Lunsford on DailyKos, McConnell on Fox

The principal candidates in Kentucky's U.S. Senate race took to differing media outlets in the past two days to push their message.

Louisville businessman and Democratic nominee Bruce Lunsford participated in a "liveblogging" session and wrote a "diary" on the liberal political blog DailyKos yesterday, while his opponent, incumbent U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville), made an appearence this morning on the Fox & Friends television program on the Fox News network.

McConnell's three-and-a-half minute spot on the morning program focused exclusively on energy policy, with McConnell continuing his call for increased domestic oil exploration and suggesting that a moratorium on oil shale exploriation be lifted.

At the start of his appeareance, McConnell also connected President Bush's recent lifting of a ban on offshore oil drilling was connected with a recent dip in oil prices.

"The fact that oil went down $8 a barrel on the market yesterday is an indication markets are looking at us to do something serious about this problem," said McConnell. "Why did it fall $8 yesterday? The new development was the president lifted the executive branch moratorium on offshore drilling the day before."

Republican candidates - including McConnell and 3rd Congressional District candidate Anne Northup (R-Louisville) - have suggested that although expansion of oil exploration will not bring new product to the market immediately, the market will nonetheless quickly react to expected new supplies by lowering prices.

McConnell also noted that new Democratic-sponsored energy legislation would be forthcoming in the U.S. Senate and said it would not get through the body where he serves as Senate Minority Leader without a fight.

"It will be the goal of the Republicans in the Senate to force open a full debate," said McConnell.

Depending on one's political persepective, McConnell has been a chief "firewall" or "obstructor" of many Democratic initiatives, as he organizeswields the threat of the filibuster during the legislative process frequently.

Such a threat requires a cloture vote with 60 supporting Senators to overcome - something the 51-strong Democratic Senate delegation can often not muster.

Lunsford on the web

McConnell's opponent, Bruce Lunsford, took to the liberal blogosphere in an extended conversation with commenters and guests at the DailyKos website.

Early in the Senate race, many liberal bloggers in Kentucky assailed Lunsford's candidacy due to his past support of Republican politicians and a business record some regard as checkered. Some of those internet voices threw their support behind Lunsford's primary opponents, Lt. Colonel Andrew Horne (D-Louisville) and businessman Greg Fischer (D-Louisville).

Horne later withdrew from the race and endorsed Lunsford, and has since been seen frequently with the Democratic nominee.

During Lunsford's "liveblogging" session yesterday, the ex-candidate added the first "comment" after Lunsford's post in support of Lunsford.

Lunsford acknowledged the hesitation among some of the liberal blogging community to support him, and fielded questions from guests posting on the site for some time after his initial "diary entry" appeared on the website.

"I realize that there is skepticism from some in the netroots about my candidacy, so I'm excited to tell you a little more about myself," wrote Lunsford.

Lunsford wrote extenisvely on gas prices, arguing in support of recently failed legislation co-sponsored by U.S. Rep John Yarmuth (D-Louisville), of Kentucky's 3rd District.

"I do believe we must increase domestic oil production as part of a plan to achieve long-term energy independence.," wrote Lunsford. "Rather than look to controversial areas first, let's start developing previously approved areas now while we work to increase the use of renewable energies."

Lunsford also fielded a few questions posed by users after his entry, including one from a DailyKos user concerned with Lunsford's political history.

"I WANT to be enthusiastic about you, but your actions in previous election cycles make me wary. Can you take a moment to address this, as I know it's a problem for other Democratic activists I know as well," wrote an individual using the name "karateexplosions."

In response, Lunsford acknowledged his past support of former Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher and cited U.S. Senator Jim Webb (D-Va.) as an example of a Democrat who succeeded after a history of associations with Republicans.

"Much like Jim Webb, I've learned from my past mistakes. I hope that in two years I can be as good a senator for Democrats and veterans as he has been," wrote Lunsford. "Like thousands of other Democrats I was duped by Ernie Fletcher who promised to deliver change. Boy do I regret making that mistake. If I could go back and do it over again, I would. But it was my first run for political office and I made a mistake. I've taken my lumps on this and apologized to Ben Chandler for this."

Lunsford frequently cites Webb in speeches. That first-term Senator was elected as a Democrat after serving in the administration of Republican President Ronald Reagan.