The power of the Internet, the power of blogging, the power of Daily Kos is that it puts politics back in the hands of the people... where we all know it rightfully belongs. Forget the red, white and blue campaign websites with their consultant-sanitized messages and carefully constructed doublespeak.
You don’t have to participate in CSI: Election to try and uncover the meaning behind the sound bites. You don’t have to squint at the campaign logo, deciding whether you see the vase or the two faces. You don’t have to do it because you, gentle reader, have the Blog Workers Industrial Union and Benevolent Society—and the BWIUBS has your back.
Here at BWIUBS, we’re asking the hard questions. Cartoon characters. Mascots. The walls of the candidates’ high school bedrooms. We asked every Democratic candidate for Governor, Senate and the House of Representatives to answer twenty questions for your edification. The questions are still being sent to candidates, and answers will be posted in the order they are received. Candidates are notified in advance of the posting of their answers so that they can join us if they desire, and we will post a diary Monday through Friday between 10 and 10:30 AM EST for your reading and commenting pleasure. Join us for some fun and camaraderie as we get to know the people who want to represent our interests across the country.
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In the hot seat today is Darlene Price, candidate for Kentucky Senate.
On with the show:
BWIUBS: What does the outline of your district resemble?
Darlene: I'm running for U.S. Senate in the beautiful state of Kentucky. Therefore, I have no district. It is a state-wide race. I think my state resembles a Christmas Elf's shoe.
BWIUBS: What is your favorite crayon color?
Darlene: Aqua blue - like the ocean
BWIUBS: What is your favorite thing about being a candidate?
Darlene: Hanging out with regular Kentuckians and listening to their amazing stories.
BWIUBS: What is your least favorite thing about being a candidate?
Darlene: Traveling in my car, in traffic all across the state. My car isn't even a year old yet and I already have about 40 thousand miles on it. I have personally visited all 120 counties in my state.
BWIUBS: When you were going up, what did you want to be and why?
Darlene: I wanted to be a police woman. I grew up watching Angie Dickenson in the television show "Police Women" and I was hooked. Then came Charlie's Angels. Those women kicked but and that was what I wanted to do - and eventually did.
BWIUBS: If you were on death row, what would you want your last supper to be and who would you want to cook it?
Darlene: It depends. If I were allowed to spend extra time with that person, then I would want my husband to fix me anything he wanted me to have just so I could spend the extra time.
BWIUBS: If you could run for office in any other state, where and why?
Darlene: I wouldn't want to run in any other state. My whole family is here, and this has become a family project that we are all doing together. However, if I was somehow forced to, I would pick the smallest state in the U.S. (probably Rhode Island). A whole lot less traveling to cover the whole state.
BWIUBS: Favorite Sport and team in that sport?
Darlene: I really don't have time to follow sports. I use to love to play tennis and baseball, although I never really followed it on television.
The only sport I follow now even a little is MMA (mixed martial arts) because my son is a MMA fighter - and don't you know this worries me to death!!!!
BWIUBS: Most recent book you read?
Darlene: "Labor Law, Collective Bargaining in a Free Society" by: Timothy J. Heinsz, Dennis R. Nolan, Richard A. Bales.
I'm currently finishing my last year of law school while I'm running for U.S. Senate. This is why I have no time to follow sports.
BWIUBS: What kind of car do you drive?
Darlene: A fuel efficient Toyota, made right here in Georgetown, Kentucky.
BWIUBS: Favorite Character in the movie "The Breakfast Club"?
Darlene: I liked Anthony Michael Hall's character of the "Geek". He seemed to be the most likeable and interesting. The funniest part was when they stuffed the "dooby" down his pants.
BWIUBS: Where are you when answering these questions?
Darlene: Sitting in my office in my home, hoping the electricity doesn't go off again. I live in the middle of the Daniel Boone Forest and every time it snows we usually loose electricity. We just had 5 inches of snow last night and today.
BWIUBS: Best meal you've had at a banquet since becoming a candidate?
Darlene: Cat fish at a fish fry in Western Kentucky.
BWIUBS: If you could be any cartoon character...which one would you be?
Darlene: Mighty Mouse, because that's what I feel like being the only progressive candidate in a mostly red state. Also, I'm the only candidate refusing to take money from what I call "The Bigs" (Big Oil, Big Banks, Big Insurance Vampires, Bib Pharma etc.). They all have their big "war chest" and I'm just anti-war.
BWIUBS: The day after the election, win or lose... which amusement park would you prefer to visit and why?
Darlene: Kings Island, Cincinnati, OH because it's the closest for my family to visit with me.
BWIUBS: If you could come up with a new animal as the mascot for the Democratic Party which animal would you pick and why?
Darlene: The dog.. I'm a dog lover. In my spare time (which I have none of) my husband and I rescue dogs from kill shelters, and find them homes. I have four rescue dogs of my own, (Bull Mastiff, Great Pyrenees, and two Belgian Shepherds).
Also, dogs are loyal, protective, and many even have jobs. They will put their lives on the line for you, and only ask for a little love and a scooby snack in return. Few humans ever reach that nobility and loyalty.
BWIUBS: What is your favorite board game and why?
Darlene: I like Trivial Pursuit. You can learn really interesting things as you play.
BWIUBS: What is the last movie you saw in a movie theater?
Darlene: "Capitalism - A Love Story" by: Michael Moore. We should nominate Michael for President next time!!!!!!! Then maybe we'll get some REAL CHANGE!!!!
BWIUBS: What was on the walls of your room as a teen ager?
Darlene: Dogs.
BWIUBS: Say one nice thing about your Republican opponent.
Darlene: I'm still in a primary and so are the Republicans, so there are several of them. They do have one guy who is a fellow veteran, and I'm grateful for his service to our country.
And there you have it folks...feel free to ask Darlene more questions in the comments and if she doesn't make it in to answer them herself, I'll forward the questions to her and we'll post her answers in a Saturday wrap up diary if necessary!