The Reasons Ashley Judd Can Not Win in Kentucky...

[David Zephyr]

are the same reasons fearful and cautious Democrats said that...

Jerry Brown could never be elected if he ran for Governor...

Tom Bradley could never be elected Mayor of Los Angeles...

Hillary Clinton could never be elected as a Senator from New York...

John Kennedy could never be elected President...

Elizabeth Warren could never be elected Senator in Massachussettes...

Ann Richards could never be elected Governor of Texas...

And Barack Obama could never be elected if he ran for President...

And on and on and on and on...(I mean really goes on and on and on...)

If Ashley Judd runs, she will be elected.

Senator Ashley Judd. Yep. Sounds just fine to me, but what do I know? I supported all of the above when all I heard was "voters aren't ready for this yet."

Well, they are ready. And so is Kentucky.

(Edited for my typos: the hallmark of any of my OP's)

[Swamp Lover]

1. "If Ashely Jud runs, she will be elected." Well, this may not be true.

But if she does not run, she will certainly not be elected.

[Benton D Struckcheon]

45. "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"

- Wayne Gretzky

[Iggo]

65. Fuckin' A.

GO KINGS GO.

[Ztolkins]

113. What...

No Oilers? heh

[House of Roberts]

2. She can be my second surrogate Senator

along with Warren. I'm in Alabama so I really need surrogates.

[Delmette]

15. Mine, too!

Montana has two Democrat Senators, but i really wish we had a woman in one of those positions.

[deurbano]

18. Democratic

Not trying to be the grammar police, but don't want to just accept the right wing version (which is meant as an insult), either. (I'm not saying you meant it in an insulting way...)

[leftieNanner]

21. Thank you for making this correction,

I don't like it when left leaning folks pick up the Rightie Lingo either. We are Democrats and are part of the Democratic Party.

[Delmette]

26. My bad.

Thank you, I know I can't spell correctly. I can even stump spell check. It gets really bad when a word is spelled correct but still wrong.

[thucythucy]

43. I know what you mean

about spell check.

No harm done, and welcome to DU!

[maddiemom]

107. Why did you use "correctly" correctly in your first sentence and incorrectly in

your last? PAY ATTENTION. It has nothing to do with your spelling. Your first instinct was right.

[Control-Z]

39. Honestly, I have trouble

maintaining interest in what is being said once I run into this particular wing talk. I know I should not react this way, and I really try to accept and move on. It just troubles me so much. Thanks for speaking up.

[ReRe]

42. Oh God, I know how you feel....

.... I lived down there back when Richard Shelby called himself a Democrat. He voted to confirm Clarence Thomas, even though I called and wrote him not to. He didn't listen to me. Well, I was a Yankee lost in the deep south and I didn't know that Shelby really wasn't a Democrat until that moment. You learn fast down there, huh? Well, I live in a horribly gawdy deep red state just like you, so I'm in the same boat. I don't feel like I have any representation at all. Doesn't keep me from marching to the polls every two years, though. You go right on and claim Ashley Judd and Elizabeth Warren and heck, Alan Grayson! It's what I do. Welcome to DU!

[Blanks]

97. We have Mark Pryor. If you know what I mean.

[ReRe]

114. My sympathies of course

...like Jim Hightower down in Texas says,

"The middle of the road is for yellow lines or dead armadillos."

[tpsbmam]

125. She can be my 3rd after Sanders & Warren. In NC I have a blue dog Dem & Burr....

a POS ReTHUG. While I'm thrilled to have Kay Hagan (who ousted Elizabeth Dole), in my fantasy world she has a progressive counterpart in the other NC Senate seat.....I've loved Sanders for a long time and Warren is outstanding....I suspect Ashley Judd would be an awesome progressive based on her history.

[Whisp]

3. Heaping big K&R n/t

[TheKentuckian]

4. The Can't folks, I think would rather deal with a TeaPubliKlan if they can't get a

corporate enabling centrist.

The real idea is NO LIBERALS!

[onehandle]

5. She's my Elizabeth Warren for 2014.

Cash coming her way.

[Coolest Ranger]

6. what was so sad

I wouldn't have been able to vote for her as I lived in Louisville but you can bet I will try to donate some money to her when she runs.

[TheDebbieDee]

16. Ashley Judd is running for Senator. If you live anywhere in Kentucky you CAN vote for her.

Only congressional seats are voted for specifically by residents of that district.

