Now Who's Endorsing Todd P'Pool?

A mysterious media advisory from Todd P'Pool's campaign:  look for a "major" endorsement of the Republican nominee for Kentucky Attorney General, to take place this Wed.

Who could it be?

He already has both of Kentucky's U.S. Senators, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul.  David Williams backed him early on. Several Attorneys General from other states have endorsed him or even campaigned.  Trey Grayson has praised him, as well as Mike Huckabee. The Fraternal Order of Police has endorse P'Pool.

Maybe one of the presidential contenders?  Not sure that would make much difference.

Perhaps a sports celebrity?

Good for Chris Thieneman

Chris Thieneman lost to Hal Heiner in the Republican primary back in May, but he chose to endorse him only yesterday -- to refute Greg Fischer's charge that Heiner is trading endorsements for influence. Moreover, Thieneman revealed details about past discussions with Heiner that don't make Thieneman look so great, but for the fact that he is coming clean now.

From Joe Arnold

Thieneman said he knows that Heiner hasn't bargained for endorsements because Heiner rejected Thieneman's initial endorsement offer when it had strings attached

Amid questions of whether Democrat Greg Fischer traded influence over a Metro agency in exchange for the endorsement of former independent candidate Jackie Green, Fischer subsequently has called Heiner a liar and hypocrite and accused him of doing the same thing to procure the endorsement of former Democratic primary mayoral candidate Tyler Allen.

Thieneman described his discussions with Heiner after the primary, in which Heiner rejected Thieneman's offer of an endorsement:

"So I asked Hal, I said 'Hal - do you think you could find a position for me to where I could represent the South End in the areas that they've always been neglected?' And when I talked to Hal about that, he said - 'Chris I understand where you're coming from,

I appreciate what you are standing for in the South End,' but he said, 'I can't do that."I would love to have your endorsement," Thieneman recalled Heiner saying shortly after the primary, "but if it means that I have to give you anything, then it's best that i don't."

Greg Fischer is No Moderate

Greg Fischer is polling as well as he is because people look at his moderate demeanor and assume that his politics are moderate, as well.

The list of labor endorsements on his website suggests that to the contrary, he's a classic pro-union Democrat:

United Auto Workers
Laborers Local 576
Kentucky Laborers' District Council
National Conference of Firemen and Oilers 32BJ/SEIU
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Plumbers, Pipefitters & HVAC Service Technicians Local 502
International Union of Electrical Workers Local 761 IUE-CWA
Louisville Professional Firefighters Local 345
Louisville Federation of Retired Firefighters
United Steel Workers
Greater Louisville AFL-CIO Retirees Council
Sprinkler Fitters Local 669
Amalgamated Transit United Local 1447
International Brotherhood of Teamsters 783
Boilermakers Local 40
International Union of Operating Engineers #181
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO Lodge #681
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 227
General Drivers, Warehousemen & Helpers Local #89
AFSCME
Painters and Allied Trades District Council 91, Local 118
Greater L'ville Central Labor Council AFL-CIO
Communications Workers of America
Bricklayers Local #4
Sheet Metal Workers Local #110
Retired Police & Firefighters Advocates Inc.
National Association of Government Employees
Iron Workers Local 70
Building Trades

Greg Fischer's candidacy has energized the unions. Their members will turn out on Election Day, and the Hal Heiner campaign better have a strong Get Out the Vote program in place to respond.

Sheriffs Back Rand

This set of endorsements should neutralize Jack Conway's attempt to exploit the drug problems of Eastern Kentucky: Rand Paul has won the endorsements from a number of Sheriffs -- including from Eastern Kentucky:

Todd Wood, Pulaski County

Gus Skinner, McCreary County

James Pruett, Cumberland County

Kevin Johnson, Clay County

Ricky Riddle, Clinton County

Chuck Korzenborn, Kenton County

Mike A. Helmig, Boone County

Colan Harrell, Whitley County Sheriff-Elect

John Root, Laurel County Sheriff-Elect

Ralph Curry, Adair County

The Paul campaign makes an important point I had not considered before in response to Conway's plan to keep throwing federal money at Eastern Kentucky's drug problem. Bottom line, that's not working:

"The issues facing our citizens in today's society are complex and require a person with forward thinking abilities who is not afraid to say our current system is not working for the good of all Kentuckians," said Todd Wood, Sheriff of Pulaski County. "A man who is willing to look beyond and challenge the status quo. A man who will address the important issues, foster an environment which seeks and accepts new ideas and works hard to find the appropriate solutions to the issues we face in Eastern Kentucky."

Cathy Bailey Endorses Rand Paul

Here's a shocker: Former Latvian Ambassador Cathy Bailey has endorsed Rand Paul. And in so doing, she essentially accuses Trey Grayson's supporters or campaign of misrepresenting Paul's record. Worse still, she implies that Grayson is neither conservative nor tough enough to be Kentucky's U.S. Senator.

