Fischer camp slams Lunsford, Schumer

The senatorial campaign of Democrat Greg Fischer is confirming remarks Fischer made Saturday at the Kentucky Democratic State Central Executive Committee in Frankfort.

In the remarks, posted Monday on the conservative-leaning KYPolitics.org, Fischer appears to take a not-so-veiled shot at Democratic primary opponent Bruce Lunsford and New York Senator Chuck Schumer, the chair of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

“I’m fighting back now, also. Because there’s powers in Washington D.C. - you know, led by Chuck Schumer, and you all are hearing this just as well as I am – that he’s trying to manipulate this election in Kentucky,” Fischer said. “He’s trying to force on us someone that is not a contrast to Mitch McConnell. Because we need a contrast candidate to beat Mitch McConnell. We need somebody with a clean record, a clean background, somebody that will listen…”

“I think he was taking a shot at the politics of Washington and the way they are,” Fischer spokesman Kim Geveden said.

“It’s clear to anyone who follows politics in the state Kentucky that the Senator from New York and his folks are trying to force upon the voters of Kentucky a failed candidate who has more baggage than Samsonite. We need a fresh candidate with a clean record who offers bold ideas and new solutions.”

Geveden said that in making the remarks Fischer was not speaking from a defensive posture.

“I’m sure people in the beltway will try to portray it as whining but it is not whining. It’s fighting back.”

“Fischer got in the race because he wants to solve the problems of Washington. As Senator, he’s going to fight everyday for the working-class voters of Kentucky. And if that means he has to take on the power brokers, then so be it.”

Asked if Fischer was prepared to launch a protracted offensive against Lunsford and Schumer, Geveden said:

“I think Greg Fischer is going to stay on the offensive for the working-class families of Kentucky. We’re confident the voters in Kentucky are going to reject the political heavy hand of Washington.”

On Monday, DSCC spokesman Matt Miller responded to the remarks from Fischer’s camp.

“This campaign needs be about defeating Mitch McConnell and bringing change to Washington. Democrats should be focused on that, and not on launching personal attacks against other Democrats.”