Thrusday, December 24, 1998
Some Ky. politicians get early Christmas presents
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
We're making our list, we're checking it twice. But in Northern Kentucky politics, there's often more naughty than nice.
So, pols, here's our annual list of Christmas gifts. Some have already been handed out and opened, others are still wrapped under the tree.
Chew on this for a while. You can go back to chewing on one another the day after Christmas.
• To Congressman-elect Ken Lucas. Last weekend's House impeachment vote of President Clinton. Mr. Lucas, the Boone County Democrat who beat Republican Gex “Jay” Williams on Nov. 3, was in a no-win situation if the vote had been taken after he was sworn into office Jan. 6.
A vote for impeachment would have sunk him with his Democratic colleagues in D.C. A “No” vote would have given Republicans back home an issue to blister him with in two years.
• To Northern Kentucky's state Senate Republicans. Seats on committees other than Judiciary and Health and Welfare. Of course, those are the committees that deal with anti-abortion legislation, so our local Republicans want a seat at that table, what with abortion being the issue with so many voters.
But some local leaders would like to see a senator or two try to get on the committees dealing with tourism and economic development, which are also issues in the region.
• To Northern Kentucky Republicans. An answer to the rumor some in the party have been spinning literally since election night. Here it is — the aforementioned Mr. Lucas does not plan to switch parties.
• To Northern Kentucky Democrats. News that Republican Judge-executives-elect Dick Murgatroyd of Kenton County and Gary Moore of Boone County hired Democrats to run their administrations.
Democrats have been crowing that Republicans might know how to get elected but they need the Dems to actually run the government.
There is some truth to that, but only in that Democrats have been in power and control for so long they are the only ones with much experience. Besides, some Democrats just seem like they were born to be bureaucrats.
• To Covington Democrat Pat Flannery. An answer for all those people wondering why you are wearing a “73” pin on your suit and have signs with “73” in the yard of your Riverside Drive home.
“That is President Clinton's approval rating since he was impeached,” chortled Mr. Flannery, an attorney, unabashed liberal and supporter of Mr. Clinton.
“He was railroaded by the Republican Congress, but the people know that and that's why they are giving him some of the highest approval ratings since he was elected,” he said.
• To Crestview Hills Councilwoman Beverly Ann Draud. A well-deserved rest after 21 years on council. Mrs. Draud, the wife of state Rep. Jon Draud, is retiring from council at the end of next week.
• To former governor and possible gubernatorial hopeful Louie Nunn. More supporters like the one he had at the Boone County Republican Party's recent Christmas party.
A straw poll for possible GOP gubernatorial candidates was held at the party. Each vote cost a buck, with the money going to the party.
Mr. Nunn, who is pondering a run next year for governor, bested eastern Kentucky banker Mike Duncan in the poll, 157 votes to 133.
But somebody guaranteed the outcome for Mr. Nunn with a $150 check, meaning he actually had eight people vote for him.
Cooking a straw poll seems like a good job for the Grinch.
• To members of U.S. Sen.-elect Jim Bunning's Northern Kentucky staff. Recognition for years of loyalty, dedication and hard work to a group that includes Dave York, Debbie McKinney, John Salyers, Bill Lambdin, Pam Dimmerman, Linda Simpson and Terri Wells. He couldn't have done it without you.
• To state Sen.-elect Katie Stine. The first ride on the multibillion-dollar bullet train she wants to see built from Northern Kentucky to eastern Kentucky. Geez, has the next congressional race already started?
• To those who have been skewered, scrutinized, criticized and lauded in this space during 1998. We can't wait for 1999.
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for the Enquirer. He can be reached at 578-5581, or (502) 875-7526 in Frankfort.
CROWLEY ARCHIVE