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader,

In a statement, Cathy Bailey said, “I have consistently said that I wanted the Republican Party of Kentucky to nominate a true conservative to replace Senator Jim Bunning in Washington D.C.

“Like many people, I was originally told things about Rand Paul’s views that turned out to be false.

“The truth is Rand Paul is a true conservative and he will not participate in the business-as-usual culture of Washington D.C. I am confident that he will stand up for fiscal discipline, just as Senator Bunning has done time and again.”

. . .

Bailey said she selected between Paul and Secretary of State Trey Grayson on the basis of which one is “strong enough and conservative enough to truly stand against President Obama’s liberal agenda, which is pushing the United States down a treacherous path on many fronts.”

Jim DeMint Endorses Rand Paul

Well, that didn't take long. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) waited a whopping 24 hours to endorse Rand Paul after Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell endorsed Trey Grayson.

The battle for Senate Republican Leader starts now. Other than that, DeMint's endorsement makes no difference. He consecrated Rand Paul with kind words back in February, so his preference in Kentucky's primary was about as much of a secret as McConnell's. Nonetheless, just days ago DeMint said he had not taken the step of endorsing Paul because he didn't want to poke a finger in McConnell's eye. DeMint said he'd intervene if the race got "unfair."

The race has gotten plenty unfair. Sen. Jim Bunning encourages Trey Grayson to run and then endorses Rand Paul. Dr. James Dobson endorses Trey Grayson (who is indisputably pro-life) and then does an about-face to endorse Rand Paul. Like the DeMint endorsement, the Bunning and Dobson endorsements were not so much about supporting Paul as punishing McConnell.

The only Kentuckians who could care less about DeMint's favorite are already in the Paul cult.

McConnell Endorses Trey!

Sen. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has endorsed Trey Grayson. This is huge, and must be a disappointment to Rand Paul who last fall went to have a private wine and cheese meeting with McConnell in an office at Bowman Field; this was Rand paying obeisance for commenting that he might not back McConnell for party leader if elected.

We know how Rand will spin this: jump up and down and whimper "Career Politician! Term Limits! Earmarks!" The fact is, that McConnell's seniority and the earmarks he has brought to a state as poor as Kentucky have improved the lives of many. He therefore remains hugely popular with Kentucky Republicans, and his endorsement is a game-changer.

Here's the release from the Grayson campaign:

Senator Mitch McConnell announced today that he is taking the rare step of endorsing a GOP candidate in a contested primary. Sen. McConnell threw his support behind Secretary of State Trey Grayson for U.S. Senate in the May 18^th Republican primary. The Grayson campaign also launched a television commercial that features McConnell.

“For the last year and a half I’ve seen first-hand the efforts the left will go to in order to enact President Obama’s far-reaching policies. Their moves to have the government take over banks, car companies, the student loan business and most recently pass government run health care are turning the U.S. into a western European style economy. I refuse to let America be the next Greece, and I need Trey Grayson in the Senate to help me turn back the Obama agenda,” said McConnell.

He continued, “Trey Grayson has a proven conservative record as Secretary of State, cutting his office budget by 15% and ensuring that Kentucky’s taxpaying families have easy access to information about his office and budget. He understands that Kentuckians are his first responsibility and has worked to make his office more efficient and effective to meet their needs.”

“President Obama, aided by large Democratic majorities in both Houses of Congress, has put us on a course to double the national debt in 5 years and triple it in 10 years. I need a conservative ally who won’t simply oppose such misguided plans, but will work to correct our current course. Trey is that candidate. He has a track record of leading by example rather than by press release. I ask Kentucky Republicans to vote for Trey Grayson on May 18^th.”

Grayson commented, “Senator Mitch McConnell has been a champion in the Senate for Kentucky. Like most Kentucky Republicans, I am proud that he has twice been unanimously selected to lead his GOP colleagues in the Senate. Unlike my opponent, I am committed to seeing him reelected to that position in the next Congress. I thank him for his support and hope to have the opportunity to work with him on behalf of Kentuckians. The Democratic Congress is too arrogant, too liberal and refuses to listen to voters. If elected I will work with Sen. McConnell to help get our country back on a path to prosperity.”

Yesterday, Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky’s 5^th Congressional District endorsed Grayson. Congressman Rogers hasn’t received less than 70% of the vote since 1992 in the critical 5^th Congressional district, where primary voter turnout is expected to be the highest statewide.

The Grayson campaign also released the attached memo from respected pollster Jan van Lohuizen describing a live survey of 600 likely Republican primary voters conducted for the Grayson campaign last week that continues to show the race is a dead heat with each candidate getting 40% of the vote and 20% of voters still undecided.

