On August 2, the city of Fancy Farm, Kentucky held its annual picnic (hosted by St. Jerome Parish). The picnic is also a forum for political candidates, and this year was no different. The main race in Kentucky is the Senatorial Election, with incumbent Mitch McConnell (R) squaring off against Kentucky’s Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes (D). Both candidates took jabs at each other.
McConnell criticized Grimes for having a lack of experience, since she was running for the Senate after serving only two years in office (thus comparing her to Obama doing the same thing when he served in the Senate), and relying on Bill Clinton for help. He also accused Grimes of being opposed to the coal industry, and being a potential stooge for Obama. In addition, Senator Rand Paul (R) spoke on behalf of McConnell, citing Grimes’s support from Hollywood liberals.
Prior to Senators McConnell’s and Paul’s speaking, Grimes spoke, stating that McConnell “doesn’t care”. She even compared McConnell to the television series Mad Men, saying that he treated women unfairly and that he was stuck in 1968. This was an odd statement considering that Grimes is relying on Bill Clinton (himself a womanizer) to help campaign for her in Kentucky. Governor Steve Beshear spoke on behalf of Grimes, taking a selfie of himself and McConnell, then added that “I had to get one last photo of the Senator before Kentucky voters retire him.”
Both candidates had a fair amount of supporters show up, with McConnell’s supporters wearing t-shirts with the slogan “Obama needs Grimes–Kentucky needs McConnell”, and some carried signs stating “Alison’s dilemma…being a real Catholic or a devout Democrat.”
Meanwhile, one of Grimes’s supporter held a sign that read “What would Jesus do? Vote 4 Grimes.” There were cheers and jeers throughout the event, but they managed to be civil as requested from the event’s organizers.
Several other candidates also spoke at the event: State Senator Stan Humphries (R- Second District), State Representative Richard Heath (R- Second District), Jesse Wright (D- Heath’s challenger in the Second District), Congressman Ed Whitfield (R- First District), and Charles Hatchett (D- Whitfield’s challenger in the First District).
In addition, Agricultural Commissioner James Comer (R) announced his candidacy for Governor. Other Republicans seeking the Governorship are Hal Heiner and Cathy Bailey. So far, the only Democrat running for Governor next year is Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway, who also spoke at the event.
Here are the highlights from Fancy Farm 2014: http://www.ket.org/fancyfarm/
Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/4870117941/
