JDD Says "[Despite Being Down In The Polls], David Williams Can Win" Kentucky's Governor's Race.
David Williams can win
Written by John David Dyche
Kentucky Republicans are asking three questions. Can David Williams win for governor? If so, how? If not, can Todd P’Pool and James Comer win their races for attorney general and agriculture commissioner anyway?
Williams trails incumbent Democrat Steve Beshear by 24 percent in the Courier-Journal/WHAS11 Bluegrass Poll. Beshear has more money, too, raised largely from state appointees and employees. Williams’ campaign manager recently resigned.
The GOP nominee needs party unity. But some tea party types doubt Williams’ anti-tax credentials, and some establishment types dislike his opposition to expanded gambling.
Only one modern Kentucky Republican has trailed so badly in August and won in November: Mitch McConnell for Senate in 1984. But that federal race was fought under very different circumstances than this gubernatorial contest.
McConnell did not have high negatives like Williams. He also ran with popular President Ronald Reagan atop the Republican ticket. McConnell found an issue people understood — Huddleston’s missing votes to make paid speeches – and humorously used it in the game-changing “hound dog” ad.
Conventional wisdom claims Williams can win by tying Beshear to President Obama, who is anathema in Kentucky. Beshear and the other urban liberals comprising the Democrats’ ticket back Obama, of course, but connecting them for purposes of a state race is difficult. Beshear has been disingenuously distancing himself from Obama for months.
Nor can Williams portray Beshear as a big spender. Kentucky simply has not had money for Beshear to waste as brazenly as Democrats desire. So how can Williams win?
His best hope is the rare, risky strategy of running a positive campaign on the issues. When Williams attacks Beshear, he also reinforces his image as a bully. When he educates, he impresses listeners as the most knowledgeable person in Frankfort.
Williams has an agile mind full of plans for making Kentucky a better place. His specific ideas for dealing with Kentucky’s myriad problems include reforming taxes, state pensions, education, immigration, and anti-business labor laws. Beshear does not even pretend to have a platform.
At Fancy Farm, Beshear hid behind American soldiers’ bravery — which other Kentuckians have long recognized and honored — rather than engage Williams on substance. Beshear may boast newfound respect for the troops, but his evasive, superficial campaign shows disrespect for the citizens.
Perhaps Kentuckians are content with a do-nothing governor despite desperate times that demand bold leadership and dramatic action. Voters supposedly detest mudslinging. Williams should oblige and travel the high road.
If he wins, he will have a mandate for change. If he loses, he and the commonwealth would benefit from the informative campaign.
So what becomes of P’Pool and Comer, impressive candidates both? Winning “down ballot” races has been hard for Kentucky’s GOP. Trey Grayson and Richie Farmer did it in 2003 and 2007, the first time as Republican Ernie Fletcher won for governor and the second time as incumbents.
While denying it, P’Pool and Comer are smartly and subtly separating themselves from the rest of the Republican ticket. Cn/2’s Kenny Colston reports they may do a bus tour together come fall. GOP treasurer nominee K.C. Crosbie would make a terrific addition. Call it “Coal, Corn & Crosbie.”
P’Pool and Comer have vulnerable Democratic foes. After spending most of his term vainly pursuing a Senate seat, attorney general Jack Conway is promiscuously pursuing lawsuits and publicity. An adoring media, terrified of P’Pool’s potential, gives Conway headlines of unwarranted prominence. That same press gives Conway a free pass for stonewalling questions on the extent of his involvement in his brother’s drug investigation.
Comer’s opponent, the unqualified Bob Farmer, still faces fallout from his disparaging jokes about Eastern Kentucky. Some prominent Democrats are sensibly backing Comer. His biggest challenge remains making sure voters do not mistake Bob Farmer for Richie Farmer, the popular Republican lieutenant governor nominee.
P’Pool and Comer can and should win regardless of what Williams does. Williams can win, too. Beshear likes to say, “Leading by example is what being governor is all about.” Williams must give Kentuckians an example of a better governor.
