Yarmuth doubts gas prices, Northup's campaign, have traction in KY-3 race

LOUISVILLE -- While gas prices continue to dominate campaign narratives nationwide, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Louisville) doubts Republican proposals will sway voters.

"I understand why the Republicans think they have that issue, but the vast majority of the American people blame George Bush and the oil companies for high gas prices," Yarmuth told PolitickerKY.com at a voter registration drive on Wednesday. "So, I think that is an issue that ultimately will not help them."

Yarmuth also indicated he did not think most voters would make their decision on Nov. 4 based on the gas price issue.

"Certainly that is a very significant immediate issue for a lot of people, and I understand that, but it is part of a much broader issue of economic security. That involves food prices, increased tuition, if you have a kid in school and the increased cost of health care," said Yarmuth. "On the broader agenda -- who the American people trust to manage the economy over the next four years -- a huge majority favor Democrats."

The freshman member of Congress also pointed to the House's recent passage of his proposed federal funding for a Veterans' Administration hospital in Louisville as a selling point for his campaign.

"It shows the impact that I can have and can continue to have in Congress as a member of the majority party," said Yarmuth.

"Secondly, it's a stark contrast to Anne Northup, who had a big photo-op in 2006 about getting a hospital here, but never got the first penny appropriated to it," Yarmuth added, referencing an August 2006 press conference in Louisville when Northup, then a U.S. representative, said she was working to get money appropriated for a similar project.

Embroiled in a rematch of their contentious 2006 race, Yarmuth faces Northup again this year.

News for Northup's effort to regain the seat she lost in 2006 has been mixed of late. On a positive note for her campaign, the five-term Republican congresswoman outraised Yarmuth's campaign in the second financial quarter.

Yarmuth, however, said that did not worry him.

"It doesn't surprise me that she has a reservoir of donors that she has assembled over her career that she can call on," said Yarmuth. "She is still a long way away from the level of support where she has traditionally been. She outspent me 2-to-1 in the general election last time and it didn't make any difference."

"This election is not going to be about money, it's not going to be about advertising -- it's going to be about the public's understanding about the difference in philosophies and the direction of the country," he added.

Northup also recently parted ways with her campaign manager, Scott Will -- a change Yarmuth said would not make much of a difference.

"I understand why she would be frustrated, because I don't think her campaign is getting any traction," said Yarmuth. "I don't think many people see a case for her running, and I understand why she is frustrated, but I doubt if a new campaign manager is going to change that."

Yarmuth topped Northup by 2.6 percent in 2006. Recent public polling for their rematch shows the incumbent with a 10-point lead.