[Coolest Ranger]

31. That's odd

because the entire fourteen years I lived in Kentucky I don't remember being able to vote against Mr. Windbag. I always had Jim Bunning on my ballot.

[TheDebbieDee]

50. Maybe you only voted in the Bunning years......The elections for Senator are staggered

so that both of each state's senate seats aren't contested in the same election.

I'm going to double-check, but I'm sure I was able to vote against that POS Sen Blount (I'm in Missouri.).

I checked and I know that I voted for Missouri SOS Robin Carnahan for Missouri Senator over Roy Blunt. I also know that I voted for Sen Claire McCaskill twice - even tho I think she's on Morning Joe TOO damn much. I think they should pay her as a pundit on that show.

[Coolest Ranger]

57. I remember in every election since 1998

that I never saw Yertil the Turtle on my ballot. If memory serves, they go by District. I lived in Louisville so Jim Bunning was my idiot Senator for many years and then in 2010, that knuckle head Rand Paul ran and we tried so hard to beat him but not many of us came out and that's how Rand got in.

[Ter]

68. Then you didn't look hard enough

If you have been involved in politics since 1998 and still don't know that all US Senate races are statewide with two Senators in each state, then something is clearly wrong.

[Coolest Ranger]

69. I got some crow to eat

Last edited Wed Mar 13, 2013, 09:33 AM - Edit history (1)

Looks like McConnel was our Senator after all. Paul got in because Northern Kentucky is very conservative. My bad.

[dsc]

81. McConnel should have been on your ballot in

2002 and 2008 of the years you have been voting.

[Fawke Em]

99. You're putting someone on ignore for being correct?

I live in Tennessee... not that much different of a state... and I have luxury of voting against Alexander AND Corker once every six years, staggered.

[merrily]

102. Are you sure you've been voting every two years, not only in Presidential elections?

BTW, the poster you put on ignore is correct.

[waddirum]

90. "If memory serves, they go by District."

The U.S. Senate is a statewide position. Senator McConnell would have had to run every 6 years on every ballot in the state.

Only the U.S. House of Representatives is broken down by Congressional District.

[Coolest Ranger]

96. I just asked my old roommate

I knew I was right. In Louisville you only vote for the other Senator, you don't vote for both of them. Kentucky is weird like that don't sit there and tell me I voted for someone that I don't. If we did, I would vote against him. Getting tired of know it smart mouths who think they know how things work over someone who actually lived in that state.

[merrily]

103. You and your old roommate may be thinking of state senator.

Voting for state senator goes by district in Kentucky.

I urge you to call your Secretary of State's office or even city hall and get the correct information.

[Tanuki]

111. Bunning was a U.S. congressman from 1987-99, before he was a U.S. senator.

Only people in his district,and not elsewhere in Kentucky, would have been able to vote for him in his congressional elections. This is different from his U.S. senatorial race, which was statewide. This is not specific to Kentucky. It is the same in every state. If you don't believe me (or the rest of the posters who have given you truthful and accurate information, and whom you have dismissed as smart mouths who don't know what they are talking about,), look it up in the U.S. constitution.

[Coolest Ranger]

112. Yep

I guess I hated McConnel so much I didn't want to admit that he was my Senator. But the local Democratic Office of Kentucky confirmed that. But I'm big enough to admit when I'm wrong.

[Indepatriot]

7. Guilty as charged...

I was an Edwards supporter...doh! and remember a conversation with a good friend in early 07' about (now) President Obama. We both agreed we liked his agenda and his political skills, but I was adamant that America would not elect a black man at this point in history. When Edwards (thankfully) bailed I called the local Obama office to volunteer. I arrived for my first phone banking shift and the guy in charge asked me why I was there, I talked about my two young children and their future, and that I was old enough remember a time when corporations didn't control every aspect of our lives, when A man could get a decent job and pay the bills and raise a family on one income. He tore up the phone script right there and told me to just speak from the heart to the voters I would be calling..... I was FLOORED that this guy I'd never met was gonna "put the campaign in my hands". I knew right then and there they were playing a different game than others I'd worked on, and within a few weeks I had no doubt we could win. I'm not exaggerating when I say that campaign restored my faith in the possibilities and potential for making this once great nation a place for everybody, not just the wealthy. YES WE CAN!

