>> Renee: THE 141st ANNUAL FANCY FARM PICNIC IN FAR WEST KENTUCKY OFFERED UP A WEEKEND SMORGASBORD OF PORK, PIE AND POLITICS.

ARTS A FAMILY REUNION OF SORTS AND A FUNDRAISER FOR THE ST. JEROME CATHOLIC CHURCH.

PERFECT A YEAR HIATUS DUE TO COVID, THE MAIN STAGE RECLAIMED ITS PRIME PURPOSE AS A PLATFORM FOR MUDSLINGING, ALTHOUGH IT WAS A LITTLE MILDER THIS TIME AROUND, CASEY.

THE DEMOCRATIC NO-SHOW CHANGED THE TONE AND ENERGY OF THE USUALLY RAMBUNCTIOUS SHOW DOWN.

>> Casey: THAT'S RIGHT, RENEE.

IT'S NOT EVEN AN ELECTION YEAR BUT REPUBLICANS AT SPEAKING ROSTER WERE PRIMED AND PUMPED AS THEY HAD THE STAGE TO HIMSELF.

THE WE HAVE A HIGHLIGHT REALITY OF STINGING ONE-LINERS ALONG WITH ANALYSIS HERE ON KET.

>> Renee: HELLO, EVERYONE.

I'M RENEE SHAW, ALONG WITH CASEY PARKER-BELL.

WE'RE HERE AT THE FANCY FARM PICNIC CAM GROUND WHERE FOR MORE THAN 90 YEARS THE POLITICAL SPEAKING EVENT HE'S PART OF THE CHURCH FUNDRAISER HAS BEN A KENTUCKY TRADITION.

>> Casey: FANCY FARM IS A BUCKET LIST ITEM FOR POLITICAL JUNK US.

WHILE NOT REQUIRED FOR OFFICE HOLDERS AND THOSE SPEAK SEEKING NEM IT'S VIEWED AS AN EXPECT FOR TITLE BEARERS.

>> Renee: DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JACQUELINE COLEMAN, THE STATE'S ONLY TWO DEMOCRATIC KOUGL SEARS OFFICERS, SKIPPED THE EVENT CITING CONCERNS ABOUT COVID TRANSMISSION DUE TO THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DELTA VAIR ANTIAND THE AREA'S LOW VACCINATION RATE.

I TALKED WITH WDRB'S LAWRENCE SMITH ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS INNATE COULD HAVE.

>> >> Renee: DO YOU SEE THE DECISION THAT GOVERNOR BESHEAR AND JACQUELINE COLEMAN MADE IN NOT BEING HERE?

>> Lawrence: SURE.

I HAVE U.

YOU CAN TELL YOU WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID THIS.

FIRST OF ALL HE SAID IT'S ABOUT COVID.

IN A COUNTY WHERE THIS IS HELD IS IN THE RED ZONE, HAS A LOW VACCINATION RATE.

THAT'S THE FACTOR OF WHY THE CROWD IS PROBABLY DOWN AND WHY THE GOVERNOR IS NOT HERE ACCORDING EVER ACCORDING TO WHAT HE SAID, BUT ALSO HE DOESN'T RUN UNTIL 2023, SO HE HAS MADE A CALCULUS THAT HE WANTS TO STAY AWAY THIS YEAR AND COME BACK, I ASSUME, NEXT YEAR VEIL GET INTO THE GOVERNOR'S CAMPAIGN, BUT RIGHT NOW WITH COVID AND BEING SO FAR AWAY FROM HIS ELECTION, RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN, HE'S GOING TO STAY AWAY FOR NOW, AND THAT'S THE CUE FOR OTHER DEMOCRATS ALSO NOT TO BE HERE.

>> Renee: AND ALSO THEIR EVENTS, THE PRELIMINARY EVENTS THAT READ LEAD UP WERE ALSO CANCELED, AND THE GOVERNOR YOU CAN SAY TO THIS POINT COVID HAS BEEN HIS DEFINING I-THINKS ADMINISTRATION.

TO BE HERE PERHAPS MIGHT HAVE SEEMED A LITTLE HIP CRICK CRITICAL.

>> Lawrence: PERHAPS.

I THINK SO.

OF COURSE REPUBLICANS GOING TO CRITICIZE HIM FOR THIS.

YOU'VE ALREADY HEARD HE HAS ABANDON WESTERN KENTUCKY.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IT'S A GOOD POLITICAL TALKING POINT.

I THINK WITH HIM CALLING FOR NOT MANDATES AGAIN BUT SAYING PEOPLE SHOULD NOT GATHER IN LARGE CROWDS, AND IF YOU DO TO WEAR A MASK, I'M NOT SEEING MASKS AROUND HERE, THAT IT MAY SEEM A BIT HYPOCRITICAL FOR HIM TO SHOW UP HERE AMONG THIS LARGE CROWD AND THEN TAKE PART IN THIS EVENT EVENT.

>> Casey: GIVEN TODAY'S DIGITAL MEDIA ERA WHERE MESSENGERS SENT IN A FLASH ANY TIME FROM ANYWHERE AND IN 240 TWITTER CHARACTERIZATION WHY IS FANCY FARM STILL RELEVANT?

I TALKED WITH POLICE.

AS LONGTIME POLITICAL CHAIRMAN MARK WILSON PASSES THE BATON TO A NEW GENERATION IN STEVE ELDER.

>> FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS ONE FANCY FARM LOCAL HAS BECOME A FAMILIAR FACE TO THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AT THE ANNUAL PICNIC?

SO MAYBE I'LL BE ON THE COVER OF THE ROLLING STONE NEXT MONTH.

>> Casey: MARK WILSON HAS BEEN THE IR CHASTITY FANCY FARM POLITICAL SPEAKING SINCE 2004.

HE ORGANIZED THE SPEAKING EVENT WITH, WORKING WITH POLITICIANS AND SELECTING EMCEES.

>> HERE WE ARE AGAIN AT FANCY FARM.

>> Annie: THIS YEAR HE HANDS THE REINS OFF TO STEVEN ELDER WHOSE FAMILY HAS BEEN IN FANCY FARM SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE ORIGINAL PICNIC.

>> GAVE HAVE DAVE AND I KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR YEARS.

HIS FAMILY, WE ALL GROUP IN ITS FANCY FARM COMMUNITY.

STEPHEN, HE HAS A PASSION FOR POLITICS AND HIS PARISH THE AND COMMUNITY LIKE I DO, SO I APPROACHED DAVID A FEW YEARS AGO WITH THE IDEA OF A SUCCESS PLAN TO AM COULD ON POURED, AND GRACIOUSLY HE ACCEPTED.

>> IT'S A LITTLE CLICHE OR CILL SILL TO SAY IT'S A DREAM COME TRUE.

FROM A LITTLE BOY TO SEEING THE FOLKS ONSTAGE TO NOW BE THE GUY THAT'S RUNNING IT ALL IS KIND OF SPECIAL.

THE THE LITTLE TOWN OF FANCY FARM, BEING COMMUNITY-ORIENTED THAT WE ARE, THIS IS A BIG JOB.

IT'S A BIG DEAL.

AND SO YOU'VE GOT TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITY BUT TO THE STATE AND THE WORLD THAT YOU CAN HANDLE THIS.

>> Casey: TO MANY WITH, THE PICNIC IS BARBECUE AND BINGO.

BUT THAT WASN'T THE DRAW FOR YOUNG STEVEN ELDER.

THE 41-YEAR-OLD NOW ADMITS THAT HE WOULD SKIRT SOME PICNIC RESPONSIBILITIES TO HEAR THE POLITICAL STUMP SPEECHES.

>> I'VE BEEN IN THE PICNIC EVERY YEAR OF MY LIFE, AND I STARTED DOWN BY THE MEAT STAND, AND THERE WAS ALWAYS A RUMBLE UP HERE ON TOP OF THE HILL, AND WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY, I ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THAT WAS ALL ABOUT, SO I'D SNEAK OFF FROM THE MEAT STAND AND EVERYBODY CHOMPING DOWN THERE AND COME UP AND LISTEN TO ALL THE LEADERS OF THE STATE.

IT WAS INTERESTING.

IT WAS ALWAYS INTRIGUING.

>> Casey: IN HIS FIRST YEAR IN CHARGE OF ORGANIZING THE POLITICAL SPEAKING, ELDER IS TASKED WITH ANSWERING QUESTIONS THOUGHT IMPLAUSIBLE JUST OVER A YEAR AGO.

THE FANCY FARM PICNIC DIDN'T SHUT DOWN DUR WORLD WAR II AND A PANDEMIC DIDN'T STOP THE EVENT LAST YEAR, EITHER, BUT 2020 AS DIFFERENT AT FANCY FARM.

THE CROWDS SPARSE.

THE POLITICAL SPEAKING AND BINGO PAVILIONS EMPTY.

>> YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE POLITICAL SPEECHES LAST YEAR.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO MAKE THAT DECISION IN THE MIDDLE OF 2020?

>> WELL, IT WAS DISAPPOINTING, IT REALLY WAS.

IT WAS -- THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 141 YEARS NOW THIS YEAR, AND TO NOT HAVE IT WAS, YOU KNOW, DISHEARTENING.

IT REALLY WAS.

>> WHAT WAS THE PICNIC FOR YOU ALL LAST YEAR?

>> IT WAS A GHOST TOWN.

