The Truth by RDemocrat
Cross posted from Daily Kos, Swing State Project, and BlueGrassRoots
The question of the Senate race in Kentucky is coming down to the question not of, do we want to replace Mitch McConnell, but who will be best to replace Mitch McConnell in the fall. I am one Democrat that would never entertain the thought of not only voting for McConnell but indeed NOT VOTING AGAIMST HIM. You can bet this is one Democrat that will be voting for our nominee.
That being said this is one Democrat that that wants to vote for what he fights for. In this election year I just see no reason why Democrats can’t stand up and fight as Democrats without shame. It works when it is tried.
Now, I admit at the beginning of this process, I didn’t know who Greg Fischer was. I originally supported Greg Stumbo, former A.G. of Kentucky to run against McConnell. He made a trip to talk to the DSCC and never came back. Well, not as a candidate for Senate at least.
Then I went to automatic second choice Andrew Horne. His fate is more widely publicized and known than Greg Stumbo’s, but were basically the same. I went through a month when I didn’t know who I would vote for in that race, and I will admit lost interest in it to a certain degree. I like Kenneth Stepp a lot, but realized the problems he would have. He is a great Democrat though. I talked to the Cassaro campaign, and will admit those are some class folks who did respond over there. I just didn’t feel their views matched up with mine.
I began to think that I would have to vote for Bruce Lunsford, holding my nose and hoping that he voted my fight at least 50% of the time if he won. McConnell is after-all 0%. At least it would be an improvement.
But then in support of Heather Ryan I went to an event in Benton to meet with the DEC there. Greg Fischer showed up at the same meeting. After it was over he came up and wished Heather luck in her fall election. He said how he really hoped he would be on that ticket to. He asked my name, and for my support and I flat out told him there were a few things I was concerned about. He took the time to talk to me about his views on healthcare as I told him that I was recently stricken with Type 1 Diabetes.
Greg Fischer won my vote that day. Although he never said anything about the Presidential race, his views and statements seemed to have an Edwards Populist ring to them. From healthcare, to Fair Trade, to a sensible exit from Iraq, to fighting Corporate Greed, fighting for workers, all down the line, he shared my views, and wanted to fight for them. He would be an excellent Senator for a new Democratic President.
Now, I hate to trash Democrats, but I am never going to be anyone’s robot. (Not insinuating anyone is.) I can speak out on even my party and it’s candidates if I feel they are wrong. That is my right and I will do so. There are many things that can be used against Bruce Lunsford, but this one is foremost to me:
Do I even have to comment on that? Add to that his past contributions to Republicans up to and INCLUDING Mitch McConnell!!!, leads me to believe that he will not fight for me, and will turn coat more times than not. I mean, the whole time I was fighting uphill fights for Democratic candidates in several races Bruce Lunsford fought against me. I don’t dislike the man personally, but that is just the truth of reality.
Reality is I support Greg Fischer in the Democratic Primary for U.S. Senate. His truth is my truth, as summed up here:
Help Greg Fischer win here:
http://www.actblue.com/page/wkyditchmitch
Best wishes fellow Democrats!!
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Winning on the groud
April 22 Northern Kentucky
I had the pleasure of accompanying Greg’s wife, Alex to the Campbell County Democratic Woman’s Club Dinner at the Syndicate in Newport. The event was a fine success and a true testament to the return of the active, powerful Northern Kentucky Democrats. Congratulations to President Diana Darnell and the entire club on this great event! Once again the Fischer team crushed the opposition with the show of support. Of those in attendance, at least half wore Fischer stickers, including some considered the opposition’s endorsers. The “other” campaign, with candidate in tow, managed to find as many people to wear their stickers as they had yard signs in the right-of-way and, coincidentally, empty seats at their table (5).
Congratulations and thanks to the newly elected executive committee who all publicly supported our campaign. Our table was lucky enough to have three executive committee members and the vice chair Sue Orth, Pam Mader, as well as Ken Muliken and NKY Young Democrats’ president Katie Henderson. Thanks to Gov. Beshear and NKY Cental Labor Council President Jim Cole for their call to action in this election. Check out these comments.
