Political BLOG

Mark Hebert
March 2008
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May 2007 Archives


No Anti-Gay Bill? Special Session in June

10:19 PM Thu, May 31, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Governor Fletcher says he'll call a special legislative session for the last two weeks of June. Fletcher says he'll announce the start date on Monday, a day before he heads to China for a couple of weeks.

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Northup Camp Angry Over Blog (C-J)

8:40 PM Wed, May 30, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Joe Gerth has an interesting story about another dust up between the Fletcherites and the Northupites. This one is over a posting by former Fletcher press secretary Brett Hall on his blog. Here's the C-J story:

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Fletcher Closer in Rasmussen Poll

6:22 PM Wed, May 30, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

A new Rasmussen Reports poll shows Gov. Ernie Fletcher trailing Steve Beshear by 16% at the start of the fall campaign for Kentucky governor.

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McConnell/Bunning Ratings Jump

10:36 AM Wed, May 30, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The job approval ratings for Kentucky's two U.S. Senators jumped in May.

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Erwin Is In

10:19 PM Tue, May 29, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Former Fletcher administration official Erwin Roberts has filed papers to run for congress in Louisville's 3rd District next year.

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Richards Not Retiring

3:09 PM Tue, May 29, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Kentucky House Speaker says he's not going anywhere.

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Hubbard Ready to Run Again?

9:35 AM Tue, May 29, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Former U.S. Congressman Carroll Hubbard sounds like he's ready for another state senate campaign, just two years after his first.

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Republican Challengers Lining up for '08

5:29 PM Mon, May 28, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

A couple of Louisville republicans are planning to mount challenges in a state senate race and U.S. congressional race next year.

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Republicans Take Aim at Beshear (H-L)

10:02 PM Sat, May 26, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Here's the Herald-Leader's on-line story about the Republicans shindig in Frankfort Saturday night. Lexington Herald-Leader

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Albert Smith Leaving Comment on Kentucky

2:32 PM Sat, May 26, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

A Kentucky institution will be stepping aside in November. My good friend Al Smith will be leaving KET's "Comment on Kentucky" after more than 30 years of producing and hosting the show.

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Unity or "One Plus Me?"

8:05 AM Sat, May 26, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

It appears the republicans' scheduled unity rally in Frankfort saturday night might be a "Mitch and Me" affair for Ernie Fletcher.

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Nickolas Gets Out of Dodge

10:50 PM Thu, May 24, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The man who runs BluegrassReport.org is moving to Big Sky country.

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Miller/Moore Will Be KDP Team UPDATED/GOP

10:51 AM Thu, May 24, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Jonathan Miller will be the new chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party and Jennifer Moore will be the new vice-chair, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.

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Beshear and Fletcher Go At It Immediately UPDATE

11:17 PM Wed, May 23, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Steve Beshear and Ernie Fletcher aren't wasting any time shaking off the niceties of their primary campaigns and engaging in verbal warfare.

UPDATE: To watch about 15 minutes of raw tape from Fletcher and Beshear the day after the election go to:

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Miller on the Fence

11:10 PM Wed, May 23, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The new democratic nominee for governor, Steve Beshear, says Jerry Lundergan agrees with him that Beshear should decide who the new democratic party chairman will be.

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Charlie Meets Harry Reid

12:54 PM Wed, May 23, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Charlie Owen is headed to D.C. this week to meet with the top two democratic big shots that will decide who runs and doesn't run for U.S. Senate next year.

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More on Election Night

10:24 PM Tue, May 22, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Couple of other thoughts on election night:

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Election Night Wrap Up (Part 1)

9:40 PM Tue, May 22, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Let's face it, political comebacks are the stories of the night.

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What Voters Are Saying

3:58 PM Tue, May 22, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

I don't have alot of time to blog right now, but plan to have a fuller entry after the 6 p.m. news here on election day.

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Final Day

10:55 PM Mon, May 21, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The final day of campaigning wasn't very interesting.

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New SUSA Poll!!! Monday Before Election

10:09 AM Mon, May 21, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

There is a new WHAS 11/Survey USA poll out this morning with virtually no changes in the democratic or republican races for governor.

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Some Steve Henry Notes

10:43 PM Sun, May 20, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Just some thoughts and news about Steve Henry's campaign, since there seems to be alot of interest.

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Some Steve Henry Notes

10:43 PM Sun, May 20, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Just some thoughts and news about Steve Henry's campaign, since there seems to be alot of interest.

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McConnell Good of Bad on Talk Shows???

1:19 PM Sat, May 19, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The TV industry rag called Television Week polled the producers of the sunday morning political talk shows, asking them about the Washington guests they get each week.

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McConnell Good of Bad on Talk Shows???

1:19 PM Sat, May 19, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The TV industry rag called Television Week polled the producers of the sunday morning political talk shows, asking them about the Washington guests they get each week.

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Huber on Hit List

12:56 PM Sat, May 19, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

One of the most intriguing stories of the week was the Washington Post's disclosure that Louisville U.S. Attorney David Huber was on a hit list within the Justice Department.