[rivegauche]

20. What a fantastic post! nt

[Pirate Smile]

28. You should post that as an OP. that's great.

[PearliePoo2]

88. Your post gave me goose-bumps.

Thank you for what you do.

[Little Star]

8. Go Ashley!

[bobclark86]

9. And I thought it was poll numbers...

She's down 3 to 9 percent... and anti-coal, pro-abortion and pro-Obamacare just may sink her in a decidedly red state (whoich voted for, of all fucktards, Rand Paul) against an entrenched incumbent.

Still, she might surprise us.

[ReRe]

48. The last I heard...

...she was up to 44% and that was a couple months ago when she was still denying that she was running, or not admitting to it yet... When was the last time you ever heard Mitch mention Kentucky in the Senate? The Democratic Party has been asleep in Kentucky, but I think Ashley is going to wake them up. Don't count her out yet...

[daybranch]

67. reality check

She is not anti-coal. No one that understands the number of jobs coal provides in Kentucky and who is feeling towards others is anti-coal for Kentucky. She is for the people and the environment which will make her position one of common sense relating to the coal industry, probably opposition to various types of extremely destructive types of mining.
She is not pro-abortion. She like the vast majority of pro-choice people regret any abortions and support policies that make them less necessary.
She may be pro Obama Care. As this program will continue to grow in this poor state, and affect more people in a positive manner this may be seen as a good thing by voters.
In addition Mitch McConnell is not pro choice, not pro Social Security , Not pro medicare, not pro-medicaid, not pro-education, not pro-veteran, not pro-union. In fact almost everything that Kentucky's citizens come to benefit from, Mitch McConnell is against.
However if we continue to use the negative used in your email and highly favored by the GOP, we give them a head start in gaining and keeping the support of the voters. It is being against the most destructive mining practices such as mountain top removal, which by the way requires the fewest people. It is being pro choice and pro family supporting an increase in the minimum wage for example so that mothers and fathers can raise their children in a healthy manner. It is being for affordable health care for all so badly needed in Kentucky. It is being for the earned benefits social security and medicare provide. It is being for medicaid a vital need for so many poor in Kentucky.
Yep she might win. As long as we do not cede the battle before it begins, by letting them dumb down the discourse.

I sincerely apologize for criticizing your word choice but the words we choose affect understanding and acceptance. I also want to say I think the opinion you expessed is correct and thank you for expressing it.

[Walk away]

74. Well said

[TheKentuckian]

78. Jack was and is the AG. Paul took Dumbings seat and beat out establishment SoS to do so.

Dumbing retired and sucked so bad that Randroid is probably an upgrade at least as a constituent, not politically and certainly not ethically but basic professional interaction even if it is crap, lies, or even pushing snark.

Paul's office at least responds, probably just putting the best foot forward for re-election but it is better than the nothing I'm accustomed to. McTurtle's office hasn't bothered with a response to me in 20 years or more. Sometimes you get to talk to some dismissive asshole that conjures the image of some foul mix of the Wicked Witch of the West and Lilith from Cheers and Frazier with too much time spent in a tanning booth rushing you off the phone.

[Le Taz Hot]

10. The Establishment Party Bosses

are already sending out communications that not only will the party will NOT support her, neither will the Obama Administration. They're already starting the "unelectable" meme. All that comes down to is that she is not the party's Anointed One. 'Course the party hasn't been able to come up with an puppet, er, Anointed One yet for Kentucky but they're working hard on it.

Let's posit an idea. Let's say that there's a primary of several candidates within the Democratic Party. And let's say the voters got to decide who the candidate will be WITHOUT the party's interference. Wouldn't that be a nice way to determine the nominee? We should try that sometime.

By the way, the last time the party shoved off on us an "electable" candidate he managed to lose to the worst. president. ever.

[paleotn]

17. She's as electable....

as any Democrat in Kenyucky. Why can't we just give her the resources necessary to win and see what happens. Beats the heck out some bland, republican-lite, blue dog.

[Le Taz Hot]

33. Ask the Democratic party.

They seem to be the "experts" on who's electable. They're already saying they'll starve her of resources and yes, they WILL be trying to find some bland, Republican-lite blue dog because, well, they're "electable."

[ReRe]

52. I always have trouble with "theys"...

.... who are these "expert" Democrats who are saying these things. Does the GD DLC reach all the way down to Senatorial races? You're surely not talking about KKKarl are you? or one of his blue dog henchmen? Respectfully, of course...

