Fischer vows to continue hits on Lunsford's history, brings in face from 2003

Greg Fischer (D-Louisville)

(Corrected - 5:43 pm)

LOUISVILLE -- A flood of opposition has met Democratic Senate candidate Greg Fischer's most recent attack ad against primary frontrunner Bruce Lunsford. In that ad, Fischer revives charges regarding alleged business improprieties at Vencor, a nursing home chain founded by Lunsford. Today at a press conference at his campaign headquarters, Fischer defended his campaign's tactics, and said the advertisement was justified.

"To make an informed decision, voters have to be able to compare the past performance and the record of each of the candidates," said Fischer. "A major issue in this campaign has become [Lunsford's] attempt to obscure his record as CEO of Vencor. Voters have a right to know the truth. Our advertising is an attempt to shine a light of Mr. Lunsford's stewardship of Vencor leading up to its bankruptcy in 1999."

Today, the Lunsford campaign circulated a letter signed by Congressman John Yarmuth (D-Louisville), State Auditor Crit Luallen (D-Frankfort), Lieutenant Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), and Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville). In the letter, the signatories denounce Fischer's attack ad and aruge the attacks benefit incumbent Republican Senator Mitch McConnell, who will face the primary winner in November.

"Now, your campaign has launched a personal attack against a fellow Democrat against a fellow Democrat's character," read the letter. "By doing so, your campaign is playing right into Senator McConnell's hands and endangering the opportunity for change in November."

Fischer said he would not stop the criticism of Lunsford's history, in spite of the backlash

"Mr. Lunsford obviously would prefer that these issues were not discussed in this race. The fact that we are airing them has clearly struck a raw nerve in the Lunsford camp," said Fischer

"I think what is important to note here is I am just speaking the truth," Fischer continued. "The purpose of the primary is to have a spirited debate and a spirited examination of all the people in this race so the folks of Kentucky can decide who is the best person to take on Mitch McConnell. I believe I am the best candidate for that, or I wouldn't have been in this race."

Today, Fischer reiterated many of the charges made in the ad, but also addressed the Lunsford campaign's explanations made in response.

He particularly pointed to the Lunsford campaign's response to references to the $104.5 million settlement with the Federal government agreed to by Vencor in 2001, following charges of "overbilling" and "failure of care" at Vencor facilities.

"On his website, Mr. Lunsford attempts to sweep this fact under the rug by saying he never admitted guilt and that he fact settled for, what he says, was pennies on the dollar," said Fischer. "We ask how that response would be any reassurance to voters and we ask this. If the $104 million fined represented pennies on the dollar, what was the amount that they were in fact charged with overbilling? Was it a billion dollars or more? We ask Mr. Lunsford to come forward and disclose honestly and fully the extent of the Justice Department charge."

The federal government initially entered claims for $1 billion dollars for allegedly fradulent claims. The Lunsford campaign maintains their candidate never admitted wrongdoing in agreeing to the $104.5 million settlement.

Attacking the response

Today, Fischer's newest target was the Lunsford campaign's ad released yesterday in response to Fischer's attack ad.

"[Lunsford's] campaign now has accused us of false and misleading advertising, a charge we flatly deny. But, what is good for the goose is good for the gander," said Fischer. "So, as we examine misleading advertising, we have to question the veracity of advertising that Mr. Lunsford launched yesterday."

Fischer continued by referencing a portion of the Lunsford ad in which an on-screen statement citing a 2007 article declares Vencor was "one of the greatest successes in the history of business in Kentucky."

"The fact is, Vencor went bankrupt and was forced to settle a suit from stockholders that charged Mr. Lunsford and others with security fraud," said Fischer. "Mr. Lunsford had no role in the leadership or management of Kindred Healthcare, the succeeding company that emerged from bankruptcy."

Lunsford left Vencor in January of 1999, after the company was split into two entities the previous year. Vencor declared bankruptcy eleven months later. (Corrected).

The Vencor company became Kindred Healthcare in 2001.

The Lunsford campaign addressed these charges in a response statement today.

"At no place in the ad does Bruce claim credit for getting Kindred out of bankruptcy, though many have credited Bruce with making decisions that put the company into a position to be able to successfully reorganize," read the statement. "People who owned shares in Vencor before the split and held onto it are in a good financial position today."

A face from 2003

Dale Carter Cooper and Jeri Stevens

Fischer was joined by someone from Lunsford's past at today's event. Jeri Stevens, who appeared in commercials denouncing Lunsford and Vencor during Lunsford's 2003 gubernatorial bid, stood by Fischer's side during part of the press conference.

Stevens was featured in a 2003 ad for Lunsford's then-opponent, Ben Chandler. In that ad, she said her mother was abused in a Vencor facility.

"Bruce Lunsford did not care that my mother was abused," said Stevens in that 2003 ad. "If Mr. Lunsford is elected, all of Kentucky is going to be in a world of trouble."

Today, Stevens appeared alongside Dale Carter Cooper, recognizable as the elderly woman denouncing Lunsford in Fischer's attack ad.

When asked why Stevens decided to make an appearance with Lunsford's opponent when she said she would not during Lunsford's 2007 gubernatorial campaign, she said she was there to support Cooper.

"I'm so proud of this lady here," said Stevens, referencing Cooper. "She is 90 and she obviously doesn't want to go to nursing home. I felt like if this lady could be here, I wanted to be here."

The Fischer campaign said Cooper, who was identified as an actress by both a Louisville-Courier Journal article and the Lunsford campaign, did not receive money for her appearance in the ad. A campaign spokesman also said Cooper's remarks in the ad were unscripted.

Cooper herself said she participated in the ad to help Fischer's campaign.

"I have no financial means, but the opportunity to do something was very welcome to me. I have been involved in good politics since I was a young girl," said Cooper. "If raising my voice in support of Mr Fischer is helpful, I am delighted. I want to see the best man win."

Attached Video: The 2003 Ben Chandler ad featuring Jeri Stevens

Also: Prominent state Democrats ask Fischer to stop attacks on Lunsford