JUST -- IT'S NOT THE PICNIC AT ST. JEROME THAT WE'VE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO.

WE WERE ON THE PICNIC GROUNDS AND THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE HERE, BUT IT'S JUST -- THERE WAS NO SEMBLANCE OF THE PICNIC THAT WE'VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO.

>> I BROUGHT MY TEN-YEAR-OLD AT THE TIME DOWN TO FANCY FARM, TOOK A PICTURE IN FRONT OF THE EMPTY BINGO PAVILION, AND WITH THE MASK ON, WITH A POUND OF BARBECUE JUST DEFINED CEMENT THAT THIS IS WHAT IT IS.

>> MARK, HOW DID THE COMMUNITY REACT TO FANCY FARM HAVING TO BE, THE NICK HAVING TO BE SCALED BACK.

>> >> I LIKE TO HAVE MY GLASS AH FULL ALL THE TIME BUT MY GLASS WAS HALF EMPTY COMING TOWARDS THE TIME WE HAD TO RENDER A DECISION ON THAT, SO THE MAIN THING I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WAS WILL WE KEEP THE REP ADVANCE OF THE PICNIC AT FANCY FARM.

>> Casey: IN 2021 MARK AND STEPHEN SAY STREAMS WILL BE BACK.

POLITICIANS WILL BE BACK ON STAGE, FAMILIES WILL GATHER AROUND GAMES, AND THE FANCY FARM COMMUNITY WILL DO WHAT IT ALWAYS DOES, PREPARE BARBECUE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> WHAT WILL THIS YEAR LOOK LIKE FOR PEOPLE?

>> WELL, AS FAR AS A POLITICAL, WE CALLED AT THIS TIME OFF-YEAR SINCE THERE'S NO ELECTIONS, BUT I'VE BEEN AT THE HELM THROUGH TWO OR THREE OFF-YEARS AND THERE'S NEVER AN OFF-YEAR.

FOR AN OFF-YEAR THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG YEAR.

EVERYBODY'S READY TO GET OUT.

BINGO, PRESS THE FLESH, YOU KNOW, HUG THE WOMEN, KISS THE BABIES, ALL THAT, SLAP BACKS.

EVERYBODY'S READY TO GET BACK TO SOME NORMALCY.

>> AND WE'RE EXCITED TO READY TO GET BACK TO THE REASON PEOPLE COME TO WESTERN KENTUCKY.

>> Casey: OR KET, I'M CASEY PARKER-BELL.

>> Renee: THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES THAT THE EM SOUTHEAST POLITICAL SPEAKING EVENT WHO IS PULLED FOCUS FROM THE POLITICIANS WHEN THEIR COMMENTARY AND JOKES, BUT LOB RIS BOB BABBAGE WHO WAS A DEMOCRATIC STATE AUDITOR AND SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE LATE 80s AND '90S WAS EXCITED ABOUT HIS CHANCE TO PLAY REFEREE AND STAND AT THE SPEAKER PODIUM WITHOUT THE PRESSURE OF A CANDIDATE.

HE CAME TO OUR STUDIOS A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE PICNIC TO TALK ABOUT WHY FANCY FARM IS AS RELEVANT AS EVER, EVEN IN A YEAR WHEN THERE'S NO BALLOT AT STAKE.

>> IT'S A LOT OF PRESSURE IN YOU'RE A CANDIDATE.

I GET TO HAVE AN ENTIRE GOOD TIME.

THE PRESSURE IF YOU ARE RUNNING IS GREAT ON PEOPLE.

TO BE UP THERE IN A PLACE -- THIS IS PICNIC 141 WHERE PARTS OF THREE CENTURIES AND BIG PARTS OF OF TWO HAVE HAD THIS EVENT.

THE STUPP SPEAKING GOING BACK PROBABLY TO THE '30s, 1930S.

MY OWN GRANDFATHER KEEN JOHNSON, HAVING SPOKEN THERE PROBABLY 80 YEARS AGO, BEST AS THEY CAN TELL AT FANCY FARM, MAYBE EVEN 60 YEARS AGO AS WELL, YOU PUT ALL THAT TOGETHER AND EATS A POWERFUL EMOTIONAL MOMENT.

I FEEL IT SITTING HERE TALKING TO YOU ABOUT IT, AND I'M SURE I'LL FEEL IT THERE.

>> GIVEN THIS IS NOT AP ELECTION YEAR, MANY PEOPLE ARE THINKING, WELL, MAYBE THIS IS THE YEAR TO SIT THIS OUT, NOT GO AND MAYBE NOT EVEN WATCH ON IT STATEWIDE TELEVISION.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO THOSE FOLKS?

>> THE TRADITION OF FANCY FARM SHOULD BE RESPECTED, AND IF YOU TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE IN KENTUCKY AS A STATE OFFICIAL WAS THERE ARE SOME IMPLICATION OR OBLIGATION TO BE A EVENTS THAT HAVE STOOD THE TEST OF TIME AND STILLER INFORMATIVE, INSTRUCTIVE AND MEANINGFUL, AND THIS WOULD BE ONE.

I'VE BEEN WORKING TO PERSUADE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, AND SOME HAVE LATELY COMMITTED.

, SOME DID NOT.

NEXT YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT.

NEXT YEAR WILL BE MORE OF A REQUIREMENT.

AND SEVERAL FOLKS I'VE TALKED TO DIDN'T EVEN LIKE THAT WORD BEING USED.

BUT IT IS.

YOU EXPECT I THINK IN THE POLITICAL TRADITION OF OUR STATE, YOU EXPECT FANCY FARM TO BE THE PLACE WHERE OUR LEADERS SHOW UP, HAVE A LITTLE FUN AT EACH OTHER'S EXPENSE, MAYBE OFFER SOME CORRECTIVE ADVICE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND OTHER THINGS FACING OUR NATION, AS WELL AS OUR STATE.

>> SO DO YOU THINK THE DEMOCRATS ARE MAKING A MISTAKE BY NOT COMING THIS YEAR?

>> SOMEONE FROM THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP SHOULD BE SPEAKING AT FANCY FARM.

THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT.

SOMEONE SHOULD BE MAKING REMARKS.

>> THE SOMEONE BEING THE GOVERNOR.

>> OR A SUBSTITUTE, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, THE PARTY CHAIR.

ALL THOSE FOLKS WERE CONSULTED AND THERE ARE OTHER FOLKS IN THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND ON THE GOVERNOR'S TEAM WHO COULD HAVE ATTENDED AND SAID SOMETHING.

THAT'S JUST THE MAO MY EVERYONE.

I DON'T MEAN TO HURT ANY FEELINGS.

I JUST FEEL STRONGLY THAT FANCY FARM IS DIFFERENT, IT'S IMPORTANT AND WORTHY OF ATTENDANCE EVEN IN A NON-ELECTION YEAR.

THERE'S PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT, PLENTY TO TALK ABOUT IN WASHINGTON AND FRANKFORT, PLENTY UPCOMING, AND IT SETS THE STAGE FOR '22 AND '23 AND '24, ALL ENORMOUS ELECTION YEARS FOR KENTUCKY.

IT'S DEFINITELY KIND OF THE START OF THE GOVERNOR'S RACE OF '23 AGAINST A POPULAR GOVERNOR WHO POLLS IN THE MID TO HIGH 50s, MAYBE EVEN 60% APPROVAL AND STARTS FROM A GOOD SPOT THERE AND HAS THREE OR FOUR OR FIVE PEE WHO ARE LIKELY TO BE ON THIS STAGE.

>> ONE ANNOUNCED FOR SURE.

>> THAT RIGHT.

HARMON IS IN, AND THAT SPARKED THE CONVERSATION ABOUT WHO ELSE WILL GET IN, WHO IS A CONSIDERATION.

YOU WILL HEAR SOME MESSAGES AT FANCY FARM THAT RELATE MORE TO '23, SOME THAT RELATE TO '22 AND SOME THAT RELATE TO THE CURRENT CURRENT MOMENT.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN YOU'VE BEEN ON THE STAGE AS A CANDIDATE BECAUSE YOU SERVED, OF COURSE, AS SECRETARY OF STATE AND AS AUDITOR RAN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR, SO DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR SPEECHES THEN?

AND DO YOU REMEMBER YOUR INTERACTIONS WITH VOTERS WHO WOULD ASK, NOW, WHY SHOULD I VOTE FOR YOU?

>> I DO REMEMBER BEING IN THE LINE AT FANCY FARM IN 1987.

AND I DO REMEMBER A LINE OF MY REMARKS THAT DAY.

THE OTHERS I'D HAVE TO THINK ABOUT.

BUT I WAS IN THAT FOOD LINE, AND THAT'S A GREAT PLACE TO GO BECAUSE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PASS THROUGH.

THE FOOD IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.

IT'S GREAT.

THE BINGO, ALL THE TRADITIONS.

SO A WOMAN TOOK A LOCK AT ME AND SHE WAS NOT SMILING -- TOOK A LOOK AT ME.

I SAID I'M BOB BABBAGE AND I'M RUNNING FOR STATE AUDITOR.

I'D LIKE TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE.

AND SHE LOOKED BACK AND SAID, YOU LOOK LIKE A STOCKBROKER IN LEXINGTON.

I SAID, YOU'RE PRETTY CLOSE.

I AM FROM LEXINGTON.

SHE SAID, WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I VOTE FOR YOU?

