David Williams

MINNEAPOLIS - State Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) told PolitickerKY.com that the closest thing he's seen to Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's remarks before the Republican National Convention was when former President Ronald Reagan addressed previous conventions.

"I don't know whether I've ever seen anything like it before," said Williams.

Williams praised the speech's style and content, noting Palin had the "ability to deliver emotional lines."

A delegate to the RNC this year, Williams said the speech should resonate well back home because of its emphasis on certain issues.

"Kentuckians ought to be particularly pleased about what she had to say about energy," said Williams.

MINNEAPOLIS – Kentucky’s delegates to the Republican National Convention are seated next to the stage at the convention center and are staying, for the duration of the event, at the Hyatt Regency hotel in downtown Minneapolis – the same hotel housing the staff and leadership of the Republican National Committee.

The news may come as less of a surprise given that a Kentuckian chairs the RNC. Mike Duncan, a native of the eastern Kentucky town of Inez, has served in that capacity since last year.

A veteran of five conventions, Duncan said Kentucky was uniquely positioned this time around.

“This is the first time we’ve had a front-row seat,” said Duncan. “Sometimes we’ve been farther away from the action.”

Duncan said Kentuckians were well-received on the floor of the convention, noting Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) was greeted by colleagues from around the country on the floor. Duncan also said Kentuckians holding federal office were popular here in Minneapolis.

“We have a very well known congressional delegation, and you see that on the floor,” said Duncan.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Kentucky's delegates to the Republican National Convention have some prime real estate on the floor of the Xcel Center.

Seated stage-right of the speaker's podium, Kentucky shares the front row with the delegation from the convention's host state of Minnesota. The 45 delegates from the Bluegrass State are in front of delegates from South Carolina.

The design of the stage and the seating plan allows several Kentuckians to sit just feet from the stage. Among those on the front row for day one are Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) and state Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville).

DENVER  – John McCain’s  Kentucky presidential campaign chair, state Sen. David Williams (R-Burkesville), sees the selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Arizona lawmaker’s vice presidential running mate as a welcome addition to McCain’s ticket that solidifies core Republican support.

“She brings the Republican base, unlike some of the other candidates who were similarly qualified,” said Williams.

Contrasted to rumored potential picks such as U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Ct.) and former Gov. Tom Ridge (R-Pa.), Palin favors an anti-abortion position. Williams also noted she was a member of the National Rifle Association.

Williams argued that Palin’s political experience proves she will be a strong campaigner, given her success in unseating Governor Frank Murkowski in 2006.

“She has strong campaigning experience,” said Williams. “In a state like Alaska, where the population is relatively spread out, you have to be a skilled politician to beat incumbent governors.”

LEXINGTON -- With her bid for the 13th state Senate district just in the developing stages, state Rep. Kathy Stein (D-Lexington) took aim on Wednesday night at the head of the chamber she hopes to join - Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville).

"President Williams doesn't like people to publicly say anything about him - to criticize him," said Stein. "I learned a long time ago that if you are going to be in politics, you need to take stands that need to be taken."

"You also have to have a skin that is as thick as a rhinoceroses' hide," added Stein.

Stein was addressing the crowd in Lexington at a forum for candidates competing for the Democratic nod for the 75th state House seat - the seat she gave up for her state Senate run. She said she was hopeful the victorious candidate could prove to be an ally in the state legislature.

"I am looking forward to embracing him and her so that we can work together to make sure that David Williams in the Senate has someone who will stand up to him," said Stein.

Calling for an Arab genocide won't make you a winner, but that's not the only reason Sonny Landham made this week's loser list. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Barack Obama both got some good polling news this week, but McConnell still managed to make the loser list. Find out who else made our Winners & Losers list. | CLICK HERE

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in Inez, KY earlier this year: Politicker photo

The campaign of presumptive Republican presidential nominee and U.S. Sen. John McCain announced its first organizational moves in the state this afternoon, naming state Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) as Kentucky campaign chair.

A 22-year veteran of the state Senate, Williams has served as that body's president since 2000. He also unsuccessfully sought to unseat then-incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Wendell Ford in 1996.

"John McCain is a leader who Kentuckians can believe in. John McCain will protect our country, grow our economy, reform our government and improve America's energy security," said Williams in a statement dispatched by the McCain campaign. "We believe voters in Kentucky have a choice this November between John McCain, who will lead this nation forward, and Barack Obama who will take our country backward with his failed policies of the past. John McCain has always put our country's interest before his own; I am confident he will continue to do so as president."

Reaction to the United States Supreme Court's decision in the D.C. v. Heller case emanated from prominent Republicans in Kentucky quickly today, after the high court overturned a Washington, D.C., law banning handgun ownership in a 5-4 decision.

"Today the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects the individual right of law-abiding citizens of the District of Colombia to protect themselves in their own homes," U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) said in a statement. "This landmark ruling will ensure that regardless of where citizens reside, the government will respect their rights that are guaranteed by the Second Amendment."

In the court's majority opinion, Associate Justice Antonin Scalia concluded "the District's ban on handgun possession in the home violates the Second Amendment, as does its prohibition against rendering any lawful firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate self-defense.

With leaders from the state House and Senate reaching an agreement on pension reform legislation, it now appears likely the whole of both those bodies will reconvene in Frankfort for a five-day special session to consider the legislation.

"My staff and I will be working with the House and Senate leadership to finalize the details of a draft bill. Assuming that these final details are ironed out I will issue a call for a special session of the General Assembly on June 23, 2008, to quickly pass that legislation," said Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) in a statement released today.