Eccentric, unpopular Kentucky senator Jim Bunning is retiring.
Kentucky Republican Sen. Jim Bunning bowed to political reality today, announcing that he would not seek a third term in 2010 — a move that drastically increases Republicans’ chances of holding the seat next fall.
“Over the past year, some of the leaders of the Republican Party in the Senate have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising,” said Bunning, referring to his testy relationships with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) and National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Cornyn (Texas). “The simple fact is that I have not raised the funds necessary to run an effective campaign for the U.S. Senate. For this reason, I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2010.”
McConnell took the high road in his quote, praising Bunning as having had “two Hall of Fame worthy careers” and adding: “I am honored to have worked by his side in the Senate for the past several years.” (Bunning won 224 games in 18 major league seasons and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.)
Well, there was a lot of chatter that this might happen, and this is definitely good news. Bunning is deeply unpopular amongst insiders — making him ineffective — has no compelling appeal to outsiders — making him pointless — and continually puts his foot in his mouth.
The question is, who do we want to replace him with? Secretary of State Trey Grayson is probably the frontrunner, although expect an interesting insurgent campaign by Rand Paul, son of Ron Paul. Both have formed exploratory committees in anticipation of a Bunning retirement announcement and will probably launch official campaigns in the coming weeks.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Go Rand Paul!
July 27th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
I’d take Grayson or Paul. May the best candidate win the nomination.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
This is really good news. Bunning is a crank. Sec. of State Grayson is the GOP’s best shot at holding this seat. What’s even better, the Dem’s have a really tough primary on their hands with the AG Conway facing off against Lt. Gov Mongiardo. With Grayson as the nominee, this seat probably moves back from “Possible Dem Takeover” to “Toss-Up”.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
RAND PAUL!
July 27th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I am 100% behind Grayson on this one. Grayson is young, energetic, has won convincingly even in non-GOP years and comes from Northern KY, which will benefit him with rural voters.
Keep an eye out for Dave Williams the current State Senate President and big time friend of Mitch McConnell. The interesting thing here is that McConnell’s former campaign adviser has been working with Grayson so it will be interesting to see what sort of dynamic happens between those 2. Grayson raised $600,000+ for his exploratory committee through June 30th. Conway raised $1.3m and Mongiardo raised $700,000ish.
On the Dem side Conway is much more of your D.C. Democrat being quite liberal on many fronts. Mongiardo fits much more into the mold of an old-time Southern Democrat. Conway will trounce Mongiardo in Louisville and probably Lexington while Mongiardo will most likely have the advantage in the rural areas. Conway is pro Cap and Trade while Mongiardo has come out against it stating that it will do major harm to the coal industry which is a staple industry in rural Kentucky.
July 27th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Just saw this headline, and it stood out to me. Sarah Palin is “Departing With a Whimper,” according to The Washington Monthly.
It’s a valid argument — but you wouldn’t know it to be true with how much over-the-top attention the media is giving her.
I’ll just re-iterate this, as a fairly neutral primary 2012 guy: I do think Rush Limbaugh is on to something when he says that Democrats fear Palin, and that this is why they try to destroy her (probably without even knowing it, themselves — last part from me, not Rush).
Link: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2009_07/019240.php
July 27th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Nigerian Islamist attacks spread: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/...
July 27th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Swedes quiz Venezuela on weapons: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/...
July 27th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
Swedes quiz Venezuela on weapons: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/...
July 27th, 2009 at 7:40 pm
Out of office, Palin remains a MoveOn target
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/07/27/out-of-office-palin-remains-a-moveon-target/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25KfNHn0wms
July 27th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Bunning can’t be too impressed with how McConnell treated him. You’ve got to wonder when two pols from the same side can’t get on in the same state.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
MSNBC’s Anchors & Guests Debate Sarah Palin’s “Hotness”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnK1lfuJVB0&eurl=
Unplugged: What’s Next for Sarah Palin?
Sarah Palin took a few parting shots at the media before stepping down as Governor of Alaska. John Dickerson spoke with CBS’ Scott Conroy and The Washington Post’s Dan Balz.
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5191517n
Sarah Palin’s farewell
http://blogs.ft.com/rachmanblog/2009/07/sarah-palins-farewell/
July 27th, 2009 at 8:05 pm
It is probably, Mr. Paul’s to lose.
July 27th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Grayson is our guy. We have at least an even money shot of holding this seat now. Our odds would have been considerably lower if Bunning stayed in. Very good news. Now the party needs to coax Castle into running and hold together against the Obama/Democrat agenda. United GOP = divided Dems. United GOP = MUCH better chances of the party retaining senate seats in OH, NH, and even MO.
July 27th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Personally, because of Kentucky’s Red Tint I would even call it a “Leans Republican” without Bunning.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
We need Paul in the Senate. Someone to be a big voice for the libertarian wing of the party. Focus on fiscal issues. Paul is the guy. A few more people like him and his dad in washington would go a long way to actually representing what the people want, and what is best for our country.
July 27th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Democrats fear Palin about as much as I fear ants (and I don’t fear ants).
July 28th, 2009 at 12:56 am
I would prefer Rand Paul. The Republican party could learn a lot from him and his father.
Even as a Dem, I acknowledge Ron Paul has done some good stuff in the House. I’m sure Rand would do the same.
Also, when will the ‘audit the Federal Reserve’ bill reach the House floor? There’s really no downside to it, even for people who like the idea of a fiat currency (like me).
July 28th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Do I really even have to say it?
Go Rand Paul. Duh. Bring on the moneybombs.
July 29th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Rand Paul supporters have a MoneyBomb planned for August 20th. Depending on how that does could determine who takes the lead for the nomination. Over a thousand pledges. Remember his dad raised alot of money in one day events.
Any supporters can pledge here.
http://runrandrun.com/