Joe Biden

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While numbers in Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race fluctuate sharply, the polling picture for the Presidential race in the Bluegrass Race remains a bit more consistent. The newest poll from Rasmussen Reports shows U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) holding a ten point lead over U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

Rasmussen’s survey of 500 likely voters – conducted on Sept. 30 – finds McCain up 52 to 42 percent. 2 percent of respondents selected another candidate and 4 percent were undecided.

The firm’s last poll in Kentucky – from July - also gave the Senator from Arizona a ten point lead, though that one fell at 49 to 39 percent.

The latest data indicates 63 percent of respondents rate McCain as either “Very” or “somewhat” favorable compared to 49 percent saying the same of Obama. Few are undecided about the candidates as the inverse – those who rated the candidates “very” or “somewhat” unfavorable – found 51 percent of respondents held that opinion of Obama and just 35 percent of McCain.

While the Democratic presidential ticket of U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Joe Biden (D-Del.) are not expected to do too much campaigning in the Bluegrass State, Biden will at least be on the ground on Wednesday to raise a little money for their efforts.

According to reports from Mark Hebert of WHAS-TV and Polwatchers, Biden will headline a Wednesday dinner that will cost couples $28,500 to attend. A spot at a photo reception with Biden will run $10,000 per couple, with "preferred viewing" at a general reception costing $2,500 and admission going for $1,000.

The fundraiser is reportedly authorized by Obama for America and the Democratic National Committee. Tickets are available from the Louisville/Jefferson County Democratic Party.

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DENVER  – John McCain’s  Kentucky presidential campaign chair, state Sen. David Williams (R-Burkesville), sees the selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Arizona lawmaker’s vice presidential running mate as a welcome addition to McCain’s ticket that solidifies core Republican support.

“She brings the Republican base, unlike some of the other candidates who were similarly qualified,” said Williams.

Contrasted to rumored potential picks such as U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Ct.) and former Gov. Tom Ridge (R-Pa.), Palin favors an anti-abortion position. Williams also noted she was a member of the National Rifle Association.

Williams argued that Palin’s political experience proves she will be a strong campaigner, given her success in unseating Governor Frank Murkowski in 2006.

“She has strong campaigning experience,” said Williams. “In a state like Alaska, where the population is relatively spread out, you have to be a skilled politician to beat incumbent governors.”

DENVER – Republican strategist Scott Jennings, a Dawson Springs native, believes Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s addition to Sen. John McCain’s (R-Ariz.) presidential ticket will “play very well in Kentucky.”

“She’s pro life, pro-Second Amendment, is a sportsmen herself and certainly can relate to many Kentuckians who share those values and attributes,” Jennings told PolitickerKY.com.

Jennings, who served as a special assistant to President Bush and as a deputy to White House political strategist Karl Rove, contrasted Palin’s background to that of the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware.

“This was an attention-grabbing selection for McCain versus Obama’s rather conventional, boring pick,” said Jennings. “I also find it interesting that on the first major decision made by these candidates as nominees of their party, Obama looked to a Washington insider and McCain chose a decidedly out-of-Washington person.”

Check back tomorrow morning to view my sketchpad for day three of the Democratic National Convention, and go to my national blog to follow convention coverage by cartoonists from around the country.

The third day of the Democratic National Convention will be called to order at 5:00 PM EST on Wednesday, with a theme of "Securing America's Future."

The day will begin with the nominating process for President, including nominating speeches for U.S. Sens. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.), followed by a roll call vote.

The headline speaker will be vice presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.).

Featured speakers will include President Bill Clinton (D), U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.), U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), U.S. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.).

The full schedule is below.

DENVER – U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) spent some of his first day in the host town of the Democratic National Convention involved in some Kentucky business. Lunsford attended a party sponsored by Maker’s Mark bourbon – a brand based in Loretto – and another thrown jointly by the Kentucky, Alabama, and Ohio delegations.

Part of Lunsford’s day, however, was also dedicated to interacting with national interests. For example, Lunsford visited a function sponsored by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee – the coordinating organization that encouraged the Louisville businessman.

The candidate says his visit to the convention in Denver has a “combination” of purposes. Among them is an effort to raise the national profile for his race – a race where his opponent, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville), is leading in both fundraising and recent polls.