Kentucky’s AFL-CIO president hopeful for Obama, says McConnell is ‘on the defensive’

LOUISVILLE -- Arguing against the speculation of many pundits, Kentucky state AFL-CIO president Bill Londrigan told PolitickerKY.com the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), is connecting with many in the Bluegrass State -- including members of his labor coalition.

Rejecting the notion that Obama would struggle with white, working-class voters in the state because of his race, Londrigan said AFL-CIO membership was "a lot more likely to vote for Obama" as he "represents real change, no matter what color he is."

"People are writing off the electorate, but a lot of people are supporting Obama," Londrigan said.

Obama's opponent in Kentucky's May 20 Democratic primary, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) won the state by more than 35 points. Londrigan, however, pointed to Obama's successes as evidence of the Illinois senator's potential in the state.

"Everybody points to his struggles in the primary, but he was extremely successful in the two most populous counties in the state," said Londrigan, referencing Jefferson and Fayette counties -- containing the cities of Louisville and Lexington, respectively -- where Obama beat Clinton.

Londrigan also noted he thought the Senate race between businessman Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) and four-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville), who is the chamber's minority leader, was "going excellent."

The AFL-CIO endorsed Lunsford on March 15, several months before the candidate won the Democratic primary.
Now, Londrigan says he is encouraged by recent poll data, which he says shows the race to be "neck and neck."

A recent SurveyUSA poll put McConnell up four points -- a lead scraping the edge of the margin of error. That poll was countered by McConnell's camp with an internal report showing the incumbent up 11 over Lunsford.

The union leader indicated he thought the recent tactics of the McConnell campaign indicated they were concerned about Lunsford's chances. Londrigan pointed to the "dueling polls" in the race as a sign the Senate competition could be "anybody's race."

"McConnell is on the defensive," said Londrigan. "He seems kind of desperate."

Londrigan said he expected the national AFL-CIO to provide a good deal of support to the Kentucky branch's efforts, particularly with the Senate race.

"Mitch McConnell's race is probably the 2nd or 3rd most important race in the United States," Londrigan said.

The union's outreach organization in support of both Obama and Lunsford will include flyer distribution, rallies, and phone banks, among other things. Londrigan said the AFL-CIO will ramp up its efforts throughout the summer, stressing to members that "it is critically important to vote for our candidates."

In the past, McConnell has enjoyed support from many Kentucky Democrats. While Democrats enjoy a registration advantage in the state, many still swing to Republicans. McConnell won statewide re-election in 1996 despite Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton winning the state's electoral votes.

Londrigan says he believes this year will be different, especially among the AFL-CIO membership, given McConnell's ties to President Bush.

"Enthusiasm is high," said Londrigan. "People know Mitch McConnell has voted in lockstep with George W. Bush."