Ashley Judd exploring Senate run

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

Source: Politico



Ashley Judd vs. Mitch McConnell?

It might not be as far-fetched as you think.

The Hollywood movie star and eighth-generation Kentuckian is seriously exploring a 2014 run for the Senate to take on the powerful Republican leader, four people familiar with the matter tell POLITICO. In recent weeks, Judd has spoken with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) about the possibility of a run, has discussed a potential bid with a Democratic pollster and has begun to conduct opposition research on herself to see where she’s most vulnerable in the Bluegrass State, sources say.

Whether Judd jumps into the race remains far from certain. She’s reportedly also weighing whether to wait until 2016 to instead take on freshman Sen. Rand Paul, sources say.


Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/ashley-judd-exploring-senate-run-84542.html

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moving past the rumor stage

[TDale313]

1. I like the idea.

Although I think her chances might be better against Rand Paul. Should be interesting.

[LynneSin]

9. I think she would be better fit against Rand Paul

If she runs against McConnell and loses then runs against Paul - she'll look like another Linda McMahon who thinks that entertainment industry is a shoo-in to win senate seats.

McConnell is wretched but not as wretched as Paul.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

11. Paul is more popular than McConnell

McConnell usually only squeaks by in narrow victories against weak Democratic candidates. Paul won handily.

However, President Obama is unpopular in Ky, and given the coal industry's fear-mongering, 2014 could be tough.

Paul would probably run a stronger campaign, but 2016 could see Hillary Clinton topping the Democratic ticket.

[LynneSin]

14. That's my thinking - we would do better during a presidential election

Depending on the candidate of course.

[Ter]

19. Paul is also almost certain to run for President in 2016

It'll be tough for him to get the nomination however. A lot of big name establishment candidates may run in his primary like Bush, Christi, and Rubio.

[Ter]

18. I think he's more wretched than Paul

At least Paul opposes the NDAA and Patriot Act, and wants to close Guantanamo Bay. He's also not nearly as pro-war as McConnell. I'll go with the quasi-libertarian over the neo-con any day of the week.

[sheshe2]

2. Wow...

More great news this morning! First Warren, now this!

Time for the turtle to go home.

[Le Taz Hot]

3. Why not?

I've seen interviews with her and she is highly intelligent. Now, let's compare this with McConnell -- one of the stupidest asshats that ever walked the Senate floor and that's saying a lot.

[midnight]

4. She cares about the environment and she's smart... I wish her lots of success...

[Volaris]

5. I agreed, I think she would be welcome there,

and not just by her fellow Dem's....the people of her state would have a senator who has been inside "Liburl Hollywood" damn-near her whole life, and is, as the article says, is 8TH GERERATION Kentucky. Who better to begin the long process of flipping red districts blue by telling the people who live there that Dem's don't hate you, Repb's don't necessarilly LIKE you, the Gubmin't isn't evil, and, sure as HELL, I understand the lifestyle down here. (Also, I'm not a 70-year old Turtle. Just sayin', people.)

People forget that REAL conservativism used to be a lot more "Liberal" than the modern incarnation allows. And they need to remember.

[Ken Burch]

6. How soon would she have to re-establish Kentucky residency?

I'd back her...but hasn't she lived in L.A. for the last twenty years or so?

[CherokeeDem]

10. Yep...

She would but I'm not certain what the requirements of how long she would have to have a residency here before she was eligible.

I thought that she and her husband, Dario Franchitti, the Indy driver, lived near Nashville, TN...but not really sure.

For goodness sakes, she could move in with me if she'd be willing to take McConnell or Paul on....

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

12. My family has a spare house in Ashland

If she wants to crash there, we'll even throw in a year's supply of Ale 8.

[LynneSin]

13. I think she still has a home there

She recently got another degree from University of Kentucky and she votes in Kentucky

[okaawhatever]

38. Her current residency

I think she still has the home in LA, but spends much more time at her home in Williamson Co. TN, right outside of Nashville. Her mother, sister, and she have many acres of adjoining land.

[Ken Burch]

39. OK...but Tennessee still isn't Kentucky.

n/t.

[hrmjustin]

45. Welcome to DU!

[CherokeeDem]

7. Not far-fetched is right....

With Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson indicating he's going to run for governor and not for Senate against the turtle this might be our only hope. We have a very weak Democratic gene pool in Kentucky, unless the current governor decides to run. Steve Breshear is very popular and has proven he is capable of winning statewide. He's said he wouldn't run for office again, but perhaps he could be persuaded. Jack Conway, current KY AG has proven himself as a very capable AG, but his campaign against Rand Paul was a disaster. Worst campaign staff I've ever seen...tried to work for them, but they were so disorganized. Conway was way too green as a candidate to for Senate at that point, but I think he's growing. I hope he'll run for LT. Gov with Abramson and then perhaps take on Rand Paul again...if Ashley Judd doesn't jump in.

Judd is extremely popular in Kentucky, more for being the UK Wildcats basketball team's number-one fan. A few years ago, she alienated the residents of Eastern Kentucky where she's from with some disparaging remarks. They may or may not forgive her, and she would need them to win against McConnell or Paul.

OMG...McConnell or Paul...that's just disgusting that they are senators....

