|
Published: May 17, 2008 04:05 pm
State’s primary remains exciting
By RONNIE ELLIS
CNHI News Service
FRANKFORT
In the end, Kentucky’s primary Tuesday isn’t likely to affect the Democratic presidential primary all that much but there’s an excitement — and anxiety — in the air anyway.
CNN has its huge CNN Express vehicle parked in the round-about in front of the state capitol; other national media will follow; Bill Clinton campaigned across the state Thursday and Friday; and Hillary Clinton was due in the state Saturday. She’s expected to be here through election night. Kentucky is her kind of state — it fits the demographic profile of her strongest areas of support, her husband carried the state in his races and both Clintons have personal ties to prominent political figures here. Republican John McCain has visited Inez and was in Louisville on Friday. Democrat Barack Obama was in Louisville last Monday.
There’s an active, sometimes hostile conversation going on between those who support Obama and supporters of Clinton and McCain. But there is sometimes softness in the enthusiasm of supporters of both Clinton and McCain, especially McCain. Clinton at least has supporters who are deeply, genuinely for her, regardless of the opponent. They believe in her or are excited about electing the first female president. But some of her supporters talk more about Obama, citing concern about his experience, his patriotism, his religion or his former pastor. Some appear to search for reasons to explain their antipathy for the biracial Obama, hinting there may be darker reasons.
McCain’s support is occasionally tenuous. Some Republicans who support McCain are unenthusiastic, almost reluctant. They aren’t too sure of the Arizona senator and political maverick. He is apostate on some crucial Republican orthodoxy and many find him uninspiring.
Something which comes up again and again in conversation with supporters of all three is concern about where the country is headed. A recent national poll found nearly 80 percent of respondents believe the country is on the wrong track. But Obama’s supporters approach the election as an exciting opportunity to change course.
“This country is in dire straights,” said one Clinton supporter. He doesn’t trust Obama, thinks he lacks experience. A Republican McCain supporter is genuinely frightened on ideological and policy grounds of both Clinton and Obama. He thinks the country can’t afford a mistake in choosing our next president “during very dangerous times.” But he’s not entirely comfortable with McCain either. He’ll vote for the Republican but said, “I sometimes have to work at liking him.”
There are fewer Obama supporters in Kentucky, but they are enthusiastic. Close to 10,000 of them showed up Monday night in Louisville to cheer his rhetoric of change. I’ve never felt that much electricity at any political event. They weren’t all young or African-American, although both groups were heavily represented. Young and old, white and black, they were all excited about their candidate and the possibility of real change. Many said they’ve never been so engaged in a political contest, so determined to participate in a very personal way.
McCain has wrapped up the Republican nomination. Obama is poised to do the same on the Democratic side. Clinton will win Kentucky, likely by a large margin over Obama. Kentucky’s decision Tuesday in the presidential primary probably won’t matter much nationally. But the nation will be watching for a change.
Kind of exciting, isn’t it?
Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. He may be contacted by e-mail at rellis@cnhi.com.
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
NOW HIRING OTR TRUCK DRIVERS
Paid practical miles, good home time & pd. vacation. Call Steven at 270-618-9708....>MORE
JOB FAIR: THURSDAY, JULY 10TH
9:30 am - 2:30 pm. Glasgow Career Center Talent Tree will be accepting applications for full-time quality control inspec...>MORE
OTR DRIVERS IT'S SPRING....
Are you missing your family? Call Core Trans LLC Today & Be Home EVERY WEEKEND!! $1,000 sign on BONUS! 2,500-3,000 miles...>MORE
AVON
Start for only $10. Earn 50%. No Inventory. Call Barbara 678-1657....>MORE
2 BR, 1 BA appl., new paint, lawn maintenance.
No pets. $400 mo. + $400 dep. 670-5917....>MORE
60+ IMMEDIATE TEMP TO PERM INDUSTRIAL JOBS
at RR Donnelley & Sons, J.L. French Plant 1 & 2 and Sister Schubert. All shifts including 12 hour. Great pay, family hea...>MORE
OWNER/OPERATORS NEEDED IMMEDIATELY!
