>> Renee: GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO "KENTUCKY TONIGHT."

I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR JOINING us TONIGHT A FANCY FARM PREVIEW AND TALK OF STATE POLIT POLITICIANS WILL TAKE THE STAGE SATURDAY DURING THE FANCY FARM PICNIC IN GRAVES COUNTY IN WEST.

YOU'LL SEE IT ALL LIVE RIGHT HERE ON KET.

YOU WILL SEE SOME FAMILIAR FACES, BUT YOU WON'T SEE GOVERNOR ANDY Beshear IN FACT, IT'S SHAPING UP TO BE A REPUBLICAN AFFAIR.

SO WHO IS SPEAKING AND WHO ISN'T AND WHY?

AND HOW DOES THE KENTUCKY POLITICAL LANDSCAPE LOOK ONE YEAR BEFORE THE 202 THE MID-TERMS OF AND TWO YEARS BEFORE THE 2023 RACES FOR GOVERNOR AND OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.

TO BREAK ALL OF THIS DOWN WE'VE GOT WHOLE GANG IN THE LEXINGTON STUDIO TONIGHT.

JULIA BRIGHT CRIGLER, A REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST AND CONSULTANT AND FOUNDER AT BRIGH MATT ERWIN, A LOUISVILLE-BASED DEMOCRATIC CONSULTANT.

ALLISON MOORE, CORBIN CITY COMMISSIONER AND MAYOR PRO-TEM AND FOUNDER AT MOORE STRATEGIES AND BETH THORPE, A DEMOCRATIC DIGITAL STRATEGIST.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU, SO SEND US A QUESTION OR COMMENT TWITTER @KY SEND AN EMAIL TO KYTONIGHT@KET.

OR USE THE WEB FORM AT KET.ORG/ MAKE SURE TO CHECK THE BOX THAT SAYS YOU'RE NOT A ROBOT.

OR YOU CAN GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-494.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE T-SHIRTS MADE FOR FANCY FARM THAT SAYS "CHECK THE BOX THAT SAYS YOU'RE NIGHT ROBOT."

WE'LL DO THAT NEXT YEAR WHEN IT'S A BIGGER YEAR.

BEFORE WE TALKING ABOUT FANCY FARM REEL BIG QUESTION RIGHT OFF THE TOP 1 WHAT IS THE BIGGEST POLITICAL STORY IN KENTUCKY RIGHT NOW?

JULIA.

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THERE'S TWO KIND OF BIG ONES FLOATING AROUND.

ONE IS THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE, THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ESPECIALLY, WHO IS IN, WHO IS OUT, WHO IS ANNOUNCING, WHEN EVERYBODY'S ANNOUNCING, WHO IS GOING TO TAKE THE LEAD IN FUNDRAISING.

RIGHT NOW THE ONLY ANNOUNCED CANDIDATE IS OUR STATE AUDITOR MIKE HARMON.

I THINK THE OTHER REALLY BIG CHATTER OUT THERE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE IS OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT ISSUE AND OUR WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION RATE AND HOW DO BUSINESSES COMPETE RIGHT NOW.

>> WHY IS THAT A POLITICAL STORY?

>> IT'S POLITICAL STORY I THINK FOR A LOT OF REASONS.

OBVIOUSLY COMING OUT OF COVID, WE HAVE HAD KIND OF A WORKFORCE CRISIS, AND THERE'S A LOT OF JOBS OUT THERE RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK PRIVATE BUSINESSES ARE HAVING A REALLY HARD TIME COMPETING WITH THE GOVERNOR HANDING OUT $1,500 TO FOLKS WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK AND IN THE DOOR.

>> OKAY.

MATT ERWIN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THE FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD BIGGEST STORIES ARE THE CORONAVIRUS.

SPECIFICALLY, THE DIFFERENT APPROACH GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARE TAKING TO HANDLING -- >> STILL AFTER ALL THIS TIME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I DON'T THINK THAT THAT WAS THE CORRECT ANSWER TWO WEEKS AGO.

I THINK WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE DAYS WITH EXPONENTIAL GROWTH OF INFECTIONS ACROSS THE STATE, WE'VE GOT GOD KNOWS HOW MANY COUNTIES IN THE RED ARE A DANGER AREA NOW.

THAT IS GOING TO BE THE DEFINING STORY, I THINK, FOR THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS.

IT'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE AND IT'S GETTING WORSE, SO I THINK THAT HOW COMMUNITIES, GROUPS, DEMOGRAPHICS, HOWEVER WANT YOU TO DO IT, POLITICAL BEATERS EVER WHAT ARE APPROACHING, ARE YOU GETTING VACCINATED?

ARE YOU BEING SAFE?

ARE YOU DOING THE THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO DO?

AND THAT SORT OF SPLIT THAT WE'RE SEEING IN KENTUCKY ABOUT HOW DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES ARE APPROACHING IT, I THINK THAT'S GOING TO INFUSE ITSELF INTO EVERYTHING.

>> SO IF I WERE TO ASK YOU THIS QUESTION TWO TO THREE WEEKS AGO, YOU MIGHT HAVE SAID CORONAVIRUS BUT WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OTHER TWO?

>> YOU KNOW, THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE AND HOW EVERYBODY'S LIKE LINING UP TO TAKE ON ANDY BESHEAR AND WHO THE REPUBLICAN CONTENDER IS GOING TO BE, OBVIOUSLY.

THE LOUISVILLE MAYOR'S RACE I THINK IS VERY IMPORTANT, OUR LARGEST CITY, OUR MAYOR, OUR MAYOR BECAUSE I LIVE IN LOUISVILLE, IS TERMED OUT SO THERE'S GOING TO BE A VERY COMPETITIVE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY AND POSSIBLY A COMPETITIVE GENERAL.

BESIDES THAT REDISTRICTING.

I THINK WOULD SORT OF ROUND OUT MY TOP THREE.

>> WHICH WE DON'T TALK ABOUT ENOUGH AND WE WILL.

I PROMISE WE'RE GOING TO DO A WHOLE SHOW ON THIS.

ALLISON BUSCH WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIG POLITICAL TOPIC?

>> I THINK HANDS DOWN IT'S BACK TO SCHOOL AND HOW THE STATE AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS HANDLE THE EVIDENCE COULD ISSUE, VACCINES VERSUS MASKING, WHAT AGE.

>> YEAH, AND WE'RE SEEING SOME OF THAT UNFOLD RIGHT BEFORE OUR EYES AND WE TALKED ABOUT THAT LAST WEEK ON "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" SO IF YOU WANT SEE WHAT THE AG COMMISSIONER HAD TO SAY HIT UPS ON KET.ORG.

BETH THORNE GOOD IS ON TYPE THIS IS YOURS 4 TIME ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU, RENEE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON.

I HAVE TO AGREE THE COVID VIRUS, AS MUCH AS WOULDN'T DONE WITH IT WEBSITES NOT DONE WITH US, SO HOW WE HANDLE THAT AND HOW WE GET PEOPLE VACCINATED AND HOW WE CONVINCE PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED, HOPEFULLY, WHAT I THINK IS THE BIG STORY AND I I THINK PEOPLE MIGHT BE A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT I WOULD SAY THIS IS HOW MANY REPUBLICANS ARE COMING OUT AND SAYING, YOU NEED TO GET VACCINATED.

SENATOR McCONNELL HAS DONE IT, AND THIS WILL PROBABLY BE A FIRST TIME BUT I APPRECIATE SENATOR McCONNELL DOING THAT AND EVERY REPUBLICAN BECAUSE IT'S REALLY -- THIS VIRUS DOESN'T CARE WHAT SIDE OF THE AISLE YOU ARE ON, HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE, ANYTHING.

SO I THINK WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE BACK IN SHAPE, AND I THINK THE KIDS WITH SCHOOL, KIDS ARE GETTING THIS, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT'S A REAL PROBLEM.

>> WELL, ALLISON, McCONNELL, YOUR FORMER BOSS, HE'S LAUNCHING ADS IN 100 RADIO STATIONS ACROSS THE STATE TO URGE VACCINATIONS.

I'M CURIOUS, THOUGH, CONSIDERING THAT THE REPUBLICAN BASE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THOSE WHO WERE POLLED ABOUT EITHER VACCINE HESITANCY OR JUST FLAT OUT REFUSAL, THERE ARE MORE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE VACCINE THAN DEMOCRATS, SO TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL CALCULUS OF THE LEADER COMING OUT AND SAYING, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO MAKE A FULL-THROATED ENDORSEMENT FOR THESE VACCINES BECAUSE I'M A POLIO SURVIVOR AND I KNOW HOW EFFECTIVE THEY CAN BE.

WHAT'S THE POLITICAL CALCULUS IN THAT?

>> RIGHT.

I OBVIOUSLY DON'T SPEAK FOR SENATOR McCONNELL ANY MORE, BUT I KNOW WHERE HE IS COMING FROM AND IT TOOK 70 GROWERS THEM TO FINDS A POLIO VACCINE AND NOW HERE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, OPERATION WARP SPEED, WE GOT A GREATS VACCINE THAT WORKS IN ONE YEAR.

AND THAT'S THE ONLY THING RIGHT NOW THAT'S GOING TO REALLY STOP THE SPREAD.

SO HE UNDERSTANDS THAT.

HE HAS FROM THE START.

AND THIS AD CAMPAIGN THAT HE'S LAUNCHED A FIVE FIGURE AD CAMPAIGN.

>> THAT'S BEING PAID FOR THROUGH I GUESS SURPLUS MONEYS FROM HIS CAMPAIGN FUNDS.

>> IT IS.

>> JULIA, I WANT TO ASK YOU, THOUGH, BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS WHO ARE VOCAL, EVEN IN THE U.S. SENATE, WHERE THE LEADER IS THE MINORITY LEADER WHO ARE ADAMANT ABOUT VACCINES NOT BEING PUSHED DOWN THEIR THROAT AND ALL OF THAT.

