His explanation falls flat. Let's do a quick recap of the pesky facts in the case. Mongiardo and Beshear colluded together after the election to withhold Mongiardo's senate resignation until he was sworn in as Lt. Governor. The reason for the subterfuge was to make sure that the special election took place during the legislative session. Allowing them to maximize their ability to influence in the district through financial threats.
Next, the two hand picked the nominee. Offering what appears to be a political appointment to one of the county officials who voted for their candidate. Mongiardo has spent his entire term in office down in the district campaigning for the Democratic nominee. Even Beshear made a couple of trips to the district. They promised financial give aways if the district voted Democrat.
Remember this is a district where Democrats outnumber Republicans 2 to 1. Even with party registration and the full power of the sitting governor, Beshear's hand picked candidate lost the race. I would have to think the results of such a race is a big deal. The consequences of which will probably derail his casino plans. The pressure on senators to vote against gaming has been relieved.
Now Beshear is in a real pickle. He came into office decrying the economic situation in state government to create an opening for gaming. Beshear began a plan to defund majority senate leader David William's district in an attempt to bully him into acquiescence. He was going to use the state senate race in the 30th to confirm his mandate on the casino issue and put further pressure on Williams to roll over.
The only problem is the whole plan backfired. In the process he has strengthened Sen Williams hand in Frankfort. On top of that, his hope for legalized gambling is on life support. His whining about the state budget has the tax and spend Democrats in the house looking to raise taxes. Beshear knows that raising taxes is a death sentence for his next re-election bid. Now instead of isolating Sen Williams, he will have to fight with Williams against tax increases. A position which will undoubtedly alienate the Democrats in the house. Or he can go along with tax increases and hope for the best in four years. Either way he is in trouble very early in his term.