I MEAN, REALLY, WHY?

I SAID, WELL, MY WIFE IS EXPECTING OUR FIRST CHILD, AND I REALLY NEED THIS JOB.

SO THAT CAUGHT HER OFF-GUARD.

SHE LAUGHED UNCONTROLLABLY.

SAID, I'VE BEEN ASKING THAT QUESTION OF PEOPLE HERE FOR A LONG TIME.

THAT'S THE BEST ANSWER I'VE EVER GOTTEN.

SO FROM THEN ON I TRIED TO CLOSE EVERY SET OF REMARKS WITH, ASIDE FROM THESE OTHER GOOD REASONS, HERE'S THE BEST.

>> RIGHT.

>> ONE THING WE CAN AGREE ON, ALL OF US, IS THAT FANCY FARM IS A GROWING, GLOWING TRADITION HONORING FAITH, FLAG, HOME COOKING WITH SOME OF THE BEST POLITICAL DISCOURSE YOU CAN GET, LOUD, ENTERTAINING AND MEMORABLE.

SO HERE'S TO LIVES CHANGED AT FANCY FARM, FRIENDSHIPS BEGUN, ENDORSEMENTS THAT HAPPENED.

FANCY FARM CAN MAKE A CANDIDATE SOAR.

THAT'S SOAR OR JUST SORE FROM GETTING BEAT UP A LITTLE BIT.

>>.

>> Casey: KENTUCKY'S U.S.

SENATORS MITCH McCONNELL AND RAND PAUL SENT THEIR REGRETS DAYS BEFORE THE PICNIC BECAUSE OF ACTION ON A FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE IN WASHINGTON.

THE SENATE MINORITY LEADER DELIVERED A PRE-RECORD MESSAGE THAT RIDICULED DEMOCRATS FOR BEING NO SHOWS.

>> HELLO, FANCY FARM.

I'M SORRY I CAN'T BE WITH YOU IN PERSON.

I DOUBT I'VE GONE TWO YEARS WITHOUT A FANCY FARM SINCE THE 1980S.

IT'S AN INCREDIBLE KENTUCKY TRADITION.

SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZED MARK AND LAURIE WILSON FOR THEIR DECADES OF DEDICATION.

THANKS AS WELL TO STEVEN ELDER, BOB BABBAGE, OUR EMCEE TODAY, AND, OF COURSE, TO ALL OF THE FOLKS AT ST. JEROME'S.

YOU KNOW, UP IN LOUISVILLE THEY DON'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT FANCY FARM ANYMORE.

THEY SEEM TO HAVE LOST INTEREST.

WE DON'T REALLY CARE, FRANKLY, IF THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WERE TOO CHICKEN TO PAY THE BIDEN GAS PRICES TO DRIVE OUT HERE AND TAKE THEIR LUMPS.

FANCY FARM HAS TO GO ON WITHOUT THEM, AND IT WILL.

NOW, MY DAY JOB UP HERE IS FIGHTING FOR YOUR FAMILIES ON CAPITOL HILL.

CHUCK SCHUMER STALLED IMPORTANT VOTES TODAY, SO RAND AND I ARE UP HERE FIGHTING THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT YOU ALL ARE DISCUSSING OUT THERE AT THE EVENT TODAY.

HOW DEMOCRATS' RECKLESS SPENDING IS DRIVING THE COST OF EVERYTHING HIGHER FOR KENTUCKY FAMILIES, HOW THEIR TAX HIKES WOULD CRUSH NAME FARMS AND SMALL BUSINESSES, HOW THE FAR LEFT WON'T SECURE OUR BORDER AND SUPPORT THE POLICE OR CUT VIOLENT CRIME.

REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP GOT OUR COUNTRY THROUGH THE COVID CRISIS IN 20.

CHUCK SCHUMER AND NANCY PELOSI WILL MANNED AN AMAZING PERFORMANCE BUT THEY FUMBLE THE HANDOFF.

EVEN WITH AMAZING VACCINES FOR EVERYONE, DEMOCRATS WANT TO TURN THIS TEMPORARY PANDEMIC INTO A TROJAN HORSE FOR PERMANENT SOCIALISM.

MY JOB IS TO DO MY BEST NOT TO LET THAT HAPPEN.

SO WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR FANCY FARM.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR KENTUCKY JOBS, KENTUCKY VALUES, AND KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

HAVE A GREAT DAY, AND I'LL BE THERE NEXT YEAR.

>> Renee:.

SCOTT JENNINGS HAS HELD, SR. CAMPAIGN FOR IN MY OPINION McCONNELL AND IS ARD REGARDS AS ONE OF HIS CLOSEST CONFIDANTES.

HE TALKED ABOUT ABOUT DEMOCRATS NOT SHOWING UP AT THE PICNIC AND POTENTIAL CANDIDATES ARE FOR GOVERNOR.

>> Scott: I'M REALLY HOPING THIS TRADITION GOES ON AN UPSWING ABUSE WE HAVE TWISTERS YEARS IN A ROW THE WITH SENATOR AND GOVERNOR RACE.

I'M WESTERN KENTUCKIAN.

WE OFTEN FEEL FORGOTTEN BY FRANKFORT AND STATE POLITICIANS.

FANCY FARM BRINGS THEM ALL DOWN HERE, AND SO AS A WESTERN KENTUCKIAN I WANT TO SEE THEM DOWN HERE AND GIVE WEST KENTUCKY AND RURAL ATTENTION THE INTERVENTION IT DESERVES.

>> Renee: AL CROSS MADE THAT IN HIS COLUMN ABOUT HOW WESTERN KENTUCKIANS FEEL FOR GOTTEN.

THEY'RE CLOSER TO MEMPHIS THAN THEY ARE TO LOUISVILLE AND THEY FEEL THEY'RE NOT AS INSPECTORS SO THE IMPORTANCE OF A GOVERNOR CERTAINLY HAS THAT, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT LAST NIGHT.

THE REPUBLICAN DINNER IN MARSHALL COUNTY, AND KELLY CRAFT WAS THE KEYNOTE AND SHOW STOPPER BUT SHE STOPPED SHORT OF MAKING AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

FILL THE TEE, AS THEY SAY.

>> AMBASSADOR CRAFT, I'VE KNOWN HER FINS THE MID-2000s.

WE WERE HOPING GEORGE W. BUSH GET ELECTED AND SHE HAS HAD A LONG AND DIVISION CAREER, DELEGATE TO THE UN.

THEN APPOINTED AMBASSADOR BY TRUMP.

SHE'S THE HIGHEST RANK KENTUCKY DIPLOMAT SINCE HENRY CLAY.

SHE'S HAD A GREAT CAREER UNDER TRUMP.

SHE'S COME BACK, IS TALKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

NO ONE OTHER THAN MIKE HARMON THE ON REPUBLICAN SIDE HAS ANNOUNCED.

ALL THE THINGS SHE'S DOING IS LOOKING SHE'S SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING IT.

>> Renee: WHY DIDN'T SEE COME TODAY?

>> Scott: I DON'T KNOW TRUTHFULLY.

I KNOW SHE HAD A BIG TIME AT THE REPUBLICAN EVENT LAST NIGHT.

I'M NOT SURE.

THE THAT RACE IS TWO YEARS AWAY, AND SO AS A NON-OFFICE HOLDER SHE WILL BE BACK.

>> Casey: IN AN OFF-YEAR A FANCY FARM IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE WHO IS PRESSING THE FLESH AND GLAD-HANDING AS ANCATION OF WHO HAS THEIR EYE ON A FUTURE PRIZE.

>> Renee: POLITICAL REPORTER LAWRENCE SMITH AND SCOTT JENNINGS MADE SOME OBSERVATIONS ABOUT WHO THEY IS OFF NOTE ROAMING THE GROUNDS.

>> Lawrence: I TALKED TO REPRESENTATIVE SAVANNAH MADDOX FROM NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS HERE, AND I INTERVIEWED HER, AND SHE SAID SHE IS STRONG HIS CONSIDERING RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR, SHE'S GETTING LOTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT, SO IT LOOKS LIKE SHE MAY BE JUMPING IN THIS RACE.

OF COURSE, RYAN QUARLES THE AG COMMISSIONER WHO IS GOING TO BE ON STAGE WHO IS CONSIDERING A RUN FOR GOVERNOR, STRONGLY CONSIDERING A RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

AND THERE ARE OTHERS AROUND THAT ARE KIND OF LOOKING AT OTHER OFFICES.

THEY'RE NOT ON STAGE AND THEY MAY BE NOT STATE REPRESENTATIVES OR NOT EVEN ELECTED OFFICIALS RIGHT NOW BUT THEY'RE HERE GETTING THEIR NAME AND FACE OUT THERE AND KIND OF CHECKING THE TEMPERATURE, LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY MAY BE INTERESTED IN ANOTHER OFFICE.

>> Scott: O.J.

HA LEKA LIKELY.

RUSSELL COLEMAN IS SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HAVE BEEN FOR U.S. ATTORNEY, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT HIM RUNNING FOR STATE OFFICE.

REPUBLICANS HAVE A DEEP BENCH FOR ALL THESE OFFICES NEXT TIME.

YOU MENTION MIKE HARMON THE STATE AUDITOR.

HE IS HERE IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY BUT IS RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

THE AG COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES IS TALKING ABOUT RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

THE RUTH IS WITH KELLY AND THESE OTHER PEOPLE THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A DEEP BENCH FOR ALL OF THESE OFFICES.

