I'm interested to see him have any policies. I mean I won't complete dismiss him, but my fear is he will simply win without ever really having policies simply because he's a UK basketball guy.

 

Which would be a shame; however, to dismiss him (or any other candidate, for that matter) before they let their policies / platform be known, is just as bad as voting for him because of who he used to be.

Which would be a shame; however, to dismiss him (or any other candidate, for that matter) before they let their policies / platform be known, is just as bad as voting for him because of who he used to be.

What are these policies and where does he stand on "the issues'?

What are these policies and where does he stand on "the issues'?

 

I do not know, nor have I ever pretended to know.

 

I just find it comical that so many on here are quick to dismiss him because of his past. From what I've read on here, it seems that he has done an admirable job in his current position.

 

Does that make him qualified to run for Governor? Probably not. But I prefer to give all of the candidates an equal opportunity to be heard before dismissing (or crowning) them.

 

Also, as of now, isn't Gov. Beshear the only name on the ticket? It is presumed that Farmer would run as a Republican. A little competition (or, at the very least, a dissenting opinion) in the early stages couldn't hurt.

After a little research, I was unable to find anything relating to Farmer's political stance (other than he's a Republican.)

 

However, I did find his Commissioner's biography:

 

http://www.kyagr.com/commissioner/index.htm

 

Richie Farmer was elected Kentucky's Commissioner of Agriculture in November, 2003, and was sworn into office in January, 2004. He was re-elected to a second four year term on November 6, 2007.

 

Since taking office, Commissioner Farmer has fought vigorously on behalf of Kentucky's consumers and for Kentucky's agriculture industry. Commissioner Farmer recently spearheaded an effort to protect Kentucky motorists by persuading the legislature to fund a new state-of-the-art motor fuel quality laboratory. He has improved the efficiency of the Department's public protection functions by streamlining processes and introducing new technology, and by working with legislative leaders to strengthen consumer health and safety legislation. He has fought vigorously for the expansion of the state's world-class animal health diagnostic laboratories, which play a vital role in protecting the public health, as well as our signature horse industry and other vital animal agriculture industries. He has also created the Department's signature Kentucky Proud marketing program, which is helping to expand the markets for Kentucky farm products. Since the inception of the program in 2004 has grown from just under two dozen members to over 1500, and has resulted in the sale of roughly a quarter billion dollars in Kentucky Proud food and farm products since 2006.

 

Commissioner Farmer just ended a term as President of the Southern Association of State Departments of Agriculture, an organization that represents farmers and other agricultural interests from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the US Virgin Islands. As a national agriculture leader, the Commissioner promoted the interests of Kentucky producers in the creation of the 2007 Farm Bill and other legislation.

 

The Commissioner believes that children are Kentucky's most important crop. As such, he has boosted funding for agricultural youth programs such as 4H and FFA, as well as youth livestock shows, even in tight budget times, because he believes they are an important investment for Kentucky's future.

 

Born in Clay County on Aug. 25, 1969, he is the second of Virginia and Richard Farmer's three children. Before taking office, Commissioner Farmer worked as an investment advisor in Clay County. He lives in Frankfort with his wife Rebecca and their three sons, Trey, Thomas and Tate. A 1992 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Commissioner Farmer earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management. He was also a standout player for the UK basketball Wildcats under Coach Rick Pitino.

 

Over the years, Commissioner Farmer has given his time to such charitable organizations as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Children's Miracle Network, American Cancer Society, and Kicks for Kids

After a little research, I was unable to find anything relating to Farmer's political stance (other than he's a Republican.)

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That's the problem he's been in the main spot light of the state for a few years now in a state wide office and no one has any clue on any of his policies. You would think he would have done some campaigning for some one somewhere and let a few slip out. Like I said I'll listen to him, but I don't expect to hear much substance.

Let's be honest here...the only reason Farmer would even have a chance is because of his basketball history. Like a number of politicians, they don't necessarily run on experience or credentials.

 

George W. Bush would never have been President were it not for his father. Same could be said of John F. Kennedy. Arnold would never have been Governor of California without his stardom from Hollywood. Jesse Ventura, Al Franken, and many others would fit this mold.

 

Americans are more drawn to personality & likability as opposed to experience and policy positions. When you think about our recent Presidential elections, if memory serves me right, the more personable/charismatic/likable candidate has won each time.

 

If he runs, this will be to Farmer's advantage.

The people who disqualify him simply because he was a UK bball player are just as bad as those who would vote for him because of it.

 

Hold on there champ. I would vote for him if it is proven he can be the right person for the job. I don't care if he was the star at UK, the YMCA or the Chicago Bulls in his past. Unlike some people on here...I don't vote, agree, disagree, etc on anything just because they went to a certain school, played a certain sport, etc..

So you've already dismissed him as a legitimate candidate before you've researched his policies?

 

I probably would be disinclined to vote for him anyway because he's a Republican. But (and judging by some of the other responses, I'm not alone) I'm skeptical we'll ever hear anything of substance from him as far as policies go.

 

While I think it's in general a cheapjack way to win an election, the best thing for Farmer to do is be as vague as possible while campaigning, lest he run the risk of people judging him on something other than his name recognition, and subsequently become "Forgettable."