Someday the U.S. Senate campaign will turn to the candidates' stand on the issues. Until then, the campaign managers of both the Jack Conway and Daniel Mongiardo campaigns have been in full spin mode for months about other stuff.

Based on quotes in news releases Wednesday, imagine a debate between Mark Riddle, spokesman for Jack Conway, and Kim Geveden, spokesman for Daniel Mongiardo.

Geveden: (We now know that Jack Conway loaned his campaign $125,000), Conway misled voters and the press last Thursday when he claimed he raised a total of $675,000.

Riddle: Jack Conway invested $125,000 to help the campaign reach the important $2 million marker and to show his supporters he has a commitment to the fundraising effort.

Geveden: Conway told reporters he wanted to 'top $2 million pretty doggone bad.' I guess he wanted it so 'doggone' bad he was willing to mislead voters and the press how he got there. If Jack Conway is willing to mislead voters and the press about something as trivial as how much money he raised, what else will he mislead voters about?

Riddle: In 2004, Mongiardo loaned himself $704,000 and his manager Kim Geveden said, "We'll have the money it takes to win. Daniel is committed to that and his actions have demonstrated that." For Mongiardo to criticize Jack Conway for lending money to the campaign demonstrates not only hypocrisy, but also memory loss

Geveden: It still remains a mystery to us and the people of Kentucky as to where Conway raised his money this quarter. Daniel Mongiardo is proud of the fact that 93% of his individual contributors were Kentuckians.

Riddle: 80% of Jack Conway's fundraising comes from Kentuckians. It is important for a U.S. Senate candidate to be able to raise money outside of Kentucky, at actual fundraisers rather than fake trips to Chicago to duck the media.
(biggest zinger of the day -- more on that later - joe)

Geveden: Conway's fundraising took a sharp decline in the 3rd Quarter, falling by nearly 60%. In contrast, Mongiardo increased his fundraising from the previous quarter by nearly 70%.

Riddle: Jack is in it to win it. He also took a month off from campaigning and fundraising to tend to Elizabeth in the hospital and to be home with her and their new baby, Eva, during the quarter. He stepped up as a new father and as a candidate.

Geveden: At the beginning of the 3rd Quarter, Conway held a 3:1 cash on hand advantage. At the conclusion of the quarter, Mongiardo significantly narrowed Conway's cash on hand advantage to almost 2:1.

Riddle: It is hard to spin being dead last. They can spin, blame and point fingers, but the fact remains that Dan Mongiardo is last in money and last in polls. One must wonder when the Mongiardo campaign gets dizzy from all their spinning.

And here are both news releases from the campaigns:

Mongiardo:

FEC Report Shows Conway Claim of Raising $675,000 Is False
Loans Campaign $125,000 to Inflate Figures
Only Reports $546,241 in 'Net Contributions'

Frankfort---The 3rd Quarter FEC campaign finance report filed by Attorney General and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Jack Conway shows Conway misled voters and the press last Thursday when he claimed he raised a total of $675,000. Conway's report made publicly available yesterday reflected only $546,241 in "net contributions" - $127,000 less than what he originally told reporters.

"Conway told reporters he wanted to 'top $2 million pretty doggone bad.' I guess he wanted it so 'doggone' bad he was willing to mislead voters and the press how he got there. If Jack Conway is willing to mislead voters and the press about something as trivial as how much money he raised, what else will he mislead voters about?" said Lt. Governor and Democratic Senate candidate Daniel Mongiardo's campaign spokesperson, Kim Geveden.

Conway's fundraising took a sharp decline in the 3rd Quarter, falling by nearly 60%. In contrast, Mongiardo increased his fundraising from the previous quarter by nearly 70%, reporting over $514,000 - none of which was a contribution or loan by the candidate.

The FEC reports show Mongiardo out raised Conway among "un-itemized," small dollar contributors - the most telling sign of a campaign's organizational support - by a hefty 4:1 margin - $56,500 to $15,400. At the beginning of the 3rd Quarter, Conway held a 3:1 cash on hand advantage. At the conclusion of the quarter, Mongiardo significantly narrowed Conway's cash on hand advantage to almost 2:1.

Geveden added, "It still remains a mystery to us and the people of Kentucky as to where Conway raised his money this quarter. Daniel Mongiardo is proud of the fact that 93% of his individual contributors were Kentuckians. Daniel Mongiardo's campaign is a campaign of Kentuckians, by Kentuckians and for Kentuckians. How much did Jack Conway raise in Kentucky vs. New York and Hollywood? Kentucky voters deserve to know."

Conway:

Conway Crushes Mongiardo in Fundraising
"It is hard to spin dead last," says Conway Campaign
Cash on hand more than double Mongiardo

(Louisville - KY) As third quarter Federal Election finance reports were published, Attorney General Jack Conway's campaign for U.S. Senate demonstrated that it is financially and politically the strongest campaign to win the race in 2010.

Facts:

Jack Conway leads both his primary opponent and all Republican opponents in fundraising hitting over $2 million in just 24 weeks.

Jack Conway has more than doubled Mongiardo's cash on hand: $1.65 million to $750,000.

80% of Jack Conway's fundraising comes from Kentuckians. It is important for a U.S. Senate candidate to be able to raise money outside of Kentucky, at actual fundraisers rather than fake trips to Chicago to duck the media.

621 people contributed less than $200 since we began our campaign and 1721 people contributed more than $200.

Attorney General Jack Conway beat Dan Mongiardo in fundraising in every region of the state, including his home turf of Eastern Kentucky.

Jack Conway has raised money for 24 weeks compared to 35 weeks for Mongiardo and averaged $83,500 per week compared to $35,600 for Lt Dan.

Jack Conway invested $125,000 to help the campaign reach the important $2 million marker and to show his supporters he has a commitment to the fundraising effort. A candidate investing in his or her own race demonstrates strength and commitment.

Spin vs. Fact: In 2004, Mongiardo loaned himself $704,000 and his manager Kim Geveden said, "We'll have the money it takes to win. Daniel is committed to that and his actions have demonstrated that." (The Enquirer 7/14/2004).

"For Mongiardo to criticize Jack Conway for lending money to the campaign demonstrates not only hypocrisy, but also memory loss." said Mark Riddle. "Jack is in it to win it. He also took a month off from campaigning and fundraising to tend to Elizabeth in the hospital and to be home with her and their new baby, Eva, during the quarter. He stepped up as a new father and as a candidate."

The new Rasmussen poll showed Jack Conway as the one Democrat that could beat Grayson or Paul. Mongiardo trailed both leading GOP candidates.

Mongiardo has spent weeks hiding from the press because he refuses to answer questions regarding what he said about the Governor. It is time for Mongiardo to "man up" as the Herald Leader editorialized.
"It is hard to spin being dead last. They can spin, blame and point fingers, but the fact remains that Dan Mongiardo is last in money and last in polls," added Riddle. "One must wonder when the Mongiardo campaign gets dizzy from all their spinning."

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