I'M JUST WONDERING HOW THAT PLAYS WITH THEM WHEN MITCH McCONNELL COMES OUT AND PUTS IT OUT ON THE AIRWAVES LIKE THIS.

>> SURE.

AND I THINK HE'S LESS CONCERNED ABOUT MAYBE THAT IMAGE THAN HE IS BEVER-DAY AVERAGE KENTUCKIANS MAKING SURE THEY'RE PROTECTED AGAINST THIS VIRUS.

AS A POLIO SURVIVOR, AS YOU MENTIONED, WE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINES, AND WE HAVE YET TO SEE ANYBODY ELSE COMING OUT WITH CAMPAIGN CASH OF PUT THEIR MONEY WHERE THEIR MOUTH IS ON THIS.

AND I THINK IT'S ADMIRABLE.

>> IS HE DOING IT TOO LATE?

NOW THAT THE DELTA VARIANT HAS SURGED LIKE IT IS, SHOULDN'T HE HAVE DONE THIS MAYBE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO?

>> AND SO MY QUESTION TO THAT WOULD BE, THEN, IF WE'VE REACHED PRESIDENT BIDEN'S GOALS OF VACCINATIONS OF WHERE WE ARE WHERE WE SHOULD BE, THEN MAYBE OUR GOAL WAS TOO SHORT OR TOO SHORTSIGHTED.

SO, YOU KNOW, ARE WE, AREN'T WHEN WE?

I DON'T KNOW.

BUT I THINK THE MAN WHO HAS WON 110 OUT OF 120 COUNTIES IN ELECTIONS CERTAINLY HAS THE INFLUENCE OF FOLKS TO HOPEFULLY PUSH THAT MESSAGE OF GETTING VACCINATED IT.

>> WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SPIKE IN VACCINATION RATES ARE OI A BUMP, HOW TO MEASURE THAT VERSUS PEOPLE WHO ARE HOPING TO GET $1 MILLION FOR A SHOT OF A MILLION.

YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THOSE TWO EFFORTS.

>> AND THE MOTIVATIONS.

>> AND THE MOTIVATIONS FOR GETTING A SHOT.

>> RIGHT, BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE STEAD SED FOR TO ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SINCERELY HELD RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND THOSE WHO ARES.

THAT'S NOT WHY THE MAJORITY ARE NOT GETS VACCINATED.

>> AND YOU UNDERSTAND THAT AS A MEMBER OF REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> YES.

>> ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD, ALLISON?

>> YES.

I WAS GOING TO SAY THINK IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THE THIS POINT, YOU MENTIONED IF SENATOR McCONNELL WAS A LITTLE TOO LATE WEEKS, NO, I THINK HE'S I CAN PUNK UP THE BALL THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THE BESHEAR ADMINISTERED DROPPED THEY HAD, COMING INTO THE ADMINISTRATION, THEY HAD THE WIND AT THE SAILS.

THEY WERE ABLE TO TAKE OPERATION WARP SPEED AND RUN WITH IT, AND WE DID.

WE SAW A BIG SPIKE IN THE VACCINATION RATES.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR SAID THAT WE WERE GOING TO BE THE FIRST IN THE NATION TO VACCINATE ALL OF OUR TEACHERS.

WE HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT THAT SINCE FEBRUARY.

BUT I THINK HE'S REALIZING NOW THE IMPORTANCE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE NEW DELTA VARIANT, THAT THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS, MASKING NOT THE ISSUE.

VACCINES STOPS.

>> MATT, WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED I WANT TO BRING UP LINDSEY GRAHAM WHO WE LEARNED TODAY IS COVID POSITIVE WHO HAD BEEN VACCINATED, FULL I VACCINATED BUT HAD BEEN AROUND UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> SO MITCH McCONNELL ONE OF OUR U.S.

SENATORS AND HE'S RUNNING ADS TELLING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINES.

A FRIEND OF MINE SAID IT G.E.

BEST.

I THINK THAT HE'S PREGNANT A BAT ON THE BACK TO WITH A BUCKET TO PUT ON A FIRE THAT THE VACCINE STARTED.

THAT'S NEITHER HERE NORV THERE.

OUR OTHER GOVERNOR IS ACTIVELY PEOPLE NOT TO GET THE VACCINE.

SO MY QUESTION WOULD BE WHICH REPUBLICAN SENATOR TO YOU LISTEN TO?

RAND PAUL TELLS PEOPLE WE HAVE REACHED HERD IMMUNITY BECAUSE HE DECIDED WE DID.

IF YOU ARE A REPUBLICAN WHO LISTENS TO YOUR U.S.

SENATORS, YOU'RE IN A REALLY TOUGH SPOT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE ONE IS TELLING YOU YOU DO NOT NEED AND IT THE OTHER IS SAYING A VACCINE SAVED MY LIFE, SO WE CAN PAT MITCH McCONNELL ON THE BACK, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO PAT MITCH McCONNELL BACK, YOU NEED TO SMACK RAND PAUL A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WHAT HE'S DOING IS REALLY DANGEROUS.

>> THAT'S GREAT RHETORIC CONSIDERING WHAT HE'S BEEN THROUGH.

ATTACK AND A VIOLENT ASSAULT.

BUT IT'S NEITHER HERE FOR THERE EITHER, I GUESS.

>> WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT WHO DO REPUBLICAN VOTERS RIN LISTEN TO.

DO THEY LISTEN TO THE ADVICE OF MITCH McCONNELL OR TO THE ADVICE OF THE JUNIOR SENATOR PANNED RABID PAUL?

>> IT WOULD BE AN INTERESTING STUDY TO SEE OF PEOPLE THAT'S NOT AN RELIGIOUS BELIEF, NOON ALLERGY TO SOMETHING.

I THINK IT'S TO BE SEEN.

SOMETHING WORTH LOOKING ANOTHER.

>> IT IS ALSO THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE GOVERNOR TO TAKE THE LEAD, SO I MEAN THEY ARE LOOKING AT MITCH McCONNELL -- >> THAT'S NONSENSE.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN, THE GOVERNOR IS NOT TAKING THE LEAD?

>> WELL, HE'S DROPPED THE BALL ON EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE VACCINATIONS.

WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT MASKS SATELLITE WHY IS THE DEBATE -- >> BECAUSE 10% POSITIVITY RATE WITH A VIRUS THAT GETS SPREAD THROUGH THE PAPER THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO SO IT'S GROWING EXPONENTIALLY, NOT FAST LIKE BEFORE, FASTER THAN EVER BEFORE.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MASKS BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T LISTEN.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO A U.S.

SENATOR HAVING TO USE THEIR OWN CAMPAIGN FUNDS -- >> LIKE HE COULDN'T -- YOU DO NOT GET A.

ON THE BACK FOR GOING INTO YOUR CAMPAIGN.

MITCH McCONNELL HAS SHOWN, AND I RESPECT THIS ABOUT HIM, THAT HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS WHEN HE WANTS TO.

RIGHT?

HE CAN SOMEBODY ON THE SUPREME COURT AFTER AN ELECTION.

A FIVE-FIGURED RADIO BUY IS, I'M SORRY, THAT DOESN'T IMPRESS ME ONE BIT.

I'M GLAD HE'S DOING IT, BUT LET'S NOT ACT AS IF HE IS, YOU KNOW, LEADING THE MARSH ON GETTING PEOPLE VACCINATED WITH A RADIO BUY.

>> COVID IS THE OVERLAY OVER EVERYTHING, AND IT'S THE REASON THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE CITED NOR FOR THE BEING AT THE FANCY FARM PICNIC WHICH IS ALMOST LIKE A RIGHT OF PASSAGE.

IT'S CONSIDERED THE SUPER BOWL OF THE POLITICAL EVENT OF THOUGH THERE IS A NON-ELECTION YEAR, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARGUE THAT IT HAS EXTREME SIGNIFICANCE BECAUSE OF TRADITION AND VALUE FOR CANDIDATES, SO WHY ARE THE DEMOCRATS A NO-SHOW THIS TIME?

IS IT JUST COVID?

>> I WOULDN'T SUGGEST COVID.

NOBODY SAYS JUST THE TORNADO AEROJUST A WILDFIRE.

THERE ARE NO JUST COVID.

>> IS THERE MORE REASONS THAN COVID ALONE?

>> THERE ARE NO ELECTIONS THIS YEAR.

YOU CAN'T STRESS IS THAT ENOUGH, THAT FANCY FARM THIS YEAR IS ESSENTIALLY, IT'S A BARBECUE WITH A BUNCH OF SPEAKING, BUT THERE ARE NO ELECTIONS.

IT IS A REPUBLICAN AFFAIR THIS YEAR.

IT FEELS LIKE IT'S ALMOST GOING TO BE THE FIRST REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE.

BUT ANDY BESHEAR I THINK IS RIGHT NOT TO GO, AND I THINK OUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IS RIGHT NOT TO GO.

THIS MIGHT -- I'M ONLY SPEAKING HERE FOR MYSELF BUT THEY SHOULD NOT BE HAVING IT THIS YEAR.

IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT LAST YEAR BECAUSE THINGS WERE TOO DANGEROUS AND THINGS ARE MORE DANGEROUS NOW, IF THE VIRUS IS GROWING FASTER AND YOU'RE IN A COUNTY WHERE LESS THAN -- I THINK ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN VACCINATED AND YOU'VE GOT 100 PEOPLE IN GRAVES COUNTY THAT HAVE DIED, IF IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS LAST YEAR, IT'S TOO DANGEROUS THIS YEAR.

IT'S JUST MY OPINION.

THEY SHOULDN'T BE HOLDING IT.

>> BUT YET AT THE SAME TIME, BETH THORPE, ON A A COUNTER EVENT IS BEING HELD BY THE LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATS CALLED FANCY VAX.

>> YES.

>> AND IT STARTED OFF BEING FANCYVILLE.

>> YES.

>> SO TALK ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THAT, THE INFLUENCES ON THAT AND WHAT YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH, AND IF YOU'RE HAVING ONE GATHERING, WHY IS THAT ANY BETTER THAN GOING TO BE A DIFFERENT ONE IN A DIFFERENT PLACE?

