From the right-leaning KYPolitics.org:
A political bombshell this weekend from several well-placed GOP sources, in Frankfort and Washington: State senate President David Williams met with officials at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) on Friday to discuss his interest in running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Jim Bunning. Williams, in town for the National Governor’s Association winter meeting, impressed GOP officials, who called his interest “serious.”
Over at The Hill, Reid Wilson confirms the scoop. The real question for Williams is does he actually want to enter a primary battle against Bunning? He recently supported a tax increase on alcohol and tobacco — something that wouldn’t go over well with the GOP rank-and-file.
This news is pretty extraordinary. It’s hard to think of another recent example of a campaign committee so actively working to dump one of their incumbents — even going so far as to line up a potential primary foe. I’m looking forward to hearing Bunning’s response to this chicanery.
I predict he does it toward the end of the year…they’re waiting to lure a top Democrat into the race before he drops out and they can beat a top Democrat next year.
The NRSC went to to save Chaffee in 2006 and Specter in 2004. Bunning must have reached previously unknown levels of radioactivity if they are trying this hard to knock him out.
Wasn’t there another Republican that was being considered?
This is in the end a plus for the Republicans, thounh I don’t know anything about David Williams.
Agree Bunning will retire; can we get Menendez to have a “chat” with Chris Dodd saying: “you’ve had a great run, but it’s time for someone else.”
Jim Bunning has been cashing it in for years. Of course they would want the man out because he doesn’t do his job. They call deal with the Specter and Chafee types, but I suspect McConnell has been getting angry messages from Kentucky Republicans about how Bunning must suck at constituent services.
“He recently supported a tax increase on alcohol and tobacco — something that wouldn’t go over well with the GOP rank-and-file.”
I can’t imagine that will go down well with anybody in Kentucky.
Bunning recently ripped McConnell a new a**hole. I get the feeling these two don’t like each other. Maybe the public airing is being done at the behest of King Mitch the Obstuctionist.
against senator bob smith in NH? it looks like the smae situation. but smith didn’t go along with the plan there and I see no reason bunning should go along with this.
I can’t believe we are looking so strong to pick up a Senate seat in Kentucky, of all places. Some state senator may be less unpopular than Bunning, but against someone like Mongiardo or Luallen, we still got a big edge.