I REMEMBER YEARS AGO IT WAS LIKE PULLING TEETH TO GET FOLKS TO RUN FOR THESE DISMISSING NOW YOU'VE GOT REPUBLICANS COMING OUTS OF THE WOODWORK TO DO IT.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT HAS.

HAPPENED OVER THE COURSE OF MY CAREER.

HAVING A REPUBLICAN -- >> Renee: BOB BABBAGE LAMENTED ABOUT THE WANING DEMOCRATS IN REGISTRATION NUMBERS AND HOW WESTERN KENTUCKY, ONCE A DEMOCRATIC STRONGHOLD, HAS LOST GROUND TO REPUBLICANS.

>> Bob: FOR A LONG TIME THE PERSON PART OF THE STATE REFERRED TO AS THE JACK PURCHASE, PART OF THAT BIG LAND MASS PURCHASED UNDER THE JACKSON ADMINISTRATION, ONE OF THE BEST REAL ESTATE DEALS IN HISTORY, THAT REGION WAS SOLIDLY DEMOCRATIC, SO GEORGE HUMPHREYS, A PROFESSOR OUT OF WESTERN KENTUCKY, HAS SPENT AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TRACING THAT HISTORY HOW THE BEST BECAME DEMOCRAT.

HIS BOX HE'S A RESULT OF ALL THIS WORK WILL BE OUT THIS YEAR FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY.

IT SETS THE STAGE FOR HOW ALL THAT CAME TOGETHER AND THEN HOW ALL THAT BEGAN TO COME APART.

EVERY COUNTY JUDGE IN THOSE COUNTIES IS REPUBLICAN TODAY, AND THE VOTE TODAY IS MUCH DIFFERENT THAN IT WAS THEN, SO WHEN DID THAT OCCUR?

HOW DID THAT OCCUR IN AND WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM IT?

I'VE ALWAYS WATCHED THE VOTER REGISTRATION NUMBERS EVERY MONTH, HAVE SINCE I WAS SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE MOST PART, BUT PARTICULARLY THE LAST DOZEN OR SO YEARS, AND THE REGISTRATION CHANGES A LITTLE MORE "R" TO "D" EVERY MONTH, MORE REPUBLICANS THAN DEMOCRATS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE UPDATE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MONTH.

AND A HECK OF A LOT MORE INDEPENDENTS.

SO WE'RE GOING TO GO FROM 46-44 DEMOCRAT TO REPUBLICAN AND 9 INDEPENDENT BY THE FALL OF '22 WE'LL BE 45-45-10.

ONE IN TEN VOTERS WILL BE OTHER, LARGELY INDEPENDENTS, MAYBE LIBERTARIANS FIT THERE AND A FEW OTHER STRIPES.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE ALMOST DEAD EVEN IN REGISTRATION.

THAT'S THE WAY THE TREND IS.

AND TO HOW MANY FREE'S BOOK, WHICH I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WREN JOY, IT WILL SHOW HOW OVER THE COURSE OF DECADES THING CHANGED.

>> Casey: THE CROWD MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LITTLE LIGHTER THAN THE USUAL ROAMING CHARACTERS THAT GOT BIC POLITICAL BASHES OR MESSAGE BOARDS WERE MISSING IN ACTIONS, BUT ADVOCATES FOR LEGALIZEING MEDICINAL MARIN STAKED THEIR GROUNDS.

>> WE DEFINITELY WANT TO BE VISIBLE.

WE WANT TO BE OUT HERE SO MEME KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Casey: THE FANCY FARM CROWD WAS LIGHTER THAN PRE-PANDEMIC PEAKS BUT THAT DIDN'T STOP ADVOCATES OF ALL STRIPES FROM SETTING UP SHOP.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE CAME UP, WHY GET VACCINATED?

IS IT SAFE TO GET VACCINATED, ALL THOSE DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.

SO WE WANT TO BE HERE FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

>> Casey: THE GRAVES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S DIRECTOR SAID SHE WAS EXCITED TO BE AT THE PICNIC AS GRAVES COUNTY VACCINATION RATES HOVER BELOW 40%.

SHE SAID THE MOBILE UBIQUITOUS BUS VACCINATED FOUR PEOPLE.

>> IF YOU GET THE VACCINE IT'S GOING TO STOP IT.

IT'S GOING TO STOP THIS PANDEMIC FROM HAPPENING, AND THAT'S WHAT WE ALL WANT.

>> Casey: HIVEY WAS CLOSER TO PRE-PRE-PANDEMIC AFFAIRS.

HE CAME HERE TO REACH OUT TO PUBLIC OFFICIALS.

>> THE MEMBERS OF THE PARTY ARE HERE.

AND WE WANTED TO SPEAK TO THAT POPULATION.

>> Casey: MONTALVO IS WORKING TO MAKE MEDICINAL MARIJUANA LEGAL IN KENTUCKY.

HE MADE HIS PITCH TO NOSE WHO DROPPED BY.

>> WE'RE HERE DRUMMING UP SUPPORT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN SUPPORT OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA SO THAT PATIENTS NO LONGER HAVE TO BE CRIMINALS IN THE STATE.

WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY AWARE.

>> Casey: EVEN WITH FEWER TENTS FILLED WITH ADVOCATES AND A SMALLER CROWD, FANCY FARM IS STILL THE PLACE FOR SOME TO MINGLE AND GET OUR THEIR MESSAGE.

I SPOKE TO FORMER FEDERAL PROSECUTOR RUSSELL COLEMAN WHO PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS SENIOR ADVISER AND LEGAL COUNSEL TO U.S.

SENATOR MITCH McCONNELL ABOUT HIS VISIT TO FANCY FARM THIS YEAR AND WHAT THE ANNUAL PICNICS MEANS TO A PART OF THE STATE HE SAYS FEELS FORGOTTEN ABOUT.

>> I LOVE FANCY FARM.

THAT MAY BE THE REFRAIN YOU HE EVER AND OVER, TO HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS, FAMILY HERE, CELEBRATE WESTERN KENTUCKY.

MY GRANDMOTHER IS PLAYING BINGO ABOUT 4045 YARDS FROM WHERE WE ARE.

I'M HERE TO EAT FOOD AND SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY AND CELEBRATE THE ENERGY THAT WE HAVE IN KENTUCKY POLITICS RIGHT NOW ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, AND I SAY ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE BECAUSE IF YOU WALK ANOTHER 10, 15 YARDS FROM WHERE WE ARE, YOU WOULD SEE ONE SIDE OF THIS ALMA MATER COMPLETELIENED EMPTY AND ONE SIDE -- AUTOMATED COMPLETELY EMPTY AND ANOTHER SIDE FOLKS ARE EXCITED AND TRYING TO MOVE THIS COMMONWEALTH FORWARD.

I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS A LOT OF FUN.

THE END OF THE DAY FOLKS TAKE THINGS AND ARE TAKING THINGS THEMSELVES FAR TOO SERIOUSLY.

THIS IS NOT A REPUBLICAN EVENT.

AND WE'RE EXCITED THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF R'S AND THAT THE PARTY HAS BUILT BACK AND UP FRANKLY.

THE GIBRALTAR OF THE WEST HAS RETURNED.

BUT THIS IS A KENTUCKY EVENT.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER AND CELEBRATE THESE EIGHT COUNTIES WEST OF THE RIVER THAT FEEL FORGOTTEN BY THE REST OF THE COMMONWEALTH.

>> Casey: KENTUCKY'S FIRST DISTRICT CONGRESSMAN JAMES COMER ANNOUNCED HE DOESN'TEN INTEND TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR IN 2023 BUT HE STILL SPENT HIS TIME THE ON FANCY FARM STUMP SELLING THE NEED FOR A REPUBLICAN IN THE OFFICE.

HE SAID HIS PRIORITY IS HELPING REPUBLICANS TAKE BACK CONGRESS.

>> BUT LET ME BEGIN BY APOLOGIZING FOR THE FACT THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE 141-YEAR HISTORY OF THE FANCY FARM PICNIC, THERE ARE NO DEMOCRAT SPEAKERS ON THE STAGE!

[BOOING] NOW, I TRIED MY DARNEDEST TO FIND ONE.

I EVEN CALLED THE WHITE HOUSE TO SEE IF THEY WOULD SEND A SURROGATE.

IN FACT, WHEN I CALLED, I ASKED TO SPEAK TO PRESIDENT BIDEN.

BUT THE WHITE HOUSE OPERATOR TOLD ME THE PRESIDENT WAS ON THE PHONE AT THAT PARTICULAR MOMENT GETTING HIS MARCHING ORDERS FROM BERNIE SANDERS SO HE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO SPEAK.

HOWEVER, HOWEVER, THEY COULD PUT ME THROUGH TO HUNTER BIDEN INSTEAD.

SO I TALKED TO HUNTER BIDEN AND HE WAS ACTUALLY VERY NICE, BUT HE SAID THAT NO BIDEN FAMILY MEMBER COULD ATTEND THE FANCY FARM PICK MIX THIS YEAR BUT HE WOULD SEND US SOMETHING NICE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I PRESENT TO YOU AN ORIGINAL PIECE OF ARTWORK BY HUNTER BIDEN.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] NOW, I HEAR THESE THINGS CAN FETCH AS MUCH AS HALF A MILLION DOLLARS IN PLACES LIKE UKRAINE AND CHINA.

