KY-SEN

Kentucky Dem Senate Candidate Seemingly Caught On Tape Badmouthing Governor Who Supports Him

Eric Kleefeld | September 29, 2009, 5:47PM

Kentucky Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, who is running in a two-way Democratic primary for Senate in 2010, appears to have been caught on tape saying some nasty things about Gov. Steve Beshear -- who has endorsed his campaign.

A YouTube was first posted online last week by KY Revolution, a site supporting underdog Republican candidate Rand Paul (a son of Ron Paul), containing what sounds like Mongiardo accusing Beshear of doing nothing to help his campaign:

"Who's doing a fundraiser this quarter? Steve Beshear is -- for Steve Beshear, one in Lexington, and one in Louisville," Mongiardo is heard saying. "He is trying to dry my money up. He (Beshear) is screwing me every way possible, and what do I get out of it? "We finally begged him to show up for one in Northern Kentucky. He is not going to lift a finger, he is not going to do a damn thing, he is just going to show up and his name is going to be on the invite."

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KY-SEN

Poll: Ron Paul's Son In Competitive Position For Kentucky GOP Senate Primary

Eric Kleefeld | August 20, 2009, 1:49PM

Could Ron Paul's son have a genuine shot at the U.S. Senate in 2010?

A Survey USA poll of the Republican primary for Senate in Kentucky , where incumbent GOP Sen. Jim Bunning is retiring, finds that the party establishment's favored candidate, Sec. of State Trey Grayson, is at only 37% among the party faithful. Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist and son of everyone's favorite libertarian, is at a surprisingly competitive 26%, with a high undecided number.

Grayson is in his second term, and is a popular statewide officeholder who was able to survive a Democratic wave in the 2007 state elections. But so far, this primary is wide open. And you have to think that Rand Paul has a built-in fundraising base from all his dad's activists across the country.

So get out there and Google... Rand Paul!

KY-SEN

Sen. Jim Bunning Retiring In 2010, Blames GOP Leadership For Sabotaging His Fundraising

Eric Kleefeld | July 27, 2009, 4:12PM

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) has announced that he will not run for re-election in 2010, after months of speculation about what he would end up doing.

In most cases, an open seat is a blow against the party controlling it. But this time, Bunning may have done the GOP a favor. Previous polling had shown Bunning running much poorer against his Democratic challengers than Kentucky Sec. of State Trey Grayson, the likely Republican nominee now that Bunning is out. In both his 1998 and 2004 races, Bunning just barely defeated his Democratic opponents in a state that is usually much more friendly to Republicans at the federal level.

Bunning had previously made open accusations against his party's leadership, accusing them of trying to force him into retirement by undercutting his efforts to raise money. About three months ago, he gave a green light to Grayson to start raising money for the race, apparently a sign that he was anointing his successor.

On the Democratic side, there is currently a primary between Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, who just barely lost to Bunning in 2004, and state Attorney General Jack Conway.

Late Update: In his official statement, Bunning again slams his party leadership for sabotaging him:

"Unfortunately, running for office is not just about the issues. To win a general election, a candidate has to be able to raise millions of dollars to get the message out to voters. Over the past year, some of the leaders of the Republican Party in the Senate have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising. The simple fact is that I have not raised the funds necessary to run an effective campaign for the U.S. Senate. For this reason, I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2010."

KY-SEN

Bunning: McConnell Is A "Control Freak"

Eric Kleefeld | May 19, 2009, 11:37AM

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who has openly accused his party leadership of trying to force him into retirement -- especially his Kentucky co-Senator, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell -- is making it clear just how much he personally detests McConnell.

In a conference call with reporters, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports, Bunning declared that McConnell is a "control freak," and responded strongly to the leader's refusal to endorse Bunning's re-election this past weekend on Fox News Sunday.

Said Bunning: "If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me, it could be the best thing that ever happened to me in Kentucky."

Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 17, 2009, 1:03PM

Obama Delivering Notre Dame Commencement Address Today
President Obama is scheduled to deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary degree at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, at 2 p.m. ET. Pro-life protesters have already marched at the campus against Obama's pro-choice position. At 6:10 p.m. ET, he will headline a Democratic fundraiser in Indianapolis. He is scheduled to arrive back at the White House at 9 p.m. ET.

Steele: Notre Dame Honorary Degree For Obama 'Inappropriate'
Appearing today on Meet The Press, RNC chairman Michael Steele criticized the decision of Notre Dame to award President Obama an honorary degree. "Those institutions don't hand those degrees out that readily. So it is a very strong sticking point, and I think a lot of Catholics and a lot of pro-life Americans are very concerned about that, and I think it is inappropriate," said Steele. He added: "The president should speak, but the degree should not be conferred."

Read more »

Barack Obama

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 10, 2009, 1:04PM

Obama Plays Comedian At Correspondents' Dinner
President Obama told all manner of jokes last night at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, roasting himself, his administration, his party, the opposition, and the press:

My personal favorite: "Now Sasha and Malia aren't here tonight, because they're grounded. You can't just take Air Force One on a joyride to Manhattan. I don't care whose kids you are."

Cheney: Opponents "Prepared To Sacrifice American Lives"
Former Vice President Dick Cheney appeared today on Face The Nation, and he had a tough response to the Obama Administration's opposition to his approved methods of interrogation: "Well, then you'd have to say that, in effect, we're prepared to sacrifice American lives rather than run an intelligent interrogation program that would provide us the information we need to protect America."

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KY-SEN

Bunning Could Retire If Money Doesn't Come In

Eric Kleefeld | May 5, 2009, 2:56PM

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who has accused his party leadership of sabotaging his fundraising and trying to force him into retirement, is now raising a possible scenario under which he might just retire -- if he can't get enough money.

"We're working like the devil to make those goals," Bunning told reporters. And if he doesn't meet his goals: "we're going to take another look at the race. I'm not going to walk into 2010 with less than $1 million when I know it's going to cost $7 million minimally, probably $10 (million), somewhere in that area, to run against the winner of the Democratic primary."

He also had an interesting reply to the accusation that he's too old: "Do you know Arlen Specter will be 80, has had four bouts with cancer and he still wants to run for the U.S. Senate? And I'm being criticized at 77 and healthy for wanting to run for the U.S. Senate by certain leadership people in my party. Give me a break."

KY-SEN

Bunning: Under "Dynamic Leader" McConnell We've Lost Seats

Eric Kleefeld | May 5, 2009, 12:34PM

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who has accused his party's leadership of sabotaging his fundraising in order to force him into retirement, has some further tough words for his co-Senator, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.

"Good God, he wants to run everybody," Bunning told reporters on a conference call. Bunning confirmed that he encouraged Sec. of State Trey Grayson to set up an exploratory committee to run just in case Bunning himself retires. But he doesn't see a good picture for the GOP going forward. And he blames McConnell for a lot of that.

"Do you realize that under our dynamic leadership of our leader, we have gone from 55 and probably to 40 (Senate seats) in two election cycles," said Bunning, "and if the tea leaves that I read are correct, we will wind up with about 36 after this election cycle. So if leadership means anything, it means you don't lose ... approximately 19 seats in three election cycles with good leadership."

Arlen Specter

TPMDC Sunday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | May 3, 2009, 1:01PM

Specter: "I'm Becoming Much More Comfortable With The Democrats' Approach"
During his appearance today on CBS' Face The Nation, Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) said that besides just the tough Republican primary he was facing, there was genuine principle at work in his party switch. "Frankly, I was disappointed that the Republican Party didn't want me as their candidate," said Specter. "But as a matter of principle, I'm becoming much more comfortable with the Democrats' approach."

GOP Sen. Hatch: Obama Using "Code Words" For Wanting Activist Judge
Appearing on ABC's This Week, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) accused President Obama of using code words for the type of Supreme Court Justice he will seek. "He's also said that a judge has to be a person of empathy -- what does that mean? Usually that's a code word for an activist judge," said Hatch. "But he also said that, that, he's going to select judges on the basis of their personal politics, their personal feelings, their personal preferences. Now, you know those are all code words for an activist judge who's going to be partisan on the bench."

