Tuesday, 2 February 2010

KY US Senate Money Game - Red Edition

The financial numbers are in for the first year and we have what amounts to a tie in fund raising between Grayson and Paul.

Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul grabbed the overall campaign fundraising lead in the GOP primary from Secretary of State Trey Grayson during the last quarter of 2009, according to reports filed with Federal Election Commission.
But Grayson still has more money on hand, spending slightly more than half of what Paul has spent during the early stages of his campaign, according to the reports.

Paul raised $1.8 million while Grayson raised $1.7 million in 2009. It doesn't get much closer than that when it comes to fund raising. Heading into 2010 Grayson has a slight lead because he has $1.4 million cash on hand while Paul only has $1.3 million on hand. The game is on between these two candidates. With a level playing field in regards to cash, the game will be decided by each campaign's message and ground game. It should prove to be a fascinating three month march to the primary.

Posted by brians at 10:27 PM in Kentucky Politics

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Are Democrats Scared Of Voters?

The Kentucky Senate today voted to approve a bill that would allow registered Independents to vote in whatever primary they desire.

The Senate has approved a bill that would allow registered Independents to vote in Republican and Democratic primaries in Kentucky.
The measure passed 25-12 largely along party lines with Republicans overwhelmingly favoring it. It now goes to the Democratic-controlled House where its chances for passage appear slim.

Why would Democrats oppose such a measure?

Democratic Sen. Jullian Carroll of Frankfort was among Democrats who were unwilling to allow the state’s 185,622 Independents the potential to sway the outcomes of the major party primaries.
The fear is that independents could sabotage an election by voting en masse for the weaker of major party candidates.

Why do the Democrats fear the voters so much? Personally, I oppose the measure, but not because I fear an upheaval in the voting process. Unlike Democrats, I don't fear the voters of the state. I oppose the bill based upon principal. I believe primaries are meant as a tool for parties to select their own nominees. If you aren't a member of the party, why should you get a vote for that party's nominee?

I would rather see an open primary where the top two candidates face off in the general if no one can obtain 50% of the vote. It would solve two problems. One it would allow voters a chance to vote for every candidate. Secondly, it would remove the whole party primary mechanism which limits a person's choice at the ballot box.