Senator Jim Bunning Bars Louisville Courier Journal Reporter, Joe Gerth, From Weekly Conference Calls. Do You See Ernie Fletcher Redo Here?

As many of you remember, when Ernie Fletcher first won election as Kentucky Governor, he -- or someone under his direction -- barred the Louisville Courier Journal from asking questions at press conferences.

The CJ reporters were directed to submit their questions in writing instead.

I thought that was a bone headed move, and when I was asked by the Governor what I thought needed to be changed, I told him to dispense with the "CJ rule".

I was happy when he immediately did so.

Since I am certain that Jim Bunning isn't going to ask for my opinion, I'll give it to him on this blog anyway -- I am certain someone in his office is reading this blog: Senator, dispense with the bone headed move.

Similarities between your re-election and Ernie Fletcher's disastrous re-election are starting to resemble one another.

First, you bar the CJ from asking questions, then you draw primary election challenges, and, finally, you win the primary but get blown away in the general election.

I know you are listening to some extremely Conservative guys and gals who are applauding your moves because they hate the Courier Journal.

You ought to listen to other voices outside of "your bunker" -- particularly, Moderate to right leaning folks like me who will be voting in the primary, and who will tell you what the world outside the bunker is really like.

Enough from me.

Read more from the CJ below:


Bunning bars C-J reporter from calls
By James R. Carroll

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky., has barred The Courier-Journal's political reporter from his weekly conference calls with Kentucky reporters.

Despite a request to be included in Tuesday's regular conference call, political reporter Joseph Gerth was not called by Bunning's office. Gerth had been participating in the conference calls since taking over the political beat in 2007.

When Gerth inquired about the omission, he said Bunning spokesman Mike Reynard told him the senator did not want him on the call.

Asked why, Reynard replied in a statement: "Senator Bunning holds these weekly conference calls with reporters to keep the citizens of Kentucky up to date on the legislative work he is doing for them here in Washington. It is clear that Joe Gerth has a political agenda, and we see no need to include a biased reporter like him on the call when Courier-Journal reporter Jim Carroll already participates each week."

Courier-Journal Managing Editor Ben Post said the newspaper objects to Bunning's decision.

"I find it troubling that the senator is unwilling to speak to our political reporter, who has been fair in representing the senator's views and actions," Post said. "And if there is an agenda, it is the senator's. Joe Gerth is a veteran reporter who asks tough questions, and it appears Sen. Bunning may be reluctant to answer them."

Gerth reported earlier this year that Bunning had predicted at a political event the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who has battled cancer. Bunning later apologized.

Gerth also has been regularly reporting on various controversies surrounding Bunning's plans to run for re-election in 2010, including the senator's political split with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

Gerth also contributed to a story about a Washington fundraiser this year, based on accounts from three sources, in which Bunning threatened to resign from the Senate and allow Kentucky's Democratic governor, Steve Beshear, to name his replacement. Bunning denied making such a threat.

This year, The Courier-Journal has often had two reporters participate in Bunning's weekly conference call because of the senator's frequent blunt remarks on various subjects, including his feud with McConnell; his relationships with other Kentucky political figures as he prepares his re-election race; and the importance of Bunning's seat in the GOP's effort to block Democratic dominance of the Senate.