April 24 Central Kentucky
The campaign landed next in Lexington for the Global Auto Conference.We got a late start (8 a.m.) but Greg got to Lexington for his presentation on 21st century management. We always swing by the campuses for some enjoyable campaigning and University of Kentucky was no exception today--even during dead week. Thanks to the college Dems for showing us around. Then, we were on to Versailles, Woodford County where the folks at the courthouse was quite glad to see Greg come down to do some politicking. Was it G.I. Joe who said showing up is half the battle? Later, a Lexington meet-and-greet. Somehow meet-and-greets always turn into fundraisers. Finally, we blew into Williamstown, Grant County on a sweet spring breeze to find the Grant County Democratic Executive Committee meeting outside the Government Center. We’d be doing the same thing but with a kite, picnic basket and some family members if we weren’t on our way to saving the Commonwealth!
April 25 East to West
We picked Greg up at 6:30 a.m. and headed on to Brandenburg, Meade County for a breakfast meeting with supporters. A curious few crossed on our path and, while we were shooting the breeze in the restaurant parking lot, we were spotted and descended upon by other local folks who forced us to give up some of our yard signs. Apparently, they had seen Greg on TV. Brandenburg is such a nice river town. In Springfield, Washington County, Greg met with local supporters and did a couple media stops before heading on to Lebanon, Marion County for more networking and media. Then on to Campbellsville, Taylor County, (see story in the Central Kentucky News-Journal ) where we had lunch with a Fischer endorser before moving on to Greensburg, Green County for a meeting, walking tour and interview at the Green River Sun. There, we found this hilarious editorial, which we later used to torment the opposing campaign in Bowling Green.
On to Munfordville, Hart County which was another spot where our presence has been anticipated and Greg made many appreciated and solid contacts. We left the courthouse and headed for the jail but I missed my turn. After my correction, we headed back toward the jail where we were flagged down by a man who had been mowing his grass. He had seen Greg on TV and wanted a yard sign and some lit. We provided both with pleasure before heading on. Leitchfeild & Caneyville, Grayson County were our last stops. We closed out our swing for the day and then traveled to the Jody Richards Golf Classic Reception in Bowling Green the seat of Warren County.
At the reception, we felt we had secured Warren County for Greg Fischer. A rousing Fischer rally chagrined the “other” campaign’s ten depressed staffers as our team presented an efficient and effective candidate. One heavy hitting volunteer and two staffers kept themselves very busy! The “other” campaign resorted to name dropping in an attempt to avoid total embarrassment, but like all those who don’t know their audience, name dropping might work in Dubai but not here in Kentucky. For the silent auction, we donated a nice bowl picked out at Louisville Stoneware. It netted the WCDP $175. We were not the only campaign to make a donation; an opposing campaign forked over an eight-seat-box for a horse race this Saturday. Winning bid: $100. Congratulations to the WCDP for another great event and a big thanks to the Speaker for all you do for our Commonwealth and our Party. Greg, you are the life of the party, no need to make the contrast here, they are all onboard! Thanks to all of our supporters in the BG!
We spent an overnight in Gilbertsville and many thanks to Jim Conn for hosting us at his house over by Kentucky Lake.
April 26 Western Kentucky
In Paducah, McCracken County, we ate a little breakfast at the Lone Oak Little Castle before heading off to Sedalia, Graves County, for the Sedalia Day Parade, which we rocked as usual. Check out the video.
Murray, Calloway County was next--- a meet-and-greet at the library with our backers and lunch at the popular Dairy Queen. Murray is a great place and very supportive of our campaign.
Thanks to the big guns and citizens for all you do for us. Get those yard signs out! Our last stop was a Hopkinsville, Christian County meet-and-greet at Timmon’s Restaurant. Homeward bound.
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April 18-21 big days in a big Commonwealth
On the road again, we pulled into Bowling Green and ate breakfast at Teresa’s---breakfast (lunch and dinner for that matter) is always good at Teresa’s. Thanks again to all of Greg’s boosters for their hard work in Bowling Green and Warren County.
Next stop was the Logan County Courthouse in Russellville: this visit was Greg’s first to this historic town once known as “Rogues’ Harbour” or “Big Boiling Spring” to the early settlers—we’ll be swinging by again tomorrow. Then, after visiting the
Barren County Courthouse, we had lunch in Glasgow at George J’s: another staple of Kentucky living, George J’s is a fine place to have a meet and greet. Moving right along, we took in the Marion County Courthouse in Lebanon. We spent the evening at the Nelson County Jefferson Jackson Dinner in Bardstown where Bruce Lunsford actually showed up! Yet again it was Greg who got a warm reception when folks gave an enthusiastic response to his vision for our country. Thanks to Sen. Wendell Ford for his message and for setting the stage for Greg: “We have young people, business people entrepreneurs that have ideas, great families and want to give back to their communities. So they want to and go down to party headquarters to try to file, but they ask how much money can you raise, that’s not right. You need support from all over Kentucky. Thousands excited to be behind you. I see Bruce Lunsford here, he has spent a lot of his money. I wish you had enough support that you did not have to spend a dime.”
