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| Lt. Governor candidates Republican Robbie Rudolph, left, and his Democratic counterpart Daniel Mongiardo talk prior to their televised debate in Lexington, Ky., Monday, Oct. 22, 2007. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke) |
Rudolph, Mongiardo stand by running mates
By ROGER ALFORD
Associated Press Writer
LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Candidates for lieutenant governor agree with their running mates on a proposed constitutional amendment that could legalize casino gambling in Kentucky.
Republican Robbie Rudolph, Gov. Ernie Fletcher's slate mate, said during a televised debate Monday that he would vote against such an amendment if ever it appears on the ballot. Democrat Daniel Mongiardo, gubernatorial challenger Steve Beshear's running mate, said he would support such an initiative.
“It's not going to be more money for health care,” Rudolph said. “It's not going to be more money for education. It's a false promise - fool's gold, if you will. Kentuckians will lose what they have if they go to those casinos.”
The words closely mirror Fletcher's language from previous debates.
Fletcher and Rudolph have made their opposition to casinos a centerpiece of their campaign. Beshear, meanwhile, has made his support for casinos a major theme in his re-election efforts.
Mongiardo, echoing Beshear's stand, said residents already are traveling to casinos in neighboring states and spending money that could be kept in Kentucky.
“Most people in Kentucky want a chance to vote,” Mongiardo said. “I understand the reasons people are against it. I understand the reasons people are for it. Steve and I believe that (they) should make the choice.”
Rudolph gave a resolute “absolutely not” when asked if he would personally vote for a constitutional amendment to legalize casinos. Mongiardo said he would vote for such an amendment if the proceeds from casino taxes go to education, health care and economic development.
“There are some scenarios that I could see that I could potentially vote against it,” Mongiardo said.
The candidates made the comments in a debate that was aired live on Kentucky Educational Television. It was the candidates' first televised debate of the campaign.
Eastern Kentucky University political scientist Kendra Stewart said the typical Kentucky voter probably wouldn't stray from their favorite television programs to watch candidates for lieutenant governor face off, and that the event probably won't have a great impact on the election's outcome.
“This level of debate doesn't garner much attention unless it's a close race or something very interesting happens,” she said. “These types of debates only have impact if there's some type of major gaffe.”
Both Rudolph and Mongiardo have been low-key in the governor's race, though Mongiardo, an eastern Kentucky physician, drew public scrutiny in early October for refusing to cross a picket line at Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital where registered nurses are on strike.
Fletcher, who also is a physician, raised the issue during a debate in Louisville, claiming that Mongiardo chose to align with union interests rather than patients. Rudolph repeated the charge on Monday.
Mongiardo said he is continuing to take care of patients with medical emergencies and urgent cases but supports more than 630 registered nurses at Hazard and six other Kentucky hospitals, plus two in West Virginia, who have been on strike since Oct. 1.
Weeks of negotiations between the union and hospital administrators came to an impasse over several issues, including staffing ratios, mandatory overtime and pay raises. The nurses also want better retirement and medical benefits.
Rudolph and Mongiardo voiced their loyalty to their running mates - even to the point of resigning if called upon to do so.
That wasn't the case with current Lt. Gov. Steve Pence, who opted not to seek re-election with Fletcher and who refused to resign after Fletcher asked him to. Pence chose to abandon Fletcher's re-election effort last year after the governor was indicted on charges - which were later dismissed in a negotiated agreement with prosecutors - of improperly rewarding political supporters with protected state jobs.
“Yes, if the governor asked me to resign the office of lieutenant governor, yes, I would resign,” Rudolph said. “The only reason I'm here in Frankfort is because of Governor Fletcher, and the only reason I'm a candidate running with him is because of Governor Fletcher and this administration. I'm very loyal to the administration, the management team ... and I'm going to stay with them until they ask me to leave.”
Mongiardo said he doesn't believe Beshear would ever be involved in activities like those Fletcher was accused of.
“But if he had acted the way our current governor has, he wouldn't have to ask me to resign,” Mongiardo said. “I would leave, as many of the current administration has left and resigned out of disgust.”
Story created Oct 23, 2007 - 11:15:06 EDT.
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