CLD Class A. Good MVR. 2 years experience. Call Ken: 270-670-6977....>MORE
Hampton Inn Hose Cave
Immediate Openings, all positions, F/T & P/T available. Must be willing to work weekends and holidays. Please apply in p...>MORE
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS IN ENGLISH
Lindsey Wilson college is accepting applications for adjunct faculty to teach English Composition courses for the fall 2...>MORE
HEALTH RELATED BUSINESS IS SEEKING P/T POSSIBLY F/T SECRETARY.
Must be computer proficient, have good communication skills & be career oriented. Must be organized, efficient & self di...>MORE
See all ads |
|
FOR RENT: TWO TRAILER LOTS.
Located at Hollow Rd. in Glasgow. Call 270-651-6786....>MORE
1996 JEEP CHEROKEE, 150K MILES,
black, 4DR, auto, 4WD, 6 cyl. Asking $2,500. 270-579-1722.
...>MORE
2006 TOYOTA AVALON XLS
36,000 miles. Gray ext., Beige int. (Leather), 6 cylinder. Navigation System and JBL Audio Package. NADA Book Value $24,...>MORE
2005 CORVETTE, LEMANS, BLUE, LS2
fully optioned. 25K, 1 owner miles. $33,900. 678-3212....>MORE
2000 TOYOTA TACOMA PRE RUNNER
SHORT BED, 4 CLY., EXCELLENT CONDITION, LOW MILEAGE, CALL 270-678-8946 OR 270-576-6508...>MORE
FOR SALE: 1984 International single axle truck
10 spd. transmission with a 20 ft. lowboy trailer, $6,000
Call 270-646-2472 or 270-670-9624...>MORE
1995 CHEVROLET S10 PICKUP EXTENDED CAB,
LS model, V-6 auto, cold air, new Michelin tires. Very dependable. $3,800. 651-7439....>MORE
2007 HARLEY DAVIDSON ROAD KING.
6 speed, 96 cu. in., gray, like brand new, 3,500 miles. $16,400. Call 270-579-2874.
...>MORE
2002 Dodge Dakota
pick up truck, red, regular cab, 2WD, V6, 9,000 miles, like new, $12,500. 270-678-4083...>MORE
95 WHITE CHEVY S-10 BLAZER,
4X4, good condition, clean inside & out, cold air, good tires. $2,800.00. 576-3642....>MORE
See all ads |
|
MOBILE HOME & LAND
3BR, 2 BA, city water, wooded 1/2 acre lot, located off Hwy. 68-80 & Bishop Rd. $39,900. Financing available for everyon...>MORE
4 ROOM HOUSE FOR RENT on Lick Branch Road.
References required. HUD available. Call 678-4460....>MORE
2 BR HOUSE, $375 mo. all electric.
270-579-3497....>MORE
2 BR HOUSE ON S. FORK RD.
$400 mo + dep. No pets. Call 270-678-2204....>MORE
Log House for rent in Monroe Co.
4 BR, 1 1/2 BA, hot tub, gas fireplace, Ref. & 1st mo. rent dep. $550 mo. 270-434-2766...>MORE
2BR MOBILE HOME W/ CARPORT & BLACKTOP DRIVE,
partially furnished. 2 lg. outbuildings approximately .7 acre. $30,000. Call 678-5879 or 270-780-6701....>MORE
4 LARGE REPO DOUBLE-WIDES on land in 4
diff. sch. districts. Pmts. of $399, $419, $499 & $532 W.A.C. Omar's Oasis. 270-453-3232....>MORE
4 BR, 1 BA HOUSE.
$475 mo. $200 dep. Call 270-576-4209....>MORE
SECLUDED 2 STORY LOG HOME
3 BR, 2 BA, OFFICE LOFT, APPLIANCES, WEST OF GAMALIEL, 20 MIN. FROM GLASGOW, $800 MO. 12 MO. LEASE, $800 DEPOSIT, 903-27...>MORE
NEW CONSTRUCTION, MUST SEE.
1500 sq. ft., 3 BR, 2 BA home. kitchen, baths, and entry are tiled, oak cabinets, nice deck, two car garage, blacktop d...>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Discuss this story