[Le Taz Hot]

55. The Party Bosses.

The ones who make the decisions as to who is an acceptable, or, "electable" candidate and who isn't. Whose candidacy they will starve and whose they will support. The same geniuses who, every 4 years, engage in their usual 6-state strategy and ignore the rest of the country. I've been out of the Democratic Party for 9 years now so I don't know who holds those positions anymore.

[Telly Savalas]

70. The folks who show up and vote at the Democratic primaries are the ones who make these decisions

of which the Party Bosses comprise a very tiny minority.

[Le Taz Hot]

84. With all due respect

that's a naive opinion and completely ignorant of how the power structure works. The primaries are Kabuki theater. There are 2-3 party-approved candidates and the power brokers really don't care which one wins. In 2008 it was Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. They were essentially the same candidate. The others were allowed in to give the appearance of choice but they were given no support. The only question in 2008 was which corporate-friendly lackey would "win." The vast majority of the country never had a choice because virtually everyone else was out by South Carolina -- many months before the rest of the country got to "show up and vote." As George Carlin said, "We don't have choice, we have the illusion of choice. That's the reality.

[BlueStreak]

82. Exactly. People said the same thing when Al Franken ran

Americans will stand up for a person who demonstrates principles, even if they aren't all the same principles the voter aligns with. It is EASIER for a real progressive to get elected than some spineless, stand-for-nothing Blue Dog.

[stillcool]

44. how do you know that?

I hope you're not basing your 'facts' on what Howard Fineman has 'heard'.

[Le Taz Hot]

47. 1) It's being leaked all over the media,

2) I've had first-hand experience with the approval/disapproval list of the Democratic Party Bosses and know EXACTLY how this all works (Ref: see Howard Dean),
3) I've been around politics since 1968 and have danced this dance before.

Time will prove me out.

[stillcool]

54. yeah...there's a lot..

'Leaking' all over the media, and has been for some time. Dance away. I'll wait to see how the 'facts' shake out. I've been doing that since 1968.

[rhett o rick]

11. Does anyone know how the DSCC distributes campaign funding?

Will they recognize that she may need significant funding help to be an incumbent? I would be surprised if they give progressive candidates more funding help than Blue Damn Dogs.

I recommend that those that want to see a new Senator from Kentucky, donate directly to her campaign or via the Progressive Change Campaign Committee.

http://boldprogressives.org/

[bvar22]

23. Ashley will FIRST have to win the Democratic Primary,

and it is THERE that the DSCC, DNC, Party leadership, and entrenched party Power Brokers will pull out all the stops to prevent a "Liberal" from representing the Democratic Party.

Expect to hear this myth a lot:
[font size=3]"Every pragmatic, sensible Democrat knows that You HAVE to run a Conservative Democrat to win in a Red State."[/font]
The perpetuation of the above LIE has done MORE to corrupt the Democratic Party over the last 30 years than any other.

A good Populist Democrat (a la Huey Long) running on the Traditional Economic Values of FDR/JBJ , with Party Support can WIN in any state.

We tried to replace Blue Dog Anti-Labor Blanche Lincoln in the Arkansas Primary 2010.
Guess WHO was our WORST enemy.

"So what did the Democratic Party establishment do when a Senator who allegedly impedes their agenda faced a primary challenger who would be more supportive of that agenda? They engaged in full-scale efforts to support Blanche Lincoln. Bill Clinton traveled to Arkansas to urge loyal Democrats to vote for her, bashing liberal groups for good measure. Obama recorded an ad for Lincoln which, among other things, were used to tell African-American primary voters that they should vote for her because she works for their interests. The entire Party infrastructure lent its support and resources to Lincoln — a Senator who supposedly prevents Democrats from doing all sorts of Wonderful, Progressive Things which they so wish they could do but just don’t have the votes for.

