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Jack Conway

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Kentucky Needs a New Voice in Washington

Posted: 03/02/10 06:08 PM ET

When George Bush took a $236 billion surplus and turned into a $1.3 trillion deficit, Jim Bunning voted with him again and again.

When Bush and the Republican Congress ran up the national debt to eight trillion dollars, Bunning went along.

Why is it that only now, when unemployment benefits for millions of Americans are on the line, Jim Bunning has decided to have a temper tantrum on the floor of the U.S. Senate?

It is the worst kind of political grandstanding.

I am sending Senator Bunning a petition signed by myself and hundreds of my fellow Kentuckians, asking him to stop the political games and do the work of the American people. These are tough economic times and he's playing with people's lives.

Stand with me to tell Jim Bunning to stop playing politics with the help working families need.

We've seen way too much of this kind of this kind of obstruction and gridlock in Washington. Most politicians act like they don't work for the people anymore. It is especially unfortunate that Kentucky families may suffer at the hands of their own retiring junior senator. I share the frustration of so many citizens across the Commonwealth who feel that Kentuckians deserve better representation.

Yet Republican senatorial candidates Rand Paul and Trey Grayson have sided with Jim Bunning and against Kentucky families. By opposing the renewal of benefits, they have promised to continue more of the same old politics that aren't helping working families in the Bluegrass State.

Kentucky needs a new voice in Washington -- a voice that puts workers and families first. That is why I am running for United States Senate to create jobs, cut the deficit, and bring accountability to Washington. As attorney general, I've saved money for taxpayers by taking on waste, fraud and abuse and protected consumers from price gouging by big oil and pharmaceutical companies. As United States senator, I will continue to stand up for Kentucky families.

We sent a strong message today telling Jim Bunning that the people of Kentucky must come before politics as usual. I invite all Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to join our cause. By standing up and speaking out, we can end the gridlock and make Washington work for us.

 
When George Bush took a $236 billion surplus and turned into a $1.3 trillion deficit, Jim Bunning voted with him again and again. When Bush and the Republican Congress ran up the national debt to ei...
When George Bush took a $236 billion surplus and turned into a $1.3 trillion deficit, Jim Bunning voted with him again and again. When Bush and the Republican Congress ran up the national debt to ei...
 
 
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04:04 PM on 03/05/2010
bunning was not the only extremist party legislator who voted with bush as he spent us into debt - mcconnell, boehner and the rest of the repubs were right there with him. They should all be replaced.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
nutty4tahoe
Stop repeat offenders. Don't re-elect them.
02:30 PM on 03/05/2010
No, Kentucky needs TWO new voices in Washington. Bunning is only one-half the problem for Kentucky, McConnell the other. (where on earth did they find that guy McConnell, under a rock?) Kentucky might as well pull all funding for its state Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Board as these two have managed just the two of them (with the help of the voters) to make Kentucky a laughing stock that nobody from the outside cares to experience. I, for one, wouldn't visit Kentucky because I don't want to meet the people who put these two bozos in office. If they're that inane, I don't want to support them with my tourist dollars. Kentucky is #1 on my list of states I wouldn't visit. There are a few others running a close second. You know who you are.
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Beercandyman
Never deny to someone else, the rights you enjoy.
04:34 PM on 03/05/2010
Good idea. Boycott and red and blue dog states....
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JaxArab
Will say it like it is..
02:23 PM on 03/05/2010
Is there any possibility that the guy is worried about the deficit ? or is it free spending for all the normal thing to do now ? just because he is worried about the deficit that makes his incompetent ? I wish he had more incompetent politicians like him, this Conway guy is self serving anyway !
03:27 PM on 03/05/2010
Did you not read the article. Let's spell it out simply so you can comprehend:

Bunning votes for 8 years without once questioning spend.

NOW... when so many people are in NEED... he changes his position.

Politically motivated at the expense of millions of Americans.

