In the 2008 elections a Democrat in Kentucky who believes in fair elections and the rights of ALL Americans to have their votes counted is considering running. His name is Greg Stumbo, the Democratic Attorney General of Kentucky who held our Republican Governor responsible for his unethical and illegal hiring practices. While this is what garnered him national fame, Greg Stumbo's work as A.G. went far beyond that.
One of the things that Greg Stumbo fought for as A.G. of Kentucky was fair elections. Look at this story from two years ago when Greg Stumbo's office issued a minority report on Campaign Finance Reform to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance:
FRANKFORT KY (September 19, 2005) - Representatives from the Office of the Attorney General are presenting a Minority Report on Campaign Finance Reform to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance at its regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. today.
In the report, the Attorney General agrees with the Advisory Task Force’s recommendations to the Registry regarding: reenacting exploratory committee provisions, requiring the full disclosure of ballot issue advocacy, mandating electronic filing for candidates spending $25,000 or more and recommending that the General Assembly take action to further regulate vote hauling.
Unfortunately this is where the agreements with the Advisory Task Force ended. Here are some of the things A.G. Stumbo dissented on, and some of the reccomendations A.G. Stumbo made to the task force:
The Task Force recommended that candidates for Governor be permitted to name their running mate for Lt. Governor after the primary. The Attorney General objects as such a recommendation may be unconstitutional.
Next:
The Task Force recommended that the contribution limits be increased according to federal limits referencing the Consumer Price Index ("CPI"). The Attorney General objects to the increase to more than double the current contribution limit and objects to the application of the CPI without a cap on what the contribution limit may reach without further legislative action. (NOTE: The contribution limit was $500 in 1992 and was raised to $1,000 in 1996).
I happen to agree with the A.G. on this one. How are we ever going to keep big money from ruling the process if we allow them to donate more and more to control our elected officials? We definately need the limits he describes.
He goes on:
The Task Force recommended that no caps be placed on how much a candidate may loan his campaign with the expectation of repayment after the election. The Attorney General recommends that some limit be placed on candidate loans to avoid the quid pro quo corruption of post-election contributions going to the candidate’s pocketbook.
To me, this proposal is just plain common sense.
Another proposal from Stumbo's office:
The Task Force chose not to consider the regulation of electioneering communications. The Attorney General recommends that the Registry adopt McCain-Feingold provisions and recommends that the legislature adopt language to regulate electioneering communications, rather than maintaining the untenable "magic words" test for express advocacy.
The fact that the Task Force did not even consider regulating electioneering communications was a huge failure on their part. The reccomendations to the Registry and legislature to adopt McCain-Feingold would have been a huge step in the right direction for our state.
Lastly, A.G. Stumbo made this reccomendation:
The Task Force chose not to consider the public financing of elections. The Attorney General recommends that the Registry revisit public financing and recommend to the legislature a more thorough analysis of public financing.
It was a disgrace yet again that the Task Force did not even consider Public Financing of Elections. I am one of the millions of Americans who believe that the only way we will ever achieve truly fair elections is through public financing. It would be nice to have a Senator from Kentucky who at least believes we should study and come up with an accurate analysis of the benefits of this proposal. It seems a Senator Stumbo from Kentucky would help lead us towards this, instead of fighting all forms of progress on this most important issue as McConnell does.
Of course, by the narrowest of margins, the Registry rejected Stumbo's ideas:
By a tie vote, the Task Force rejected the Attorney General’s motion to require the registration and reporting of Section 527 organizations that influence Kentucky elections. Clearly, there is support for the state regulation of these "sham" PACs. The Attorney General recommends that the Registry adopt this position.
Despite this, A.G. Stumbo vowed to continue fighting for fair elections in Kentucky:
"I will continue to push for election laws that protect citizens from corruption and hidden influence," Stumbo said. "We must all pull together in keeping our elections honest and our officials accountable."
Honest elections? Holding elected officials accountable? It is no surprise the Republican Party of Kentucky has already begun to spread rumors of Greg Stumbo's demise in this race, and has set out to smear him. He stands for everything they oppose, namely honest and fair elections not decided by big special interest money and accountability of elected officials for their actions.
We need Greg Stumbo in the Senate fighting for honest and fair elections on the national level. We need another Senator who is at least open to the idea of Public Financing. Greg Stumbo has shown in the past that he will fight for Fair Elections, and that he believes first and foremost that the voters, not the special interests should dictate the direction of our government.
Please go to his Exploratory site and encourage A.G. Stumbo to run against Mitch McConnell here:
http://www.stumbo2008.com/
While your there, contact them with any questions you may have, and better yet, make an investment in the defeat of Mitch McConnell and contribute to a Democrat who is not afraid to fight for what is right!! His site has been recently updated, so please give it a look!!
You can also go to the Stumbo for Senate in 08 citizens blog here:
http://stumbo4senate08.livejournal.com/
Please keep up with this campaign and support a Democratic fighter to take the fight to McConnell in 08!!!
Best wishes fellow Democrats!!
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