Negative campaigning had about as much influence on this election as did Kim Davis. Practically zero. Kentuckians have elected and re-elected Mitch McConnell - who wrote the book on negative campaigning - for three decades.

 

President Obama/healthcare and a dying (although many will not admit it) coal industry were the prime movers here.

I am going to disagree mcpapa. The main reason for Conway losing is he was a bad candidate who never gave even the staunchest Democrat one good reason to vote for him. Obama and Obamacare were issues when Beshear won in 2011 and he won in a landslide.

I am going to disagree mcpapa. The main reason for Conway losing is he was a bad candidate who never gave even the staunchest Democrat one good reason to vote for him. Obama and Obamacare were issues when Beshear won in 2011 and he won in a landslide.

 

True, but I do think that the statewide disdain for Williams was probably as strong as the disdain for Obama.

True, but I do think that the statewide disdain for Williams was probably as strong as the disdain for Obama.

 

Williams was a very unpleasant individual. Casting a vote for Beshear in 2011 was one of the easiest electoral decisions I've ever made.

Negative campaigning had about as much influence on this election as did Kim Davis. Practically zero. Kentuckians have elected and re-elected Mitch McConnell - who wrote the book on negative campaigning - for three decades.

 

President Obama/healthcare and a dying (although many will not admit it) coal industry were the prime movers here.

I agree.

 

Ranking the defeat factors for Conway, I'd go, in order:

 

1. Obama

2. Anti-coal EPA regulations. (Even though the Appalachian coal slide began in 1980.)

3. Conway's lackluster campaign.

4. Kentucky's continuing cultural shift to the right ... getting more in line with its sister Southern states.

I am going to disagree mcpapa. The main reason for Conway losing is he was a bad candidate who never gave even the staunchest Democrat one good reason to vote for him. Obama and Obamacare were issues when Beshear won in 2011 and he won in a landslide.

No fire in the belly for Jack. I think that cost him the most.

I agree.

 

Ranking the defeat factors for Conway, I'd go, in order:

 

1. Obama

2. Anti-coal EPA regulations. (Even though the Appalachian coal slide began in 1980.)

3. Conway's lackluster campaign.

4. Kentucky's continuing cultural shift to the right ... getting more in line with its sister Southern states.

 

Agreed on all counts.

I've not come across "default" either, but the state's credit rating was lowered because of this mess back in September (I think September).

 

Concerning taxes, it's hard to envision a way this gets fixed without taxes being raised in some form or fashion. The people who have the guts to raise them will, unfortunately, get the blame.

Legalize casinos and pot.