Bunning: If NRSC Runs Candidate Against Me, I'll Sue!
Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) really is resisting the apparent efforts by the GOP establishment to usher him into retirement rather than deal with a vulnerable incumbent. In fact, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports that he's now threatening to sue the NRSC if he gets a primary challenger -- and he might even take action on a separate matter against a specific, challenger, too!
In response to rumors that the national GOP is trying to recruit a challenger, Bunning said: "I would have a suit against the (National Republican Senatorial Committee) if they did that," Bunning told reporters on Tuesday. "In their bylaws, support of the incumbents is the only reason they exist."
Bunning also raised a point against state Senate President David Williams (R), who has spoken to national leaders about mounting a campaign. It turns out, Bunning says, Williams still owes him $30,000 in campaign money that Bunning's campaign committee gave as a loan, and which was due back this past January 1. So who knows, Williams' first task if he does declare a candidacy might be to raise $30,000, to give right back to a very demanding creditor/opponent.
It's unlikely that the national party would go so far as to openly support a challenger -- but any failure to actively help out Bunning would speak volumes, and send all the messages to donors and activists that a challenger would need.
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
Repubs eating their own, gotta love 2010.
February 24, 2009 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is INSANE. I can't believe a sitting Senator is threatening to sue his party's campaign committee.
Two other major 2010 development: (1) Michael Steele is saying that he might support a primary challenge to Specter.
(2) There were reports that Burris has decided not to seek re-election, though the Senator's camp is now denying them!
February 24, 2009 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
What is wrong with Kentucky, McConnell and Bunning?
February 24, 2009 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bunning has read the bylaws? Wonders never cease.
February 24, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ted Williams had Bunning's number a long time ago.
February 24, 2009 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe we can unfreeze his head for a campaign?
February 24, 2009 1:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's Bunnings head we need to have unfrozen.
February 24, 2009 3:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Me thinks he'll run as an independent if he is primaried out.
February 24, 2009 1:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now, that's triangulation I can believe in!
February 24, 2009 2:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes it is insane, and take it from me (a Louisville KY resident), so is Bunning. This guy is one serious nutcase. You have no idea how crazy you have to be for the Kentucky Republican party to pass you by in favor of state senate president David Williams. The fact that McConnell is keeping mum on the issue speaks volumes. I would expect that before 2010 bunning will suddenly find a "personal reason" to not run for reelection.
February 24, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kentucky is now sounding a little like the description that was made of South Carolina at the time of the Civil War (the state, remember, that led the secession from the Union only to later threaten to secede from the Confederacy as well): "Too small to be a country, and too large to be an insane asylum."
February 24, 2009 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I saw Bunning on CNBC this morning--the Bernanke testimony.
He was having a very hard time with the word "chaos".
I look forward to (if he is, indeed, the candidate) observing how he'll try to avoid a debate in 2010. And whether he'll succeed.
BTW, I think Politico is reporting that Cornyn is supporting Bunning.
As for Steele? Hey, go right ahead and get a rabid winger to primary Specter. And please spend a lot of money while you're at it, ok?
February 24, 2009 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
How does that even work?
February 24, 2009 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wouldn't be a sweet irony if he sues, it goes all the way to the SC, in the hands of Ginsburg?
February 24, 2009 2:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Sweet!
February 24, 2009 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
There is a perfect compromise easing-out of Bunning and it's right there before people's eyes!
Bunning is re-elected in 2010 but by 2012 he resigns his seat and another curmudgeonly Republican misanthrope gets the seat. Bunning moves up to the Veep slot in the Moose Queen's Presidential campaign; can't you see Joe Biden in debates, goading Bunning to say really hard words like "chaos"? :-)
February 24, 2009 2:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
well since Ruth Ginsburg is going to die in 9 months - maybe he could be a supreme court judge... ha ha ha. this guy is a doosh
February 24, 2009 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a former Louisville resident, I can only sigh and shake my head. Kentucky politicians lower the bar so as to make the Norm Colemans and Sarah Palins of the world quite reasonable and honorable by comparison.
February 24, 2009 2:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, your KYians have managed to make the wingnutters from SC (Demint, Sanford and Graham) look, well like just wingers sans nut. For today anyway. It is nice to have a little break in SC, thanks! :).
February 24, 2009 3:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Cornyn and Bunning are two of a kind. Except that Cornyn had no athletic ability.
February 24, 2009 3:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Irony alert, perhaps.
What is Bunning's stance is on tort reform?
My guess is he'd be all for limiting peoples' access to the court.
February 24, 2009 3:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I watched the Bernanke testimony, too. Bunning's questions were dopey. Like, "Who signed off on where the TARP funds went, Mr. Chairman? Was it you?" Bernanke: "The Treasury". Bunning: "You're teling us the Treasury?" Well, yeah, duh. Does Bernanke really have to go up to the Hill to answer that? Bunning is feeble-minded.
February 24, 2009 4:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
TORT REFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TORT REFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TORT REFORM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yeah, that's only if the little guy wants protection from immoral NON-PEOPLE businesses.
February 24, 2009 5:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think we should donate campaign money to Bunning. Seriously, we'll do a Limbaugh "mess with the other party" kinda thing, support the GOP's weakest candidates and drag out the fight, make them spend their money and eat their own. :) 2010 is going to be fun watching the Republicans with their archaic ideas go down for the last time, with their campaign cry, "It worked in the 1980's!"
February 25, 2009 9:16 AM | Reply | Permalink