What do the Democrats need to win the Governor’s Mansion?
First, Ernie Fletcher needs to keep doing what he’s been doing since he took office.
Second, you need two people that have run successful statewide races.
Third, you need people that have unquestioned ethical and moral records.
Fourth, you need people with a track record in state government.
Fifth, you need people that can raise money.
Neither Julian Carroll nor Jerry Lundergan has asked my opinion, but here is my pick for the best possible ticket the Democrats could field.
First, Ernie Fletcher needs to keep doing what he’s been doing since he took office.
Second, you need two people that have run successful statewide races.
Third, you need people that have unquestioned ethical and moral records.
Fourth, you need people with a track record in state government.
Fifth, you need people that can raise money.
Neither Julian Carroll nor Jerry Lundergan has asked my opinion, but here is my pick for the best possible ticket the Democrats could field.
Ed Hatchett for Governor
and
Jonathan Miller for Lt. Governor
Jonathan Miller for Lt. Governor
Here’s the thought process:
Both Hatchett and Miller have each been elected to statewide offices twice. Ed Hatchett lost the Attorney General’s 2003 primary race to Greg Stumbo by 6,295 votes.
Stumbo spent $496,582.19 to Hatchett’s $163,807.99. In other words Stumbo spent $3.31 for every dollar Hatchett spent. If Ed Hatchett had raised another $50,000.00 he would have beat Greg Stumbo.
During the primary and general elections in 2003 Jonathan Miller raised more that $650,000.00
The bottom line is that Ed Hatchett has a major failing as a candidate; he would rather do just about anything other than ask some one for money. Jonathan Miller doesn’t share that affliction.
Now as to the ethical/moral question: Hatchett, as state Auditor, showed a real talent for going after those people he thought were either stealing or mishandling state resources. He really did think it was his money.
Here were some of the headlines:
French Hackers
HIV databases
Kentucky State Embezzlement
And of course my personal favorite:
The French-Henry Wedding
Jonathan Miller has done about as much as can be done with the Treasure’s Office. His Kentucky Affordable Prepaid Tuition (KAPT) program was a great idea.
So why shouldn’t Miller be the candidate for Governor? I think Jonathan Miller would be better suited sitting in Washington DC than Frankfort. The Lt. Governor’s office would give the right platform to stand on until he could make that move.
In a couple of years Senator Jim “I only watch Fox News” Bunning will be at the end of his term. I can only hope that Ben Chandler or Jonathan Miller take him on. If Chandler goes for the Senate then Miller would make a great Congressman for the Sixth District.
Besides, from what I know about Miller he would probably have to think long and hard before he would put his children in the fish bowl of the Governor’s Mansion.
So here are two straight arrow guys with solid track records and none of the baggage of other party notables like Greg Stumbo, Crit Luallen, Steve Henry or Jerry Lundergan. This just seems like a win/win situation for everyone, except for some of the folks mentioned in the previous sentence.
