 Jack Conway rolled into the Gathering Place in Mayfield right on time. Fired up. Ready to rumble. A day of campaigning with Vietnam War hero former Senator Max Cleland was behind him. Conway was on his own flanked by a few aides, traveling in the dark to one more event in far western Kentucky. He confessed at one point he hadn’t eaten since late morning.
Conway’s campaign theme has altered over the past few days. When the ad accusing Rand Paul of disrespecting religion began running, Paul went on defense and Conway switched to offense. It is a position that he loves to play. Daniel Mongiardo could give Paul some lessons on Jack Conway in the closing days of a campaign. Mongiardo watched a lead melt away as Conway went on the attack against him for being an eater of crème brulee. The attacks worked and Conway squeaked out a victory in the primary. History may be repeating itself.
Conway told a hastily assembled crowd of supporters that only found out about his Mayfield appearan ce that morning that he needed them to “Fight. Fight. Fight.”
He recited a familiar list of Rand Paul’s stances that don’t fit Kentucky. Paul advocates a $2000 deductible for Medicare. Paul doesn’t support social security. He is against farm subsidies – which Conway reminded the crowd that go in part to school lunch programs and food stamps.
Conway was asked what he would do for veterans. He said that if he is elected, he will ask to serve on either the Veterans Affairs Committee or the Armed Services Committee.
”Those who stand up for our country deserve to have someone stand up for them.” Conway wants to be that person because of the large contingent of military personnel in Kentucky.
Conway also revealed that a new Washington Post poll had him two points ahead of Rand Paul. He mentioned in passing that Bill Clinton may be back to campaign for him in the closing days of the campaign.
After watching the U of L debate, I remarked to Conway that he appeared to be enjoying himself.
“Well,” he said with a grin. “It did get testy, but if you can’t get in and fight for what you believe, you shouldn’t be running.”
If there is a big Mo (momentum) in politics, it’s turning in Conway’s direction.
And that’s a really good place to be with less than two weeks left in the campaign. |
