Northup and Davis Rally College GOPers

Prominent Republicans from across Kentucky told the young crowd their support was necessary to ensure the state’s college campuses rallied voters to support conservative candidates. “You’re going to be on a college campus with a Democratic nominee that has a great deal of appeal. There is going to be a lot of enthusiasm on campus, more so then in a typical presidential election year,” said Secretary of State Trey Grayson. “That makes it even more important for all of you to continue to fight the good fight and to argue passionately for the beliefs you hold. Because at the end of the day, while Barack Obama may give a great speech, we know [...] the Republican conservative philosophy is the better way to go. What you all need to do is fight the good fight, and help persuade more of your classmates that this is the right way to go.” “There is a lot of thinking that every young person is going to be voting Democratic this fall,” said Anne Northup, the former 1st District Congresswoman now seeking to regain her seat from Democrat John Yarmuth. “The truth is there are a lot of very smart people on college campuses. They are much more aware then they were when I was in college […] And they do not want to be roped in to the thinking that they all think alike. And you are our best ambassadors […]We are excited about you.” Scott Jennings, a former advisor to President George W. Bush, noted campaign efforts should be focused on the races of Northup, Senator Mitch McConnell, and KY-2 candidate State Senator Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green). Guthrie is seeking the seat left open by retiring Republican Ron Lewis. “Open seats are always battlegrounds, and the Washington liberal bunch is already here to try and take it away from us,” said Jennings. “There is a reason MoveOn.org has opened an office here in Louisville. Make no mistake, these people believe Kentucky is a place where they can have success.” While speakers implored the young operatives to mobilize for the November general election, they equally expressed confidence in the chances of Republican candidates. “Let me offer tonight that its gone as far as its going to go. We will reaffirm and remind these people that Kentucky is a bright red state,” said Jennings. Representative Geoff Davis, of Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, delivered a fiery speech in which he specifically targeted Congressman Yarmuth and Bruce Lunsford - the Democrat currently polling ahead among seven candidates in the Senate primary. Davis blasted Lunsford’s role as founder of Vencor – a nursing home care provider that settled with the federal government for over $100 million for allegedly submitting false Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE claims. “Let’s lay it on the table. This is the contrast we are talking about,” said Congressman Davis. “While Bruce Lunsford was running his nursing home business and making tens of millions of dollars on the backs of the elderly, Senator McConnell was working away step by step in Washington DC.” Davis also targeted the organizations supporting Lunsford’s candidacy. “This race is going to be about one thing: the truth v. falsehood. MoveOn.Org, The AFL-CIO, Charles Schumer…I’ve got news for you: It ain’t gonna happen. It just isn’t. Because the contrast is too profound,” said Davis. “Bruce Lunsford can spend every dollar he has got […] but he doesn’t understand one thing: he can’t buy an identity that is based in truth.” The Congressman also argued for Senator John McCain’s candidacy and took a swing or two at Barack Obama’s relationship with Chicago developer Tony Rezko. With regard to McCain and himself, Davis said “Do we agree on every policy? Absolutely not. But we can work together to build a consensus around the representative principles we believe in. That is the candidate whose finger I want on the button,” said Davis. “That is the person that doesn’t believe we are going to tax our way to prosperity because he had to live in the real world. He didn’t have any wealthy developer under multiple indictments in Chicago to bankroll his career.” The event was organized as a fundraiser by and for College Republican chapters at the University of Louisville and Bellarmine University. It was the first time the two groups worked together to hold the Legacy Dinner. Joining the crowd for the dinner were State Representative David Osborne (R-Prospect), candidate for the 49th House District Trina Summers, and candidate for the 19th State Senate District Bob Heleringer. Hall of Fame jockey Pat Day delivered the event’s invocation.