I know Beshear's approval rating is down. I know he is struggling to develop a coherent plan for Kentucky. I know he is worried about getting getting votes again in three years.
But isn't pardoning murders and rapists going a bit too far in attempting to boost the number of Democratic voters?
Fancy Farm is a small town in western Kentucky. It is the home of St. Jarome's Catholic church and the site of the state's most famous picnic. Way back in the summer of 1880, the members of the parish posted the following note in the Mayfield Monitor.
“There will be a barn dance, picnic and ‘gander pulling’ at Fancy Farm next Thursday. Those that have never seen the latter should turn out on this occasion. It will be interesting.”
It was held "down by the creek" where the trees gave shade for their summer picnic. The men played games while the women gathered to gossip about the latest news.
As the years wore on, it became an important event for the families and relatives of those who lived in this small settlement. In 1912, it moved from its original location to the parish's school to provide shelter in case of bad weather. It has remained there til this day.
Whenever you have a large gathering of people, the politicians are soon to follow. Back in the early days of the picnic, Kentucky's primaries were held in August. Since Fancy Farm was heavily Democrat it became a last chance for candidates trying to win the primary.
Eventually, Kentucky moved their primary back to May and Fancy Farm transformed from being a last chance effort to THE kickoff event for the fall campaign.
What makes Fancy Farm such a special event is that it is a throw back to the days where politicians would climb up on the back of a flatbed truck and deliver speeches to the cheers and jeers of the crowd. In this environment politicians lived and died based almost entirely upon their oratory skills.
The times have changed some since the early days. Both sides of the political spectrum are represented and partisan crowds show up to support their candidates and provide opposition to the other side. But the candidates still have to deliver good speeches to fire up their side and avoid ridicule from the other side.
It definitely tests the mettle of the candidates choosing to speak there.
This year promised to be an amazing year for the picnic. At first there was whispers that both Obama and McCain might show up for the event. I think it would have been refreshing to see these candidates who go from one photo op to another having to face a real crowd. But it was for that same reason, I knew that neither would attend the picnic.
Why face a potentially hostile crowd that could cause a national scene? At the end of the day there is little upside for either candidate to appear. Although it puts to a lie Obama's 57 state rhetoric, he doesn't need to come to Kentucky and neither does McCain. Kentucky is not a battle ground state. It isn't even close.
While I admit it would be fascinating if either candidate showed up, I am with Mark Herbet in feeling relief that neither candidate is going to be there. Why? Because it is a small community that can only be reached by taking a two lane road from the highway. If either candidate was going to be there, the crowd would be huge which would mean gosh awful traffic.
My concern for the traffic can mean only one thing. Yup, I am planning on going back to Fancy Farm. How can I pass up on missing McConnell's appearance. He is always the star of the show and especially so in years when he is running for re-election. As of now, I am planning on live blogging the event like I did last year. Hopefully I learned some lessons from attempting it last year.
I say planning because word on the streets today is that < href="http://www.beloblog.com/WHAS_Blogs/PoliticalBlogger/2008/07/bunning-mcconnell-might-miss-f.html">McConnell and Bunning may not be attending the festivities.
U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning says Senate business could keep him from attending this weekend's Fancy Farm picnic in western Kentucky. Bunning says he and U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell may be in Washington this weekend voting on an energy bill.
If that is the case, I am not sure I want to sit in 95 degree heat for a McConnell-less event. I have already reserved space at Kentucky Lake this weekend so I will be down in the area, but if McConnell isn't there I might just skip this year and spend time on the lake.
If McConnell does show up, then I'll definitely be there. For those who have never been, I highly recommend a trip. The BBQ is outstanding and this year's election should be a prime spectacle. If you go, I'll be the one sitting in a chair typing away on my bluetooth keyboard for my Palm Treo. Hopefully I'll see you there!
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