subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Published: May 06, 2009 07:49 am    print this story  

Bunning might reconsider run if fundraising falls short

By Ronnie Ellis
CNHI News Service

FRANKFORT Sen. Jim Bunning suggested Tuesday he may “take another look at the (2010 Senate) race,” if his fundraising doesn’t go well and he criticized Mitch McConnell, the Senate Republican Leader, for the declining number of Senate Republicans.

Bunning was peppered with questions on his weekly teleconference about state Secretary of State Trey Grayson’s announcement he had formed an exploratory committee for the 2010 race. Both men are Republicans and long-time friends, and Bunning gave his blessing to Grayson to form the committee.

When asked what he would do if he fails to meet his fundraising goals and concludes it was a mistake to encourage Grayson to form the committee, Bunning responded: “Then we’ll take another look at the race.”

Bunning went on to say he expected to raise at least $1 million before 2010 because, “I know it’s going to cost $7 million, minimum, probably 10, somewhere in that area, to run against the winner of the Democratic primary.” But Bunning, who reported raising only $283,000 in the first quarter, wouldn’t name a goal, saying reporters can learn how well he’s doing when he files his second quarter Federal Election Commission report on July 15.

He said he encouraged Grayson to form the committee so he could travel the state and raise money. He said Grayson could transfer his money to another federal race and that reporters shouldn’t make too much of the committee.

Grayson, through his spokesman, released a very brief statement.

“I will be releasing more news about my exploratory committee over the coming days and weeks,” was all the statement said.

But in a statement last week, when he announced the committee, Grayson said, “I have formed an exploratory committee to allow me to formally raise and spend funds as I seek support for a bid for U.S. Senate.”

Bunning was asked about Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter’s leaving the Republican Party to become a Democrat because — Specter said — he couldn’t be re-elected as a Republican. Bunning said, “Good riddance,” contending Specter never accepted some bedrock Republican principles, but he then veered into criticism of McConnell.

“How about our leadership that was not able to do anything to retain him?” Bunning asked. When asked if he referred specifically to McConnell, Bunning said, “Obviously. Good God, he wants to run everybody.”

McConnell has not publicly questioned Bunning’s ability to win re-election but has not spoken in his support nor has he contributed to Bunning’s re-election fundraising efforts while contributing to other Republican incumbents on next year’s ballot. Bunning has publicly blamed McConnell for undermining Bunning’s fundraising.

Bunning also said McConnell has presided over a declining Republican Senate minority and the number could get smaller after next year’s election.

“Do you realize that under the dynamic leadership of our leader, we’ve gone from 55 (seats) to probably 40 in two election cycles?” asked Bunning. “And if the tea leaves that I read are correct, we will wind up with about 36 after this election cycle," Bunning said. (McConnell did not become Republican Leader until after the 2006 elections which gave Democrats the Senate majority.)

McConnell’s Chief of Staff, Billy Piper, declined to comment on Bunning’s comments in the Tuesday teleconference.

But Frank Donatelli, Chairman of GOPAC, a major Republican Political Action Committee, said it’s unfair to blame McConnell for Senate losses in 2006 and 2008.

“That was a party failure rather than a failure of any one individual,” Donatelli said by phone from his Washington office. And he said it’s clear Specter left the party, “because he had a better chance to be elected as a Democrat than as a Republican.”

“Mitch McConnell is a very, very good leader,” Donatelli said.

Bunning, McConnell and Grayson are scheduled to appear together Saturday night at the state Lincoln Day Dinner in Louisville. Grayson is master of ceremonies and Bunning and McConnell are scheduled to speak.

Besides Grayson, Bowling Green eye surgeon Rand Paul has indicated he will enter the Republican primary if Bunning should drop out. State Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, and Cathy Bailey, of Louisville, a prodigious fundraiser and the former ambassador to Latvia, have also been mentioned as potential candidates.

On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo —who narrowly lost to Bunning in 2004, Attorney General Jack Conway and Darlene Fitzgerald Price, a former U.S. Customs agent who lives in McCreary County, are running.

Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. He may be reached by e-mail at rellis@cnhi.com. The Richmond Register is a CNHI newspaper.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide
Premium Jobs

Medical Coder needed For busy practice
Busy Medical Practice seeking Certified Medical Coder. Must have experience. Excellent salary and health benefits. Pleas...>MORE

Employment Opportunity Groundskeeping
Employment Opportunity Groundskeeping Helper
65 temp. openings. Swartz Mowing, Inc., Olympia, KY. Employment begin
...>MORE

CMA needed for fast-paced nephrology
CMA needed for fast-paced nephrology office. Send resume to:
Richmond Nephrology & Hypertension
793 Eastern B
...>MORE

Employment Opportunity
Employment Opportunity
Brick Mason Helper
11 temp. openings. Cross Roads Masonry, Beattyville, KY. Employment
...>MORE

Employment Opportunity Construction Helper
Employment Opportunity Construction Helper
10 temp. positions. Bobby Cameron Stone Masonry, Brodhead, KY. Employmen
...>MORE

Appalachian Research & Defense Fund
Appalachian Research & Defense Fund of Kentucky, Inc. is accepting resumes for two full-time intake secretaries. The app...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

Looking for a Great Auto Deal?
Looking to buy or sell? Check here for the Premium Auto Section. For More Information Call 859-624-6681. ...>MORE

2003 Wildwood, 37ft asking $17,000
2003 Wildwood, 37ft S/C. Like new. Air, awning, super slide. Fully loaded. Must go. Paid $28,000 asking $17,000 Best of...>MORE

1998 Chevrolet Cavalier.
1998 Chevrolet Cavalier.
111K mi. Good condition. $1800.
859-623-0685
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Rentals

Apt. for Rent in Berea, 2BR, 1B, Washer/
Apt. for Rent in Berea, 2BR, 1B, Washer/Dryer
included.
Call 859-986-0175.
...>MORE

Move in special 1 bdrm
Move in special! 1 bdrm $525-$535, includes utilities and W/D. Near Exit- 87. 779-9292, 536-7791. ...>MORE

Berea I-75 Beaumont
Berea I-75,Beaumont.713 Candlewood.3 Level, porch,3Br, 2.5Ba., Balcony,W/DExtra Lg. Gar,Storage, Free Garbage Serv.
...>MORE

See all ads

Deal of the Day

Everything from A-Z!!!
Need to sell your bedroom suite, washer and dryer, or even selling an animal? Call Mayme or Melissa at 859-624-6681 to p...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index