Written by John David Dyche
Kentucky Republicans are asking three questions. Can David Williams win for governor? If so, how? If not, can Todd P’Pool and James Comer win their races for attorney general and agriculture commissioner anyway?
Williams trails incumbent Democrat Steve Beshear by 24 percent in the Courier-Journal/WHAS11 Bluegrass Poll. Beshear has more money, too, raised largely from state appointees and employees. Williams’ campaign manager recently resigned.
The GOP nominee needs party unity. But some tea party types doubt Williams’ anti-tax credentials, and some establishment types dislike his opposition to expanded gambling.
Only one modern Kentucky Republican has trailed so badly in August and won in November: Mitch McConnell for Senate in 1984. But that federal race was fought under very different circumstances than this gubernatorial contest.
McConnell did not have high negatives like Williams. He also ran with popular President Ronald Reagan atop the Republican ticket. McConnell found an issue people understood — Huddleston’s missing votes to make paid speeches – and humorously used it in the game-changing “hound dog” ad.
Conventional wisdom claims Williams can win by tying Beshear to President Obama, who is anathema in Kentucky. Beshear and the other urban liberals comprising the Democrats’ ticket back Obama, of course, but connecting them for purposes of a state race is difficult. Beshear has been disingenuously distancing himself from Obama for months.
Nor can Williams portray Beshear as a big spender. Kentucky simply has not had money for Beshear to waste as brazenly as Democrats desire. So how can Williams win?
His best hope is the rare, risky strategy of running a positive campaign on the issues. When Williams attacks Beshear, he also reinforces his image as a bully. When he educates, he impresses listeners as the most knowledgeable person in Frankfort.
Williams has an agile mind full of plans for making Kentucky a better place. His specific ideas for dealing with Kentucky’s myriad problems include reforming taxes, state pensions, education, immigration, and anti-business labor laws. Beshear does not even pretend to have a platform.
At Fancy Farm, Beshear hid behind American soldiers’ bravery — which other Kentuckians have long recognized and honored — rather than engage Williams on substance. Beshear may boast newfound respect for the troops, but his evasive, superficial campaign shows disrespect for the citizens.
Perhaps Kentuckians are content with a do-nothing governor despite desperate times that demand bold leadership and dramatic action. Voters supposedly detest mudslinging. Williams should oblige and travel the high road.
If he wins, he will have a mandate for change. If he loses, he and the commonwealth would benefit from the informative campaign.
So what becomes of P’Pool and Comer, impressive candidates both? Winning “down ballot” races has been hard for Kentucky’s GOP. Trey Grayson and Richie Farmer did it in 2003 and 2007, the first time as Republican Ernie Fletcher won for governor and the second time as incumbents.
While denying it, P’Pool and Comer are smartly and subtly separating themselves from the rest of the Republican ticket. Cn/2’s Kenny Colston reports they may do a bus tour together come fall. GOP treasurer nominee K.C. Crosbie would make a terrific addition. Call it “Coal, Corn & Crosbie.”
P’Pool and Comer have vulnerable Democratic foes. After spending most of his term vainly pursuing a Senate seat, attorney general Jack Conway is promiscuously pursuing lawsuits and publicity. An adoring media, terrified of P’Pool’s potential, gives Conway headlines of unwarranted prominence. That same press gives Conway a free pass for stonewalling questions on the extent of his involvement in his brother’s drug investigation.
Comer’s opponent, the unqualified Bob Farmer, still faces fallout from his disparaging jokes about Eastern Kentucky. Some prominent Democrats are sensibly backing Comer. His biggest challenge remains making sure voters do not mistake Bob Farmer for Richie Farmer, the popular Republican lieutenant governor nominee.
P’Pool and Comer can and should win regardless of what Williams does. Williams can win, too. Beshear likes to say, “Leading by example is what being governor is all about.” Williams must give Kentuckians an example of a better governor.
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posted by KYJurisDoctor at 8:08 AM
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