SO STEVEN ELDER, IF YOU WILL COME UP, PLEASE, STEPHEN.

THE EMCEE.

I'M GOING TO DONATE THIS ORIGINAL HUNTER BIDEN PORTRAIT TO ST. JEROME PARISH -- OKAY?

-- AND I THINK YOU COULD PUT THAT ON eBAY CHINA AND GET A LOT OF MONEY FOR THAT FOR THE CHURCH.

YOU'RE WELCOME.

[APPLAUSE] YOU KNOW, ANDY BESHEAR COULDN'T MAKE IT THIS YEAR.

IN FACT, HE CHOSE TO GO TO LOUISVILLE.

INSTEAD OF HERE IN BEAUTIFUL WEST KENTUCKY.

NOW, I REAL DON'T PLAME HIM.

LOUISVILLE IS -- BLAME HIM.

LOUISVILLE IS 20% OF THE POPULATION OF KEF, AND ADD LEXINGTON THAT'S ANOTHER 10%.

THAT IS ANOTHER 30%.

THAT'S ABOUT WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE VOTE ANDY BESHEAR WILL GET IF HE RUNS FOR RE-ELECTION FOR GOVERNOR IN 2023, 30%.

[APPLAUSE] SO THIS IS MY TENTH YEAR ON THE STAGE HERE IN FANCY FARM.

ONE THING I ALWAYS DO IS SPEND A TIME COMPARING THE ISSUES THAT REPUBLICANS ARE FIGHTING FOR VERSUS THE ISSUES THAT DEMOCRATS ARE FIGHTING FOR.

AND I MUST SAY EVERY YEAR OVER THE PAST DECADE THE DEMOCRATIC AGENDA MOVES FURTHER AND FURTHER TO THE LEFT.

SO HERE WE GO.

DEMOCRATS SUPPORT OPEN BORDERS WHICH HAVE LED TO THE BIDEN BORDER CRISIS ANDCH.

AND REPUBLICANS WANT TO SECURE THE BORDER AND FINISH THE WALL THAT DONALD TRUMP STARTED TO BUILD!

[APPLAUSE] DEMOCRATS WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

[BOOING] REPUBLICANS BACK THE BLUE AND SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] DEMOCRATS THINK THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS SHOULD TEACH CRITICAL RACE THEORY.

[BOOING] REPUBLICANS THINK YOUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEED TO TEACH READING, WRITING AND ARITHMETIC.

DEMOCRATS WANT STRICT GUN CONTROL.

REPUBLICANS BELIEVE IN THE 2ND AMOUNTED.

AMENDMENT.

DEMOCRATS LOVE DR. FAUCI.

BUT REPUBLICANS THINK DR. FAUCI HAS A LOT OF ANSWERS THAT -- A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT HE NEEDS TO ANSWER.

AND DEMOCRATS WANT TO EXTEND THE EVICTION MORATORIUM AND PAY PEOPLE NOT TO WORK.

[BOOING] REPUBLICANS WANT EVERY ABLE-BODIED PERSON WHO IS NEITHER WORKING NOR PAYING THEIR AREN'T TO GET OFF THEIR BUTTS AND TAKE ONE OF THE 8 MILLION JOBS THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

[APPLAUSE] IT'S JUST NOT FAIR FOR THE REPUBLICAN BASE TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND PAY THEIR TAXES, TO HAVE TO SUPPORT THE DEMOCRAT BASE WHO CONTINUE TO LIVE OFF THE GOVERNMENT.

YOU KNOW, I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN KENTUCKY.

WE HAVE SOME CONSTITUTIONAL OFFERS WITH UNLIMITED POTENTIAL, PEOPLE LIKE ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON AND SECRETARY OF STATE MICHAEL ADAMS.

[APPLAUSE] AND THERE ARE TWO NAMES THAT I THINK EVERYONE IN KENTUCKY IS GOING TO BE HEARING A LOT ABOUT ALL ACROSS KENTUCKY IN 2023, AND THOSE ARE AMBASSADOR KELLY CRAFT AND MY VERY GOOD FRIEND STATE SENATOR MAX WISE FROM COMPELSVILLE CAMPBELLSVILLE.

ON THE NATURAL LEVEL I BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO FLIP THE HOUSE, AND WHEN WE FLIP THE HOUSE, WE'RE GOING TO FIRE NANCY PELOSI.

[APPLAUSE] WHEN WE FLIP THE HOUSE, I'LL BECOME CHAIRMAN OF THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND HAS FULL UNLIMITED SUBPOENA POWER AND BROAD JURISDICTION.

IN FACT, MY COMMITTEE WILL BE THE MAIN OBSTACLE BETWEEN THE BIDEN SOCIALIST AGENDA AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE IN WEST KENTUCKY FOR YOUR SUPPORT FRIENDSHIP OVER THE PAST FOUR AND A HALF YEARS.

AS YOUR REPRESENTATIVE I PLEDGE TO CONTINUE TO BE AN ACTIVE AND ACCESSIBLE REPRESENTATIVE IN ALL 35 COUNTIES ALL ACROSS THE 1st DISTRICT.

I ALSO PLEDGE TO CONTINUE BEING A CONSERVATIVE PRO-BUSINESS VOICE IN CONGRESS.

AS BOB BABBAGE SAID, LESS OF FOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE HOUSE I ROSE TO THE HIGH LEVELS ON THE MOST HIGH PROFILE COMMITTEE IN WASHINGTON, AND I.

WILL PARLAY BY PLATFORM WHICH HAS MADE ME A REGULAR ON KNOX AND AND NEWS MAX TO HAVE A HAND IN EVERY MAJOR PIECE OF LEGISLATION AND APPROPRIATION BILL THAT GOES ACROSS CONGRESS, BUT WE CANNOT TAKE FOR GRANTED THE SUCCESS WE HAVE HAD IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTICIPATE WE JUST CONTINUE THE WORK.

WE MUST CONTINUE TO HOLD OUR GREAT REPUBLICANS LEADERS ACCOUNTABLE.

LET'S MAKE OUR COUNTRY GREAT AGAIN.

THAT'S THE LET'S FLIP THE U.S. HOUSE.

LET'S GET A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR.

LET'S CONTINUE TO GET MORE REPUBLICANS IN KENTUCKY AND CONTINUE TO WIN ELECTIONS.

THANK YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

>> Casey: CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER, STATE AUDITOR MIKE HARMON AND ATTORNEY GENERAL DANIEL CAMERON DOUBLED DOWN ON REPUBLICAN TALKING POINTS ACCUSING THE GOVERNOR OF.

TAKING A HEAVY HANDED APPROACH TO THE COVID PANDEMIC, DEFENDING PRO-LIFE AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTIES.

>> SO NOW THE LAST TIME I WAS HERE, I WAS ACTUALLY RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AND SOMETHING HAPPENED IN 2019.

I BECAME THE OLDEST CURRENTLY-SERVING CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER, NOT BY ONE, NOT BY TWO, BUT BY ALMOST TEN YEARS.

REALLY THE SKELOS SECRETARY ADAMS.

HE'S 43 -- THE CLOSEST THE SECRETARY.

HE'S 45.

AND I THINK GOVERNOR IS 43.

I'LL BE 55 IN OCTOBER.

SO YOU CAN IMAGINE BEING THE OLD GUY ON THE BLOCK.

I WAS FEELING JUST REALLY A LITTLE BIT DOWN.

AND THE OTHER DAY, WELL, MY LOVELY BRIDE OF 31 YEARS, LYNN, SHE COMES IN, SHE NOTICES THAT I'M LOOKING IN THE MIRROR AND SHE'S LIKE, WHAT YOU ARE DOING ANY SAID, HONEY, LOOK.

I LOOK SO OLD.

I LOOK SO TIRED.

CAN YOU TELL ME JUST ONE GOOD THING ABOUT MYSELF?

WELL, SHE LOOKS AND SHE THINKS AND SHE LOOKS AND SHE THINKS, AND FINALLY SHE SAYS, WELL, AT LEAST YOUR EYE SIGHT IS STILL GOOD.. WELL, I GUESS IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE GOOD THING AS AUDITOR, IT SHOULD BE YOUR EYESIGHT.

SO AS WAS MENTIONED, SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE HEARD, I MADE A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT A FEW WEEKS AGO THAT I ENTERED THE RACE FOR THE 2023 RACE FOR GOVERNOR, AND I IMAGINE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS SOME OF MY FRIENDS MAY MAKE A SIMILAR ANNOUNCEMENT.

NOW, IN THE SPIRIT OF MY FAVORITE MODERATE PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, I WANT TO MAKE A PROMISE, I WILL NOT MAKE AGE AN ISSUE IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

I AM NOT GOING TO EXPLOIT FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES ANY OF MY OPPONENTS' YOUTH AND INEXPERIENCE.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE] WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY.

AN LOSING MY FIRST TWO RACES FOR THE STATE HOUSE, I HAD SEVERAL TELL ME THAT IF ONLY, IF ONLY WOULD I CHANGE TO DEMOCRAT, I COULD WIN, BUT, OF COURSE, I COULDN'T DO THAT BECAUSE MY VALUES LINE UP WITH THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S VALUES.

I'M PRO-LIFE.

I'M PRO-FAMILY, PRO 2nd AMENDMENT 1 PRO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THOSE ARE ALL SO IMPORTANT TO ME ME.