>> I CAN TALK FANCYVILLE.

I'M ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE LOUISVILLE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SO YOU CAN DISCUSS ABOUT THAT.

WHEN FANCYVILLE FIRST GOT STARTED IN DISCUSSIONS, WE WERE A 7% INCIDENCE RATE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND IT WAS A LOT HIGH INNER OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE, SO WE WERE THINKING -- AND A LOT OF EVENTS HAD BEEN CANCELED.

FOR US I I MEAN THE FUN, FOR AT LEASE FOR ME, THE FUN PART OF FANCY FARM IS NOT ACTUALLY THE EVENT WHERE EVERYONE IS SHOUTING AT EACH HOR OTHER.

IT'S THE ORGANIZED LABOR LUNCH THE DAY BEFORE, THE BEAN DINNER, THE BREAKFAST AND BOTH OF THOSE TWO WERE CANCELED, AND UNIONS CAME TO US AND SAID, CAN WE DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE KIND OF LOCAL?

AND WE CAME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT SEEMED THAT WOULD BE SAFE.

IT WAS ALL OUTSIDE.

IT WOULD BE PRETTY DISTANCED.

AND THEN AS LAST WEEK WENT ON, EVERY DAY THERE WAS ALL A LITTLE BIT OF LIKE, H'M, THAT COULD BE A LITTLE CONCERNING, AND THEN BY FRIDAY AFTERNOON WE WERE IN FULL DISCUSSION OF HOW WE WERE GOING TO CHANGE THIS, YOU KNOW, SO I THINK THAT'S REALLY -- AND WE HAD WORKED -- >> IR STILL HAVING AN EVENT THAT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>> ONLY, THE ONLY ONLY TO GET VACCINATED.

>> SO NO POLITICAL SPEECHES.

>> NO, NO.

CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH IS GOING TO BE THERE VOLUNTEERING BUT EVERYBODY WILL BE COMPLETELY PADDOCK UP, GLOVED UP, THE WHOLE THING, THE PROTOCOLS WOULD DO AT ANT EVENT LIKE THAT.

>> IS THE GOVERNOR COMING TO THAT EVENT?

>> I KNOW A LOT OF JOURNALISTS LIKE TO MAKE IT SOUNDS LIKE WE WERE GOING TO DO THIS ALTERNATE THING AND STEAL THE GOVERNOR.

THAT IS WAS NEVER GOING ON.

GOVERNOR BESHEAR DESERVES A BREAK TO STAY HOME WITH HIS KIDS.

HE HAS A CHILD THAT CAN'T BE VACCINATED.

HE'S AROUND A LOT OF PEOPLE AS IT IS.

I REALLY DON'T BLAME HIM FOR NOT GOING AT PALM I WORRY WITH THE DELTA VARIANT WE'RE IN THIS WILD TIME OF WHERE WE DON'T KNOW AS MUCH AS WE KNEW BEFORE.

I THINK IN A COUPLE WEEKS THIS WILL GET A LITTLE CLEARED UP, BUT THE DELTA VARIANT SEEMS TO BE MUCH MORE VIRULENT, AND I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S SAFE TO BE UNDER THAT PAVILION WITH EVERYONE YELLING.

AND THERE'S JUST A LOT -- I HAVE A LOT MORE QUESTIONS THAN I DID A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ABOUT THAT I FELT THAT WERE MORE SETTLED.

PROBABLY TWO WEEKS FROM NOW WE'RE GOING TO KNOW A LOT MORE BUT NEXT SATURDAY MAYBE NOT SO MUCH.

SO WE NEED TO BELIEVE IN THE STATE AND I BELIEVE HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN LEADING.

>> SO THE REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE THE STAGE, AND THEY DO INVITE LOCAL OFFICIALS, STATE REP AND STATE SENATOR.

THEY ARE ALSO REPUBLICAN.

THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED IT WAS A REPUBLICAN AFFAIR BRAS THERE ARE NO DEMOCRATS REPRESENTING -- BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DEMOCRATS.

>> SO THE MESSAGING AND NOT THAT YOU KNOW, AND NO ONE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THE CANDIDATES OR THE POLITICIANS ON THE STAGE OR THE ADMINISTERS.

I WANT TO PUT THAT OUT THERE.

BUT AS AN ADVISER, A CONSULTANT, WHAT SHOULD THE MESSAGING BE FROM THOSE WHO ARE THERE ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE?

>> SURE.

SO IN TERMS OF YOU'VE GOT ATTORNEY GENERAL CAMERON.

I THINK YOU'RE GOING -- I THINK WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO HEAR FROM HIM IS PROBABLY ABOUT A LOT OF THE CRIME AND VIOLENCE GOING ON IN LOUISVILLE.

WHEN WE HAD SENATE BILL 1 A FEW YEARS AGO ABOUT THE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS IN MARSHALL COUNTY, WE'VE NOW HAD SEVERAL MARSHALL COUNTIES OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN OF PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 IN LOUISVILLE, AND SO I THINK HE'S GOING TO REALLY BRING ATTENTION TO THAT, TO THAT ISSUE.

SO I THINK YOU CAN EXPECT SOME MESSAGING FROM HIM ON THAT.

OBVIOUSLY I THINK THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FODDER AND CHATTER ABOUT THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE.

OBVIOUSLY MIKE HARMON IS A DECLARED, HE'S THE ONLY -- >> -- >> DO YOU ANY ANYBODY SELLS GOING TO ANNOUNCE SURPRISINGLY ON THE STAGE?

>> YOU NEVER KNOW.

THAT'S THE FUN THING ABOUT FANCY FARM.

YOU NEVER KNOW.

>> IT HAPPENED TO RAND PAUL.

>> 1st EVER THERE'S THE BREAKFAST.

THERE'S THE NIGHT BEFORE SUPPER SO YOU DO NOT KNOW.

THAT'S PART OF THE FUN AND EXCITEMENT FANCY FARM.

AND SO I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING FOR FANCY FARM AS A STRATEGIST OR CONSULTANT IS YOU CAN'T WIN AN ELECTION NECESSARILY AT FANCY FARM BUT YOU CAN DO YOURSELF A LOT OF HARM.

>> AND MATT AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS-YEAR-OLD.

NAME A YEAR WHERE IT PROBABLY DID SOME HARM.

>> I MEAN, I CAN'T.

>> 1998.

SCOTTY -- >> OKAY.

1998.

I WAS TALKING WITH -- >> I WOULD SAY JACK CONWAY.

>> RIGHT.

>> BUT HE WON.

>> HE DID.

>> PUT HE SPEND TWO WEEKS HAVING TO TALK ABOUT THAT VERSUS HIS ISSUES.

DID IT CHANGE THE OUTCOME?

NO.

DID IT TAKE AWAY TWO WEEKS OF EARNED MEDIA WHERE HE COULDN'T TALK ABOUT HIS PLATFORM AND HIS ISSUES, WHATEVER THEY WERE, YEAH.

>> IT WAS THE SAME THING WITH MATT BEVIN.

EVERYBODY SAYS IF YOU GO UP THERE AND MAKE A GAFFE YOU NEVER HEAR THE END OF IT.

HE GOT UP AND TOLD PEOPLE IN FRONT OF HIM INNATE WAS CHILD TISSUE THE WORST PART OF OUR POLITICAL NATURE.

HE WON REMEMBER RIGHT?

>> YOU'RE SAYING IT'S NOT CONSEQUENTIAL.

>> LOOK, I THINK IT'S A REALLY COOL EVENT, LIKE I SAID I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE HELD THIS YEAR.

IT'S NOTHING TO DO WITH THE EVENT.

IT'S UNIQUE.

IT'S FUN.

I LOVE IT.

IT'S A GREAT TIME FOR CAMPAIGN STASHES OF, TOO, YOU CAN'T -- YOU WORK YOUR BUTT OFF AND THEN YOU GET TO GO GET DRUNK BY A LAKE FOR NIGHT, AND IT'S GOOD WAY TO BLOW OFF STEAM.

>> EAT BARBECUE.

>> YEAH, EAT BARBECUE BUT I THINK THAT THERE IS A LEGEND BEHIND IT THAT DOESN'T REALLY JIBE WITH MODERN CAMPAIGNS.

LIKE IF YOU MAKE A GAFFE THERE, YOU'RE NEVER GOING TO HEAR THE END OF IT.

LIKE TWITTER EXISTS, RIGHT?

PEOPLE -- FANCY FARM'S UNIQUE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE MEAN TO EACH OTHER.

THEY ARE SO MEAN TO EACH OTHER.

I WAS TELLING SOMEBODY THE MEANEST THING EVER SAID AT FANCY FARM IS THE NICEST THING EVER SAID ON TWITTER.

IT IS JUST -- IT IS NOT -- >> THAT'S PROBABLY SOME CONSENSUS ON THAT.

>> IT'S NOTE THAT UNIQUE TO HEAR POLITICIANS TO SAY TERRIBLE THINGS ANYMORE.

IT'S JUST NOT.

>> I DON'T DISAGREE.

I THINK THE SUGGESTS THIS YEAR IS THAT IT'S A LITTLE BIT KING SAND IN THE EYES OF WEST KENTUCKY TO NOT HAVE A SINGLE DEMOCRAT SHOW UP, WHETHER IT'S THE GOVERNOR OR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR COLEMAN BECAUSE I THINK WESTERN KENTUCKY, AS AL CROSS ROWING WROTE THE ARTICLE, IT'S CLOSER TO MEMPHIS AND ST. LOUIS AND IT'S HARD TO GET TO, SO THERE'S A LITTLE CHIP ON THE SHOULDER WHEN THEY'RE HOSTING EVENTS AND DON'T COME.

