I think Gov Fletcher made a big mistake by thinking that his 'no casinos' platform would resonate with the voters. I mean, we have the lottery in every gas station, horse racing is a Kentucky mainstay, and alot of our residents regularly visit the casinos in Indiana, Vegas, Atlantic City, etc. I think trying to make this a 'wedge' issue seperating him from his opponent was politically stupid...

Couldn't agree more! I said from the beginning that his focus on the gambling issue was actually a non-issue with voters. He has wasted a lot of time and money on commercials and press releases at the expense of discussing issues with substance that means something to the voters.

I think its funny when a republican gets caught,i.e,Ernie or the funny fellow from South Dakota they always go back to saying it not really us its those mean Dems who came before us

Choosing between Fletcher and Beshear is depressing. One is as inept as is the other.

Bottom line Ernie and Bert promised a change from good ole boy way of Government. He didnt, he fell into the political trap. Ernie's number one problem was the people he brought in with him and Senator David Williams.

Bottom line Ernie and Bert promised a change from good ole boy way of Government. He didnt, he fell into the political trap. Ernie's number one problem was the people he brought in with him and Senator David Williams.

When you start accepting promises from Bert and Ernie, you have to know that Big Bird is hovering overhead just waiting to dump on you.

I think its funny when a republican gets caught,i.e,Ernie or the funny fellow from South Dakota they always go back to saying it not really us its those mean Dems who came before us

 

As opposed to the Democrats who stand up and take responsibility for their actions?

Because he — like most Republicans — has that goofy idea in his head that all members of the media, even those working at small-town papers, have it out for Republicans. While I am harsh on Republicans here, when I reported news I always prided myself in giving members of the GOP a fair shake and I count several current and former GOP elected officials as friends from my time covering them; they would cite my fairness and integrity as the main reasons for this.

 

Fletcher was nasty and short with me from the outset on numerous occasions when I covered his campaign appearances, despite the fact that nothing in my stories could be construed as biased against him. My opinion columns are a different story, but that's because they are just that — my opinion — and I went out of my way to successfully draw a line between the two.

 

Fortunately, I don't cover news anymore, but if I still did, I would still give Ernie a fair shake in a news story. By the same token, I would blast him in an op-ed column, but you would not realize the writer of the news story and the column was the same person other than by the name on the byline.

 

That explains a lot. I don't see why you would expect him to be nice if you were ripping him in an opinion column and then try to ask him questions. I doubt you could separate the two any more than most people could. Sure he should be more thick skinned but I see that from a lot of career politicians, let alone from someone who hasn't faced it for years and years.

That explains a lot. I don't see why you would expect him to be nice if you were ripping him in an opinion column and then try to ask him questions. I doubt you could separate the two any more than most people could. Sure he should be more thick skinned but I see that from a lot of career politicians, let alone from someone who hasn't faced it for years and years.

 

I never ripped him in an opinion column until after he treated me like a leper, and even then it was more for our philosophical differences than anything. He had no clue who I was each time I covered his events; just a preconceived notion that I was the enemy before ever speaking to me. If Republican pols would get out of that "evil liberal media" cycle and stop viewing all members of the media — most notably us folks at small community newspapers, papers which overwhelmingly trend toward the conservative bent — as the enemy, maybe they wouldn't get such bad press.

 

And if you could, please clarify the remark I bolded.

Clarification: Ripping him in a column and then trying to interview him. Most people would harbor ill feelings and respond accordingly. As to how he dealt with you that is not the same as a reporter who is a close personal friend who abolutely rips Fletcher right and left. Yet he's said Fletcher has always been pleasant to him. That's why I'm at a loss as to why your experience is different from his.

Clarification: Ripping him in a column and then trying to interview him. Most people would harbor ill feelings and respond accordingly. As to how he dealt with you that is not the same as a reporter who is a close personal friend who abolutely rips Fletcher right and left. Yet he's said Fletcher has always been pleasant to him. That's why I'm at a loss as to why your experience is different from his.

 

Depends on how deep a waters your friend trolls in. Certain writers get what they want from the big newsmakers no matter how harsh they have been in the past, simply because of the paper they work for (your friend wouldn't be Pat Crowley, would it?). Al Cross could say Mitch McConnell is the spawn of a pig-snake marital union and Mitch or any other political big-whig in this state would still return his calls, and cordially, because half the state reads Cross' columns. Fletcher thought he could bully and big-time me and get away with it because I worked for a podunk paper at the time.

You make a good point but you seem to want to read a lot into his mind. You think maybe since he was new to the political arena he had some things to learn rather than just blowing off a small newspaper because it's small? Maybe there was something in the question? Lots of possibilities.

I have found Fletcher to be very considerate and polite. However, his "people" are a whole different story. He does have long odds and I do not think he will be successful, not even close. Hate to say this but what would the margin be with a really strong Democratic challenger? The sad fact is Mr. Fletcher failed to lead on principle. How in the world can the man go into NKU debate and call out the reach of corruption on one hand and pretend a pardon, plea and discounting of mistakes made with the merit system on the other? Pat Crowley had the best point, voters will forgive mistakes but they will not tolerate a hypocrite.

I have found Fletcher to be very considerate and polite. However, his "people" are a whole different story. He does have long odds and I do not think he will be successful, not even close. Hate to say this but what would the margin be with a really strong Democratic challenger? The sad fact is Mr. Fletcher failed to lead on principle. How in the world can the man go into NKU debate and call out the reach of corruption on one hand and pretend a pardon, plea and discounting of mistakes made with the merit system on the other? Pat Crowley had the best point, voters will forgive mistakes but they will not tolerate a hypocrite.

 

I too have heard that about the people surrounding him. I also believe he has no chance but in Kentucky if you rule out hypocrits, who's left to vote for?

And yet Kentucky voters didn't seem to mind the political hires/fires during the 50 or more years previous to Fletcher. How odd.

 

Strange . . . isn't it?

Strange . . . isn't it?

 

Not Strange...... Ernie just did it with such arrogrance.