McConnell, Lunsford square off in forum

By RONNIE ELLIS
CNHI News Service

FRANKFORT August 21, 2008 01:43 pm

— Mitch McConnell said Wednesday his Democratic opponent for the U.S. Senate “is a good guy – I’ve known him for years.”
However, he said, Bruce Lunsford would have little influence and would be the tool of organized labor if elected.
Lunsford responded by saying the six-term incumbent and Republican ‘eader had “been bought and paid for” by the pharmaceutical and oil industries.
The two men appeared in a forum sponsored by Kentucky Farm Bureau at the group’s headquarters in Louisville. Both said they favor tax policies that protect family farms and would oppose raising capital gains taxes; favor development of renewable energy sources and trade policies favorable to agriculture.
Lunsford said McConnell had become hostage to campaign contributions from the pharmaceutical and oil industries. He added McConnell has “had 24 years with the opportunity to do some great things for this state and this country, and in my opinion, you’ve failed.”
Lunsford said he would be a voice “that doesn’t have to be partisan, doesn’t have to be obstructionist, but tries to do some great things.”
McConnell touted his seniority in Washington and his influence as leader of Senate Republicans, while Lunsford’s influence as a freshman senator, even one of the majority party, would be insignificant in providing federal largesse and help to Kentucky.
“As a freshman member of the majority party, as he would be if he’s elected, he would have a miniscule amount of influence,” McConnell said. He said Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, a Democrat in his first term, managed to direct $16 million to his state while McConnell brought $400 million to Kentucky as Republican leader. He was quick to point out funding he’d secured as well for the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. He said he was primarily responsible for passing the tobacco buyout plan that benefited Kentucky burley growers.
He said Lunsford would have to do the bidding of the AFL-CIO, which has endorsed the Democrat. When the two men were asked about supporting trade policies, McConnell said he is “a free trader,” but Lunsford is “not going to be for any of these trade agreements that allow you to sell your products abroad because the AFL-CIO is not going to let him.”
Lunsford, who made a personal fortune in the health-care industry, said his experience will benefit constituents.
“It’s very clear we need someone in the Senate who understands how the health-care system works and how much excess cost goes through the system,” Lunsford said. He called for the federal government to use the buying power of Medicare and Medicaid to negotiate lower pharmaceutical prices, something Republicans and McConnell have opposed.
“I can’t be bought and won’t be bought,” Lunsford said. “I’m running against someone who has been bought for a long time.”
McConnell responded by noting Lunsford has spent “about $15 million of his own money trying to get elected to something.”
Lunsford talked of his youth, working on his father’s farm and said he always carried a tobacco spear and cutting knife in his trunk to find extra work. Lunsford, a wealthy entrepreneur who is partially self-financing his campaign and self-financed two runs for governor, said he favors policies which benefit middle America.
Given the charges the two have traded in television ads about gas prices, their answers Tuesday before the Farm Bureau on energy questions weren’t that different. Both favor alternative and renewable sources of energy and Lunsford said he’s willing to drill for oil in Alaska. McConnell said the Democrats in Congress don’t want to consider more domestic production and Lunsford will have to go along while the answer to the crisis is “to do absolutely everything at once,” meaning drill for more oil, raise mileage standards on automobiles, conserve more and develop alternative forms of fuel.
The joint appearance was the only one of the campaign except for separate speeches at Fancy Farm earlier this month.
Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com.