I THINK IF GOVERNOR BESHEAR JUST CHOSE NOT TO COME, I THINK THE OPTICS THEM DOING WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SAW AS A PROTEST EVENT IN LOUISVILLE TO FANCY FARM LOOKS VERY INSULAR AND IT'S, WELL, WE CAN WIN ELECTIONS IN LOUISVILLE SO LET'S JUST DO IT HERE.

I THINK IT'S -- IT'S TOUGH, AND SO I THINK THERE IS -- I THINK IT'S A LITTLE MORE THAN JUST A GOOD BARBECUE.

>> I DON'T THINK AN UNDECIDED VOTER HAS SET FOOT IN FANCY FARM IN 20 YEARS.

>> THIS FAR AHEAD OF THE 2023 RACE, THERE WILL BE A COUPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE THAT STAGE, RIGHT?

>> SURE.

WHEN MATT BEVIN WAS UP FOR ELECTION, GOVERNOR BESHEAR FAMOUSLY TOLD HIM, "YOU'RE NOT FIT TO BE THE GOVERNOR OF THIS STATE IF YOU DON'T COME DOWN TO WHERE MY FAMILY LIVES, AND YOU SHOULD I THINK GO HOME."

SO.

>> HE CALLED HIMSELF A SON OF WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> THAT MIGHT MAKE ADS.

THEN THAT'S THE THING.

YOU THINK THAT KIND OF STUFF IS GOING TO SHOW UP LATER AND HAVE SOME KIND OF BACKLASH?

>> NO, I DON'T.

I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S A SINGLE REPUBLICAN ON THAT STAGE THAT WANTS TO HEAR MY ADVICE, BUT IF THEY DID -- >> [LAUGHTER] LIKE I WOULD WATCH MYSELF IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO A PLACE THAT IS FULL OF CORONAVIRUS.

IT IS.

IT'S OUT OF CONTROL.

AND IF YOU GO UP THERE AND MAKE A BUNCH OF CUTE REMARKS ABOUT IT -- >> IT'S AN OUTDOOR EVENT.

>> I KNOW WHAT THE EVENT IS.

AND AGAIN IF YOU GO OUT THERE AND START CRITICIZING THE GOVERNOR'S HANDLING OR JUST -- I WOULD STAY FAR, FAR AWAY FROM CRITICIZING THIS GOVERNOR ON HIS HANDLING OF THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAS WHAT THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR MONTHS IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

YOU DO NOT KNOW IF MOMS AND CARDS GOING TO BE TEACHING SCHOOL FROM THERE EVER THEIR KITCHEN TABLES AGAIN.

YOU DO NOT KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE LAID OFF.

YOU DO NOT KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE EVICTED.

SO IF YOU MAKE LIGHT OF IT, YOU MIGHT END UP EATING THOSE WORDS BIG TIME.

>> BUT YOU CAN TALK ABOUT UNDER THE EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE DEBACLE.

>> SURE.

YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHATEVER YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

THIS IS MY ADVICE TO THEM.

I WOULD SAY BE CAREFUL ABOUT YOUR WORDS BECAUSE MIGHT HAVE TO EAT THEM.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH MATT ON THAT.

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MAKE LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC OR THE SITUATION.

>> I AGREE COMPLETELY.

I MEAN, WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF LOSS IN MULTIPLE WAYS, NOT JUST DEATHS, AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL NOT BACK FROM IT, AND IT'S REALLY LOOKING LIKE PEOPLE CAN SAY, OH, KIDS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

THOSE ALL COULD CLOSE BECAUSE OF QUARANTINES, YOU KNOW, AND THEN WE'RE BACK WHERE WE STARTED AGAIN, SO I AGREE WITH THAT AND BE CAUTIOUS.

HONESTLY, AND I I WILL I DON'T AGREE WITH MATT A LOT.

I DON'T THINK THERE'S ONE PERSON THAT PAYS ATTENTION TO FANCY FARM AND MESSAGING AROUND FANCY FARM THAT IS NOT COMPLETELY 100% DEVOTED POLITICAL NERD FOR THE MOST PART.

SO IS IT A BIG DEAL?

>> SO YOU DON'T GAIN VOTES THERE BUT CAN YOU LOSE VOTES?

Y.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DO THAT EITHER, REALLY.

I THINK WHAT THEY CARE ABOUT MORE IN WESTERN KENTUCKY IS THAT MILL THAT JUST GOT THE DEAL FOR THAT, $400 MILLION MILL, AND DO YOU KNOW -- IN HERNANDEZ HENDERSON, BUT THE AMOUNT OF JOBS IS SIGNIFICANT AND IT'S STARTING IN THE FALL.

>> SO YOU THINK THAT WHOLE WORKER PARTICIPATION LABOR FORCE STRUGGLES ARE GOING TO BE A BIG THING.

>> IT'S MAJORIS.

>> BUT DEMOCRATS ARE LOSING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THERE'S ANOTHER SIDE TO THAT, THE LABOR PARTICIPATION IS NOT ALL ABOUT BUSINESSES WHO NEED SOMETHING.

IT'S ABOUT WORKERS RIGHTS.

THEY COULD HAVE TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK ABOUT WORKERS WAGES, PAID LEAVE, OFF THESE KINDS OF THINGS TO PRESENT A COUNTER MESSAGE IN A PRETTY PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

YOU STILL DON'T BELIEVE THAT THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT VENUE TO EXPRESS THAT SIDE OF THAT ISSUE.

>> I THINK THAT'S A MESSAGE THAT NEEDS TO BE TOLD.

I THINK A LOT OF THE WORKERS SHORTAGE IS -- INVOLVES PEOPLE TAKING A WALK TO A JOB THAT PAYS MORE.

YOU KNOW?

WE HAVE REACHED AN INFLECTION POINT WHERE THE MINIMUM WAGE HAS BEEN RAISETIVELY IN 11 YEARS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND ARE IF SOMEBODY'S PAYING $15 AN HOUR, 8s DOLLARS AN HOUR DOESN'T LOOK SO GOOD ANYMORE.

I MEAN, THE IDEA THAT THERE ARE GOOD PAYING JOBS OUT THERE FOR KENTUCKIANS TO GO GET IS A MESSAGE THAT I THINK THAT YOU WILL HEAR A LOT ABOUT THAT DURING THE GUBERNATORIAL RACE IN TWO YEARS.

>> I THINK CHILD CARE AS WELL REALLY IS KEEPING A LOT OF THE WORKERS -- IT'S NOT SO MUCH THEY'RE GETTING PAID.

THERE IS NOT CHILD CARE THAT'S SAFE FOR CHILDREN.

SO WOMEN REALLY PULLED OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

A LOT OF THEM ARE TALKING CARE OF CHILDREN, ELDERS AT HOME, THINGS LIKE THAT, AND THAT REALLY CAUSES THEM TO HAVE A WORKPLACE SHORTAGE.

>> TO GET TO THE POINT ABOUT MAYBE SOME PEOPLE ARE ASKING THEMSELVES WHY ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT A GOVERNOR'S RACE THAT HAPPENS IN 2023 OR A RACE THAT HAPPENS NEXT YEAR?

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S KENTUCKY.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A GOVERNOR'S RACE.

THERE'S NEVER NOT A GOVERNOR'S RACE.

>> RIGHT, SO THAT'S FIRST.

BUT THERE IS A LOGISTICAL PRAGMATIC REASON WHY THERE SEEMS TO BE A COMPRESSED ELECTION CYCLE, JULIA, RIGHT?

YOU HAVE TO DO IT FOR FUNDRAISING, OTHER REASONS THAT MAKE IT JUST PRAGMATIC TO GET A HEAD START.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

SO I MEAN ONCE YOU ARE DECLARED A CANDIDATE, IMMEDIATELY YOU'VE GOT TO START FUNDRAISING, BUT YOU CAN'T LEGALLY START THAT FUNDRAISING PROCESS UNTIL YOU'RE A DECLARED CANDIDATE, SO IT'S THIS KIND OF BALANCE OF ARE THERE PEOPLE 28 IN THE TWINGES TO SEE WHEN THE FIELD GETS SET?

YES.

ARE THERE LOTS OF NAMES BEING THROWN AROUND?

YES.

ARE PEOPLE SHOWING UP TO -- THAT PROBABLY ROBERT JUST FOR FUN?

YES.

THERE IS.

THERE'S A LOT OF STRATEGY THAT GOES INTO WHEN DO YOU ANNOUNCE, HOW DO YOU ANNOUNCE, DO YOU ROLL OUT YOUR POLICE OF ENDORSESMENT.

WHEN DO YOU DO THAT, HOW DO YOU LOCK THEM DOWN.

THERE'S A LOT TO IT AND IT STARTS WAY IN ADVANCE.

>> AND I'M NOT ADVOCATING WE RAISE THEM.

I THINK I WANT TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO PUT TOGETHER A $10 MILLION CAMPAIGN, $2,000 AT A TIME.

>> IT TAKES TIME.

>> ONE HAND TIED BEHIND YOUR BACK.

>> SO AS YOU MENTIONED AUDITOR HARMON ANNOUNCED IN JULY EARLIER, A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I GUESS IT WAS.

OTHER NAMES, COMMISSIONER QUARLES WHICH THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME.

FORMER UN AMBASSADOR KELLY CRAFT IS SOMEONE, AND PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THIS PERSON.

I'VE MET HIM A FEW TIMES.

SOMERSET MAYOR ALLEN KECK IS A NAME.

AND A RECYCLED GUBERNATORIAL PERSON, MATT BEVIN.

SO IT'S INTERESTING, IF YOU HAVE A -- >> IT'S INTERESTING.

>> UNITS INTERESTING ALL RIGHT.

>> IF YOU HAVE A FOUR TO FIVE WAY GUBERNATORIAL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY, I MEAN, IT COULD BE MEIN EKES OUT JUST ENOUGH VOTES, MAYBE 83, AND BECOMES THE NOMINEE AGAIN.

THAT'S NOT AN UNREALISTIC SCENARIO.

>> SURE.

SO ALL THINGS CONSIDERED YOU'VE GOT MUSIC HARMON WHO HAS RUN STATEWIDE BEFORE.

