KY-6: Air Wars Begin in Kentucky Race

[goobergunch]

Kerr, Chandler Face Off in Six Weeks

By Chris Cillizza
Roll Call Staff


January 5, 2004

With just six weeks remaining before the Feb. 17 special election in Kentucky’s 6th district, both outgoing state Attorney General Ben Chandler (D) and state Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr (R) have taken to the airwaves.

Kerr went up with her first ad of the abbreviated campaign the day after Christmas, as she began the arduous — and expensive — task of raising her name identification to rival Chandler, who is less than two months removed from an unsuccessful gubernatorial bid.

“People like Alice Forgy Kerr,” intones the narrator, describing her as a “state Senator who gets results” and a “dedicated Mom.”

The spot, which was produced by Larry McCarthy, goes on to detail her accomplishments since first being elected in 1998, which include passing legislation that expanded Medicaid coverage to low-income women suffering from breast cancer. It is running in the Lexington media market, the first time in Kerr’s political career that she will appear on television in the district’s dominant market.

more...http://www.rollcall.com/issues/49_62/politics/3894-1.html

[GOPBasher]

1. Anyone know how this race is going?

Does anyone have any poll news. I'm wondering if we're going to keep this seat. I've heard it's one of the few remaining swing districts.

[NewJerseyDem]

2. I hear that Chandler is leading

News reports that I have read say that polls show Chandler is leading because of high name ID but I guess those polls are just internal ones done by the campaigns. This districts leans to the republicans but given that the election is pretty soon it will be hard for the republicans to get the people familiar with Alice Forgy Kerr before the election.

Also, it isn't to keep the seat; it is to pick it up.

[Lostnote03]

3. As a resident..

...of the 6th Congressonal Ky District I tend to believe that Chandler will pull this one out...the Governors race resulted in over a 2 to 1 spending margin and many of the local Dems are now finally accepting the fact that they will in no way match the GOP funding advantage(and quit crying about it)...this fact alone forces them to nail down the hatches and focus on creative avenues for dissemination of issues...I spoke today with Chandlers handlers and now have them seriously considering the mass downloading of "Undocumented....IRW", the recent moveon.org sponsored film....with the recent approval by the producer this appears to be low-cost no-brainer for all campaigns....also Greg Palaasts "Uncensored-2000 Election" is to be considered as well although "bulk rates" will have to be considered since Palaast has not released proprietory rights for mass distribution....in any case I told them that $5,000.00 could be more effectivly spent this way than $200,000.00 TV/Radio spots....I presented this idea prior to the Gubernatorial race to no avail however now they appear to be receptive due to a low voter turn-out for Chandlers loss to (GOP)Fletcher....

[Lostnote03]

4. Oh Well.......

......the above mentioned idea was to no avail.....not too surprising based on previous encounters with the campaign heirarchy....they are just going to ride it out based on the Dem candidates name recognition as opposed to the weak Gop candidates name recognition.....btw they had not seen either documentary nor was familiar with Greg Palaasts name but were damned certain that the dissemination of these films would have an adverse impact on the campaign due to Bushs popularity in this state.....I couldn't help but think of my nephew sitting in downtown Baghdad and his understanding of the issues as opposed to the social climbers that I was standing in front of.....

[groovedaddy]

5. I also live in this district

Chandler's campaign for governor featured regular attacks on the Bush economic policies and their effects on Kentucky. So far, Chandler's ads have not done the same. His loss in the gubenatorial race could easily be attributed to outgoing Dem governor Paul Patton who had some serious problems in his administration.
The 6th congressional district is registered almost 2-1 Democrat, though they don't necessarily vote Dem. This seat has been held by a Dem as recently as the 96-98 term. This is a very conservative area that includes Lexington as the major population center in the district. Lexington, however, now has a liberal woman mayor, Teresa Isaac. City elections are non-partisan, though Isaac is a Dem.
Chandler has a good chance to win this race, though I have yet to see any polls, his name i.d. is considerably higher.
His Repub opponent, Alice Forgy Kerr, is tying herself big-time to Bush: "If you like the policies of President Bush, then vote for me."
Stay tuned to this one.

[groovedaddy]

6. P.S. Chandler endorsed Clark for President

yesterday

[goobergunch]

7. I heard that

It's been noted to be added if (hopefully when) he becomes a superdelegate.

[Lostnote03]

8. Pattons problem.....

.....Patton should have resigned immediantly to allow a cooling off period prior to the election.....all Dems should have requested that....once again the the GOP succeeded in defining the campaign as ousting the local corrupt Dem machine....the irony/farce is that the Bush/Mconnell machine that engineered the campaign will in all liklihood go down in history as the most corrupt U.S. administartion....the Dem party failed to rise to the occassion and get bare-knuckled with the GOP campaign....the Congressional campaign appears to be more suited to the Dem Party Peter Principles....it should be easier with a softer GOP opponent....Clarks endorcement does not impress me one iota....gaming the political debate with a Generals suit does little to expose the lies and corruption at the very base of the GOP pursuit....The DLC philosophy is guiding Ky campaigns and I can only keep my fingers crossed because the last voter turnout was a whopping 38%....this from the only state to vote NO to the establishment of the IRS.....

[Lostnote03]

9. Zell Miller???

....A call-in show mentioned that Chandler described himself as appreciating Zell Millers efforts....My understanding of Mr Chandler and those that surround him confirms this characterization....As with Zell Miller(DINO), about the only thing that can be said good about his political orientation is that his presence enables the Dem to contend for US House committee chairmanship positions....This in all liklihood will be the KY contribution as well....I hope that I am premature in my judgement as I will be voting Dem....best wishes