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The Kentucky delegation to the RNC scored big this week, and if Anne Northup's absence is any indication, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth has reason to be cautiously optimistic, too. Bruce Lunsford finally gets a debate with U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell, but will anyone see it? See all of this week's Winners & Losers. | CLICK HERE

MINNEAPOLIS – U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate) told PolitickerKY.com he has been hard at work fundraising for candidates for Kentucky’s state legislature.

“I’ve been going around trying to assist some of our down-ticket people so they can run a competitive race and hold their seat or win a new one,” Bunning said.

The two-term U.S. senator said he had headlined five fundraisers for state legislative candidates in the last three weeks, noting he is hopeful Republicans can make gains in a series of targeted districts.

Bunning spoke enthusiastically about the candidacy of former state Rep. Bob Heleringer, who is seeking a state Senate seat in the 19th district – part of metro Louisville.

“It’s looking a heck of a lot better than most of them do in Jefferson County,” said Bunning about Heleringer’s bid against incumbent Tim Shaughnessey (D-Louisville).

MINNEAPOLIS – On the heels of remarks by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) that Republicans had little chance of seizing the upper chamber back from Democrats this election cycle, Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood) remarked that outcome was anticipated by many.

“That’s the conventional wisdom,” said Grayson when asked what he thought of McConnell’s comments.

In Minneapolis for the Republican National Convention, Grayson said the accepted political climate for Senate races was that Republicans were on offense in just one of the 33 ongoing races – the contest in Louisiana between U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu and state Treasurer John Kennedy.

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Among the Kentuckians interviewed today by PolitickerKY.com, the sentiment was nearly universal that Gov. Sarah Palin (R-Alaska) could connect with undecided voters if she presented her personality and background in her speech this evening.

“I think Governor Palin needs to get up there and be herself,” said Republican Party of Kentucky chair Steve Robertson. “She’s got a great story and a great personality that quite frankly makes me excited.”

“I just hope she gets up there and presents Sarah Palin to the convention,” added Robertson.

Amid continued scrutiny of Palin in the media following the revelation that her teenage daughter was pregnant, one delegate said presenting herself as a the head of a family could benefit the vice-presidential pick.

“She could show more and more how she is a real person,” said Hardin County Judge/Executive Harry Berry, an at-large delegate. “She has not only coped with the challenges that a family faces everyday but also the challenges that a government faces everyday.”

ST. PAUL, Minn. – With all eyes on Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech at the Republican National Convention this evening, Kentucky’s delegates to the convention sounded their support for her inclusion as Sen. John McCain’s running mate, even amid increased scrutiny of her record and family.

As television news networks dedicate their hours to debating Palin’s legitimacy as a pick, one delegate said her speech was of great significance.

“This is where she presents herself to the entire nation and to the Republican Convention,” said state Rep. Addia Wuchner (R-Burlington), a district delegate to the convention.

The state representative discredited coverage of the announcement that Palin’s teenage daughter was pregnant, arguing that was a private issue.

Wuchner said the matters with Palin’s family “are personal, they are private and they are not political.”

“I think its hands-off,” she added.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – While analysis of Gov. Sarah Palin’s selection as Sen. Jon McCain’s vice presidential pick continues to dominate the news cycle at the Republican National Convention, many Republicans are fighting back, claiming the coverage is unfair.

Republican Party of Kentucky chair Steve Robertson joined that chorus today, saying that Palin was undergoing scrutiny because of her gender.

“It’s pretty interesting to watch the Democratic Party and Democratic analysts and some folks in the mainstream media basically bring the issue out that, now that it’s not a Democratic woman, they are asking ‘can a woman hold this position?’” said Robertson.

MINNEAPOLIS – While many states' delegations are playing host to high-profile national speakers during their morning breakfasts at the Republican National Convention, Kentuckians are having relatively relaxed mornings at their downtown Minneapolis hotel.

Today, a handful of delegates filtered in and out of the delegation breakfast, with some stopping to chat with a dining U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate) and no speakers were scheduled.

At yesterday’s breakfast, an ad hoc line-up of speakers briefly addressed the crowd. Republican National Committee chair Mike Duncan, a Kentucky native staying at the same hotel as his home state’s delegation, dropped in on the Tuesday event and received a round of applause from those in attendance, which included Bunning, Secretary of State Trey Grayson (R-Richwood), state Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) and 2nd Congressional District candidate and state Sen. Brett Guthrie (R-Bowling Green).

Duncan was reportedly scheduled to speak at Tuesday’s breakfast, which was to be the most formal of the three in Minneapolis, but he instead mingled with the crowd after he arrived.

Friday’s breakfast will also be a simple affair, with no scheduled speakers.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – A contingent of Republican members of the Louisville Metro Council traveled north this week to attend the Republican National Convention, and they say they are getting ideas about how to grow their numbers – even in districts traditionally regarded as non-competitive for the GOP.

“What we’re working toward, of course, is to be on a level playing field or even having a majority,” said Councilman Glen Stuckel, of the 17th Metro Council District.

Democrats currently hold a 15 to 11 advantage in the Metro Council chamber.

Stuckel is a delegate to the RNC, but he says he and his council colleagues are doing more than just waiting to nominate U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) as their party’s presidential choice.

“One of the things that we’re doing here is we are getting some good ideas about how we can help our local candidates,” said Stuckel during a Monday interview. “We went to a strategy meeting this morning, and they threw out some really good ideas about what we as a party can do.”

“Hopefully, we transfer that back to what we’re doing locally,” Stuckel added. “That’s going to protect what we have in the way of the council and maybe increase our membership and make the Republican coalition a little bit stronger.”