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KY-SEN

Is Bunning In Or Out In 2010?

Eric Kleefeld | May 1, 2009, 12:48PM

So what exactly is the deal with Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) and the potential new GOP candidate, Kentucky Sec. of State Trey Grayson? Is Bunning going to hang up his cleats -- or is he still in it to win it in 2010?

Yesterday, Grayson formed an exploratory committee for a potential bid -- but said he'll only actually run if Bunning retires. Keep in mind that it's widely reported that the GOP leadership wants Bunning to retire, rather than protect him as a weak incumbent in what should be a decent red state for them, and Bunning himself has accused them of sabotaging him.

Here's where it gets tricky. It was reported that Bunning gave Grayson permission to do this -- seemingly a giveaway that he'll retire and anoint Grayson as his preferred successor, thus giving the GOP a much more electable candidate. The problem is, Bunning's spokesman is publicly indicating otherwise: "Senator Bunning has every intention of running."

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KY-SEN

Jim Bunning Has Lousy Fundraising Quarter

Eric Kleefeld | April 16, 2009, 11:32AM

When Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) said his fundraising was "lousy," he wasn't kidding. It turns out that during the first quarter of 2009, Bunning only took in $262,843, and has just $375,747 cash on hand.

By comparison, one of Bunning's Democratic opponents, Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, raised $429,552 and has $388,500 on hand. Mongiardo will need the money, though, as he's now in what looks like a competitive Democratic primary with state Attorney General Jack Conway, who for his part only just officially kicked off his campaign last week and therefore didn't raise anything in the previous quarter.

Bunning has openly accused the GOP leadership of sabotaging his fundraising and trying to force him into retirement, rather than supporting him as an incumbent.

KY-SEN

Poll: Bunning Trails All Dem Opponents -- And It's A Tough Race With Different GOP Nominee

Eric Kleefeld | April 8, 2009, 11:58AM

The new survey of Kentucky by Public Policy Polling (D) finds some really bad numbers for GOP Sen. Jim Bunning, who has accused his own party of trying to force him into a retirement, with Bunning trailing all potential Democratic opponents.

Bunning trails Lt. Governor Dan Mongiardo, the only declared big-name Democratic candidate in the race -- and who nearly beat Bunning in a 51%-49% race in 2004 -- by a 43%-36% margin. Dem Congressman Ben Chandler is ahead of Bunning 47%-33%; state Attorney General Jack Conway is up 42%-33%; and state Auditor Crit Luallen is up 42%-34%.

From the pollster's analysis: "If there was ever any doubt Republicans would be better off with Jim Bunning retiring these numbers can put that to rest."

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KY-SEN

Bunning: My Fundraising Is "Lousy," But Getting Better

Eric Kleefeld | March 31, 2009, 2:27PM

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY), who has been in a face-off with his national party leadership and has openly accused them of trying to force him into retirement, told local reporters back home that his fundraising for this past quarter has been "lousy."

Remember that Bunning, who only won by 51%-49% in the very Republican year of 2004 and could be in a tough race again, has said that his fundraising has been sabotaged by his party leadership spreading rumors that he might retire, along with a possible primary challenge from state Senate President David Williams. Bunning has also singled out his co-Senator, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, for continuing to raise money for himself even though he was just re-elected and Bunning is approaching his next race.

On the bright side, Bunning said the fundraising pace has picked up just recently: "Maybe I finally have convinced everybody, in spite of my leadership, that I am running."

The most recent FEC filings showed Bunning with only $149,991.09 cash on hand as of December 31, 2008. We'll find out soon enough what he has now.

KY-SEN

Bunning Lashes Out At McConnell, Cornyn, Local Media

Eric Kleefeld | March 24, 2009, 4:51PM

Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) is continuing to attack his fellow Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell, the Senate GOP leader, along with NRSC chairman John Cornyn for seemingly trying to force him out of office -- and he's not too fond of the media coverage, either.