<snip>

What happened in this race also gives the lie to the insufferable excuse we’ve been hearing for the last 18 months from countless Obama defenders: namely, if the Senate doesn’t have 60 votes to pass good legislation, it’s not Obama’s fault because he has no leverage over these conservative Senators. It was always obvious what an absurd joke that claim was; the very idea of The Impotent, Helpless President, presiding over a vast government and party apparatus, was laughable. But now, in light of Arkansas, nobody should ever be willing to utter that again with a straight face. Back when Lincoln was threatening to filibuster health care if it included a public option, the White House could obviously have said to her: if you don’t support a public option, not only will we not support your re-election bid, but we’ll support a primary challenger against you. Obama’s support for Lincoln did not merely help; it was arguably decisive, as The Washington Post documented today:"

<much more>

http://www.salon.com/2010/06/10/lincoln_6/

We can be hopeful that she might survive the Democratic Primary,
and the entrenched conservative Power Structure that runs the Party there.
She WILL be an outsider, but with HUGE Name Recognition. If the early polls are overwhelming, the Big Business Friendly, Conservative Party Establishment will likely Let-this-one-Through,
and focus their efforts in other more rewarding areas.

I will be supporting her.
Good Looks, Popularity, Hollywood Idol Worship, and Name Recognition DOES WIN ELECTIONS,
a sad fact of life, but a fact none the less.
We SHOULD take advantage of this at every opportunity.

George Clooney or Tim Robbins for PRESIDENT!!!

[rhett o rick]

27. I agree. And who was our worst enemy when we tried to kick Lieberman's ass out of Conn?

Joe by the way just took a job with the American Enterprise Institute. Asshole.

[bvar22]

36. "They" NEEDED Joe Lieberman.

Somebody had to play Judas in the Kabuki Theater.
Joe had nothing to lose at that point,
so he Took One for Team DLC in exchange for Party support and no real consequences for his treason.
He played his roll well, and was richly rewarded.

"It was ALL Joe Lieberman's fault.
He was a BIG Super Man Bully who wrecked Health Care for all of us.
It was HORRIBLE.
There was NOTHING The Democrats could Dooooooo."

[rhett o rick]

41. You are such a skeptic.

We need more like you.

[David Zephyr]

122. Excellent! Thanks for mentioning Huey Long.

He showed how to do it eons ago.

[Jim Lane]

104. Judd might benefit from a revenge factor.

For a long time there was an unspoken agreement between the parties that they wouldn't go after each other's Senate leader. Then the Republicans saw a chance to oust Tom Daschle. They broke with precedent and put major resources into the campaign, and succeeded in defeating him.

Ideology aside, I'll bet there are some DSCC people who are still bitter about that race. If polls show that McConnell's challenger has a decent chance of winning, there could be a feeling of "It's payback time."

[rhett o rick]

108. I hope so. But two things. Democrats havent shown me that they "payback".

And as far as I am concerned, Daschle cut his own throat with his bowing and groveling at Bush, the DimSon's, feet in the Iraq War buildup.

[tabbycat31]

123. I can't speak for the DSCC

But I did a training with the DCCC last year and there's certain benchmarks that the candidates have to meet for their race to be considered by them. There's fundraising, competitiveness of the district (ie how close was the last election, is it winnable or a gerrymandered GOP district), etc.

And the DSCC did put money into Kentucky in 2010. They actually sent me there to work on that senate race. I've got mixed feelings on whether Judd is the right candidate for that seat or not.

[rhett o rick]

127. I dont know much about Ms. Judd's qualifications, but to defeat

McConnell would be huge.

[tabbycat31]

128. I agree

However, having worked in Kentucky, I have very mixed feelings. I think that Conway could have taken out McConnell in 2008 but 2010 was just not the year (also he was running against the tea party godfather's son).

Whatever whoever ends up running for the seat does, do not EVER EVER EVER EVER release another ad that remotely seems like you are attacking your opponent's religion. No more Aqua Buddha ads.

[WillyT]

12. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[DinahMoeHum]

13. Ready or not - here she comes. . .

. . .if she decides to go for it.

[harmonicon]

14. That's quite a mixed bag you've chosen there.

If you remember only ten years back or so, Clinton was basically ordained Senator as soon as she even indicated an interest in running.

[rivegauche]

19. Qualified fistbump from me.

I'm 100% for progressives in office, and the dying of the republicant party, but is Judd even remotely qualified? A US Senator isn't a lightweight gig. I would want someone whip-mart, well educated and experienced in that job. Hillary won in NY because she had all those qualities.

[Telly Savalas]

71. The US Senate is a fucking joke

Most of the people in it are total idiots, so it's not really fair to hold Judd to a higher standard.

[Carnage251]

22. So has no chance

Liberal Hollywood feminist isn't going to fly in Kentucky.

