Gov. Ernie Fletcher speaking live now...special press conf.

[Roland99]

Bloviating about cutting spending instead of raising taxes to lower $1billion deficit into $214 million surplus.

[Roland99]

1. Dismisses illegal hiring practices as "management mistakes"

Says, "The buck stops here" and gets applause.

Justifying the illegal hiring practices saying Dems did it but used phone while they used email and got caught.

"I never knowingly violated any laws"...more applause.

Obviously a stacked crowd.


"My conscience is clear..."

"This appears to be a political investigation"

"Statute...has been described as...being vague and confusing. In fact, it has never been used to indict any employee of Kentucky State government."

[Roland99]

2. Dismissing the indictments as mere misdemeanors

more applause


Comparing indictments to something called "noodling" (catching fish with your bare hands.)


WTF?


"Greg Stumbo is wasting your tax dollars."

Bloviating about healthcare being more important than the investigation and, I think this was what he said, something about Stumbo should investigate fraud in Medicare.

Asking "what's the best way to spend your Kentucky tax dollars?"

"I cannot allow state government to be consumed by political gotcha...it may not be good politics but I believe, after long nights of prayers...to use the power you invested in me"


Here it comes...pardon... I bet

[Roland99]

3. Says he will appear but won't speak

pleading the 5th? Hunh? I don't know for sure what he meant.


"2nd, in order to bring closure...to grant amnesty to all persons who might otherwise be charged with violating merit system laws."


"I will not pardon myself"

[Roland99]

4. ARGH!! What a fucking PIECE OF CORRUPT SHIT!!!

[Hubert Flottz]

5. Conscience I don't see any conscience

GOPers have no conscience. GOPer "MORALITY" in action...

[Democrat 4 Ever]

7. WAVE 3 just reported that Fletcher and his cronies tightly controlled

who would be in the audience in the Capitol Rotunda for his little announcement. Appears they rounded up every repug in 3-4 counties for their little party. Fletcher has visions of being Little Boots 2. While Fletcher has about 3½ IQ points more than Commander Bunny Pants but he is just as corrupt, lame and hateful.

What is it with repugs that will pitch a hissy fit over an affair (I don't condone Patton but geeze I thought the repugs were going to faint from all of the whining they did about "corrupt" the Dems) but overlooks screwing people over jobs, careers, benefits, etc.? Hypocrites one and all.

[Roland99]

8. WAVE3 actually put that on the air? That GM is a fvcking * shill

[alfredo]

6. Push for impeachment!!!! call your state reps.

[kymar57]

9. Campaign promises

So that's what he meant by cleaning up the mess in Frankfort, now I get it:grr:

[alfredo]

10. Remember, Mitch McConnell taught Ernie all he knows. Be ready to

tie Mitch and Ernie when Mitch comes up for reelection.

[yellowdoggess]

11. Political future

Since no one responded to my post in the "pardons all" thread, I'll repeat it here for feedback.

Just supposin' .....Ern-dog appoints himself senator when an "ailing" Jim Bunning resigns in a month or so, and Pence who has been conveniently distancing himself, becomes gov and saves the GOP? Obviously they are all about putting people in place, eh? I can't remember at the moment when Bunning's term is up, maybe 5 more years? By then, Ern will be as entrenched as McConnell and the electorate may truly forget. Even if he isn't reelected to the Senate, he will have made out just fine, thank you. Rep. Anne Northup for Gov in 2007 anyone? Gag.

[ridgerunner]

12. Is he allowed to apoint himself? n/t