Conway for Governor?

That's the rumor that The Bluegrass Report is floating right now. I have nothing against Jack Conway and consider him a great guy and a great candidate. But I think we need someone like Ben Chandler, Ed Hatchett or Jonathan Miller. We all know how Ralph feels about a Hatchett/Miller ticket and I know that Jonathan is supposed to make his decision in the spring. I'd like to see Jack Conway running for something in 2007. In the meantime, let's worry about 2006 first. Don't get me wrong in the fact that I have not made a clear endorsement in this race. If it were between Attorney General Greg Stumbo and Conway, there's no doubt who I would endorse. The thing is: we are all waiting on Congressman Ben Chandler to make his intentions clear. True, he could run for both simultaneously but yesterday's 2 PM filing of a Republican candidate ruined that idea. I'm gonna play it by ear. We have a lot of good candidates. Of course, I'd like to see Steve Gold run for something as well. I would not have a problem with a Jack Conway/Kathy Groob ticket (No offense to Jack or Kathy) but I'm going to play this one by ear (did I just say that?)...

If anyone is wondering the "State of the Show" for Late Night with Conan O'Brien will be aired tonight in place of the monologue. I'm going to have to adjust my schedule this evening due to the game and three late night shows that I plan to watch this evening.

Note to James Rice: Despite the fact that you're a Democrat and Democrats are good, you made a bad move in deciding to run for Congress. I have already endorsed Col. Mike Weaver for Congress.

Meanwhile, Senate President David Williams, R-Burkesville, drew two Republican challengers plus a Democratic candidate in the 16th District.

One intriguing race is in the 2nd District, where Independent Bob Leeper of Paducah faces Republican and Democratic challengers. The Democratic candidate is Carroll Hubbard of Paducah, who is attempting a comeback. Hubbard is a former congressman who served a prison term for federal campaign finance violations. The three Republican hopefuls are Jerry Shemwell and Neil Archer, both of Paducah, and Marilyn Folken-Frisbey of Gilbertsville.

Retired state Supreme Court Justice James Keller, a Democrat, is challenging Republican Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr in Lexington. Republican Sen. Tom Buford of Nicholasville is being opposed by Jessamine County Sheriff Joe Walker, a Democrat.

In congressional races, former U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas will challenge first-term Republican incumbent Geoff Davis in the 4th District.

Two Democrats are running in the 2nd District - state Rep. Mike Weaver of Radcliff and James Rice of Campbellsville. The winner will face Republican Ron Lewis.

Republican Rep. Anne Northup drew four Democratic challengers in the 3rd District - Iraq war veteran Andrew Horne, longtime political commentator and editor John Yarmuth, James Moore and Burrel Charles Farnsley.

Democratic Rep. Ben Chandler is being opposed by Republican Elaine Carlson of Danville in the 6th District.

In the 1st District, Republican Rep. Ed Whitfield has three Democratic opponents - former Rep. Tom Barlow and Eric Streit, both of Paducah, and Jim Bloink of Scottsville. In the 5th District, Democrats Kenneth Stepp of Barbourville and James Tapley of Pine Knot will vie to challenge Republican Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers.

I have not made an endorsement in the 5th District yet but it looks like Joshua C. Hall is not running as was expected. I'll update the rumor mill here in a few...

Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth should easily get re-elected for another term since she has no opponent.

How did Senator Bayh respond to the SOTU?

"There are big challenges before the country, including the global war on terror, our rising debt and our changing economy. If we do not find a way to meet these, we risk becoming the first generation to leave our children with an American less than the one we inherited. The first step to avoiding this fate is to change the way things work in Washington." - Democratic Sen. Evan Bayh.