[marble falls]

8. Run Ashley, run! She's at least smarter than Ertl the Turtle.

[Texin]

15. She's got the intellect, that's for sure, but Kentucky is one of the most Ol Boy states in the Union

and I believe her pro-environmental stance on the coal industry will hurt her there. And let's face it, there is a double standard where entertainment industry candidates are concerned. Males don't seem to be hurt by their careers in that industry, but I'm having a very hard time trying to recall any women with a Hollywood background mounting successful political careers. I will gladly defer to anyone who can correct me on that, because I'd like to be wrong about it. She's made good choices in her acting career, but I just can't help but think that background will hurt her badly in KY, because it's as far away from WI ideologically than the actual physical distance between the states. I think the fact that the electorate in that state have given the US two of the weakest excuses posturing and preening on the issues on behalf of the people is a pretty strong testament to the intelligence quotient of the voters in that state.

[loyalkydem]

16. As someone who just moved from KY

She would stand a far better chance against Rand Paul because Paul represented Louisville and Lexington. We couldn't come up with the numbers to take him out but she would generate so much excitement for the democratic base in KY.

[corneliamcgillicutty]

17. Ashley would be a tremendous asset

to the Democratic Party. She is very intelligent and articulate. Wouldn't it be great to be rid of turtle face and/or greasy hair--hope she jumps in.

[savalez]

20. Do it! At the very least it would put the tutrle in the spotlight.

Everyone would get to know how biased he is, and it would cost a lot of money to keep his seat. At best she'd win!

[Great Caesars Ghost]

21. Her main problem is her immediate family

Mother Naomi is a real live nutcase, and sister Wynonna is a fat bloated right winged drunk.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

22. Turtleboy has no record to run on, so he's already outlining his smears-only strategy

McConnell’s campaign is already talking about how it’s prepared to tear apart any Democrat who joins the fray.

“It’s going to sting,” Jesse Benton, McConnell’s campaign manager, warned to any candidates considering a run. “We’re going to make sure that you don’t come out with your nose clean. We’re going to drive your negatives up and very aggressively and publicly litigate your record before the citizens of Kentucky.”

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2012/12/ashley-judd-exploring-senate-run-84542.html#ixzz2E6sRrnQu

[blackspade]

24. So Jesse Benton is saying....

We are going to lie our asses off in order to stay on the gravy train.

Asshat.

[blackspade]

23. I hope this is true.

She was pretty cool when I knew her at UK.
She has stayed as liberal as she was then.

[rachel1]

25. She can win this one

If the Democrats can win Senate seats in Indiana, Montana, and North Dakota then there's a great possibility that she could win in Kentucky.

I think lots of Kentuckians can identify with her views and that could really bolster her support.

[BeyondGeography]

26. Cannon fodder

A non-resident entertainment celebrity with no experience either running for office or legislating? I like her, but I can't see this working.

[Warren Religion]

31. Me neither

And, to be perfectly honest, I don't like her. Or any members of her family.

[juajen]

43. Her family isn't running.

Now that that is out of the way, what do you not like about her?

[BlueStreak]

27. What shape is the Dem party in Kentucky?

It takes more than a compelling candidate. You need a real party apparatus. How strong is the Dem Party in KY?

[Puzzledtraveller]

28. She's not going to run. Been talked about extensively here. in Ky.

[obamanut2012]

34. She lives in TN and wa a delegate this year

[graham4anything]

29. Someone needs to defeat Rand Paul

it would be better to get rid of him and every other tea party person
but Rand is IMHO one of the singular most dangerous people in this country

better looking, younger and a better speaking voice than the loon he calls daddy.

with views akin to the John Birch Society and friends like David Duke.

wait til 2016 but spend at least three years being political, and show you mean it and aren't playing a role.

(Al Franken worked his butt off doing the rote work, the handshakes, and learning everything that needed to be learned. It was not a joke.)

And unlike Arnold, she will not have the element of surprise to enter quick. This will be at least 2 to 4 years.

[Tom Ripley]

30. The Tortoise and The Hair

Go Hair!

[JI7]

32. would her Republican mother support her ? she would usually be too liberal

but i don't know if her name could help her overcome it.

either way it would be a tough one for us and at least she could bring attention to these things in a part of the country that we need to improve on.

[obamanut2012]

33. She would be great

Intelligent, articulate, passionate. Has an MPA from Harvard, does a lot of international charity and UN work, and was a delegate for TN at the Dem Con in Charlotte this year.

[obamanut2012]

35. Judd owns property in KY and is from there

And also graduated from UK.

She now lives in TN, and was a TN delegate to the DemCon in Charlotte this year.

She should run for Congress as a Rep. She would be great.

And, she HAS helped legislate in her capacity for the UN and charities. She also hold an MPA from Harvard and is fluent in French.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

36. Looks like she's already striking fear into the heart of the creepy Baby Ron Paul

who felt the need to post this nervously on Twitter just now:

Rand Paul ‏@DrRandPaul
Ashley Judd-born in CA, works in Hollywood,lives in TN and Scotland-wants to run for office.With her liberal views does she mean parliament?

[okaawhatever]

40. She's an 8th generation Kentuckian. She went to high school and college there. How 'bout you? n/t

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

41. He was born in Pa, raised in Texas and didn't move to Ky. til he was 27

Ashley has more Kentucky in her left pinky than Rand does in his entire persona.

[BootinUp]

37. 2014 or 2016, I'd be happy either way. nt

[ReRe]

42. K&R

GO, ASHLEY!

[closeupready]

44. I love the work she did in South Asia with sex slavery

and campaigning to fight the spread of HIV. Would enjoy seeing her run.