THOUGHTS FOR STATE DEMOCRATS

You lost.

Not just the U-S Senate race, but also allowed the GOP to strengthen its hold on the state senate. (The idea Dems might lose the House was wistful thinking and if state Dems emphasize that, they are in danger of turning Kentucky into a “red” state, as Mitch is determined it will become.)

Somewhere there is a disconnect between the idea that Mitch was at his most vulnerable this time out…and the fact that better known, experienced names in the party didn’t run against him.  That left the Lundergans, who can be party splitters, ultimately in charge..and the little known Alison got the race.

She, or dad Jerry, ran a bad campaign.  Early on it didn’t appear so..when Team Mitch made some uncharacteristic stumbles. But Alison’s ducking of questions---from the public and from the public’s representatives, reporters, badly hurt her campaign.  How much was this the reaction of a little experienced statewide candidate, or her dad, or her campaign team we may never know. But it hurt.  If you are little known you must take every opportunity as a candidate to let the voters know about you. Team Lundergan did not.

Now some in the party  think she should try again next year for governor.

I think not.

In time she, out from her dad’s shadow, may be a more viable candidate. Not now, smarting from her loss in only her second attempt. Let her wait a while, gain experience, and then…maybe.

Meanwhile I must opine that House leaders Stumbo and Adkins didn’t do the party any favors. One example: they extended the 6^th Congressional district eastward into coal counties two years ago, knowing of the anti-Obama feelings there..or they should have known, it’s their home areas. Result: Ben Chandler, who also ran a bad campaign avoiding the media and debates (is there a theme here?) lost, and then first-termer Andy Barr, who might have been vulnerable, wasn’t..to another bad campaign by Liz Jensen (Is where I get my haircuts really a 6^th district issue?)

Time for soul searching in the state Democratic party..or as surely as God made little green apples (and bourbon ) Kentucky will turn even redder.

I'm just sayin'...