Alison Lundergan Grimes, the well-respected Kentucky Secretary of State and Democratic candidate for Senator from Kentucky, performed admirably last night in the only debate Senator Mitch McConnell would agree too.
After McConnell's lackluster performance, it's clear why his team refused to allow more direct public comparisons with his clearly qualified challenger.
McConnell's campaign strategy appears to be running against President Barack Obama, and upon his possessing Washington clout.
McConnell's performance was notable due to his opening screen shot of him #McConnelling when he realized the camera was upon him, harrumphing when discomfited, a bit of arrogance and bullying of Ms Grimes and the moderator, and generally doing a "Grumpy Old Man McCain" imitation.
Thirty years in Washington DC will do that to you, I suppose.
Grimes provided a forceful defense of #Kynect, Kentucky's flagship program optimizing a state exchange through the Affordable Care Act, and responsible for over 527,000 Kentuckians gaining easier access to health care and health insurance coverage, while protecting every Kentuckian from insurance company consumer abuse.
McConnell has promised he will pull out and end #Kynect "root and branch" if re-elected.
Charles Gaba, whose website www.acasignups.net has proven to be "the" source of accurate Affordable Care Act numbers, identified 13 lies told by Mitch McConnell about #kynect during the debate, outlined by Mr. Gaba here http://www.dailykos.com/...
Grimes main focus in the Senate would be jobs, especially via raising the minimum wage and ensuring equal pay for women.
McConnell promised one of his first votes if re-elected would be to approve the Keystone Pipeline, a potential environmental disaster for the middle of America.
McConnell also touted a record of creating jobs during his tenure, odd as Kentucky has lost thousands of jobs during the 30 years of McConnell public service.
Mitch declined to say why that performance would be different if re-elected - but promised it would magically be so.
Grimes hit McConnell on his close ties to the Koch Brothers, noting, "That's different than what Sen. McConnell said to his family, the Koch Brothers, out in California, when he went there and asked them to help him buy his way back into Washington DC"
Grimes proved herself tough, becoming more confident and owning her space and performance as the debate progressed. Grimes displaying a detailed knowledge of facts and figures affecting Kentucky lives.
The debate was sponsored by Lexington public television station KET. Debate format consisted of the two candidate and a moderator seated at a desk. Press, approx. 60, were in an adjoining room, watching the debate on TV.
Candidate supporters, with Grimes supporters outnumbers McConnell's by about 1/3 according to reporters on the scene, were outside the building.
Grimes entered and left through the front of the building, greeting enthusiastic supporters along the way.
McConnell and his wife, former W. Bush Labor Secretary and Washington, DC resident Elaine Chao, arrived and left privately.
Alison Lundergan Grimes has proven herself a excellent, knowledgeable Senatorial candidate that will add to the capable Democratic majority in the United States Senate, and work hard for the people of Kentucky.
Alison has been supported in Kentucky by appearances from President Bill Clinton and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is coming to Kentucky to campaign with Alison at a large rally the evening of Wednesday, October 15, in Louisville, KY.
Former beloved Kentucky Governor and Senator Wendell Ford supports Alison Grimes for Senate.
So grab your popcorn and beverage of choice, and post your favorite debate exchange in the comments below!
8:52 PM PT: Tuesday Oct 14: Today a rumor was spread throughout national media by irresponsible nationally-known media (Chris Cillizza, Jon Heilemann, Mark Halpirin, MSNBC, CNN) that "Democrats have abandoned Grimes". Heilemann and Halperin agreed on their program that "Her campaign is dead".
This rumor was based upon the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) not having pre-purchased ad buys in KY market for last 3 weeks of campaign. The DSCC has been very active in the Kentucky market, with great ads playing. The DSCC acknowledged this was true, but that they were open to purchases if necessary.
Guy Cecil, the Executive Director of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, posted at about 8:00pm eastern Tuesday night 10/14, on Twitter:
Guy Cecil @guycecil 3h 3 hours ago
Just signed a $300,000 wire for the KY Get Out The Vote operation
for @AlisonForKY. That's an interesting view of "pulling out of the race"
I will post if the above media personalities retract their false story. I doubt it.
Today, @AlisonForKY also announced a record-setting donation haul of $5 million dollars for the third quarter. They are in great condition, financially, for the home stretch ad buys
10:42 PM PT: The DSCC has 10 states targeted for massive GOTV that they believe Dems can win in November (great diary, here http://www.dailykos.com/.... )
Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Michigan, Montana, West Virginia
The $300,000 DSCC sent to @AlisonForKY Tuesday was part of this targeted effort.
In spite of false media reports to the contrary, DSCC is active, present and supporting Alison Lundergan Grimes all the way to the Senate
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Meet Alison: http://alisonforkentucky.com/...
Alison Grimes TV ads: http://www.youtube.com/...
Alison Grimes on the issues http://alisonforkentucky.com/...
Please contribute to her campaign https://secure.actblue.com/...
Follow below to watch for yourself the video of Alison Lundergan Grimes, the next Senator from Kentucky, as she debates Mitch McConnell, and clearly proves she's Senatorial material.
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