[bvar22]

53. Are you kidding?

Ashley, on stage all over small town Kentucky,
singing Kentucky BlueGrass/Country with Wynonna and Naomi Judd,
asking those who don't vote to Come Out and Make a Change for small towns and families in Kentucky?
Can't WIN?

YOU don't know America,
OR American Idol.

[ReRe]

59. Not only America or American Idol...

... but Kentucky itself.

[blueknight]

60. no he isnt kidding

I live here, have all my life. i will vote and donate to her cause,but sadly, she cant win here

[waddirum]

91. the entire country LOVES Hollywood

They consume movies, music, concerts, and TV programming by the bucketful. Most of us gorge every day of our lives on the entertainment product coming from Hollywood.

The "liberal hollywood feminist" shtick only works with a subset of cranky old farts. Everyone else (meaning women and young folk) will wait in line for hours to get a piece of that Hollywood action. Imagine if George Clooney and other friends also pay a visit to the campaign trail throughout KY.

[pstokely]

93. What is the entertainment capital of the Bible belt?

Nashville? Branson?

[Carnage251]

105. The south/republicans don't care too much about Hollywood

They have their own stars like Eastwood, Selleck, Norris, and Nugent. They watch crap like religious movies, listen to right-wing country, and watch shitty mind numbing tv (Duck Dynasty, Pawn Stars, Fox News, etc.)

The "liberal hollywood feminist" shtick will work with the Kentucky rank and file.

Please excuse me for living in the real world.

[Puzzledtraveller]

100. Lived in KY since 1977

Carnage has it right, sure, there can be an upset, but if she was a derby horse she would be about 50-1 odds.

[RoccoRyg]

24. How could you forget...

Al Franken as Senator from Minnesota?

[David Zephyr]

118. I did forget, but thankfully you didn't, RoccoRyg.

Senator Franken is one of our best. Thanks for the reminder. Yes, he's another one they said could never get elected. I will always treasure how he destroyed Bill O'Reilly here at the LA Book Festival on PBS live. What a moment.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

25. In a situation like this it is really, really simple for me.

Could this celebrity, or anybody for that matter possibly do worse or raise less money that whatever loyalist meat bag might otherwise be enlisted to sit on the ticket?

[eggplant]

29. When the time comes, I'll be happy to hurl some money at her from up here in NY. n/t

Whether she can or she can't, she's got my support. It's that simple.

[BeyondGeography]

30. The problem is all of those people had more political experience in their pinky than she does

[Le Taz Hot]

35. Yeah, and all those

people with more political experience in their pinky than she does have done SUCH a bang-up job, haven't they? (What day of the sequester are we on, anyway?)

[bvar22]

49. Unfortunately, the price for "Political Experience" is Political Indebtedness.

Somebody who can WIN on their own without the "deals" so many have to make to garner Party Support in the Primaries is PRICELESS.

[Sophiegirl]

58. Exactly!!! n/t

[waddirum]

92. Al Franken never served in office prior to winning his election

This past election was Elizabeth Warrens first election (although she did serve an appointed position under President Obama).

[BeyondGeography]

98. Anyone who compares her to Warren needs to have their head examined

Warren was a first-rate academic with government experience who was giving public lectures on economics that millions of people were watching on the Internet.

Franken was less accomplished but he too was in the public arena, jousting with the Right on air, giving speeches around the country and publishing books.

I don't rule out Judd completely, but the comparisons in the OP are akin to clapping for Tinkerbelle.

[upi402]

32. agree

after the gotcha header!
Reagan and Aahnold don't got it goin' on like she does.

lol

[John2]

34. A lot of it will depend on

turnout and the Democratic campaign helping her to register new voters. Kentucky had a sixty percent turnout, so you got 40 percent to get excited about going out to vote. Getting rid of McConnell just might motivate them.

[grantcart]

37. love the post and love the spirit, however

Jerry Brown's father was a two term Governor, Jerry Brown served as a Governor and to build a credible come back he served as mayor of Oakland and Attorney General.

Then there is the whole 'blue' state thing.

I would have used other examples like


Frank Church of Idaho

or

Fullbright from Arkansas

and so on.

In any case we should continue to fight every race for two reasons:

It spreads their resources thinner

and

You never know when there will be a 'Macacca' statement by one of these idiots that will take them out of the race.


So I salute your post.

[a2liberal]

38. Don't forget Senator Franken :) (n/t)

[David Zephyr]

120. Yes, indeed. See my post #118. Thank you for the reminder.

Senator Al Franken!!!!