[APPLAUSE] NOW, I KNOW WHEN YOU COME TO FANCY FARM, ESPECIALLY SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, ONE OF THE THINGS PEOPLE EXPECT ARE SOME GOOD OLD-FASHIONED, WELL, YOU MIGHT BE A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT INJURIES, CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO DISAPPOINT.

NOW, YOU KNOW IT'S A IS THAT I AM DEMOCRATS DIDN'T COME BUT THEY'D RATHER BE FANCY IN LOUISVILLE THAN SPEND TIME DOWN IN FANCY FARM.

BUT LET'S GO.

ARE WE READY?

ALL RIGHT.

IF YOU THINK REQUIRING A PHOTO I.D.

TO VOTE IS OUTRAGES BUT REQUIRING A VACCINE PASSPORT IS A-OK, YOU MIGHT BE A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.

[APPLAUSE] IF YOU THINK FUNDING MASK ENFORCEMENT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU MIGHT BE A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.

[APPLAUSE] IF TACO BELL IS THE CLOSEST YOU WANT TO GET TO THE MEXICAN BORDER, YOU MIGHT BE A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.

[APPLAUSE] IF YOU THINK PEOPLE ATTENDING CHURCH ARE CRIMINALS BUT ABORTION CLINICS ARE ESSENTIAL, YOU MIGHT BE A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.

[APPLAUSE] IF THE BIGGEST CROWD YOU SAW LAST YEAR WAS THE LINE OF UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICANTS OUTSIDE YOUR OFFICE, YOU MIGHT BE A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.

NOW, REALLY, THOUGH, I KNOW EVEN OUR LIBERAL DEMOCRAT FRIENDS ACTUALLY JUST WANT TO HELP PEOPLE.

THOSE THAT CUT THEIR HAIR ANYWAY.

AND ONE I THOUGHT I COULD RETIRE AFTER THE 2019 ELECTION, BUT APPARENTLY NOT.

IF YOUR NAME IS ANDY BUT IT SHOULD BE A BOY NAMED SUE AND SUE AND SUE, WELL, THEN YOU JUST MIGHT BE A LIBERAL DEMOCRAT.

YOU KNOW, IN 2023 THE VOTERS OF KENTUCKY WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO HELP ANDY BESHEAR IN THE SWAIM HIS POLICIES HELPED MANY OF THEM, BY SENDING HIM HOME.

THE LIBERAL POLICIES OF GOVERNMENT OVERREACH WE SEE COMING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION MIGHT BE WELL INTENTIONED BUT THOSE POLICIES HAVE ALL CLOSED BUSINESSES, CREATED RECORD LEVELS UNEMPLOYMENT, AND KEPT A LOT OF KIDS FROM GETTING THE EDUCATION DESERVE.

IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT HERE AT FANCY FARM TODAY, YOUR PARTY LEADERS HAVE QUITE LITERALLY ABANDONED YOU, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A DEMOCRAT WHO IS PRO-LIFE, PRO 2ND AMENDMENT AND PRO USA.

YOU MIGHT BE A DEMOCRAT LEFT HIND I.

BEHIND BY YOUR PARTY.

BUT GUESS WHAT?

THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF ROOM ON THIS SIDE LEFT FOR YOU.

PLEASE, PLEASE CONSIDER COMING TO THIS SIDE.

THIS IS WHERE THE PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT PROTECTING YOUR LIBERTIES, YOUR FAITH, AND YOUR ABILITY TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY STAND.

>> A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I WAS ON STAGE UP HERE IN 2019.

I GOT MARRIED LAST JULY, AND I'M GLAD TO HAVE MY WIFE.

P. [APPLAUSE] I'M GLAD TO HAVE MACKENZIE WITH ME HERE TODAY.

I WILL TELL YOU SHE'S SMILING BUT SHE IS A LITTLE UPSET BECAUSE SHE'S MISSING ORE GRANDFATHER, MITCH McCONNELL.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

HE IS NOT HER GRANDFATHER.

[LAUGHTER] AND, PLAQUENIL TOLD THAT YOU ACTUALLY DID SPEND AN INFORMATION TO THE GOVERNOR BUT THAT HE DECLINED BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T ABLE TO BUILD A WALL AROUND THIS STAGE.

FOR HIM.

BUT LET ME JUST SAY, LOOK, IT REALLY IS TOO BAD BECAUSE WEST KENTUCKY NEEDS A GOVERNOR WHO CARES ABOUT THE ENTIRE STATE AND NOT JUST FANCYVILLE.

[APPLAUSE] AND SOME FOLKS MIGHT BE GOOD AT IGNORING WEST KENTUCKY, BUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS HERE TO STAY.

[APPLAUSE] YOU KNOW, DRIVING HERE I WAS A LITTLE BIT WORRIED THAT THERE WOULDN'T A CROWD.

AFTER ALL, WE KNOW HOW SOME FOLKS LIKE TO FORCE OTHERS TO PATROL CHURCH PARKING LOTS.

IT SEEMS SOME DEMOCRATS ONLY VALUE OUR POLICE WHEN THEY'RE WRIGHT TICKETS ON EASTER SUNDAY.

HERE'S THE TRUTH.

REPUBLICANS BACK THE BLUE.

WHILE OTHERS WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE, WHILE OTHERS WANT TO DEFUND THE POLICE, REPUBLICANS WILL DEFEND THEM, AND IT'S THAT SIMPLE.

[APPLAUSE] AND LET ME JUST SAY JOE BIDEN MIGHT HAVE SOME NICE TWEETS BUT HIS AND THE DEMOCRAT PARTY'S POLICIES ARE JUST DOWN RIGHT MEAN TO KENTUCKY.

THIS IS THEIR PLAN FOR KENTUCKY FAMILIES.

CLOSE YOUR SCHOOLS.

CLOSE YOUR BUSINESSES.

AND CLOSE YOUR CHURCHES.

[BOOING] BUT HERE'S WHAT REPUBLICAN HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR, TO OPEN YOUR SCHOOLS, TO OPEN YOUR BUSINESSES AND TO OPEN YOUR CHURCHES.

[APPLAUSE] NOW THAT I THINK ABOUT IT, MARK, IF YOU WOULD HAVE TOLD THE GOVERNOR THAT THIS WAS A PRESS CONFERENCE, HE AND DR. STACK WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE AN HOUR EARLY, I THINK.

I WILL TELL YOU I ACTUALLY KIND OF MISS THOSE PRESS CONFERENCES BECAUSE IT WAS THE ONLY HOUR OF THE DAY I COULD BE SURE HE WASN'T SIGNING SOMETHING THAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

[APPLAUSE] LET ME JUST SAY THE BIG GOVERNMENT DEMOCRATS AND BUREAUCRATS IN FRANKFORT AND WASHINGTON WANT YOU TO FOLLOW THE SCIENCE SO LONG AS IT'S THEIR SCIENCE THAT YOU'RE FOLLOWING.

BUT AS YOUR ATTORNEY GENERAL I'M MAKING SURE WE FOLLOW THE SCIENCE AND THE CONSTITUTION.

[APPLAUSE] I'M MAKE ARE SURE DEED OF YOUR RIGHT TO SPEAK AND NOT BE CANCELED.

I'M MAKING SURE YOU AS LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS PROTECTED.

[APPLAUSE] AND I'M MAKING SURE THAT WE DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF UNBORN BABIES ALL TWITE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

[APPLAUSE] ALL THE WAY TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

[APPLAUSE] AND I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP GOVERNMENT OUT OF OUR CHURCH PARKING LOTS.

[APPLAUSE] AND I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HOLD THOSE RESPONSIBLE BEHIND THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.

[APPLAUSE] NOW, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS IN FRANKFORT AND WASHINGTON THESE DAYS, A LOT MORE THAN WE USED TO, BUT IN 2022 WE HAVE TO SEND RAND PAUL BACK TO THE SENATE, JAIME COMER BACK TO CONGRESS AND HOLD ONTO OUR MAJORITIES IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[APPLAUSE] AND LET ME JUST TELL YOU, WE'RE GOING TO NEED A GOVERNOR WHO IS GOING TO SHOW UP FOR WESTERN KENTUCKY AND WHO CAUSE BEVER PART OF THE STATE, AND COME NOVEMBER 2023 WITH YOUR HELP, WE'LL HAVE THAT GOVERNOR.

>> KIRT: >> Renee: THE OTHER TWO REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS, SECRETARY OF STATE AND AG COMMISSIONER RYAN QUARLES ROUND OUT THE SPEAKING ROSTER OF P. THEY HIT DEMOCRATS FOR, QUOTE, ABANDON THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY AND SAY CURRENT GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR VIOLATED INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES WHILE THEY ALSO ASSAILED HIM AS THE SHUT DOWN GOVERNOR.

>> I'M PROUD TO BE THE ONLY PERSON FROM FAR WESTERN KENTUCKY TO SERVE?

STATEWIDE OFFICE SINCE THE 1970S.

MY FAMILY SETTLED HERE IN GRAVES COUNTY IN 1821, RIGHT AFTER THE JACKSON PURCHASE.

I GREW UP 27 MILES FROM THIS STAGE, AND THIS IS MY 20th FANCY FARM.

[APPLAUSE] FANCY FARM IS WHERE WE COME TO CELEBRATE KENTUCKY'S WIDELY TWO-PARTY SYSTEM OR, SHOULD I SAY, OUR ONE AND A HALF PARTY SYSTEM.

