Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo has the lead in all recent primary polling in the Kentucky Senate race. That's unfortunate, given that he'd be to the Right of Blanche Lincoln and Ben Nelson, vowing to oppose the health care reform law. His primary opponent, Attorney General Jack Conway, is betting the farm on the issue:
Democrats are certainly underdogs in this race. But Democrats won't do themselves any favor by electing the guy desperately trying to be Republican-lite, in the hope that Republicans will opt for him instead of the real thing. And given the GOP will likely nominate über-wingnut Rand Paul, the teabaggers and Paulites will certainly be motivated to get their guy over the finish line.
Thus, Kentucky Democrats would be better off nominating a guy who can rally the base, not depress it; a guy who can create clear contrasts with the opposition, rather than engage in a futile effort to blur the lines.
Jack Conway for Senate
Dan Mongiardo for Senate