KDP

Gov. Steve BeshearCalling the governor's mansion in Frankfort "the people's house," Republican Party of Kentucky Chair Steve Robertson attacked Gov. Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) for using his official residence for a late June fundraiser.

"Using the Governor's Mansion for political fundraisers does not represent the kind of ethical and moral leadership the people of Kentucky deserve," said Robertson. "Governor Beshear has said that his administration should be held accountable and that it starts at the top with him. I call on Governor Beshear to make real ethics reform part of the special session call."

Invitations to join the "Capitol Club" via attendance at a June 24 fundraiser at the mansion and a coinciding golf open - entitled the "Beshear Open" were dispatched this past weekend.

LOUISVILLE -- As part of the national Democratic Party's effort to expand their operations to all fifty states, the Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP) is aiming to implement a new get-out-the-vote effort in Kentucky that enlists party activists to campaign in their own neighborhoods. On Wednesday evening, KDP Chair Jennifer Moore told a meeting of the Metro Democratic Club in Louisville of the ‘Neighbor-to-Neighbor' program and the logic behind it.

"How would you rather hear from - a stranger or someone that you know?" Moore asked the crowd. "We are the best people to go and talk to our neighbors and tell our neighbors why we are a Democrat, why they should be a Democrat, and - most importantly - why they should vote a straight Democratic ticket in the fall."

"They are going to talk to you because they know you," added Moore. "That is a world of difference from a paid walker or a volunteer who doesn't live in that neighborhood going to that door."

As general election campaigns in the state kick into first gear, PolitickerKY.com will be providing full coverage of many of the major political events throughout the state. This weekend, expect full coverage on this site of the Kentucky Democratic Party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner and the Republican Party of Kentucky's state convention.

Tonight, prominent Democrats from throughout the state will gather in Lexington for the major annual J-J dinner. Among the guests expected are Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), KDP Chair Jennifer Moore, and Vice-Chair Nathan Smith.

The last three account for all of Kentucky's remaining uncommitted superdelegate votes.Their joint appearance also falls on the day Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean set as the "deadline" for superdelegate decisions to be announced.

U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton on Friday night in Louisville: Getty Images PhotoLOUISVILLE -- U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton spoke for nearly 30 minutes Friday evening, touching on a breadth of issues. The presidental hopeful's day-long journey took her from a 9:30 a.m. roundtable discussion in Portland, Ore., to a 7 p.m. state Democratic Party fundraiser at the Kentucky International Convention Center, while still exciting her supporters throughout the night, she appeared tired after the extensive day of cross-country campaigning.

Most significantly for the state's political climate, the U.S. senator from New York reiterated her campaign's belief that Kentucky could prove important to her remaining arguments that she deserves her party's nomination.

Kentucky Democratic Party faithful in Louisville: Getty Images PhotoLOUISVILLE -- The fight over Clinton-Obama superdelegates is hard to ignore here at the Kentucky Democratic Party fundraiser in Louisville.

U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, an Obama superdelegate, spoke to the crowd Friday evening on behalf of his favored presidential candidate. The message of his speech was one of unity, but supporters of both sides noisily made themselves heard as he spoke.

As U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton arrived to a raucous reception, she was joined on stage by KDP Chairwoman Jennifer Moore -- an undecided superdelegate -- and former state party chairman Terry McBrayer -- a committed Clinton superdelegate.

McBrayer successfully incited both sets of supporters in his introductory speech by noting Obama's absence from the state in the past several months.

Hillary Clinton supporters at Friday's Kentucky Democratic Party fundraiser in Louisville: Politicker Photo

LOUISVILLE -- The first few speakers at tonight's Kentucky Democratic Party fundraiser featured several high-profile supporters of presidential hopeful U.S. Sen. Barack Obama.

City Councilman David Tandy, a member of Obama's "Kentucky Truth Squad" and KDP treasurer, opened the event. While he did not directly discuss the candidates in the race, he did speak of what Republicans would see in November.

"What they will find is a Democratic Party united and ready to take back the White House," Tandy said.

During his speech at Friday night's Kentucky Democratic Party fundraiser, Gov. Steve Beshear unleashed what may have been the quote of the event thus far. Suggesting Democrats were better problem solvers than Republicans, Beshear allowed the following:

"I can think of only one Republcan who can be a problem solver and that is Vice President Cheney, if he would just take George on a hunting trip," Beshear said.

Kentucky Democratic Party Chairwoman Jennifer Moore said there is no change in her stance as an uncommitted superdelegate today, in spite of Senator Hillary Clinton's ten point victory in the Pennsylvannia primary.

"I'm in the same position as Monday," said Moore.

Moore - one of four uncommitted Kentucky superdelegates - indicated she would wait until after the Commonwealth's primary to announce a commitment.

Jennifer Moore only recently ascended to the position of chairwoman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, taking the reins in December of 2007 at the recommendation of then Governor-elect Steve Beshear. Previously, Moore served as vice chair of the party. She also currently works as a partner at the Louisville personal injury law firm Grossman and Moore.  read more »