THANK YOU, SECRETARY OF STATE BOB BABBAGE FOR EMCEEING TODAY.

BOB IS THE ONLY DEMOCRAT SPEAKING HERE TODAY, AND HE LEFT OFFICE 25 YEARS AGO.

NOW HE'S GOT A HIRE MORE POWERFUL OFFICE, THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE TO AMBITIOUS DEMOCRATS IN KENTUCKY, LOBBYIST.

I'M ALSO SORRY THAT ANDY BESHEAR COULDN'T BE WITH US TODAY.

WE DON'T SEE MUCH OF HIM IN WESTERN KENTUCKY.

ACTUALLY, I'VE BEEN ALL OVER THE STATE.

WE DON'T SEE MUCH OF HIM ANYWHERE.

SO EVEN SEE I'M A ZOOM.

HE'S NOT ABLE TO CHECK A LITTLE BOX THAT SAYS "I'M NOT A ROBOT."

ANDY BESHEAR HAS HAD A TOUGH PAST 20 MONTHS BUT LET'S GIVE HIM SOME CREDIT WHERE CREATED DUE FOR GETTING OUR TEACHERS BACK INTO SCHOOLS.

DO YOU KNOW HOW HE DID IT?

HE THREATENED TO PUT THEM BACK IN OUR UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM.

THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ONLY BELIEVES IN ONE THING, REDISTRIBUTING INCOME, AND THEY CAN'T EVEN DO THAT RIGHT.

ANN BESHEAR SAYS HE'S RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR AGAIN.

WELL, THE 2023 CAMPAIGN CYCLE HAS ALREADY BEGUN.

MIKE HARMON JUST LAUNCHED HIS CAMPAIGN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

MIKE HAS TWO DECADE OF EXPERIENCE IN STATE GOVERNMENT, BUT LET'S NOT FORGET HIS PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE, WRITING JOKES FOR SOUTHWEST AGERS.

WE'VE ALSO GOT RYAN QUARLES HERE WHO IS CONSIDERING A RUN HIMSELF.

RYAN HAS A CLEAR ADVANTAGE WITH NAME RECOGNITION.

NO KENTUCKY CANDIDATE HAS EVER BEEN THE SUBJECT OF SO MANY TAYLOR SWIFT SONGS.

[LAUGHTER] ENOUGH ABOUT POLITICS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT WE HAVE ACHIEVED IN FRANKFORT.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT REFORM OF OUR ELECTION SYSTEM HUNDREDS 1841.

WITH PHOTO I.D.

REQUIRED TO VOTE IN OUR ELECTIONS, OUR VOTER ROLLS BEING CLEANED UP, EXPANDED IN-PERSON VOTING, A BAN ON BALLOT HARVESTING, A MOVE AWAY FROM ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES TOWARD UNIVERSAL PAPER BALLOTS SO WE ALWAYS HAVE THE SECURITY OF A PAPER TRAIL.

DEMOCRATIC TALK A BIG GAME ABOUT VOTING RIGHTS BUT IT'S REPUBLICANS THAT HAVE MADE IT EASIER TO VOTE AND HARDER TO CHEAT.

[APPLAUSE] IT'S REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE LED ON THESE ISSUES BUT WE GOT DEMOCRATIC VOTES IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY AS WELL AS FOR EACH OF THESE MEASURES.

DEMOCRATS SO PLEASED WITH THE GREAT JOB THAT'S WE HAVE DONE, THAT AS A SIGN OF PROTECT AND SUPPORT FOR ME, THEY HAVE RECRUITED.

>> Amy Hess: AMY McGRATH TO RUN AGAINST ME.

WE HAVE ACHIEVED ALL THIS WITH BIPARTISAN BANG, SOMETHING NO OTHER STATE IN AMERICA HAS DONE THIS YEAR.

IN 2019 ANDY BESHEAR PROMISED THAT IF YOU LOOK AT THE HIM GOVERNOR YOU WOULD SEE BIPARTISANSHIP, MUTUAL RESPECT, IN GOVERNMENT.

HE WAS ELECTED GOVERNOR, AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU HAVE GOTTEN BUT FROM ME.

SOMEDAY YOU'LL HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO SITS DOWN WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE.

SOME DAY WE'LL HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO DOESN'T ATTACK LOTS ARE.

SOME DAY WE'LL HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO DOESN'T DEFY OTHER BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT OR OUR CONSTITUTION.

SOME DAY YOU'LL HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO WILL CHANGE THE TONE IN FRANKFORT.

SOME DAY WE'LL HAVE A GOVERNOR WHO WILL BRING US TELLING.

THERE'S US TOGETHER.

THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH FANCY FARM.

HERE ON THE STAGE AND OUT THERE IN THE AUDIENCE, DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS APPEAR GUIDED.

WE SHOUT AT EACH OTHER, HECKLE EACH OTHER, BUT WE ALSO LAUGH TOGETHER, AND WHEN THE SPEECHES ARE ALL DONE, WE PLAY BINGO TOGETHER AND EAT BARBECUE TOGETHER.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED IN FRANKFORT.

WE CAN WEAR OUR RED JERSEYS AND OUR BLUE JERSEYS.

WE CAN OWN THE OTHER SIDE WITH A TWEET BUT WHEN IT'S ALL SAID AND DONE WE MUST RECOGNIZE EACH OTHER'S MUNICIPALITIES WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

>> MY FELLOW KENTUCKIANS, IT IS TIME FOR A NEW GOVERNOR OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY.

[APPLAUSE] THE FACT THAT GOVERNOR ANDREW BESHEAR DID NOT SHOW UP TODAY PROVES THAT HE HAS ABANDON RURAL KENTUCKY.

HE HAS GIVEN UP ON ONE OF THE COMMONWEALTH'S MOST LONGEST POLITICAL TRADITIONS BECAUSE HE STILL HEARS THE BOOS FROM THE KENTUCKY DERBY RINGING IN HIS EARS, BUT, HEY, ABANDON THE PEOPLE OF KENTUCKY IS JUST HIS STYLE AS HE IGNORED 400,000 UNREAD eMAILS FROM OUT-OF-WORK KENTUCKIANS BEGGING FOR HELP WITH THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS, ABOUT IT MUST ADMIT THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN TOUGH FOR EVERYONE AND WE HAVE ALL SACRIFICED FROM OUR FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE HEROS TO OUR FARMERS WHO KEPT US FED.

BUT, LIKE YOU, I WAS YACHT GUARD WHEN BESHEAR RESPOND TO COVID BY VIOLATING OUR BASIC RIGHTS AND INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES BY BECOMING THE SHUTDOWN GOVERNOR.

LET'S REVIEW HIS RECORD, SHALL WE?

FIRST HE MADE IT ILLEGAL FOR US TO GATHER WITH OUR OWN FAMILIES.

SECONDLY, HE SENT STATE TROOPERS TO HARASSES CHURCHGOERS ON EASTER SUNDAY.

THEN HE ALLOWED LOUISVILLE TO MAKE NATIONAL HEADLINES AND STOOD BY BY WATCHING IT BURN.

FINALLY, HE SHUT DOWN MOM AND POP FAMILY BUSINESSES WHILE ALLOWING BIG CORPORATIONS TO REMAIN OPEN WHILE HE PICKED THE WINNERS AND LOSERS OF KENTUCKY.

OVER THE LAST YEAR BESHEAR HAS ACTED MORE LIKE THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA THAN THE GOVERNOR THAT KENTUCKY NEEDS.

INSTEAD OF BUILDING TRUST, HE THREATENED US.

INSTEAD OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, HE DIVIDE US.

INSTEAD OF TRULY LEADING, HE LECTURED US LIKE THE VERY SCHOOLCHILDREN THAT HE REFUSED TO LET BACK INTO OUR SCHOOLS TO LEARN.

BUT HE DOES DESERVE ONE ACCOMPLISHMENT.

SINCE HE DROVE SO MANY KENTUCKIANS OUT OF STATE FOR BUSINESS LIKE GETTING THEIR HAIRCUT, BUYING GROCERIES AND GOING OUT TO EAT, HE DOES DESERVE IS THE TENNESSEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD.

[APPLAUSE] AND NOW, AND NOW WITH JOB OPENINGS EVERYWHERE BESHEAR RENEWS TO HELP OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY BY ELIMINATING THE UNEMPLOYMENT BONUS.

AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE, IT IS WRONG FOR PRIVATE EMPLOYERS TO HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT ON WAGES.

WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING KENTUCKIANS TO GO BACK TO WORK AND NOT PAYING THEM TO SIT AT HOME.

UNLIKE ANDY BESHEAR, MY DADDY WASN'T GOVERNOR.

MY DAD IS A NEYMAR AND MY MOM WAS A TEACHER.

UNLIKE ANDY DID I NOT GROW UP WITH A SILVER SPOON IN MY MOUTH.

I GREW UP IN A TOBACCO PATCH AND WORKED 70s HOURS A WEEK WHEN I WAS YEARS OLD.

FOR KENTUCKIANS LIKE YOU AND ME, WE HAVE HAD TO EARN EVERYTHING THAT WE HAVE.

AND LIKE YOU, I RESPECT THE MAN AND WOMAN WITH GREASE ON THEIR ELBOWS JUST AS MUCH AS I RESPECT SOMEONE IN A SUIT AND TIE.