[Firebrand Gary]

40. I'm glad you posted this.

This morning I read an article on New Republic that was offering the contrary statement. Initially I walked away from my desk in irritation and thought "here we go with that garbage".

Like Governor Patrick at the 2012 convention, democrats need to grow a backbone and fight back!

Great post, I'm in!

[Ruby the Liberal]

46. Ventura, Schwarzenegger, St Ronald of Reagan,

Give the people of Kentucky a shot. Lord knows cash will be pouring in from all corners to unseat Chinless McTurtle.

[Bake]

61. McConnell has tons of cash too. And more will come in for him.

He'll call in every favor he's ever been owed and then some before he'll lose to Judd. He won't go down easily.

And yes, I'm FROM KENTUCKY.

Bake

[Ruby the Liberal]

64. We have your back, Bake

I have faith in her to make this happen.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

51. Ever notice it's guys that make this claim?

They act like they are the only ones who get to vote.

[cherokeeprogressive]

75. Did you read the whole post?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

79. Sure. It's about how the doomsayers have a track record of being wrong....

Still doesn't change that most of the time they're guys.

Women aren't the ones out there saying someone is "too liberal".

Maybe because they don't have this macho problem of thinking "liberal" = "weak".

Look at the popularity of Oprah in the Heartland. The GUYS can't stand her but their wives are tuned in.

[socialist_n_TN]

56. Ashley Judd will have to run.......

in the primary AND in the general as a left populist. She'll have a chance then because she might be able to peel away a few percent of the working class white vote. Otherwise, NO Democrat will win in Kentucky. If you run a Blue Dog, aka Republican Lite, they'll get creamed by McConnell. In these deep red states, you need to offer something different. As a poster above said, she'll have to channel her inner Huey Long. Otherwise, God, gunz, and gays will be what the election will be about and she'll lose on those issues.

[David Zephyr]

121. "channel her inner Huey Long".

I like you a lot.

[socialist_n_TN]

126. Thanks, but remember.....

Huey was pretty RW from where I sit politically.

[Bake]

62. I agree with everything you said until your last sentence.

I'm a Democrat who lives in Kentucky. I don't know if Kentucky is "ready." We will see. McConnell won't go down easily.

And I live here. In the liberal bastion of the state, Louisville.

Bake

[LittleBlue]

63. She will have to explain some of her past comments

After reading some of them, I think the turtle will smash her if she can't explain them away. It's a shame she wasn't more cautious with her views, I think she'd be a terrific pickup for us in such a red state.

[ReRe]

66. K&R

..There you go... That's what I like to hear! Spirit of the People of Kentucky, determination. Never say never. Eff the Bluedog party bosses, the coal companies, the fundamentalists, and Mitch McConnell. Mitch doesn't give a shit about the 99% in Kentucky. When was the last time you ever heard him mention Kentucky in the well of the Senate? Can't think of a time? I can't either. You don't know the "Big Blue Nation" in Kentucky, hell, all over the country and the world for that matter! It's time for a choice in Kentucky. Not the same old milk-toast Mitch McConnell standing in front of a crowd boasting about himself, and demonizing anyone who doesn't agree with him. I have heard it all, over and over again. I hope Ashley does come home to Kentucky and runs like the dickens to defeat Mitch McConnell in 2014. She has much more of a following there than Mitch ever had!

[The Wizard]

72. Hell, Kentucky elected

Jim Bunning who was mentally challenged, a self loathing mean spirited vile man who wants to be a woman, and Kim Jong Paul. It's hard for normal people to get elected in Kentucky.

[NBachers]

73. Ashley Judd or My Name's Mudd!

Think that'll fly?

I just donated to Robin Kelly, who's running in the special election for Jesse Jackson Jr.'s seat:

https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/entity/33266?refcode=directory

Elizabeth Warren was my biggest target in 2012. I was in Massachusetts in September of '12, and people were saying, "I support her, but I'm afraid she's not going to make it."

Well, we made it happen.

And we can do the same thing for Ashley Judd.

[brooklynite]

76. Who said that about...

...any of the people you mention?

And, has it occurred to you that, with the exception of Texas (which has changed in the past 20 years) none of those States were deep red.

Not saying that she can't win or shouldn't run; just that she needs to show me how before asking me for support.