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Huber on Hit List

12:56 PM Sat, May 19, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

One of the most intriguing stories of the week was the Washington Post's disclosure that Louisville U.S. Attorney David Huber was on a hit list within the Justice Department.

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O'Daniel Not Guilty

12:04 AM Sat, May 19, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The trial of a former state police officer and head of the Justice Cabinet's investigations unit has been found not guilty of criminal charges by a Franklin County jury.

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O'Daniel Not Guilty

12:04 AM Sat, May 19, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The trial of a former state police officer and head of the Justice Cabinet's investigations unit has been found not guilty of criminal charges by a Franklin County jury.

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Worley/Moberly at Fletcher Campaign Rally

6:14 PM Fri, May 18, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

They haven't endorsed the republican governor's reelection campaign but Sen. Ed Worley (D) Richmond and Rep. Harry Moberly (D) Richmond, both spoke at a Fletcher/Rudolph campaign rally in Madison County on Thursday.

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Worley/Moberly at Fletcher Campaign Rally

6:14 PM Fri, May 18, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

They haven't endorsed the republican governor's reelection campaign but Sen. Ed Worley (D) Richmond and Rep. Harry Moberly (D) Richmond, both spoke at a Fletcher/Rudolph campaign rally in Madison County on Thursday.

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Beshear Polling

6:07 PM Fri, May 18, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Again, with all my admonition to take it for what it's worth, here's a portion of Beshear's pollster's memo from earlier this week:

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Beshear Polling

6:07 PM Fri, May 18, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Again, with all my admonition to take it for what it's worth, here's a portion of Beshear's pollster's memo from earlier this week:

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Lunsford Pumping His Own Poll

12:05 PM Fri, May 18, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The value of polls paid for by the candidates is limited, at best, and generally say what the candidates want to hear. So I take them with a grain of salt. But here's a portion of the memo Lunsford is sending to his supporters:

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Lunsford Pumping His Own Poll

12:05 PM Fri, May 18, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The value of polls paid for by the candidates is limited, at best, and generally say what the candidates want to hear. So I take them with a grain of salt. But here's a portion of the memo Lunsford is sending to his supporters:

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C-J Poll Mirrors Survey USA

12:06 PM Thu, May 17, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The Courier-Journal's Bluegrass Poll closely mirrors the numbers reported by WHAS11/Survey USA earlier this week.

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C-J Poll Mirrors Survey USA

12:06 PM Thu, May 17, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The Courier-Journal's Bluegrass Poll closely mirrors the numbers reported by WHAS11/Survey USA earlier this week.

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Three New Entries/Bluegrass Poll

10:34 AM Thu, May 17, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Keep scrolling down and you'll find three new posts from me.

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Three New Entries/Bluegrass Poll

10:34 AM Thu, May 17, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Keep scrolling down and you'll find three new posts from me.

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Lunsford Ready to Launch Attack?

11:51 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Steve Beshear had an unwelcome visitor at his Louisville news conference today, a staffer from the Lunsford campaign sporting a placard questioning Beshear's plans to fund programs he's promising.

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Lunsford Ready to Launch Attack?

11:51 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Steve Beshear had an unwelcome visitor at his Louisville news conference today, a staffer from the Lunsford campaign sporting a placard questioning Beshear's plans to fund programs he's promising.

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Blogger Cleared of Charges

11:39 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

A Franklin County grand jury has refused to indict democratic blogger Mark Nickolas on theft charges.

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Blogger Cleared of Charges

11:39 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

A Franklin County grand jury has refused to indict democratic blogger Mark Nickolas on theft charges.

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Henry's Manager Is Gone

11:26 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Steve Henry's campaign manager is no longer in the state of Kentucky and has quit actively working for the Henry campaign, according to sources familiar with the situation.

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Henry's Manager Is Gone

11:26 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Steve Henry's campaign manager is no longer in the state of Kentucky and has quit actively working for the Henry campaign, according to sources familiar with the situation.

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Stay Tuned

8:41 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

I'll have new entries on Steve Henry's campaign, Mark Nickolas and Lunsford vs. Beshear coming in the next few hours. I'll be on the Joe Elliott Show on WHAS radio, talking about the governor's race, from 9 - 10 tonight.

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Stay Tuned

8:41 PM Wed, May 16, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

I'll have new entries on Steve Henry's campaign, Mark Nickolas and Lunsford vs. Beshear coming in the next few hours. I'll be on the Joe Elliott Show on WHAS radio, talking about the governor's race, from 9 - 10 tonight.