Bunning pointed out that Mitch McConnell is already raising money for his 2014 re-election campaign, crowding out dollars that could have gone to Bunning in 2010 -- compared to Bunning's own act of standing down in the money race during McConnell's 2008 campaign: "Just as I refrained from doing it for two years, he sent out his, so you know where he stands."

And there's also the way that McConnell and Cornyn have met with state Senate President David Williams about a possible primary challenge: "When they recruit someone to run against you in a primary, it puts doubt in people's minds that you are going to finish the race. Therefore, they're waiting and waiting and waiting. It's almost a self fulfilling prophecy."

And Bunning also took serious issue with a recent story in the Louisville Courier-Journal, which reported that he was threatening to resign and give his state's Democratic governor the power to appoint his replacement.

Bunning complained that "he Courier-Journal doesn't need anything, no facts, no figures. So go ahead and write it. Three sources, my ass. Pardon me if there's ladies on."

KY-SEN

Sen. Bunning (R-KY): "None Of Your G--D--- Business" What My Internal Poll Says

Eric Kleefeld | March 10, 2009, 1:04PM

Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), who is in a public-standoff against a national party establishment that wants him to retire in 2010, has actually had an internal poll conducted for his re-election right.

But Bunning won't give any details, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.

"Let's say I did the polling," Bunning said, which invited a follow-up question as to what the numbers were.

"That means it's none of your g--d--- business," Bunning replied with a laugh. "If you paid the 20-grand for the poll, you can get some information out of it."

KY-SEN

Justice Ginsburg: I Wanted That Senator To See I'm Alive

Eric Kleefeld | March 6, 2009, 2:22PM

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is responding to Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY), without naming him directly, over his recent prediction that she would be dead from pancreatic cancer within nine months.

In an interview with USA Today, Ginsburg explained why she made sure to attend President Obama's speech to Congress last week. "First, I wanted people to see that the Supreme Court isn't all male," the lone female justice said of the evening event Feb. 24. "I also wanted them to see I was alive and well, contrary to that senator who said I'd be dead within nine months."

Bunning made his remarks while speaking to a local GOP event back home in Kentucky, in explaining the importance of his commitment to appointing conservative judges, and how this would be an issue soon.

Barack Obama

TPMDC Saturday Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | February 28, 2009, 12:53PM

Obama's Weekly Address: Budget Keeps Promise Of "Sweeping Change"
In this weekend's YouTube address, President Obama declares that with his new budget he is keeping the promises he made during the campaign on issues such as the tax code, education, energy policy and other issues -- and that he expects a fight in Washington to get it passed:

"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long, but I don't. I work for the American people," says Obama. "I didn't come here to do the same thing we've been doing or to take small steps forward, I came to provide the sweeping change that this country demanded when it went to the polls in November."

GOP Response: Senator Burr Blasts Deficit Spending
In this weekend's Republican response, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) -- who voted for the Bush tax cuts and expansions in entitlement spending -- denounces the deficit spending being conducted under President Obama:

"Looking at the spending priorities of Democrats in Washington in the proposed budget and over the past month, it's hard to escape the reality that for the first time we could see the American Dream vanish," says Burr. "Now, instead of working hard so our children can have a better life tomorrow, we are asking our children to work hard so that we don't have to make tough choices today."

CPAC Honoring Limbaugh
The 2009 Conservative Political Action Conference third and final day is today, featuring such speakers as Rick Santorum, Tim Pawlenty, Phyllis Schlafly, Bill Bennett, Ann Coulter, David Horowitz and others. The crowning moment will come at 5:30 p.m. ET, when the "Defender of the Constitution Award" is presented to Rush Limbaugh.

No Obama Or Biden Events
President Obama and Vice President Biden do not have any public events scheduled for today.

Pawlenty: GOP Must Reach Out To 'Sam's Club Voters'
During his speech at CPAC, Minnesota Governor and possible presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty made the case that the Republican Party has to reach out to working-class "Sam's Club Voters." Pawlenty declared that the GOP must speak "with a feel and concern and tone and an understanding of the importance and the challenges of the working class of this country," also adding: "And it doesn't mean we have to sacrifice our principles to do it."

