Republican and Conservative political analysis and commentary

Today is election day, in Kentucky and Mississippi. And in Kentucky, the Republican Party is poised to lose the Governorship to Democrat Steve Beshear.

Ernie Fletcher is the Republican incumbent running for reelection. His Administration has been plagued by scandal including a criminal investigation which was settled out of court. He had a tough primary challenge (which many political insiders were hoping he lost), but hung on for the general where he is down by close to 20 points.

Desperate times call for desperate situations and Fletcher is pulling out all the stops. Yesterday, he ordered a public display of the Ten Commandments in the State Capitol with an obvious attempt to appeal to social conservatives. Similarly, voters have been getting bombarded with anonymous negative robocalls (KY law doesn't require disclosure on robocalls). Script of the call, per the Lexington Herald-Leader:

"Beshear is receiving major support from out-of-state gay activists and has publicly committed to same-gender relationships, employment of more homosexuals in state government, including teachers, and support for homosexual adoption of children. If you believe these rights are fair, please vote for Steve Beshear for governor."

I think that speaks for itself. 

Fletcher's loss is going to spark talk that Mitch McConnell, the U.S. Senate Minority Leader who is up for reelection in Kentucky in 2008, is vulnerable. But I wouldn't get your hopes up, the bluegrass state is still very much red. McConnell is a veteran Kentucky politician who enjoys widespread name recognition and support. No challenger has stepped up yet; however Beshear's win may enable the Democrats to recruit a respectable sacrificial lamb.

JX 

More:
Ernie Fletcher