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Fletcher Has New Numbers

10:15 PM Tue, May 15, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

During a campaign stop in Glasgow today, Governor Fletcher and Robbie Rudolph threw out some new numbers that they say are correct and show the successes of the Fletcher administration. Reporter Ronnie Ellis and I were the only two reporters there but we've checked our notes and come up with the same claims. So here they are and maybe some of you can help check out their veracity:

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Fletcher Has New Numbers

10:15 PM Tue, May 15, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

During a campaign stop in Glasgow today, Governor Fletcher and Robbie Rudolph threw out some new numbers that they say are correct and show the successes of the Fletcher administration. Reporter Ronnie Ellis and I were the only two reporters there but we've checked our notes and come up with the same claims. So here they are and maybe some of you can help check out their veracity:

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Survey USA Poll

10:00 PM Tue, May 15, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

By now most of you have seen the results of the latest WHAS 11/Survey USA poll. Some observations:

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Survey USA Poll

10:00 PM Tue, May 15, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

By now most of you have seen the results of the latest WHAS 11/Survey USA poll. Some observations:

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Louisville Questions for Candidates

5:51 PM Mon, May 14, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

G.L.I.-Greater Louisville Inc. sent a questionaire with Louisville related questions to all of the candidates for governor. Here are their responses to the GLI survey:

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More Spending Reports

3:40 PM Mon, May 14, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

All of the Republicans' reports are in to the Registry of Election Finance. They show Ernie Fletcher raised almost three times as much money as Anne Northup from April 21 to May 7 and has about $200,000 more in cash on hand. On the democratic side, Bruce Lunsford has poured another $700,000 of his own money into his campaign.

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Richards $ In UPDATE...Miller $

10:00 AM Mon, May 14, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The Jody Richards/John Y Brown III ticket has submitted its campaign finance report for 15 days before the primary election.

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The Problem With Secret Money

8:27 PM Fri, May 11, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The settlement of a tax appeal involving Fletcher supporter Leonard Lawson likely has no link to Fletcher's personal legal defense fund, but if Anne Northup doesn't raise the question, she's not the pit bull she used to be.

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Harper and Gatewood Finances

8:17 PM Fri, May 11, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Billy Harper has poured another $325,000 of his own money into his race for governor.

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New Erwin Problem???

6:33 PM Fri, May 11, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

It looks like there's another mistake on the resume of new Kentucky school commissioner Barbara Erwin. Dick Innes of the Bluegrass Institute and blogger Richard Day first uncovered the new discrepancy.

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Ed. Commish Hired

8:44 PM Wed, May 09, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

After 4 1/2 hours behind closed doors, the state board of education today hired Barbara Erwin as Kentucky's new Education Commissioner.

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Lies, Surprises and Flip Flops in Gov's Race

10:37 PM Tue, May 08, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The AARP sponsored gubernatorial forum produced some interesting moments, most of them involving Steve Henry or Jody Richards. To watch the story I did on the forum click here

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Thanks for........What's This For Governor?

10:54 AM Tue, May 08, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Good story in Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer this morning about governor handing out road money check and local officials not knowing what the cash is for:

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More Polls Coming

9:50 AM Tue, May 08, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

All of you political-watchers keep asking, so instead of calling me, here's your heads up on future polling in the governor's race by Survey U.S.A./WHAS-TV.

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Govs Forum Loses Fletcher

9:41 AM Tue, May 08, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

The candidate forum being this afternoon (Tuesday) in Frankfort has lost its biggest name.

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Lunsford Gets Second Union Endorsement

8:58 AM Tue, May 08, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Until yesterday, Bruce Lunsford had received just one labor union endorsement and it wasn't a big one. A steelworkers local endorsed Lunsford early in the governor's race.

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Miller Drops Out

12:16 PM Mon, May 07, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Jonathan Miller will be dropping out of the governor's race and endorsing Steve Beshear at a news conference this afternoon.

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Henry Out At University of Hospital

8:10 AM Mon, May 07, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Joe Gerth has an interesting nugget in the C-J this morning about Dr. Steve Henry no longer having a contract to practice at University Hospital.

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Fletcher Reimburses State

6:47 PM Fri, May 04, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Governor Fletcher's campaign manager says Fletcher will reimburse the state more than $18,000 for campaign related trips on state government aircraft.

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Endorsements About to Flow

10:07 AM Fri, May 04, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Sources in the camps of two democratic candidates for governor expect the Courier-Journal editorial board to endorse the Steve Beshear/Daniel Mongiardo ticket in the May primary race for governor.

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Unions Prepare to Attack Lunsford

9:21 PM Thu, May 03, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Look out Bruce, you're about to be attacked!

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New Econ. Development Secretary

6:22 PM Thu, May 03, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Governor Fletcher has named a Louisville man to replace Gene Strong as head of the Economic Development Cabinet.

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Final Thoughts on Survey USA Poll

8:59 AM Thu, May 03, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

This was the first time WHAS and Survey USA included running mates in its polling on the governor's race.

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Henry Makes Expensive Promise

8:43 AM Thu, May 03, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

Steve Henry has promised state employees that he'll give them a 5% raise in each of his first two years if he's elected governor.

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New Ed. Commissioner Drama/Gov./Travis

6:35 PM Tue, May 01, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

I may have to finish this posting later because there are too many tentacles and too much to write about the Kentucky Board of Education's search for a new state school commissioner. But here's the first wave:

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New Poll Numbers Out!!!!!

11:35 AM Tue, May 01, 2007 |
Mark Hebert

We've got the new WHAS11/Survey USA poll numbers. Here's the numbers. I'll have a story at noon and 5:30 on the air and more background here, on the blog.

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