Republicans rally before Fancy Farm

Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood): Politicker photo

HARDIN -- With fellow party members visiting from around the state in advance of Saturday's festivities, Republicans in Marshall County hosted a Fancy Farm-eve rally Friday night where several elected officials practiced their chops and hinted at what may lie ahead.

Consider it a mere sharpening of the tongues in advance of the real rhetorical contest.

About seventy were in attendance at the ampitheatre at Kenlake State Resort Park in Hardin to hear a brief program of speeches keynoted by Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood).

Scott Jennings, political strategist and former special assistant to President Bush, introduced Grayson as "the future of the Republican Party," noting he would play a central role in the party's Fancy Farm appearance.

"He's going carry the banner for us tomorrow at Fancy Farm," said Jennings.

Technically a bar-b-que cookout, Fancy Farm has evolved into a unique political tradition in Kentucky. At an afternoon political forum, prominent politicians deliver fiery speeches usually targeting the opposing party in front of a crowd historically known for heckling and political theatrics.

Grayson got things started early with an assessment of presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's chances in Kentucky. Obama lost the Commonwealth's May 20 presidential primary by about 35 points to U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). Clinton ran an active and competitive campaign in the state, though many analysts argued Obama had already essentially locked up the Democratic nomination by the time Kentucky voted.

"We had a record turnout in the primary. A record number of voters came out to vote against their nominee for president," said Grayson. "It was so clear that Barack Obama was the nominee. And they had to have known how embarrassing it would be for their nominee to lose so badly on election night."

"So tomorrow when they start talking about Barack Obama and how excited they are that he is their nominee, they're faking it," added Grayson."

Though he added he had "no announcements" scheduled for Fancy Farm, Grayson is a admittedly potential candidate for the Governor's race of 2011. On Friday, he took a few swings at that office's current incumbent, Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), a favored target of late.Scott Jennings: Politicker photo

Grayson argued Beshear had taken several policy proposals from the Secretary of State's office and publicized them for his own purposes, including initiatives on transparency and proposed four day work weeks for some government employees.

"I'm going to keep sending him good ideas and he can keep copying them," said Grayson.

Also speaking at the event were Republican Party of Kentucky chairman Steve Robertson, who focused his attention on the Governor and the re-election effort of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville). Suggesting Beshear's first few months in office had made him unpopular in the state, Robertson said he welcomed any initiative the Governor might take to campaign on behalf of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Bruce Lunsford, of Louisville.

"I hope the Governor stays out there," said Robertson. "He's our best ally out there."

During his own remarks, Jennings, a strategist working on the campaigns of McConnell and 2nd Congressional District candidate state Senator Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green), provided some insight into the direction McConnell's campaign might take.

McConnell's camp has thus far focused extensively on energy policy and McConnell's proposal to expand domestic drilling to lower gas prices. Jennings said this would continue, but that the campaign would also highlight McConnell's position as Senate Minority leader and the impact that has on the state in terms of project funding.

"We are going to keep talking about what it means to have someone with the clout of Mitch McConnell in United States Senate. This man is able to get things done for Kentucky," said Jennings.

A race in the 1st state Sen. District was also highlighted at the event with the appearance of the incumbent, state Sen. Ken Winters (R-Murray). Winters faces former U.S. Rep. Carroll Hubbard (D-Lowes) for the seat.

State Sen. Ken Winters (R-Murray): Politicker photoHubbard has spoken in the past about his belief that he is in one of the top three competitive Senate races in the state, but his checkered past may present a hurdle for him. After losing his Congressional seat, he served a jail term after pleading guilty to charges of campaign finance violations, theft - rooted in the misuse of his office staff, and obstruction of justice.

Winters said he would run on his own record and not target his opponent's history in statements to the press, but also suggested Hubbard's past was common knowledge in the area.

"I guess I need to say very little about my opponent...You know all you need to know about my opponent," said Winters. "I'm running on my record. If you want to check my record, you can Google me. If you want to check my opponent's record, you can do likewise."