You know, one thing I have been talking about whenever possible is how our party should fight for every Democratic voter in every district they appear. Conceding huge swaths of our country is just not a wise thing to do in my estimation. When Democrats in what many consider red areas are invested in, listened to, and spoken to they respond.
Case in point, Western Kentucky. I hear many people on the state and national level saying we are a lost cause for Democrats. However, I want to make the case that this region IS winnable for our party when these voters are paid attention to.
First, lets look at the geography of Kentucky's First Congressional District:
I think we can safely assume that this district makes up what would be known as "Western Kentucky". Now, one of the reasons Heather Ryan is in this race is because Mitch McConnell pulled strings to have her fired after she and her daughter lawfully dared to ask him a question.
Now, Heather Ryan is a young and energetic Democrat. With support from fellow Democrats she has been able to travel all across Western Kentucky listening to the voters and telling of her prepulsion into this race due to Mitch McConnell's meddling in a supposedly non-political organization. In the last month Heather has been all over this district, campaigning on her vision for Kentucky, and the corruption of Ed Whitfield and the entire McConnell machine. Lets look at what has happened to McConnell's numbers during that time:
Western Kentucky
3-17-08
Approve 68%
Disapprove 21%
Not Sure 11%
Now, lets fast-forward almost a month:
Western Kentucky
4-14-08
Approve 48%
Disapprove 46%
Not Sure 6%
http://www.surveyusa.com/...
That represents a 20% drop in approval, and a 25% spike in disapproval in the time Heather has been speaking truth to power for Western Kentucky voters to hear. She is proving that when we take the time to speak to these voters, and let them know how we are and what we stand for, simply put they respond.
I would also like to say that Greg Fischer deserves some credit for these new McConnell numbers. While Bruce Lunsford is the establishment candidate, Greg Fischer is the one that has met the voters face to face and delievered the terrible record of Mitch McConnell to them. While he is running statewide, and can't be confined to Western Kentucky as Heather Ryan can, he has made many appearances in Western Kentucky to bring the sorry record of McConnell and the Republican machine in Kentucky front and center.
It all boils down to the fact that conventional wisdom about Western Kentucky is all wrong. Heather Ryan and Greg Fischer are successfully proving that in Western Kentucky, when we invest and engage these voters, we win!!
Here is Heather in her announcement speech speaking on the corruption of Mitch McConnell and Exxon Ed Whitfield:
Here is Greg Fischer meeting Democrats in the Western Kentucky town of Benton:
Heather Ryan and Greg Fischer are proving to not only be great candidates, but effective ones. They are showing this district and indeed all of Kentucky is worth investing in.
We need to support these great candidates and build on the momentum they are creating in a region most would write off. I started Americans for Ryan with the hope of raising $1500 by the day of the primary she is unopposed in, May 20. I have recieved a great response and now stand well over two-thirds of the way there with $1160. Everyone who donates to Americans for Ryan before May 20 will be entered in a drawing to win these two pinback buttons from the 1960 campaign of JFK:
Help us make history, and have a chance to win a piece of history!!!
http://www.actblue.com/...
Now, Greg Fischer DOES have a primary, against the establishment candidate, Bruce Lunsford. While Lunsford is a fine man, he does not represent the values Kentucky Democrats espouse. He has financially supported Mitch McConnell himself, financially supported Anne Northup over John Yarmuth, our only Congressional pickup in 06, and endorsed corrupt former Republican governor Ernie Fletcher after he lost an 03 primary to now Congressman Ben Chandler. While Kentucky Democrats were fighting an uphill battle in these races, Lunsford was actually contributing parts of his substantial fortune AGAINST us!!
The good news is most Kentucky Democrats haven't forgotten, and among voters Ficher outraised Lunsford almost 2 to 1 last quarter. Check the numbers here:
http://www.bluegrassroots.org/...
Now, go and support the Progressive Democrat who can build on the hard work of Western Kentucky Democrats including Heather Ryan and sweep this region from McConnell in the fall:
http://www.actblue.com/...
The tide is changing in Western Kentucky!!!! Lets win!!