HE'S GOING TO HAVE A GOOD AMOUNT OF NAME I.D.

OBVIOUSLY MATT BEVIN HAS NAME I.D.

WHETHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE DEPENDS ON YOUR.

THEN YOU HAVE DELL CRAFT WHO OBVIOUSLY AS HAS A FUNDRAISING ADVANTAGE.

I THINK THAT'S WELL-KNOWN.

SO YOU HAVE A LOT OF FACTORS AT PLAY.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE -- THERE'S STILL 25% OF THE REPUBLICAN VOTE THAT COMES FROM LOUISVILLE.

AND WHEN YOU FACTOR THAT IN, IT REALLY MAKES THINGS INTERESTING.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING.

>> AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PICK YOUR RUNNING MATE, RIGHT?

IT'S NOT THE LAW.

>> YOU DON'T TO HAVE NAME YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR THIS YEAR SO YOU MIGHT HAVE PEOPLE JUMPING IN NOT NECESSARILY BECAUSE THEY SHOULDN'T BE THE TOP KWOK SO TO SPEAK BUT BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE PICKED BY SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> YEAH.

SO DID I NOT MENTION A NAME THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR HEAD THAT SHOULD BE MENTIONED?

ANYBODY?

>> ONE NAME THAT'S BEEN THREATENING AROUND A LOCK IN REPUBLICAN CIRCLES IS STATE REPRESENTATIVE SERENA MADDOX AND I THINK THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WAITING IN THE WINGS.

>> ALLISON BALL, STRAIGHT TREASURER, GOT THE MOST VOTES.

>> THE HIGHEST VOTE GETTER.

>> IN TWO RACES.

>> YES >> WHERE IS SHE?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

YOU'D TO HAVE ASK HER.

>> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BABY GIRL.

>> I BET SHE'S AT HOME RIGHT NOW.

>> A KENTUCKY CHAMBER EVENT, AND HE SHE WAS THERE THE DAY BEFORE SHE GAVE BIRTH.

>> SHE'S A WORKFORCE.

>> SAY IT AGAIN.

>> THE BABY, SHE'S RUNNING.

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT ANSWERS IT, RIGHT?

>> IF YOU KNOW HER, SHE'S A WORK HORSE.

>> SO YOU COULD HAVE LIKE MOST OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS-RUN AGAINST EACH OTHER IN A PLIER.

WE DIDN'T MENTION DANIEL CAMERON.

IS THAT NOT AN OFFICE YOU THINK HE IS INTERESTED IN?

>> I THINK HE IS COMMITTED TO TWO TERMS IN THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

IT WAS A BIG PART OF HIS ELECTION OBVIOUSLY RUNNING AGAINST JACK CONWAY WHOSE KIND OF RUN AROUND RUNNING FOR EVERYTHING.

IT WAS A BIG PART OF I THINK HIS APPEAL TO REPUBLICAN VOTERS.

>> OKAY.

INTERESTING.

SO WE'LL SEE HOW THEY HAVE HOW THEY PLAY THAT BECAUSE THEY ALL SEEM TO LIKE EACH OTHER AND GET ALONG, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING -- >> IT'S A GOOD BENCH.

>> SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PANS OUT.

ANY OTHER COMMENT ABOUT -- YOU DON'T EXPECT, ANDY BESHEAR IS NOT GOING TO GO TO A DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY.

>> HE'LL FEBRUARY NOMINEE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> I THINK FOR THE REPUBLICANS THIS REALLY IS A MUCH BIGGER EVENT FOR THEM, YOU KNOW, I MEAN, THEY'RE ALL EXPECTED FOR ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE TO RUN.

THEY NEED TO REALLY GO AND MAKE THAT MARK THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR MORE THAN LIKELY.

>> BECAUSE YOU HAVE SO MANY TERM-LIMITED CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, WHICH DEMOCRATS ARE LOOKING AT THOSE RACES DOWN BALLOT?

>> I'VE HEARD A LOT OF THINGS.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN TALK ABOUT ANY OF THOSE.

BUT I THINK THERE'S CONVERSATIONS GOING ON, THOUGH, ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR THOSE.

AS EVERYONE SHOULD.

THOSE ARE -- THE SOONER YOU PLAN, THE MORE LIKELY YOU'RE GOING TO WIN, AND THAT IS ALWAYS A GIVEN.

>> SO YOU THINK THOSE PEOPLE WILL HAVE ANNOUNCED AND THEY'LL HE TELL BE BY THE END OFFER THIS YEAR BECAUSE OFY WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT, THE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND FUNDRAISE.

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD.

I THINK THE RULE OF LIKE WAIT UNTIL THE LAST ELECTION IS OVER IN OUR ENVIRONMENT WITH OUR FUNDRAISING LIMITS.

IT'S NOT A GREAT ONE.

WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE THING ABOUT FANCY FARM.

IF WE WANTED DEMOCRATS AND TAKE COVID OUT OF IT, IMAGINE COVID WAS NOT THERE, YOU KNOW, CHARLES BOOKER IS RUNNING, AND IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT YEARS BEFORE IN OFF YEARS THEY HAD REPUBLICANS THAT WERE RUNNING FOR SENATORS ACTUALLY THAT WERE ALLOWED TO SPEAK, AND HE WASN'T.

>> DURING THAT YEAR, THOUGH, DURING THAT CYCLE.

>> NO, PREVIOUS IN THE OFF-YEAR THEY ALLOWED THEM TO RUN -- OR TO SPEAK, EXCUSE ME.

AND SO IF CHARLES WOULD HAVE GONE FOR THE ELECTION THAT'S NEXT YEAR, THE PRIMARY THAT'S LESS THAN A YEAR AWAY, I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN A LOT MORE ORGANIZING AROUND DEMOCRATS WANTING TO GO BECAUSE IT'S THE NEXT LEEKS.

>> BOOKER COULD STILL GO.

>> BUT TO SPEAK.

E. THE BABY MAY BE HERE ANY TIME SO THAT'S ALSO PART OF IT AS WELL.

>> TALK ABOUT YOUR COVID BABY BOOM, RIGHT?

>> THERE'S A LOT OF BABIES.

>> BUT I JUST THINK THAT THERE WERE TIMES THAT RAND PAUL AND MATT BEVIN SPOKE WHEN THEY WERE RUNNING FOR SENATE IN ONE OF THESE OFF YEARS, AND THEY ALLOWED A REPUBLICAN TO DO IT BUT NOT A DEMOCRAT TO DO IT.

SO IT'S A REPUBLICAN YEAR TO GO DOWN THERE, I THINK YOU KNOW.

>> ANY OTHER COMMENT ON FANCY FARM?

AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON, WHICH WE WILL HAVE COVERAGE OF, SHAMELESS PLUG, STARTS 2:30 EASTERN TIME, 1:30 CENTRAL.

I'LL BE DOWN THERE.

WE'LL DO A PREGAME AT 1:30.

THE SPEECHATHON BEGINNINGS AT 2:00, THE EMCEE IS BOB BABBAGE AND YOU'VE HEARD ABOUT THE LINE-UP SO WE'LL CARAT FROM START TO FINISH WITH A LITTLE ANALYSIS ON THE END.

WE WANT TO TALKING ABOUT CONGRESSIONAL CONTESTS BECAUSE THOSE ARE ALREADY OUT THERE.

OKAY.

JAMES COMER HAS BEEN DRAWING SOME PLIER OPPOSITION HERE.

SURPRISED BY THAT?

>> NO.

WHAT IN THE LAST SEVERAL ELECTION CYCLES KENTUCKY HAS AFFIRMED ITSELF AS A CONSERVATIVE STATE.

THAT MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO SEE MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE PRIMARIES.

DO I ANTICIPATE CONGRESSMAN COMER'S TO BE COMPETITIVE?

NO.

BUT DO I ANTICIPATE THERE WILL ALWAYS BE PEOPLE FILED IN PRIMARIES FROM HERE ON OUT BECAUSE WE'RE A MORE CONSERVATIVE STATE AND WE HAVE VOTERS REGISTERING EVERY DAYS REPUBLICANS?

YES.

I'M NOT SURPRISED.

I DON'T EXPECT IT TO BE COMPETITIVE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THOSE WHO ARE PUTTING THEIR HAT IN THE RING TO PRIMARY AN INCUMBENT?

>> I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS DIFFERENT MOTIVATIONS WHEN PEOPLE LOOK THAT THE STRATEGICALLY.

IS IT TO BUILD NAME I.D.?

IS IT TO BUILD A NETWORK AROUND A DISTRICT?

IS IT TO ENGAGE THE GRASSROOTS?

THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS.

SET YOURSELF UP FOR FUTURE OFFICE.

>> SURE.

ARE THEY MORE CONSERVATIVE?

WHAT IS THEIR POLITICAL IDEOLOGY?

>> SURE.

I THINK IN THE PRIMARIES WE'RE SEEING TODAY IT'S USUALLY -- THE STRATEGY IS TO RUN EVEN FARTHER TO THE RIGHT IN A LOT OF CASES BECAUSE WE'RE AT SUCH A PARTICULARIZING FAR LEFT-FAR RIGHT TIME SO YOU'RE NOT GOING IS TO SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAYING I'M RUNNING AGAINST THIS PERSON TO BE IN THE MIDDLE.

NOT VERY MOTIVATING NOR CURRENT ELECTORATE.

>> ALLISON, ANYTHING TO CHIME IN ON JUST MAYBE THE -- WHERE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY STANDS.

IS IT BIFURCATED, TEA PARTY, MODERATE REPUBLICAN OR HAS THE TRUMP INFLUENCE, IS IT STILL JUST PULSING THROUGH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF KENTUCKY?

NOT SPECIFICALLY BUT JUST AS THE ENTITY ITSELF.

