Hillary Clinton

Micah Spicer was just about seven years old when he first encountered the Clinton political dynasty. The occasion was a campaign trip through western Kentucky by former President Bill Clinton, during his 1996 re-election bid. Clinton stopped in Mayfield and Spicer’s hometown of Wingo, and Spicer got a handshake out of the visit.

In a rural community like Wingo, presidential politics often play out in newspapers and on television screens – not in your own town and rarely within handshaking distance. For Spicer, Clinton’s visit was significant and part of the reason the Clinton family has built a “nest of support” in western Kentucky.

“That’s special,” said Spicer. “I don’t remember a presidential candidate making a trip to western Kentucky other than the Clintons.”

Gov. Steve BeshearPHILADELPHIA -- Though U.S. Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign has said it has the potential to perform strongly in traditionally red-leaning areas, Kentucky’s Democratic governor today suggested that Obama (D-Ill.) had work to do in his state.

“I think Obama’s main challenge for Kentucky is just to get better known to our people. He really hasn’t been to Kentucky to speak or to campaign,” Gov. Steve Beshear said when asked of the nominee’s ability to make inroads in the Bluegrass State.

“I’m hopeful we can get him there several times this fall so that people will see him up close and personal. And when they do, they’re going to be impressed with him and when they’re impressed with him they’re going to vote for him.”

LOUISVILLE -- Arguing against the speculation of many pundits, Kentucky state AFL-CIO president Bill Londrigan told PolitickerKY.com the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), is connecting with many in the Bluegrass State -- including members of his labor coalition.

Rejecting the notion that Obama would struggle with white, working-class voters in the state because of his race, Londrigan said AFL-CIO membership was "a lot more likely to vote for Obama" as he "represents real change, no matter what color he is."

"People are writing off the electorate, but a lot of people are supporting Obama," Londrigan said.

Obama's opponent in Kentucky's May 20 Democratic primary, U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) won the state by more than 35 points. Londrigan, however, pointed to Obama's successes as evidence of the Illinois senator's potential in the state.

What did Hillary Clinton say to Barack Obama to cause him to react in such a concerned way?

And why is Bill Clinton there looking for the fist bump?

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After hammering away at opponent Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) for days because of his opposition to increased domestic oil drilling, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) has turned his criticism on the issue to a newer, higher-profile target.

Speaking on the Senate floor today, McConnell sezied upon Tuesday comments made by presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) during an appearance on cable channel MSNBC, when Obama said he would have preferred a "gradual adjustment" in gas prices.

"Yesterday we heard the Democrat nominee for President suggest that rising gas prices aren't the problem," said McConnell. "The problem, he suggested, is that they've gone up too fast. He said he would prefer a ‘gradual adjustment."

LEXINGTON -- As Kentucky's three undecided superdelegates made the migration today from a precarious fence-sitting position to the camp of now-presumptive Democratic nominee, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, several made overtures calling on Obama to add Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) to his ticket as a Vice Presidential candidate.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), who did not endorse as a superdelegate until today, promoted the so-called "dream ticket" of Obama and Clinton, his former opponent in the combative Democratic presidential primary, on two occassions Friday.

"We need to put forth the strongest possible ticket this fall. Therefore, I have written personal letters to both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton, urging Senator Obama to select Senator Clinton as his running mate and urging Senator Clinton to accept any such offer. In my opinion, such a ticket would be unbeatable," said Beshear in the statement circulated Friday by the Kentucky Democratic Party announcing the superdelegate endorsement.

LEXINGTON - Little of the division that stood out at some of the Kentucky Democratic Party's pre-primary events was visible at Friday night's Jefferson-Jackson party fundraiser in Lexington. With the party's nominees for U.S. Senate and the presidential race locked in, the dual goals of the evening seemed to be party unity and a targeting of Republicans, up and down the ballot.

"Why in the world would anyone vote Republican after the eight years that we have experienced?" said Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), the evening's keynote speaker.

Beshear's sentiment was echoed by most of the prominent Democratic politicians who took the podium before him. Each hit optimistic notes about their party's electoral prospects, sounding as if they believed the hype surrounding polls conducted throughout the nation showing Democrats with leads over Republicans in a slew of competitive races.

With today's "decision deadline" set by Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean looming, Kentucky's three remaining undecided superdelegates have finally made their endorsement in the now-completed Democratic presidential race today.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington), Kentucky Democratic Party [KDP] Chair Jennifer Moore, and KDP Vice Chair Nathan Smith sat on the fence between the camps of candidates Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for weeks following Clinton's 35 point defeat of Obama in Kentucky's May 20 presidential primary.

According to a release dispatched today by the Kentucky Democratic Party, the three superdelegates will vote for Senator Obama at the Democratic National Convention in Denver.

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