It's called HYPOCRISY !
do as I say, not as I do thing.... you should be familiar with the GOP Mantra.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JaxArab
Will say it like it is..
04:13 PM on 03/05/2010
No the spending is out of hand and he is retiring, he does not care anymore , also hypocrisy is bipartisan ! did you happen to listen to Harry Reid comment about reconciliation when GW Bush was President ?
He said it will be the end of our democracy, LOL !!! How things change.. like the guy cares about democracy .
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HoosierRadical
History is a relay of revolutions.
01:31 PM on 03/05/2010
Kentucky needs a new voice BUT Kentucky won't get a new voice, simply because states like Kentucky are an classic example of where the vast majority of the people continue to vote for against their economic interests.
02:07 PM on 03/05/2010
I am from KY and I completely agree! Kentuckians are not informed about the issues; they vote according to rhetoric and emotional ploys.
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HoosierRadical
History is a relay of revolutions.
02:58 PM on 03/05/2010
Unfortunately, so do many people in Indiana. I was shocked beyond belief when Indiana went blue in '08.
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Darwinia Amazonia
Naturalist in the Peruvian Amazon.
01:02 PM on 03/05/2010
CONWAY THE PANHANDLER NEED NOT APPLY
Kentucky does need a new voice in Washington, one that clearly grasps the severity of the present national social and economic problem, and the will and the intelligence to solve it.
12:11 PM on 03/05/2010
As a Kentuckian, I have been embarrassed by the behavior of those elected to represent us in Washington. I hope the country does not feel all of us in the Commonwealth are similar to Bunning and McConnell. The mess our system is in has caused me to changed my political affiliation to an Independent. But I have lived in Kentucky for almost my entire life, and do not wish to change my address as well. I can only hope some new leadership will help remove the two proverbial black eyes these so-called leaders have given us.
01:15 PM on 03/04/2010
Focus irresponsible media will be shows like Beck and Limbaugh and Fox morning shows and Morning Joe for Joe's prediction was the success of the tea parties and a nation afraid to move forward... love it when the people finally sing...
01:11 PM on 03/04/2010
Bunning will be one the last voices of ignorance and insecurity on the hill...Oh that was a dream I had. Bunning wanted to be known as a leader... so blame the irresponsible media for calling the tea party a party to be feared and giving Binning a box to stand on...
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HUFFPOST PUNDIT
TeraWatt60
Cogito Ergo Sum
12:35 PM on 03/03/2010
Bunning drew the short straw and became "obstructionist du jour" but he did allow his "defenders" to lay the ground work for objecting to the next infusion of funds --- the "Unemployment Divas" as opposed to the "Welfare Queens" of old. And with the Conservative Propaganda and Disinformation machine (self serving incestuous "research" leveraged until it is believed by the mindless right wing sheep... expect to see stories about the one person so where in America who is currently collecting unemployment who owns a Bentley
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
andiannj
07:08 PM on 03/03/2010
Unemployed Divas - LOL!!!

Their comments clearly show the difference between the Republicans and Democrats. The GOP is the party of hate and are trying very hard to make others hate the unemployed too.

My recent favorite was the S.C. lieutenant governor who wanted to cut school lunches because his 'nanna told him feeding 'stray animals' causes them to 'breed.' Word is he was on the free lunch program as a kid, by the way.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
andiannj
08:34 PM on 03/03/2010
I, for one, hope they continue this talk all the way through Nov, because it clearly shows the difference between the Republican and Democrats. Maybe the 30 million unemployed and the soon to be unemployed, along with those that are afraid that they might get laid off, will be aware of the what the GOP has in store for them.
12:02 PM on 03/03/2010
This is the same rhetoric that we heard from Democrats in the 2006 election--bashing the Republicans for fiscal irresponsibility and promising a change in course. Yet, once they gained control of Congress, the Democrats proceeded to give us even more red ink and to pile up debt at a faster rate then the Republicans did.
12:15 PM on 03/03/2010
Completely untrue. As you know.
11:55 AM on 03/05/2010
"untrue"???

What are you talking about? What he said isn' debatable it's a matter of fact.

It would take you all of 3 minutes to look up the numbers.

