In a diary I wrote on July 29, 2014, I had a suggestion for Alison Lundergan Grimes in her race against Sen. Mitch McConnell. I said the following:
If I was Alison Grimes (and she doesn't ask my advice), I'd talk about the disconnect between McConnell's statements about public service (i.e.), "Politics is about what you contribute, not what you acquire," and the reality . . .
He said this first in a 2-minute TV ad in 1984 (produced by Roger Ailes) when he first introduced himself to Kentucky.
McConnell was worth $90,000 at the time. This was back when he still took free trips from local TV stations for advertising during campaigns. He went to Mexico on just such a free trip at the time. He literally was scraping the barrel. McConnell was broke.
Fast forward to 2014. McConnell is worth a little north of $30,000,000. Hard to know the precise numbers. But it's a lot. A lot more than $90,000.
I don't think this sort of financial wizardry would be understood by regular Kentuckians.
To grow your wealth 333.3 times while working exclusively as a public servant.
Alison Lundergan Grimes hasn't talked about it yet.
I think she should in a series of ads that contrast his '84 statements with his present wealth.
And ask?
Sen. McConnell -- How did you become a millionaire representing Kentuckians? Nobody is that good an investor. You owe us an explanation.
Fade to black.
Just this week Ms. Grimes took my advice (sort of) and started running this ad:
Alison: “I’m Alison Lundergan Grimes and I approved this message.”
Narrator: “What can happen in thirty years?
A senator can become a multimillionaire in public office …
While voting 17 times against raising the minimum wage …
Three times for corporate tax breaks that send Kentucky jobs overseas …
And 12 times against extending unemployment benefits for laid off workers.
And when asked about it … just laughs.
30 years of Mitch McConnell is long enough.”
See the full ad at: Alison Asks How McConnell Got So Rich
And McConnell's only response is . . . that to ask how he is rich is a "despicable" attack on his wife. Because he can't answer . . . I'm rich . . .because my wife gave me a lot of money.
Keep on keeping on Mrs. Grimes.