>> YOU HAVE TO GIVE PRESIDENT TRUMP A LOT OF CREDIT FOR REYOU GO NIGHING THE -- REIGNITING THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BASE AND GETTING PEOPLE EXCITED ABOUT IT AGAIN, BUT YOU ALSO HAVE YOUR, YOU KNOW, THE PARTY STEADFAST IN THERE THAT ARE -- THEY'RE MORE LEVEL-HEADED.

QUIET SPEAKERS, DOWN TO PERTH I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK WHAT WE'RE SEEING A LOT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW IS THIS SWING TO THE RIGHT.

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PRIMARYING ARE OUT THERE JUST TO BE DISRUPTERS, AND THAT'S NOT HELPFUL FOR ANYBODY.

>> THAT'S AN HONEST ASSESSMENT TO SAY THAT DISRUPTERS, THAT'S A HEAVY WORD TO USE.

>> AND I THINK WE SAW IT IN THE LAST SESSION, AND I THINK IT HURT THE ABILITY TO REALLY GET A LOT OF MAJOR INITIATIVES PASSED.

>> I'M NOT ASKING -- I DON'T WANT TO SOUND PERSONAL.

I DON'T WANT TO SAY DOES IT BOTHER YOU, BUT IS IT MITCH McCONNELL'S PARTY?

>> NO, IT'S NOT.

IT'S NOT MITCH McCONNELL'S PARTY.

IT'S THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN, YOU KNOW, DISCIPLINE OF -- >> BIG TEN.

>> BUT I WILL SAY I THINK WE'RE A TWO-PARTY SYSTEM IN THIS STATE BECAUSE OF MITCH McCONNELL.

>> AND REPUBLICANS ARE MORE COMPETITIVE BECAUSE OF THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

ABSOLUTELY.

>> AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY HEY SAID THAT I LEARNED FROM HIM, AND I TALK ABOUT HIM A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE I KNOW HIM AND WORKED FOR HIM FOR SO LONG SO THAT'S WHERE I COME BACK TO, BUT HE DOES SAY THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PEOPLE IN POLITICS, AND IT'S THOSE WHO ARE THERE TO MAKE A POINT SO TO THIS SIDE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHERE THE -- I AM YOU CAN ANSWER ABOUT WHERE YOU THINK REPUBLICAN PARTY IS, BUT THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME ALSO BIFURCATION IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, RIGHT?

AND MAYBE THAT'S NOT SO MUCH ON THE KENTUCKY LEVEL BUT WE SEE A LOT OF IT FEDERAL.

YOU HAVE MORE PROGRESSIVES.

>> I THINK WE SEE IT ON THE EV H. KENTUCKY LEVEL A LOT.

>> WHERE IS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN KENTUCKY AND HOW UNITED IS IT?

>> MY OPINION IS THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF KENTUCKY HAS ACTUALLY MODERATED.

LIKE WE HAVE -- I'M GOING TO USE LOUISVILLE AS AN EXAMPLE BECAUSE IT'S THE CITY AND THE COUNTY I KNOW THE BEST, BUT YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY THAT LEFT THE PARTY BECAUSE OF DONALD TRUMP, LEFT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF BECAUSE OF DONALD TRUMP.

I ALWAYS LIKE TO SAY THAT IN 2018 A RED WALL IN EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY COLLAPSED AND YOU HAD A FLOOD OF REPUBLICANS THAT STARTED PULLING DEMOCRATIC BALLOTS FOR FIRST TIME.

THEN IN '19 THEY DID IT AGAIN FOR GOVERNOR BESHEAR.

AND I THINK THAT THAT, IF YOU JUST TO GO TWITTER OR READ POLITICO, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT SEEMS LIKE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS THIS ANTAGONIZING LEFTIST ORGANIZATION.

IN REALITY IN BIG CITIES IN KENTUCKY AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY FORMER REPUBLICANS ARE MODERATING THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

AND I'M NOT CRITICIZING ANY WING OF THE PARTY.

>> THAT'S NOT SHOWING UP IN REGISTRATION NUMBERS IN KENTUCKY.

>> ACTUALLY I MEAN -- >> IT'S SHOWING UP IN VOTER DATA LIKE HOW PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY VOTING, RESULTS, RIGHT?

IN RAW VOTES -- I KNOW I'M GOING GET THIS A LITTLE BIT WRONG -- IN EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY PRECINCTS IN 2016 TO 2018 DEMOCRATS PICKED UP I BELIEVE IT WAS LIKE 28,000 RAW VOTES WHICH DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT MUCH WHEN YOU'RE COMPARING A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR TO A MIDTERM.

YOU SHOULDN'T SEE ANY PICKUP OF VOTES.

SO THIS LIKE -- PEOPLE LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HOW WESTERN KENTUCKY HAS THE ROCK OF GIBRALTER FOR DPS.

IF AL CROSS WHY IT'S THAT ONE MORE TIME.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS LOUISVILLE IS DIFFERENT, MORE DEMOCRAT.

>> NOE EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY WAS -- >> I KNOW YOU'RE OBSESSED WITH JULIE RAQUE ADAMS' DISTRICT.

>> I MEAN, THIS PART OF JEFFERSON COUNTY HA 50,000, 60s HOW THE RELIABLE REPUBLICAN VISITS.

USED TO BE THAT WHEN YOU CAME INTO LOUISVILLE IT WAS THE REPUBLICAN -- SAY YOUR RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

WE WILL LOSE BY 20,000.

LET'S TRY NOT TO LOSE BY 80,000.

THOSE PEOPLE USED TO VOTE REPUBLICAN AND NOW THEY VOTE DEMOCRAT BECAUSE OF DONALD TRUMP.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF DEMOCRAT PARTY IN RURAL PARTS OF THE SAY THE?

>> IT'S A TOUGH SPOT.

MY HOME STATE OF GEORGIA JUST ELECTED TWO DEMOCRATIC U.S.

SENATORS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1998 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

IT TOOK THAT AMOUNTS OF TIME, 20 YEARS, TO SORT OF STEM THE BLEEDING IN RURAL PARTS OF GEORGIA.

I THINK, AND I'M NOT TRYING TO SOUND LIKE A CASSANDRA HERE, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO REBUILD THE PARTY IN RURAL PARTS OF KENTUCKY.

IT WILL.

THAT'S, I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE, TIME.

>> I'LL ADD ON.

IN LOOKING AT DATA AS IT WILL COMES OUT, THERE WAS A BLIP AROUND JANUARY 6th.

THERE WAS IN EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY IN REGISTRATIONS.

THERE ARE CERTAIN DISTRICTS THAT WERE MORE REPUBLICAN VOTERS AND NOW THERE'S MORE DEMOCRATIC, YOU KNOW, AND THAT WAS A REAL TRIES TO ME.

DID I NOT NECESSARILY THINK THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

BUT WHEN I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT A RECENTLY I'VE BEAN SEEING THAT THANK IN EASTERN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO STATES LEGISLATURE LET'S LOOK AT THE HOUSE.

THERE'S ONLY ONE DEMOCRAT IN THE HOUSE THAT REPS IT'S COUNTY OUTSIDE OF JEFFERSON OR FAYETTE.

I THINK THAT'S ANGIE HATTON.

>> YEAH, I MEAN IT'S -- IT SWANG FAST.

>> SO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN KENTUCKY IS THE PARTY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, JEFFERSON COUNTY.

>> WELL, NO.

>> AND WARREN.

>> THAT'S NOT THE CASE, EITHER.

IT'S A PARTY THAT NEEDS TO REGROW ITS RURAL BASE.

AND THAT WILL TAKE TIME.

BUT I THINK YOU CONSISTENTLY -- >> WHAT'S THE MESSAGE THEN?

WHAT'S THE MESSAGE TO THE RURAL VOTERS?

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT THE REAL SKINNY MESSAGE IS, IS YOU'RE BEING SCREWED BECAUSE MAKE NO MISTAKE ABOUT IT, POOR PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET SCREWED WHEN YOU HAVE REPUBLICAN SUPER MAJORITIES, AND I'M SORRY IF THAT'S NOT THE NICEST LANGUAGE BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS TO POOR PEOPLE.

AND, YOU KNOW, IF IT WASN'T FOR A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW, GOD KNOWS WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE OUT IN RURAL KENTUCKY WITH NO COVID PROTECTIONS, NO EMPLOYMENT PROTECTIONS.

PEOPLE AREN'T STUPID, AND I THINK THE IDEA THAT ONE PARTY, IF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WERE TO TAKE EVERY LEVER OF POWER IN FRANKFORT, I MEAN, YOU'RE GOING TO WAKE UP TO DIFFERENTIATE KENTUCKY IF YOU'RE IN RURAL KENTUCKY, SO I THINK THAT -- >> BUT THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENED.

>> SURE.

EXCEPT FOR THE EXECUTIVE SUITE OF COURSE.

>> PEOPLE JUST AREN'T RECEPTIVE TO THE MESSAGE OF YOU'RE GETTING SCREWED SO THEY CONTINUE TO VOTE REPUBLICAN?

>> THEY DIDN'T LAST TIME.

MATT BEVIN STARTED SCREWING PEOPLE OVER.

>> MATT BEVIN WAS ALSO A VERY UNIQUE CANDIDATE WITH A LOT OF -- >> IN MY VIEW AGAIN SO WATCH OUT.

>> I THINK IT'S BEYOND JUST THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

YOU HAVE NOW 80 OF 120 COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTIVES THAT ARE REPUBLICAN.

ONE WAS LITERALLY CHANGING PARTIES TONIGHT IN A RURAL NORTHEASTERN COUNTY.

SO IT'S BEYOND JUST THE LEGISLATIVE LEVEL OR THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

IT'S NOW DOWN TO THE COUNTIES.

>> RESCHOOL DISTRICTING, YOU MENTIONED THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE THINGS WHETHER OR NOT THE GOVERNOR CALLS THEM INTO SPECIAL SESSION WHICH IS WHAT THE REPUBLICANS WANT.

WE DON'T KNOW.

