Buoyed By Polls Showing Him Leading David Williams, Steve Beshear Promotes Democratic Slate.
Beshear promotes Democratic ticket at rally
By BRUCE SCHREINER
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Riding high in the polls, Gov. Steve Beshear promoted the entire Democratic ticket Sunday as a team ready to tackle Kentucky's challenges as his party hopes for a possible sweep in Tuesday's election.
Flanked by his party's full slate, with the exception of his running mate, former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Beshear told a rally in Kentucky's second-largest city that "there's a huge difference" between the Democrats and Republicans vying for a host of statewide constitutional offices.
Beshear, who is seeking a second term in his race against Republican David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith, spent as much time plugging the slate as himself. He urged supporters to flock to the polls in the final weekend's get-out-the-vote efforts of the campaign.
The down-the-ballot races include contests for attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and agriculture commissioner.
"There's not a more highly qualified ticket that's ever been put up," Beshear said of the Democrats. "They're going to help me lead this state through the next four years."
Beshear looked relaxed and sounded confident as he prepared to face the voters after a challenging four years as Kentucky struggled to overcome a severe economic downturn that resulted in sluggish state tax collections and stubbornly high unemployment. Abramson spent the day campaigning on his home turf in Louisville.
U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, a Democrat who represents a central Kentucky district, predicted that Beshear is "going to win this election going away" and said "if he doesn't have any coattails I don't know who else would."
Chandler urged Democrats to avoid complacency amid polls that have shown Beshear holding commanding double-digit leads.
"If anybody thinks the governor is going to win and he doesn't need your vote, forget about that," he said. "You get out there and you vote because this entire ticket is crucial to the future of Kentucky."
Williams, who has been crisscrossing the state on a bus tour, did not have any rallies Sunday as the candidates prepared for their final sprint of campaign appearances on Monday.
State GOP Chairman Steve Robertson kept the GOP heat on Beshear, criticizing the incumbent on economic and social issues.
"Steve Beshear and the Democrats support Barack Obama's agenda," he said, trying to link the slate to a president who has never been popular in Kentucky. "They are not pro-life and they have not presented a plan for job creation."
Among the other candidates, Robertson singled out Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Bob Farmer for criticism. Farmer is running against Republican James Comer.
After their Lexington rally, the Democratic candidates headed on to northeastern Kentucky, then planned to cap a day of campaigning at Turfway Park, where Beshear hinted the topics might include "a little expanded gaming maybe" - his signature issue when he first won the governor's office in 2007.
Beshear has blamed Williams, the state Senate president, for standing in the way of legislation that would allow an expansion of gambling aimed at helping the state's horse industry compete against states that offer other forms of wagering. Williams, who opposes expanded gambling, said the governor lacked the political strength to get a measure through the Democratic-controlled House.
Beshear on Sunday repeated his common campaign theme of guiding Kentucky through turbulent economic times.
"It has been a tough time but we have met those challenges aggressively," the governor said.
Looking past the balloting, Beshear stressed a message of post-election unity in a state with a divided legislature - Democrats control the House and Republicans are in charge of the Senate.
"If there is one message that's going to be sent loudly and clearly on Tuesday, it is that people are ready for us to come together as Kentuckians, not as Democrats and Republicans, to move this state forward," he said.
By BRUCE SCHREINER
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Riding high in the polls, Gov. Steve Beshear promoted the entire Democratic ticket Sunday as a team ready to tackle Kentucky's challenges as his party hopes for a possible sweep in Tuesday's election.
Flanked by his party's full slate, with the exception of his running mate, former Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Beshear told a rally in Kentucky's second-largest city that "there's a huge difference" between the Democrats and Republicans vying for a host of statewide constitutional offices.
Beshear, who is seeking a second term in his race against Republican David Williams and independent Gatewood Galbraith, spent as much time plugging the slate as himself. He urged supporters to flock to the polls in the final weekend's get-out-the-vote efforts of the campaign.
The down-the-ballot races include contests for attorney general, secretary of state, auditor, treasurer and agriculture commissioner.
"There's not a more highly qualified ticket that's ever been put up," Beshear said of the Democrats. "They're going to help me lead this state through the next four years."
Beshear looked relaxed and sounded confident as he prepared to face the voters after a challenging four years as Kentucky struggled to overcome a severe economic downturn that resulted in sluggish state tax collections and stubbornly high unemployment. Abramson spent the day campaigning on his home turf in Louisville.
U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, a Democrat who represents a central Kentucky district, predicted that Beshear is "going to win this election going away" and said "if he doesn't have any coattails I don't know who else would."
Chandler urged Democrats to avoid complacency amid polls that have shown Beshear holding commanding double-digit leads.
"If anybody thinks the governor is going to win and he doesn't need your vote, forget about that," he said. "You get out there and you vote because this entire ticket is crucial to the future of Kentucky."
Williams, who has been crisscrossing the state on a bus tour, did not have any rallies Sunday as the candidates prepared for their final sprint of campaign appearances on Monday.
State GOP Chairman Steve Robertson kept the GOP heat on Beshear, criticizing the incumbent on economic and social issues.
"Steve Beshear and the Democrats support Barack Obama's agenda," he said, trying to link the slate to a president who has never been popular in Kentucky. "They are not pro-life and they have not presented a plan for job creation."
Among the other candidates, Robertson singled out Democratic agriculture commissioner candidate Bob Farmer for criticism. Farmer is running against Republican James Comer.
After their Lexington rally, the Democratic candidates headed on to northeastern Kentucky, then planned to cap a day of campaigning at Turfway Park, where Beshear hinted the topics might include "a little expanded gaming maybe" - his signature issue when he first won the governor's office in 2007.
Beshear has blamed Williams, the state Senate president, for standing in the way of legislation that would allow an expansion of gambling aimed at helping the state's horse industry compete against states that offer other forms of wagering. Williams, who opposes expanded gambling, said the governor lacked the political strength to get a measure through the Democratic-controlled House.
Beshear on Sunday repeated his common campaign theme of guiding Kentucky through turbulent economic times.
"It has been a tough time but we have met those challenges aggressively," the governor said.
Looking past the balloting, Beshear stressed a message of post-election unity in a state with a divided legislature - Democrats control the House and Republicans are in charge of the Senate.
"If there is one message that's going to be sent loudly and clearly on Tuesday, it is that people are ready for us to come together as Kentuckians, not as Democrats and Republicans, to move this state forward," he said.
Labels: Governor Steve Beshear
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