And, too, a hearty congratulations to the Nelson County Democratic Party for pulling together this great event. Here’s a point of fact---not counting elected or candidates in attendance, well over half of the crowd wore Fischer stickers – booyah!
Tired but happy, the campaign pressed on to Paintsville, arriving at mid-night, just as planned. That’s 485 miles and counting!
April 19th
We attended a wonderful breakfast with the State Democratic Women’s Conference in Paintsville,
one committed group of progressive Kentuckians—and, suffice it to say that, after receiving a standing ovation we were energized and ready for Pikeville’s Hillbilly Days--- that is, 29th Annual Hillbilly Days Festival. Wow, Bruce showed up for an event, but this time he was not alone: supporters from Tennessee and West Virginia came to Pikeville as directed by their collective conscious to prop up the Lunsford house-of-cards. As one supporter said, “They told us to show up in Pikeville or don’t come to work Monday.” Top-down Democracy in action. From Pikeville we drove to Muhlenburg County for the Democratic Party Dinner and as usual Greg received a warm welcome and delivered a message of change that resonated with folks here. Thanks to the all those who put together another great event and thanks to all those in the area who have already put up Fischer yard signs. Greg really gets a boost from the sight of solid support right there in the front yard of Kentuckians’ homes. Our last stop was our return to Logan County for the pre-primary dinner. The people of Logan County were quite grateful that Greg had made it to Russellville twice in two days and covered over 1000 miles to do it. We are literally on a roll.
Total miles: 1104!
April 21st---Whirlwind Tour of the Eastern Counties
Today, we took in Greenup, Carter, Lawrence, and Elliot Counties and connected with folks at the Boyd County Candidates’ Night and the Ashland Rotary Club. From 6:00am to 11:30pm, 600 miles and a ton of support! Thanks to Marcus Woodward for helping us rock this region!
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Fischer urges McConnell to support pay equity for women
“In typical Washington fashion, Senator McConnell is blocking legislation that allows women to fight for their rights to equal pay. His obstructionism lets employers escape responsibility by hiding their decision to discriminate so they can run out the clock.”
This statement was released today in regard to Senator McConnell’s shortsighted and wrong decision
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Greg Fischer is disgusted by Senator Mitch McConnell refusal to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and to restore pay equity for women. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act that aimed to restore anti-discrimination laws reversed in a Supreme Court ruling that established a tight time restrictions on pay discrimination lawsuits was voted down yesterday by the Senate. McConnell voted against the bill.
“Kentucky workers need strong anti-discrimination laws to ensure they are treated fairly and equally by employers—McConnell refuses to provide this protection time and again. Simply having these laws in place is not enough. The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act clarifies a technicality in employment discrimination law and deters discriminatory practices in the workplace. It also ensures that when discrimination occurs, wronged employees receive fair compensation. McConnell should care more about the interest of Kentucky’s working people than the interest of businesses who wrongfully take advantage of their employees,” said Fischer.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act is only a step in correcting the pay differential between working women and men. “Women workers deserve equal compensation and deserve better than the 77 cents they earn to a man’s dollar. And, when they learn they’ve been paid unfairly, they deserve the right to go to court to seek compensation,” said Fischer.
If women received the same wages as men who work the same number of hours, have the same education and union status, are the same age, and live in the same region of the country, then these women’s annual income would rise by $4,000 and poverty rates would be cut in half, according to the National Organization for Women. “Quite simply, this bill would have allowed American’s working families to gain $200 billion in family income annually helping to offset the cost of groceries, gas and mortgages,” said Fischer.
“Women deserve a Senator they can trust to stand up for them and a workplace that values their work equally,” said Fischer. “Senator McConnell made it evident with his vote yesterday that he doesn’t value working women,” he said.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2007 was supported by the House of Representatives in July 2007 and was co-sponsored by Kentucky Congressman John Yarmuth.
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