BUT THAT WILL WILL BE A TREMENDOUS TASK AND ARE YOU CONCERNED THOSE WHO HAVE DEMOCRATIC ALLEGIANCES ABOUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO FARE WHEN THEY START DICING AND SLICING?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT -- I MEAN, MY GUESS IS THEY'RE GOING TO HOLD THIS THING, THEY'RE GOING TO KNOW WHERE THE DISTRICTS ARE AND RELEASE IT WITH AS LITTLE TIME AS POSSIBLE, PACK AS MANY DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS INTO DISTRICTS, LET MEME HAVE TO AMSTERDAMABLE TO TRY TO FIND CANDIDATES FOR RACES NOT KNOWING WHAT THE NUMBER IS GOING TO BE.

I THINK THE BIG LOSER IS PROBABLY GOING TO IF A JET AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, THE REAL ECONOMIC DRIVERS OF THE STATE.

I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO WASH OUT THAT INFLUENCE WHICH IS ONLY BAD FOR THE STATE AS A WHOLE.

>> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN GET -- I MEAN, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN RUNNING UNDER THE LINES THAT GREG STUMBO DREW TO TRY TO PICK UP MORE DEMOCRAT SEATS.

AT ONE -- MUCH BETTER IF ANYTHING.

THERE'S ALMOST NO WAY TO DRAW LINES THAT COULD DO WHAT MATT'S INDICATING.

>> AND IT'S NOT LIKE THEY JUST GO IN AND DRAW THE LINES HOWEVER THEY WANT PO.

I MEAN, REDISTRICTING IS REALLY TOUGH, ESPECIALLY ON THIS LATE SCHEDULE AND IN THE SHORT TIME FRAME THAT THEY HAVE.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE REALLY CRUNCH SOME NUMBERS.

AND YOU'VE GOT PEOPLE LIKE FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER WHO IS WAITING IN THE WINGS TO START CHALLENGING ALL THE CONSTITUTIONALITY.

THERE'S NO WAY THAT THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE DOESN'T PASS A CONSTITUTIONALLY SOUND, BOTH ON THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATURE SIDES, THAT WON'T BEAT THE CHALLENGE.

>> I THINK ALSO, THOUGH, WE'VE GOT ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT'S WITH THE CENSUS WHEN IT REALLY COMES OUT IS HOW MUCH IS RURAL KENTUCKY SHIFTED?

I WOULD THINK THAT'S GOING TO AFFECT REPUBLICAN DISTRICTS MORE THAN IT WILL AFFECT DEMOCRATIC.

>> DO YOU MEAN OUTWARD MIGRATION?

>> YES, YES.

THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF MOVEMENT OUT OF RURAL AREAS BECAUSE THERE'S NOT BEEN JOBS, AND I THINK WE'LL SEE A LOT OF THAT, SO, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF REPUBLICANS REALLY WOULD WANT THAT SHIFT BECAUSE THERE'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE SOME COMBINING, I WOULD BET, OR SOMEBODY'S GOING TO LOSE THEIR SEAT IN THE WHOLE REDISTRICTING.

>> OUT OF SIZE OF HOUSE MEMBERS I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF TOUGH DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.

THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I'M SURE THAT THEY'LL STICK TO SPLITTING AS FEW COUNTIES AS ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE.

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO END UP IN COURT BECAUSE OF THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, MANEUVERS.

SO THIS QUESTION JUST CAME IN FROM BOB WALLER OF LOUISVILLE.

WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF YARMOUTH RUNNING BEANS RAND PAUL?

-- AGAINST RAND PAUL IN THE NEXT U.S. SENATE RACE.

>> >> YOU'D HAVE TO ASK CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH.

I THINK HE'S HAPPY WHERE HE IS.

>> I'VE NEVER HEARD THAT ONE.

THAT ONE'S NOT SOMETHING I HAVE HEARD.

CONGRESSMAN YARMOUTH SEEMS PRETTY HAPPY WHERE HE IS.

HE IS THE BUDGET CHAIR, SO I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT HE WOULD DECIDE TO DO THAT.

>> RIGHT.

SPEAKING OF WHICH BECAUSE HE HAS DAWN A PRIMARIEN OPPONENT, STATE REPRESENTATIVE AT TAU SCOTT, AND JOE GIRTH HAD AN INTERESTING ANALYSIS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO ABOUT PRETTY MUCH HER ONLY ARGUMENT IS THERE'S NOT REALLY A REJECTION OF FAR YARMOUTH SO MUCH BUT BECAUSE SHE'S AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN.

SO WHAT IS THE RATIONALE FOR AN ATTICA SCOTT JUMPING IN AGAINST THIS WELL-HEELED INCUMBENT WHO IS THE BUDGET CHAIRMAN AT THIS PARTICULAR TIME?

IS IT JUST ABOUT BUILDINGS NAME RECOGNITION OR DOES SHE SEE HERSELF A VIABLE, FORMIDABLE OPPONENT TO JOHN YARMOUTH?

I'M GOING TO SAY HERE I WOULD NEVER SPEAK FOR REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT.

YOU NEED TO ASK HER THAT QUESTION.

>> I MEAN, AS A CONSULTANT, AS A STRATEGIST.

WHAT'S THE RATIONALE?

>> I DON'T KNOW AN ANSWER.

I THINK THE MOST CLASSIC ONE IS TO BUILD NAME I.D.

WOULD BE THE ONE, AND I THINK ATTICA PROBABLY THINKS SHE CAN WIN.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW -- I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT NECESSARILY BECAUSE I THINK YARMOUTH IS JUST PRETTY WELL EMBEDDED IN LOUISVILLE.

I THINK HE'S GOING TO WIN AS LONG AS HE RUNS MORE THAN LIKELY UNLESS SOMETHING VERY CRAZY HAPPENS, BUT I THINK -- I MEAN -- I WANT TO SAY PRIMARIES ARE GOOD.

EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO RUN I'M NOT GOING TO SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT, THAT SHE HONDA BE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

>> I'M ASKING YOU TO DO THAT.

SO PRIMARY GOOD FOR ATTICA SCOTT OR GOOD FOR YARMOUTH.

>> >> I THINK PRIMARIES ARE GOOD FOR EVERYONE.

IT KEEPS US ALL HONEST.

>> GOOD.

ANYTHING ELSE?

MATT ERWIN?

>> I AGREE.

LIKE PRIMARIES ARE HEALTHY OR A PARTY OF, THEY'RE HEALTHY FOR A DEMOCRACY.

THEY KEEP PEOPLE SHARP.

I THINK THEY CAN HELP PUSH PEOPLE, EXISTING POLITICIANS IN THE DIRECTION OF PUBLIC FAVOR.

I LIKE REPRESENTATIVE SCOTS.

I LIKE HER MESSAGE ON A LOT OF THINGS.

I LIKE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT'S TRIED TO DO IN FRANKFORT.

I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE OUT A SITTING POPULAR MEMBER OF CONGRESS UNLESS YOU MAKE AN ARGUMENT.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT.

YOU HAVE TO FIRE THIS PERSON AND HIRE ME.

AND THERE'S A LOT OF TIME.

MAYBE SHE'LL DO THAT.

I DON'T THINK THAT THERE'S A GOOD CASE TO BE MADE AGAINST JOHN YARMOUTH.

I DON'T THINK YOU CAN -- YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO INSISTS ONE SENTENCE.

JOHN YARMOUTH IS WHAT?

HE'S NOT CROOKED.

>> AND YOU HAVE PALMER WHO IS BROLIN'S MOTHER.

>> BREONNA TAYLOR'S THEY'RE.

>> HE IS EM OMNIPRESENT.

HEAL HE'S EVERYWHERE.

YU SEAL SEE HATE PROTEST AND THEN AT MY KID'S PRESCHOOL GRADUATION.

HE'S EVERYWHERE.

LOOK, IF REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT IS PLANNING ON BEATING HIM IN THIS PRIMARY, ISN'T JUST ELEPHANT EVER PLANTING HER FLAG FOR THE NEXT ELECTION WHICH MAY BE THE CASE BUT THEN AGAIN WHO KNOWS WHAT THE 3rd LOOKS LIKE, SHE'S GOING TO NEED TO MAKE A STRONG CASE, AND THAT'S YET TO BE DONE.

>> OKAY.

SO WITH EIGHT PLANETSING, YOU'RE WATCHING "KENTUCKY TONIGHT" AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FANCY FARM.

NOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STATE POLITICS, SOME CONGRESSIONAL RACES, AS YOU'VE HEARD.

SO LET'S JUST KIND OF KEEP IT MOVING HERE.

ON THIS SIDE SENATOR ALICE FORGY KERR ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WAS NOT SEEKING RE-ELECTION.

SHE'S BEEN BEEN IN THE KENTUCKY GENERAL SOMEPLACE STATE SENATOR FOR 23 YEARS, AND SHE MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, AND SHE'S -- THERE'S ALREADY BEEN SOME DRUM CANDIDATES ALREADY IN THE TIME THAT SHE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SHE WAS NOT GOING TO SEEK RE-ELECTION.

WERE YOU SURPRISED TO HEAR AND WE KNOW A LOT OF, NOT A LOT BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, JERRY MILLER, A FEW HORSE OTHERS WHO HAVE PROMINENT POSITIONS THE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WHO ARE CHOOSING TO FOREGO ANOTHER RUN.

>> I HAVEN'T SPOKEN SPECIFICALLY TO THE SENATOR ABOUT THIS BUT KNOWING HER I THINK THE LOSS OF SENATOR TOM BUFORD AND THE LOSS OF REPRESENTATIVE BAM CARNEY, I THINK THOSE THINGS WHEN YOU'VE SERVED A LONG TIME, AND THESE PEOPLE BECOME LIKE FAMILY TO YOU, YOU REALLY STOP AND KIND OF GO, HAVE I REALLY PUT IN EVERYTHING I NEED TO?

HAVE I GOTTEN DONE WHAT I NEED TO GET DUNPHY IS IT TIME TO ACCEPT SYSTEM BACK AND SPEND THAT TIME WITH FAMILY?