Update: Politico reports that an the Grayson campaign will run its largest statewide buy of an ad with McConnell endorsing Trey.

Giuliani Endorses Trey

Rudy Giuliani just endorsed Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Note the part about Rand Paul being part of the "blame America first crowd." Here's the release:

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani announced today that he is endorsing Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

“Trey Grayson is the candidate in this race who will make the right decisions necessary to keep America safe and prevent more attacks on our homeland. He is not part of the ‘blame America first’ crowd that wants to bestow the rights of U.S. citizens on terrorists and point fingers at America for somehow causing 9/11,” Giuliani said.

He continued, “Kentucky needs a Senator who understands the threat posed by our enemies abroad. I witnessed firsthand the destruction and loss of life our enemies can cause. Like me, Trey Grayson knows we must stay on offense against terrorism, and he supports using all the essential tools we have in that fight, including monitoring the conversations and activities of suspected foreign terrorists as allowed by the Patriot Act. He is a fresh face that Republicans can trust to best represent their values – both on national security and fiscal responsibility – in Washington. Kentuckians could not elect a better Senator than Trey Grayson.”

Grayson commented, “Mayor Giuliani’s endorsement shows the growing momentum we have in this campaign. More and more Kentuckians are siding with me in the fight to preserve the Patriot Act and our ability to monitor the activities of suspected terrorists overseas and are rejecting the Blame America First mentality of my opponent. I’m proud to have Rudy Giuliani’s support, and I pledge to live up to that support in the U.S. Senate by fighting for strong anti-terrorism policies that will help prevent more attacks on our country.”

Grayson launched a web ad detailing Rand Paul’s statements that blame America for the 9/11 attacks.

Rick Santorum Endorses Trey

Former Sen. Rick Santorum -- a rising conservative star -- endorsed Trey Grayson, based on Grayson's commitment to protecting the unborn.

Here's the release:

Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum announced today that he is endorsing Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate. Santorum is in Kentucky to speak at the 40^th anniversary dinner for Kentucky Right to Life.

"Trey Grayson is the only 100% pro-life candidate in this race. I’ve looked at the records and past statements of both candidates on the issue of protecting life, and I’m impressed with Grayson’s conviction and sincerity,” said Santorum.

He continued, “And on other issues, too, Trey Grayson has a solidly conservative record. As Secretary of State he has cut his budget by 15%. That’s the kind of fiscal conservatism we need in Washington. Trey has a record, not just rhetoric on fiscal responsibility.”

Grayson commented, “It means a lot to me that Senator Santorum would endorse my campaign. I’m thrilled to have his support. If I’m elected I will be a conservative voice for Kentucky whose views match our state and whose principles don’t change for the sake of political expediency.”

Santorum will appear on the Terry Meiners Show and The Pulse of Lexington with Leland Conway today to discuss Grayson’s candidacy and his endorsement.

Rand Paul has recently claimed to be pro-life, but in contrast to Trey Grayson, he has a long record of advocating pro-choice positions.

Bunning Endorses Rand Paul

Sen. Jim Bunning -- who encouraged Trey Grayson to run -- has endorsed Grayson's rival for the Republican nomination, Rand Paul.

Bunning can endorse whomever he wants. But to encourage Grayson to run and then endorse his opponent is just despicable.

Plainly, Bunning is trying to get back at Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, whom Bunning accused of "drying up" potential campaign donations. Bunning decided to retire after he was unable to raise the money to run for reelection.

Treacherous though it is, Bunning's endorsement is a big boost to the Paul campaign.

More Endorsements for Grayson

Trey Grayson's campaign announced that he has been endorsed by Judge Executives from 27 counties across Kentucky:

Judge Ann Melton (Adair)
Judge Davie Greer (Barren)
Judge Albey Brock (Bell)
Judge Gary Moore (Boone)
Judge Ray Powers (Breckinridge)
Judge David Fields (Butler)
Judge Steve Pendery (Campbell)
Judge Lyle Huff (Clinton)
Judge Fred Brown (Crittenden)
Judge Tim Hicks (Cumberland)
Judge Wallace Taylor (Estill)
Judge Larry Foxworthy (Fleming)
Judge John Wilson (Garrard)
Judge Harry Berry (Hardin)
Judge Terry Martin (Hart)
Judge Ralph Drees (Kenton)
Judge Steve Mays (Lee)
Judge Jimmy Sizemore (Leslie)
Judge Blaine Phillips (McCreary)
Judge Larry Whitaker (McLean)
Judge Tim Conley (Morgan)
Judge Duane Murner (Oldham)
Judge Mickey Garner (Russell)
Judge Rob Rothenburger (Shelby)
Judge Jim Henderson (Simpson)
Judge Stanley Humphries (Trigg)
Judge Pat White, Jr. (Whitley)