Romney: Bush Should Done A Stimulus; GOP Needs A Spokesperson
In an interview with the Politico, Mitt Romney criticized George W. Bush for failing to propose his own stimulus plan last fall, "so that in September, October, November, December, there would have been a stimulus plan," rather than the one eventually passed by President Obama. Romney also got to the bottom of the problem now facing the GOP: "What's challenging about being in the minority is we don't have a spokesperson for our position who lays out a plan."

Labor Unions Aiming For Reconciliation, New Federation
The Associated Press reports that the top labor unions are negotiating to re-forum under a single new federation, four years after several AFL-CIO member unions broke away to form Change to Win. "There's obvious benefits in terms of efficiency, message delivery, financial savings and a host of other reasons," said former House Dem Whip David Bonior, who has been brokering the discussions. "You can always be more effective if you're talking in one house as opposed to three."

Bunning Denies Story About Threatened Resignation
Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) is denying reports that he threatened at a Washington fundraiser to resign his seat -- and thus let the Democratic governor appoint his replacement -- if Republican leaders keep trying to pressure him into retirement. "It's not true," he told Roll Call in a statement. "I intend to fulfill my obligation to the people of Kentucky. If you are going to write something like this, you'd better make your sources known because they are lying."

KY-SEN

Report: Bunning Threatens Revenge Against GOP, To Resign And Hand Seat To Dems

Eric Kleefeld | February 27, 2009, 5:01PM

The Louisville Courier-Journal reports that Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) is now making a very interesting threat to his national party: If you keep trying to force me into retirement, I'll just resign -- and hand the seat to the Democrats.

Bunning reportedly said at a campaign fundraiser in Washington that the rumors being spread about his possible retirement, or of a potential Republican primary challenger, have been hindering his fundraising efforts. "I would get the last laugh," Bunning said, according to three sources speaking to the paper. "Don't forget Kentucky has a Democrat governor."

Bunning has previously threatened to sue the NRSC if he gets a primary challenger. If he were to take this revenge on them through this particular method, that would immediately bring the Democrats to 59 seats. Add in an Al Franken victory in the Minnesota election dispute, and you now have 60 seats -- the filibuster-proof majority.

One of the Courier-Journal's sources was clearly worried: "It's not because he's old and senile -- he's always been like that. He'll tell you what he thinks."

Late Update: Upon further reflection, it occurs to me that Bunning is a brilliant strategist, if this is indeed true. It's the political equivalent of nuclear brinksmanship, with the threat of mutually-assured destruction as a safety mechanism against widespread war and conflict.

KY-SEN

Bunning: If NRSC Runs Candidate Against Me, I'll Sue!

Eric Kleefeld | February 24, 2009, 12:59PM

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.

KY-SEN

Bunning "Apologizes" For Predicting Justice Ginsburg's Death

Eric Kleefeld | February 23, 2009, 3:50PM

Senator Jim Bunning (R-KY) has issued a statement apologizing for his public pronouncement at a local GOP dinner in Kentucky, that Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg would be dead in nine months:

"I apologize if my comments offended Justice Ginsburg," said Bunning. "That certainly was not my intent. It is great to see her back at the Supreme Court today and I hope she recovers quickly. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family."

The Louisville Courier-Journal reported over the weekend that Bunning had told the Hardin County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner that he supports the appointment of conservative judges -- an issue that will be even more important because of Ginsburg's cancer. "Even though she was operated on, usually, nine months is the longest that anybody would live after (being diagnosed) with pancreatic cancer," Bunning said.

Late Update: Here's the audio from Saturday night, courtesy of the Courier-Journal:

NC-SEN

Labor Group Expands Radio Ad Tying Republicans To Rush Limbaugh

Eric Kleefeld | February 3, 2009, 9:59AM

Americans United For Change, the labor-backed political group that recently launched radio ads linking anti-stimulus Republicans to Rush Limbaugh, has just announced that they're expanding the Limbaugh ads to target GOP Sens. Jim Bunning (KY), Richard Burr (NC) and Mel Martinez (FL).