BUT THIS GOVERNOR JUST DOESN'T GET IT.

ALL HE UNDERSTANDS THE BIG GOVERNMENT, HAND-OUTS AND HE SUES ANYONE EVERYONE AND WHO DISAGREES WITH HIM.

AND HIS PETTINESS IS WHY HE'S SUING ME, THE KENTUCKY COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE, OVER THE KENTUCKY STATE FAIR.

I THINK HE SHOULD GO BACK AND WATCH SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK, HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW.

GOVERNOR, YOU MAY DISAGREE WITH ME, BUT TRYING TO RUN THE STATE BY SUING PEOPLE IS NO WAY TO GOVERN AT ALL.

INSTEAD, KENTUCKY DESERVES A GOVERNOR WITH A POSITIVE VISION TO LEAD KENTUCKY, A GOVERNOR WHO WILL WORK WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND NOT AGAINST THEM, WHO WILL LIBERTY KENTUCKY AND NOT LOCK US DOWN, AND A GOVERNOR WHO WILL RESPECT INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY RATHER THAN IGNORING OUR BASIC RIGHTS.

FOLKS, I'M FRUSTRATED WITH THIS GOVERNOR AND I'M FRUSTRATED WITH THE STATE OF AFFAIRS IN OUR WHITE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

OUR LEADERS HAVE SEEN TO HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT IN THIS COUNTRY WE RESPECT THOSE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE STAND FOR OUR FLAG, AND WYE KNEEL BEFORE OUR GOD.

THAT'S WHY I WAS PROUD TO CHALLENGE THE GOVERNOR OVER HIS UNCONSTITUTIONAL, ILLEGAL AND OVERREACHING EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

THAT'S WHY I WAS PROUD TO LEAD THE CHARGE TO FORCE HIM TO REOPEN KENTUCKY THIS PAST SPRING, AND THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO CONTINUE THAT FIGHT GOING FORWARD EVERY SINGLE DAY.

KENTUCKY DESERVES A NEW GOVERNOR WITH SOME KENTUCKY COMMON SENSE IN 2023.

BUT BEFORE THE GOVERNOR RACE GETS STARTED, LET'S FOCUS ON 2022 FIRST.

WE WILL RE-ELECT OUR MAJORITIES IN BOTH THE STATE HOUSE AND STATE SENATE.

WE WILL LOOK AT THE CONGRESSMAN COMER TO UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

AND WE WILL SEND THE GOOD DOCTOR, DR. RAND BALL BACK TO THE U.S. SENATE TO FIRE ANTHONY FAUCI.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] AND IN 2023 YOU WILL HAVE A NEW CONSERVATIVE GOVERNOR.

>> Casey: TWO LOCAL MEMBERS OF THE KENTUCKY GENERAL ASSEMBLY TOOK THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO KNOCK GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR.

1st DISTRICT SENATOR YOU HOWELL MADE HIS ON THE FANCY FARM STAGE HELP HE HIT THE GOVERNOR FOR COVID RESTRICTIONS.

REPRESENTATIVE RICH KEITH POINTED TO WHAT HE SAYS IS THE GOVERNOR'S INABILITY TO WORK WITH STATE LEGISLATORS.

>> INEVEN THOUGH SINCE HE DOC TOOK OFFICE THIS GOVERNOR SPENT ALL HIS TIME MANDATING HOW WE LIVE OUR LIVES, I'M NOT GOING TO CALL HUM OUT FOR BEING AFRAID TODAY AND FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF HIS ACTIONS.

[APPLAUSE] MY MAMA TAUGHT ME NOT TO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE BEHIND THEIR BACKS SO, NO, NOT GOING TO DO IT.

I COULD SIT HERE AND GO ON AND ON ABOUT HOW THE DEMOCRAT PARTY HAS TURNED ITS BACK ON RURAL KENTUCKY AND FALLEN PREY TO THE BIG CITY LIBERAL INTERESTS.

BUT MY DADDY TAUGHT ME NOT TO PICK ON THE WEAK AND THE LESS FORTUNATE, SO, NOPE, NOT GOING TO DO IT.

>> WE PASSED LEGISLATION TO PREVENT FUTURE GOVERNORS FROM USING A CRISIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNILATERALLY LEAD OUR STATE WITHOUT MEANINGFUL OVERSIGHT.

[APPLAUSE] THIS ISN'T POLITICAL AND IT ISN'T JUST ABOUT THIS GOVERNOR.

HE MIGHT BE A NICE GUY, BUT IT'S HARD TO SAY WHEN HE WON'T MEET WITH THE LEGISLATURE OR WORK WITH ANYONE WHO HOLDS A DIFFERENT OPINION.

>> Renee: MORGAN WATKINS, THE CHIEF POLITICAL REPORTER FOR THE COURIER-JOURNAL DAY LITTLE BIT OF POSTGAME TO WHO FELL SHY ABOUT MAKING ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THEIR FUTURE POLITICAL INTENTION.

>> WE ALWAYS DO THIS, AND I KNOW YOU DO THIS, WE LOOK TO SEE WHO IS ON THE STAGE BUT NOT SPEAKING AND WHO IS MILLING THE GROUND BUT NOT SPEAKING AND MADDOX WISE'S NAME CAME UP.

HE IS THE SENATOR FROM CAMPBELLSVILLE, FORMER FBI AGENTS, CHAIRS THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE, AND I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER MENTIONED HIM BUT IT MADE ME THINK WHAT HAS MADDOX WISE GOT HIS EYES ON HERE.

>> Morgan: WE'LL FIND OUT PROBABLY.

I WANT TO SAY IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY THAT HIS NAME GOT SOUTH OUT IN THE SAME BREATH AS KELL CRAFT SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS INTERESTING.

>> Renee: THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

OF COURSE YOU'LL HAVE TO NAME A TICKET LIKE YOU USED TO HAVE TO.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE PAIRINGS WHEN WE FINALLY GET TO THAT POINT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTEL ON THE DOWN TICKET?

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ABOUT WHO YOU THINK MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN SOMETHING LIKE STATE TREASURER?

BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE ARE TERM-LIMITED.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME OPEN OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

>> Morgan: NOT AT THE MOMENT.

I'LL LET YOU KNOW ONCE I DO, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

THEY'RE ALL HOT OF SUCCESSFUL LENGTH IN 2019, SO -- ELECTIONS IN 2019, SO I HAVE I THINK WE HAVE SOME TIME I THINK IN PART BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND HOW IT AFFECTING THE ELECTIONS OF 2020, THE VIBE HERE IS IB PEOPLE, MAYBE EVEN FOR FANCY FARM, LITTLE BIT BURNT OUT IMPLICIT BIAS HEY, IT'S OUR OFF-YEAR.

WE CAN KIND OF RELAX.

>> Renee: AND EAT BARBECUE AND STOP HAVING TO ANSWER SO MANY QUESTIONS FROM THESE NAGGING REPORTERS.

SO TRUE.

WHAT'S YOUR STORY?

WHAT'S GOING TO BE WHAT YOU REALLY WRITE ABOUT AS, OKAY, THIS IS WHAT EPITOMIZES OR THIS WAS THE ESSENCE OF FANCY FARM PICK NIM 141.

>> Morgan: I'VE GOT A STORY OUT, THE EARLY STORY PER THE WITH YOU COURIER-JOURNAL, HOW BETALKED ABOUT THAT IT'S A PRETTY LAID-BACK AFFAIR.

I'M SURE PART OF IT HAS GOT TO BE BECAUSE OF THE COOVER BEING IN A CIRQUE.

MAYBE THAT MEANT FOLKS ARE DIDN'T COME COME OUT.

JUST THE FACT THAT IT AIR LAID-BACK VIBE AND PEOPLE SEEMING TO BE HAPPY TO COME OUT, PLAY BINGO, EAT BARBECUE AND ALSO THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU DID HAVE THE GRAVES COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OUT HERE OFFERING VACCINE TO PEOPLE.

EARLY THIS AFTERNOON WHEN I TALK TO THEM THEY SAY THEY THE GUY FEW PEOPLE WHO CAME IN TO VET VACCINATED.

THERE'S THAT SIDE OF IT.

IN TERMS OF THE SPEECHES WHAT I WILL BE WRITING ABOUT IS EVEN THOUGH BESHEAR WASN'T HERE, HIS NAME DID COME UP QUITE A BIT.

HE'S CLEARLY THE MAN TO BEAT FOR KENTUCKY REPUBLICANS WHEN 2023 COMES AROUND BECAUSE HE IS THE TOP DEMOCRAT IN TAMERS STATEWIDE RACE AND THE FACT THAT SOME OF HIS FELLOW CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER FOLKS, LIKE THEY DIDN'T MISS A CHANCE TO ZING HIM BECAUSE HE WASN'T HERE.

>> Casey: AND THAT CONCLUDES COVERAGE OF THE 141st ANNUAL FANCY FARM PICNIC.

SEE THE SPEECHES IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

CHECK OUT YOUR WEBSITE AT KET.ORG.

>> Renee: FOR MORE SALAMANCA CYST OF STATEWIDE POLITICS AND ANIMAL ASSIST FANCY FARM BE SURE TO TUNE IN THIS FRIDAY.

TO CASEY PARKER-BELL AND I'M RENEE SHAW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND GOOD NIGHT.