Democratic Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo believes he would have the upper hand if he decides to run for the Senate seat now held by the Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning.
Mongiardo told The Associated Press on Friday that if he enters the race he expects the 77-year-old Republican to bow out. Bunning eked out a win in 2004 when Mongiardo, then a littleknown state senator from Hazard, ran for the post.
Mongiardo said he believes Bunning would rather not run than to face him again.
Mongiardo said: “I don’t think Sen. Bunning has the fight left in him to run.”
Meanwhile, where is Jim Bunning?
Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning’s absence during the busy first week of the 111th Congress has raised questions about the 77-year-old junior senator’s viability as a candidate for re-election in 2010.
So far this month, Bunning, who sits on the Senate’s Finance, Energy and Natural Resources and Banking committees, missed three cabinet confirmation hearings and a GOP strategy session on President-elect Barack Obama’s economic stimulus package. He’s also missed critical votes on releasing the second portion of the $700 billion federal bailout on the nation’s troubled financial sector – a measure Bunning has staunchly opposed.
Bunning’s congressional staffers attribute his absences to family commitments and declined to discuss where the senator has been for the better part of a month. He did not return a call for comment, but his office issued a statement saying Bunning is ready to take on whomever the Democratic Party fields as a candidate next year.
I like Dr. Dan for this race, and I like seeing a candidate with some fire in his belly. But is he really trying to goad Bunning into retirement? The CW – which I agree with – is that Dems would much rather take on the Hall of Fame pitcher than a generic R replacement. Then again, if Jimbo is pulling a Pajama Pete maneuver (Jammy Jimmy?), Mongiardo may just be embracing the inevitable.
(Hat-tip: P)
He knows that Bunning is going to retire. He wants to be known as the guy who “forced” him out.
If a stronger candidate, such as Dan Mongiardo or Ben Chandler, had run in 2008 against McConnell, would they have won?
“Mongiardo said he believes Bunning would rather not run than to face him again.”
“I like Dr. Dan for this race, and I like seeing a candidate with some fire in his belly. But is he really trying to goad Bunning into retirement?”
He is taunting Bunning, which I don’t think will scare him into retiring. If anything, it might piss off Bunning enough to make him want to run one more time.
Then again, I think Sean Fitzpatrick is right and if Bunning retires now, it could look like Mongiardo was right, which could help his chances by scaring the competition.
Bunning would rank 99th. Once the Minnesota’s senate race is resolved, Bunning will move to 100th.
I think that since 2004, Bunning’s senility has gotten worse. It’s like his mind is in some alternate universe. In this alternate universe, if you are a politician you serve by NOT voting, not showing up for work, and not debating.
I’m going to enjoy watching Jim Bunning this time around. I missed it 4 years ago, and I only read about his antics from back then recently. Here’s hoping he reacts to Dr. Dan’s candidacy with something like, “What? Saddam’s son is challenging me again? I thought our boys blew him up?!”
He came within 30,000 votes of beating Bunning in 2004. Someone coming that close deserves another chance to finish the job.
I dont know why Bunning wants to run for re-election. Not only will he have a very tough battle but he wasnt exactly in the best of health in his LAST election. Its not like he has the seniority of a Sen. Byrd or Sen. Kennedy or Sen. Inouye. So I dont know what gives. Maybe he just likes being a conservative lightning rod. If he didnt run I wonder whod run for the GOP. But it seems like hes dead set on running. Seems like one of those cases where, like in FL, the GOP would be better off if the incumbent just retired. You could say the same for the 07 KY Governor race.