I'M SURE THAT PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN HER DECISION.

ALICE HAS SERVED FOR WHAT SEEMS LIKE A MILLION YEARS IN LEXINGTON.

SHE'S A STALWART.

SHE -- >> AND HAS NOT ALWAYS VOTED PARTY LINES.

>> HAS MARCHED TO THE BEAT OF HER OWN DRUM ON MANY ISSUES.

I THINK IT SAYS A LOT BECAUSE SHE'S BEEN ABLE TO STILL BE THERE AS LONG AS SHE HAS, NENE FAYETTE COUNTY, WHICH OBVIOUSLY, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS NOT THE EASIEST TERRITORY FOR REPUBLICANS TO WIN, SO I THINK THAT PROBABLY WENT INTO HER DECISION, AND I EXPECT A SPIRITED RACE TO REPLACE HER.

BUT YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO FILL HER SHOES.

>> AND WIL SCHROEDER IN THE SENATE CHOOSING ALSO.

HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT BEFORE THE SESSION WAS OVER, I BELIEVE.

I CAN'T KEEP TRACK OF THE DAYS.

ITS SEEMS LIKE THEY ALL RUN TOGETHER.

THERE'S A FEW NOTABLE RETIREMENTS, AND I KNOW THAT'S NOT WHERE YOU'RE FROM, BUT TO THINK ABOUT FOLKS WHO ARE ALREADY PUTTING THEIR HAT IN THE RING WITHIN JUST DAYS OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT, WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE COMPETITIVE NATURE OF THAT SEAT?

>> I THINK IT WILL BE EXCEEDINGLY COMPETITIVE BOTH SENATOR FOR SENATOR CERSY AND SENATOR SCHROEDER'S SEAT AND I'M SURE THE SENATE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE WILL LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED WHEN IT COMES TO THE GENERAL AND MAKING SURE WHOEVER COMES OUT OF THE PRIMARY IS THE VICTOR.

>> AND WE SHOULD MENTION, AND OUR CONDOLENCES TO GO TO SENATOR TOM BUFORD AND REPRESENTATIVE JOHN "BAM" CARNEY, TO THEIR FAMILIES.

THOSE SPECIAL ELECTIONS THAT HAS YET TO BE CALLED.

THAT'S THE GOVERNOR'S DISGRACED MOVIE MOGUL DISCRETION TO CALL THOSE, BUT THERE IS A PROCESS FOR THAT, RIGHT, FOR THE COMMITTEES TO PICK THEIR CANDIDATE?

>> YEP.

>> CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT WORKERS?

>> THE REUNION PARTIES, THEIR EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES COME TOGETHER AND NOMINATE A CANDIDATE AND THEN FROM THERE THEY GO THROUGH THE REST OF THE PROCESS.

NOW, IN THE GOVERNOR WAITS WEEK HE CAN WAIT UNTIL THELECTION ELECTION CYCLE BUT WHEN IT'S AN OPEN SEE THE THIS FAR AWAY FROM AN ELECTION HE DOES IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

>> ANYTHING ELSE YOU ALL CARE TO ADD ABOUT ANY STATE RACE?

I KNOW LOUISVILLE IS YOUR GRUDEN AND YOU'VE PROBABLY ALREADY GOT CANDIDATES -- YOU'VE PROBABLY ALREADY GOT CANDIDATES THAT ARE WORKING HARD ALREADY.

>> IT'S NOT REALLY AN OFF-YEAR.

YOU PRETEND THAT IT'S AN OFF-YEAR.

ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE DO THREE OUT OF FOUR, IT'S NICE TO BE TO HAVE ONE WHERE YOU CAN SPEND A LITTLE MORE TIME.

SO, YEAH, PEOPLE HAVE STEPPED UP.

THERE'S IN THE 33rd AND THE 36th, THERE IS CANDIDATES.

AND THEN, YOU KNOW,, OF COURSE, REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT BECAUSE SHE IS RUNNING FOR CONGRESS, HER SEAT'S OPEN.

>> THAT'S RIGHTIM.

>> HEARING A FEW RUMORS AROUND THAT I CAN'T TALK ABOUT YET BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE BOTH SIDES.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF MOVEMENT.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY HAVE BEEN HAVE JUST SORT OF OF LIKE -- >> YOU THINK ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS 60%.

>> THE GENERATIONAL TURNOVER.

>> IT'S BEEN WILD.

>> AND I'M OLD SCHOOL.

I GOT THERE 25 YEARS AGO, AND SO I RECALL BOB DAMRON'S SEAT, NUMBER 35.

EINSTEIN INTERESTING THE AMOUNT OF TURNOVER THESE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> AND THEY ARE REPUBLICAN LETTERS.

>> RIGHT.

SO IT'S JUST -- WHAT IS THE IMPETUS FOR PEOPLE HOW SEEKING ELECTED OFFICE?

Y WHEN THEY TELL YOU, AND THEY KIND OF, I WANT TO RUN FOR 33 OR 36 STATE LEGISLATIVE ESTATE, WHAT ARE THEY TELLING YOU IS THE REASON WHY?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR ONE, KATE TURNER, I THINK IT'S REALLY -- SHE HAS A REALLY BIG FAMILY IN OLDHAM COUNTY, AND WHAT REALLY PUSHES HER IS KENTUCKY FAMILIES AND WHAT THEY NEED.

AND THAT KENTUCKY FAMILIES REALLY NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON.

AND THERE ARE POLICIES THAT SHOULD REALLY -- IF WE'RE GOING TO SAY WE'RE ALL PRO-FAMILY, SHE SAID WE REALLY NEED TO DO IT.

PEOPLE NEED HEALTH CARE.

PEOPLE NEED CHILD CARE.

AND SHE WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I MEAN, THAT'S WHAT EVERYONE ALMOST ALWAYS, THEY WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND DEPENDING ON THE DIFFERENT SEATS.

>> IT'S THE SAME THING.

EVERYBODY WANTS GOOD SCHOOLS, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE BUT WE REALLY DON'T ALL WANT THOSE SAME THINGS.

>> I'LL TELL YOU WHAT.

THERE'S A LOT OF PASSIONATE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT GET IN FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS, AND I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY UNPOPULAR WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE, I DON'T THINK OUR LAWMAKERS ARE PAID ENOUGH MONEY.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

>> I THINK YOU'VE GOT TO -- TOO MANY PEOPLE GO, I WOULD RUN FOR OFFICE BUT -- I MEAN.

>> CAN'T AFFORD IT.

>> YOU CAN'T TAKE A LANE.

>> IT'S NOT A CITIZEN LEGISLATURE.

>> IT'S NOT.

IT'S A BUNCH RETIREES AND LAWYERS.

>> THERE'S NO WAY, TO YOUR POINT, THAT'S TENABLE.

>> WORKING PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO IT.

>> LOTS OF STATES.

ILLINOIS ACROSS THE RIVER HAS A PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATURE.

WE -- IT'S SOMETHING IF YOU WANTED TO PROFESSIONALIZE THE SERVICE PEOPLE GET FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE, LEGISLATORS, IF YOU WANTED TO OPEN IT UP TO WORKING MOMS, PEOPLE THAT HAVE A BACKGROUND WHERE THEY'RE NOT AN ATTORNEY OR THEY OWN A PHARMACY OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, THEN YOU SHOULD PROFESSIONALIZE THE LEGISLATURE BY MAKING IT PAY A DECENT WAGE.

>> AND THAT TRICKLE DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVELS TOO.

>> YES.

>> I DON'T WANT TO JUST THE WORD UNDERPAID.

>> SHE'S ADVOCATING FOR A PAY RAISE IS WHAT SHE'S DOING.

[LAUGHTER] >> THEY SAY THEY'RE PART-TIME JOBS IN LOUISVILLE AT METRO COUNCIL.

THIS IS NOT A PARTS-TIME JOB.

I MEAN, I LIVE IN THE SOUTH ENDS OF DISTRICT THE ONE, NICOLE GEORGE IS MY METRO COUNCILPERSON, AND SHE HAS DECIDED NOT TRIPLE CROWN THE NEXT TERM.

ONE OF HER BIG THINGS IS THIS IS A FULL TIME JOB AND WHEN SHE'S GIVING TRIES OTHER PEOPLE.

>> IF YOU DO IT RIGHT.

>> WHEN YOU DO IT RIGHT IT'S A FULL-TIME JOB AND IT'S NOT FULL-TIME PAY, AND I WOULD SAY THAT'S PROBABLY ACROSS THE STATE.

I'M SURE IT IS FOR YOU.

>> OUR MAYOR MAKES I THINK THE STANDARD IS $12,000.

>> THAT IS RID US.

>> AND SHE'S THERE -- >> WAY MORE THAN 40 HOURS A WEEK, I CAN TELL YOU THAT.

WE'RE LUCKY IN THAT SENSE.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A REALLY GOOD DISCUSSION.

I THANK YOU ALL.

WE GOT MORE -- WILL THAT HE TEASES THAN.

THAT'S BECAUSE MOUTHS OR MUZZLED.

THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT OF GOOD POLITICAL STUFF AFGHANISTAN AND GAD GLAD YOU WOULD REEVER BREAK IT DOWN.

NEXT WEEK WE'LL BE ATE FANCY FARM WITH KENTUCKY'S KENTUCKY'S.

I WILL CASEY PARKER-BELL.

AND END YOU CAN WATCH IT LIVE AS IT HAPPENS ON SATURDAY AT 2:30 EASTERN, 1:30 CENTRAL RIGHT HERE ON KET.

OF COURSE BILL BRYANT WILL BE HE EVER FRIDAY NIGHT AND HE'LL BREAK IT DOWN, GIVE YOU A PREVIEW OF FANCY FARM ON FRIDAY NIGHT AGAIN AS IF YOU DIDN'T GET ENOUGH TONIGHT AND THEN DO THAT AGAIN PROBABLY THE NEXT WEEK AS WELL.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR WATCHING.

TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

I'M RENEE SHAW AND I WILL SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.