I guess it's kind of a lost cause to debate someone who thinks he is entitled to his own facts.
12:16 PM on 03/03/2010
You lie !
11:53 AM on 03/03/2010
Rep Bunning stood firm only to show how the Democrats sign something into law and then weeks later break it. Just as Obama said there was no place for lobbyist in his administration weeks later he started to hire several "with a waiver". How ridiculous. If they signed a bill into law that said no bill will be passed without funding they should stick to it no matter what, otherwise stop the meaningless paperwork!

Also, 3 democrats and an independant were also against the bill, not just Rep Bunning, but Rep Bunning was the only Republican so they went after him for political gains. I have to say I applaud him for standing firm to force Democrats to honor their word, even if in the end he relented. That bill could have been passed without his vote. Whow was sleeping on the job not to realize that an extension was needed so ample time was available to get it passed the correct way? And what is wrong with using the Stimulus money to cover the cost? Those questions shoudl be answered. What bill will the Democrats sign next and disregard...
12:17 PM on 03/03/2010
If you knew anything about the budget process, you'd realize how completely uninformed your comment is.
12:06 PM on 03/05/2010
What a cheap and meaningless reply that is.

What is he wrong about?

Here's the facts and none of this is debatable (anymore than the Earth being round is debatable.)

More than 4 days prior to the deadline every Senator (including Reid) knew that Bunning was not going to give up prior to the deadline.

Reid could have filed for cloture, 30hrs of debate would be allowed and then the bill could have been passed regardless of what Bunning though of it.

Reid decided he would rather allow the deadline to expire (and the consequences that went with that) and score political points (and not have to work on the weekend).

So Jack Conway and any other Dem reading this. What part of what I have said is wrong?

You cannot be an honest person and not admit that Reid could have prevented this and decided he would rather score political points.

It's simply the facts. So Conway: Who is really playing games????
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larmar
The vile maxim of the masters of mankind
12:33 PM on 03/03/2010
There is a parable in the Bible that talks about people that complain about a splint in eye of another while ignoring the wooden timber sticking out of their own eye.

This would apply to the false outrage of you and the other "Borrow and spend Republicans."
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
DK in MS
Reinstate Glass-Steagall
11:40 AM on 03/03/2010
Thanks Conway. You're a good man, but we just don't need any more Blue Dogs in the Senate.
jaslyn
why can't we all just get along?
11:19 AM on 03/03/2010
I don't think Bunning is planning on running again anyway, so he's grandstanding; seems it would hurt his party though. I wish I had a dollar though for every time a campaigning potential senator or congressperson stated they were going to bring accountability to Washington and stop waste and fraud. The people love nothing more than to hear that, but have we gotten any of that yet? Even Obama, who's platform was the audacity of hope and how it would be a new day in Washington, not seeing it. But hope springs eternal, so , fingers crossed for this guy.
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HUFFPOST PUNDIT
foxbat
Don't jump to conclusions
10:59 AM on 03/03/2010
You know, if folks are so up in arms about replacing Lincoln in Arkansas, I'd have to imagine that Bunning and his replacements should have people salivating about getting rid of the low hanging fruit. By the way, effectively run, it could easily be a way to also weaken McConnell's position. McConnell's been so wishy-washy about things and, while he's the one that's been pushing on Bunning, he's also VERY culpable as the senior Senator from the state and the senior ranking Republican in the Senate.

The key is not to go after Bunning alone as the loose cannon and fringe guy, but to tie him directly to folks like DeMint, McConnell, and Kyl and push the fact that the only difference between the Bunning and the rest is Bunning's much more cavalier and not as sneaky as the rest in hiding his contempt for the regular guy.
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Wolfsghost
Former rif-raf, ex child.
12:04 PM on 03/03/2010
Foxbat, your astuteness is entirely commendable, may the gods that be place a bun in your oven and a fish in your pond.
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knightoftheroundtable
Old Knight without porfolio or armor
12:10 PM on 03/03/2010
Like your post, your fanned
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copperbrown
10:43 AM on 03/03/2010
Will someone Now, please take

him to the Mental Ward

and have him Get the help

he clearly needs.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
shediac
11:27 AM on 03/03/2010
I'll second that motion!
11:35 AM on 03/03/2010
Don't forget, he was elected by some people.....