Fancy Farm round-up: Gubernatorial politics and 1st District sparring

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) at Fancy Farm: Politicker photo

FANCY FARM -- The Fancy Farm picnic offers an array of activity for the politically-inclined, and bingo and barbeque for those who are not. Saturday's raucous political speaking provided plenty of political fodder for the interested, including some 2011 politicking and a heated exchange from the 1st Congressional District race.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) delivered the first blows for the Democratic side. He was the first speaker from either side, but was no rookie to the event. During his own run last year for Governor, he faced off with then-incumbent Ernie Fletcher at Fancy Farm. This year, he seemed well-accustomed to the rhetorical style required to face down the event's notorious heckling.

As the damp heat lingered in the air, Beshear referenced the "funeral home fans" used by Republicans in attendance. He said "they're going to need them" because "we will bury their candidates."

Beshear also took aim at U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-Southgate), in attendance for the first time since 2004, when he said he was assaulted by supporters of then-opponent Dan Mongiardo.

Bunning pledged to never come back after that incident, but was nonetheless seated on the front row on Saturday.

"I called his office and offered to call out the National Guard to protect him down here," said Beshear.

Bunning seemed unmoved at the remark until U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) - seated next to him - playfully nudged his colleague.

It wasn't all easy for Beshear, who told the audience he remained committed to being a voice for western Kentucky. The politics of 2011 - the year of the next Gubernatorial election - were in the air along with the smoke from the pits.

During Beshear's speech, some on the Republican side of the crowd began to chant "Grayson," in reference to Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood), an admitted potential opponent for Beshear.

One interesting site among picnic goers was a homemade t-shirt advertising this very prospect. The twin brother of current Deputy Secretary of State Les Fugate, Wes Fugate - a former aide to Fletcher - said he made a Grayson 2011 t-shirt of his own initiative.

"Grayson 2011" t-shirt made by former Fletcher aide, Wes Fugate: Politicker photo

The front of the shirt read "Don't blame me, I voted for Ernie."

Grayson himself later took the stage. He threw a couple of jabs of his own against Beshear that he earlier aired at Friday's pre-Fancy Farm Republican rally. He particularly reiterated his assertion that Beshear was cribbing some of his office's ideas with regard to transparency initiatives.

"This worked out pretty well for me. He'd hold a press conference to talk about studying yet another idea and the press walked down to my office to find out how it's actually working," said Grayson.

Congressional candidate Heather Ryan (D-Paducah): Politicker photo

1st Congressional District candidate Heather Ryan (D-Paducah) had been touting her planned speech at Fancy Farm as an important part of her long-shot run against U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield as well as a chance to sound off against McConnell. Ryan says her candidacy is the product of an encounter she and her daughter had with McConnell earlier this year that she claims ultimately led to her job being terminated.

McConnell, however, left the Fancy Farm stage just before Ryan's speech.

"He left," said Ryan. "He must have been afraid of my twelve-year old daughter again."

Ryan also targeted Whitfield extensively, accusing him of having ties to not only oil companies but so-called "terrorists."

"After thirteen years in Congress, my opponent has chosen money and power over people in western Kentucky, and for that I say ‘shame on you, Ed Whitfield,'" said Ryan. "And most of all for accepting the bloodstained money of a convicted terrorist, I say ‘shame on you, Ed Whitfield."

The charge on Whitfield is based on a 2000 campaign contribution to his campaign from Abdulrahman Alamoudi, the founder of the American Muslim Council who was convicted of plotting to kill the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville): Politicker photo

For his part, Whitfield had little to say about Ryan during his speech other than referencing her past with McConnell.

"If she is so mad at Mitch McConnell, why is she running against me?" asked Whitfield.

Whitfield spent most of his time on stage attacking Democratic energy proposals instead.

"They are going to make us totally dependent upon the middle East and other countries," said Whitfield. "If we adopt Nancy Pelosi's policy, Harry Reid's policy, Al Gore's policy, and Barack Obama's policy, we are going to be non-competitive with China and India to create more jobs in America."

(Corrected - 6:33 ET - attribution of Ryan quote).