"Now the Obama plan goes to the Senate," the announcer says, "and the question is: Will our Senator, Richard Burr, side with Rush Limbaugh too" --interrupted by Limbaugh's "I hope he fails!" interjection -- "or will he reject the partisanship and failed economic policies of the past, and stand up for the people of North Carolina?"

Chances are, Burr will stick with Limbaugh.

Senate '10

TPMDC Morning Roundup

Eric Kleefeld | January 28, 2009, 9:03AM

National GOP Targeting Reid -- And Bailouts -- With New Ad
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is running its first ad of the 2010 cycle -- against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, in the Reno media market. The ad also cements the GOP's new message as the anti-bailout and anti-stimulus party, as opposed to the leadership's pro-bailout policies last Fall:

The GOP successfully took out the previous Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, back in 2004. The Dems made a similar play against Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in 2008, but only managed to keep him to a 53%-47% win.

Obama's Day Ahead
President Obama is holding a series of meetings this morning, receiving his regular daily briefing, an economic briefing, conferring with senior advisers, and meeting with business leaders. At 11:15 a.m. he will be speaking on the economy after his meeting with business leaders. At 3:30 p.m. he will be meeting with Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

Minnesota Trial Keeps Going
Today is the third day of the Minnesota election-contest trial, scheduled to reconvene at 10 a.m. ET. Norm Coleman's legal team is expected to continue their argument that Coleman voters have been unfairly disenfranchised compared to Franken voters, due to election officials in GOP areas being more strict on the matter of improperly-rejected absentee ballots.

House Voting Today On Stimulus
The House of Representatives will be voting some time later today on an $825 billion stimulus package. Democrats are expected to vote overwhelmingly for the mix of public spending and tax cuts, while the Republican leadership has signaled their opposition.

Illinois Senate Hears Blago Tapes
The Illinois state Senate yesterday got to hear Rod Blagojevich's own voice on the FBI wiretaps, in a trial that Blago himself is boycotting as unfair. "It sounds like a couple of organized crime figures out preparing to break some kneecaps," said GOP state Senator Dan Cronin. "It's just horrible. It's nauseating. It's sickening."

WaPo: RNC Race A GOP Referendum On Bush
The Washington Post reports that much of the opposition to RNC chairman Mike Duncan, who faced five different opponents, has come down to conservative resentments against the man who picked Duncan: Then-President George W. Bush. "Most of us strongly supported the Bush administration through the entire two terms," said RNC member Curly Haugland of North Dakota, "but in the last few months, this bailout and the abandonment of capitalism really kind of sealed it."

Bunning: Yes, I Am Running Again
Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) is firing back at Republicans who are spreading the idea that he hasn't been working on his re-election campaign -- such as his own co-Senator Mitch McConnell. "He either had a lapse of memory or something when speaking to the Press Club last week when he said that he didn't know what my intentions were," said Bunning.

Jill Biden Starts New Teaching Job In D.C. Area
Jill Biden began her new job yesterday at Northern Virginia Community College, as an adjunct professor teaching two English courses. "A lot of them either didn't know that she is the wife of the vice president, or act any differently," said spokeswoman Courtney O'Donnell.

KY-SEN

KY Lt. Gov. Will Challenge Sen. Jim Bunning In 2010

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2009, 10:50AM

Democrats have just picked up a top-tier candidate for Senate in Kentucky for 2010, with Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo announcing his candidacy against Republican incumbent Jim Bunning.

Back in 2004, Mongiardo came out of nowhere and very nearly defeated Bunning, making it a 51-49 race despite having been a no-name state Senator who was vastly outspent in a red state and in a Republican year. And since then his stock has gone up with his election as Lt. Governor.

The possibility exists that Bunning might retire -- he'll be 79 on Election Day, and his close call in 2004 was caused in many ways by his own gaffes on the campaign trail -- but so far he hasn't given any indication in that direction. Keep an eye on this race, as it could be one of the pivotal campaigns of 2010.