Democrats rally as Election Day draws nearer
By TOM BERRY
Staff Writer
“Let's win an election.”
Those words from State Rep. Fred Nesler ignited shouts of victory from more than 240 Calloway County Democratic Party members and supporters during a patriotic, pre-election, hot dogs and chili rally at the Weaks Community Center Thursday night.
Nesler, D-Mayfield, who attended the rally to represent U.S. Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford, spent the remainder of his speech behind a star-spangled, red-white-and-blue-decked podium attacking incumbent Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell to shouts of “Ditch Mitch.”
Nesler attacked McConnell for not accomplishing what he could have for Kentucky during his nearly quarter century in office.
“I don't know how you would describe it, but I describe it as kind of like a mouse and an obstructionist,” Nestler said. “I have talked to people all over western Kentucky and asked them what he had done for them and you know what, I haven't run into many people that can tell me nothing about it or could tell me he has done very well for you or for us (in Graves County). It is time to make a change and elect Bruce Lunsford to the U.S. Senate.”
Paducah Democrat Heather Ryan, who is running against Republican First District Rep. Ed Whitfield was invited but was unable to attend the rally.
Afterward, former U.S. House Rep. Carroll Hubbard received a rousing introduction from Calloway County Judge-Executive Larry Elkins. Carroll spoke for several minutes concerning negative campaigning by his opponent, incumbent First District Sen. Ken Winters, R-Murray.
“I am the one that is trying to run a positive campaign on the issues, but the Kentucky Republican Party and Sen. Winters started early with their attacks on me,” he said. “That vicious ad you've seen on me on TV, let me just take the time to tell you, there were no bounced checks. They also said I was tried and found guilty. There was never a trial. That ad is full of lies and Ken Winters knows it and the Republican Party knows it, but they have run it 180 times.”
Hubbard said Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is supporting his candidacy because more Democratic senators are needed in Frankfort for Beshear to do what needs to be done to move the state forward in a way that will benefit all Kentuckians.
“He needs some Democrat senators to keep David Williams, a Republican president of the state Senate, from blocking everything he can pass in the House. I'm one of them and he's doing his best to help,” Hubbard said.
Later in the evening, James Chamberlain, chairman of Murray State University's Young Democrats, spoke concerning Obama's run for the presidency.
Before the shouting started, Democratic Party Chairman Hal Kemp made one prediction concerning next Tuesday's political races...victory.
“I think we're going to do a lot better in Calloway County than in the state of Kentucky in supporting our next president, Barack Obama,” Kemp said noting significantly increased support in favor of the Illinois senator's bid for the White House.
“There has been an amazing turn around,” Kemp added. “On July 4 when we were doing our (Freedom Fest) parade we had very little response. But when it came to the (MSU) homecoming we got a really good ovation as we went down the street on our float. There were a lot of people chanting ‘Obama' and clapping and shouting so there's been quite a change.”
He and other party leaders are hoping the enthusiasm over an Obama victory will translate to other Democratic candidates as well.
“If we can get those young folks to come out and vote we will,” he said.
Story created Oct 31, 2008 - 12:10:44 EDT.
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