Thursday, 30 July 2009
The Battle For U.S. Senate Begins.
The Lexington Herald makes a valid point that some conservatives are wary of Trey Grayson. The article is both tough and fair yet could easily divide the Republican base in the primary. While the story may have some validity and I'll address it in a minute, the article is nothing less than the opening salvo attacking the Republican front runner. Why else was the article written? I would say it is good reporting, but we haven't seen anything nearly so tough on the Democrats. Where is the article asking if Conway is too liberal to win in Kentucky? For some reason the tough pointed articles are always aimed at Republicans. Gee, I wonder why?
But let's address the reality of the article. I understand why conservatives would be nervous about Trey. He confesses to being a conservative, but is he? He has never held an elected position that would confirm or deny the question. He has been Secretary of State. A role that is more of an administrative position than a partisan one. Up to this point, Mr Grayson has not had to take a partisan position or vote on any tough issue.
Republicans know that a strong conservative candidate, like Bunning, can win and hold this seat. With that in mind, it would be very disappointing to nominate and elected a moderate Republican. I know Trey Grayson has months to convince everyone he is the next Bunning, but it will do little to tell us how he will actually vote. The true concern among conservatives is that they don't want to be sold a bill of good like in conservative South Carolina. Not too long ago Lindsey Graham promised to be a conservative when he ran to replace Strom Thurmond, but he turned out to be a very squishy moderate. We don't want the same thing to happen here in Kentucky.
And we won't know if Trey will be more like the man he is trying to replace or more like Lindsey Graham of South Carolina until he actually begins casting votes in the Senate. That is what makes conservatives wary.
But let's address the reality of the article. I understand why conservatives would be nervous about Trey. He confesses to being a conservative, but is he? He has never held an elected position that would confirm or deny the question. He has been Secretary of State. A role that is more of an administrative position than a partisan one. Up to this point, Mr Grayson has not had to take a partisan position or vote on any tough issue.
Republicans know that a strong conservative candidate, like Bunning, can win and hold this seat. With that in mind, it would be very disappointing to nominate and elected a moderate Republican. I know Trey Grayson has months to convince everyone he is the next Bunning, but it will do little to tell us how he will actually vote. The true concern among conservatives is that they don't want to be sold a bill of good like in conservative South Carolina. Not too long ago Lindsey Graham promised to be a conservative when he ran to replace Strom Thurmond, but he turned out to be a very squishy moderate. We don't want the same thing to happen here in Kentucky.
And we won't know if Trey will be more like the man he is trying to replace or more like Lindsey Graham of South Carolina until he actually begins casting votes in the Senate. That is what makes conservatives wary.
Posted by at 7:07 AM in Kentucky Politics