[aquart]

77. How many movie stars have failed to win?

Anyone who discounts the razzle dazzle of international fame is foolish. Instant name recognition means VOTES.

[pstokely]

95. How many Hollywood starts have ran in the bible belt?

?

[LanternWaste]

101. Fred Thompson.

Fred Thompson... for one glaringly obvious example. Not merely ran, but also won.

[cascadiance]

115. Ben Jones (Cooter from "Dukes of Hazard") won congressional seat in Georgia...

... as a Democrat!

So... It has been done before and by a Democrat too.

[toby jo]

124. Davey Crockett.

He was in all those 60s' shows & he was in congress.

Yes, god bless im.

[aquart]

129. Come back when you can answer the question you were asked.

[Mosaic]

80. I've given her support

Live this morning, on Huff Post Live. Howard Fineman was on supporting her in his insider way. I think she'll beat the pants off the corrupt old fart in there right now. Love her, she's gorgeous too. A free spirit like me.

[demosocialist]

83. HUGE K&R (nt)

[backscatter712]

85. This is the whole point of Dean's 50 State Strategy.

You're not just using resources on "winnable races". You're also spending on the "unwinnable races" to expand the Democratic Party, build in areas that have not yet been sold on the Democratic platform. Your campaign spending this year on a "losing" race can pay off bigtime in two or four years or more as more people learn about what Democrats and progressivism is all about.

[David Zephyr]

119. Yes. Howard Dean took back the Congress in a mid-term when Bush was riding high.

Thank you for remembering my beloved Howard Dean.

[BootinUp]

86. Sounds good to me.

[FreeBC]

87. I don't care if she can win. The people of Kentucky deserve a decent candidate

Let the people of Kentucky hear a real debate with real progressive ideals rather than a DINO running away from the democratic platform to meet a tea party lunatic halfway somewhere on the right.

The last thing we need is another blue dog anyway.

[7wo7rees]

89. Amen!!

Ashley will smoke it, should she decide to run. So hope she does. She can win it, hands down!
Intelligent, beautiful, compassionate and passionate about all that matters to us all.
Go Ms. Ashley!!

[lexington filly]

94. I'll volunteer for her campaign

here in Lexington because we need a female in general and her in particular.
Senate races are state-wide representation so you can vote for any Senate candidate in a general November election. There are restrictions depending on whether you're registered as a Dem or Repub in a primary though. Hope this clarifies.

[LiberalFighter]

106. Or Donnelly of Indiana could never beat Senator Lugar.

Or at least they thought Lugar would be the one that Donnelly would have to beat.

[cascadiance]

116. And one wonders still if John Cougar Mellencamp might have won in previous Indiana election...

... for the Senate when he was rumored to try to get a last minute placement on the ballot, but was not allowed a chance to be in a Democratic primary when DLCer Evan Bayh timed his retirement so that the party (who were also DLCers at the time) had to select a replacement for him on the ballot instead of opening it up to the Indiana voter who might have picked Mellencamp then. The party wisdom in who they picked to run was surely forgettable now wasn't it? Maybe this time around, they'll let a more popular choice be a candidate.

[madville]

109. I think her main liability will be

Her vocal support of President Obama at campaign events and fundraisers. He is not very popular in that state (lost to Romney by about 20 points) so I would think this will be the first line of attack in the general election and primary.

There is really no distancing from it so they might have to just ignore those attacks, I'm not sure how they could counter in an effective way.

Of course McConnell's unpopularity is the wild card, they must exploit that.

In the end it will all be about turn out of course, midterms will get the left and right bases out, I wonder if the governor is also up in 2014?

[RZM]

110. Don't really agree with your examples at all

A lot of these people were actually heavy favorites. Who really thought that Rick Lazio was going to beat Hillary Clinton? And Elizabeth Warren wasn't the aberration . . . Scott Brown was. His victory was a lot more surprising than hers.

And Obama? The man was presented as presidential material on day one. The Dems don't just give prime time convention slots to anybody. They give them to people they think can win in the future.

As was already mentioned, none of these people were new to politics either. It's a stretch to compare any of them the Ashley Judd.

I don't think it's impossible for her to win, but a Democratic celebrity unseating a powerful incumbent in Kentucky? That's going to be an uphill battle.

[hughee99]

117. I have to admit I don't recall ANYONE saying Hillary Clinton or Elizabeth Warren

couldn't be elected Senator.