C-J's coverage of Senate race 'shameless,' says Chao

BOWLING GREEN -- Mainstream media outlets have been a frequent target of criticisms from the campaign of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) - particularly the state's largest newspaper, the Louisville Courier-Journal. McConnell's wife, U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, threw a jab of her own at that paper today while on the campaign trail, when asked if she thought recent polls indicating a tightening race between McConnell and businessman Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) were accurate.

One of those polls was a Courier-Journal-commissioned survey conducted by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research. That poll showed just a one point lead for the Republican incumbent - the smallest margin shown by McConnell in months. It was released in late-September.

"We are pleased with the position that we are in," Secretary Chao told PolitickerKY.com on Monday when asked about her take on the state of the race.

"One has to take a look at the source of the recent poll that said that the race was closing," she added. "It was a poll that was commissioned by the Courier Journal, which has been shameless in this election cycle for its lack of objectivity and fairness."

The Courier-Journal editorial page and the McConnell campaign have been engaged in something of a back-and-forth, whether conscious or otherwise, for years.

Complaining of biased coverage in 2001, McConnell commissioned a poll with results he said showed readers thought the paper had a "liberal bias."

The latest episodes between the paper and the Senator include a July editorial regarding oil speculation in which McConnell was labeled as a "fraud."  McConnell responded with an objection in the form of a letter to the editor.

An early August editorial in the paper followed, attacking a McConnell television spot as dishonest and labeling it a "McCon job."

That term was picked up by the Lunsford campaign and is now a common motto in press releases from the Democrat's camp.

Following the initial release of the Mason-Dixon poll in the paper, the McConnell camp targeted the commissioner and the conductor of the polls, questioning the firm's accuracy and calling the C-J "Lunsford's top cheerleader."

The impact of the Bailout: polls and pocketbooks

At any rate, the Courier-Journal initially speculated that their poll result was based on tightening due to the rocky economic situation. Since the release, the so-called "financial rescue" package has passed - with McConnell's support.

When asked if this support of that controversial package could impact McConnell's chances for re-election, Chao acknowledged the bill was a difficult one for her husband to support.

"Mitch wasn't sent to Washington to make easy decisions," said Chao. "He was sent to make tough decisions - this was a tough decision."

"The economic rescue package was something that had to be done. A lot of us didn't like to see it happen, but to do nothing was not an option," said Chao.

Chao did not specify whether she personally supported the bailout, saying that as a member of the administration under President Bush - who did push the package -  "it's not really my call."

Still, she said she hoped the package would "increase confidence but also increase the flow of credit in our economy."

The Secretary of Labor also praised her fellow cabinet member, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson - a major proponent of the bailout legislation.

"We're very lucky to have someone like him. He came from Wall Street. He has a tremendously experienced background in economics," said Chao. "We need someone with a steady, wise, and experienced hand to take on the economy."