GOOD NEWS FRIDAY sponsored by Liberation Farm: THE CLOCK IS TICKING ON WILLIAMS
By Ray Paulick
It is no secret that the Democrat/Republican team here at the Paulick Report has been pushing for slots to be added at Kentucky’s racetracks since the legislative session earlier this year. It’s a reluctant position, wishing our sport could dig itself out of the hole on merit alone. But with all the other competing factors, it is obvious something must be added to the revenue stream to give racing a fighting chance to survive in this strange new world. Let’s face it, it ain’t 1973 anymore.
And so hopefully, this will be the last column I will have to write about David “Blackjack” Williams, the Republican president of the Kentucky state Senate who has steadfastly opposed legislation allowing Kentucky’s racing industry to compete on a level playing field with surrounding states. For those of you tired of this conversation, that possibility alone is enough for this to be labeled a Good News Friday piece.
On Tuesday, Kentucky will be holding yet another special election for a vacancy in the 14th Senate District after Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear appointed former Republican State Sen. Dan Kelly to a cushy judgeship. Covering much of Central Kentucky, this district certainly leans Democratic in registration numbers, but, like much of Kentucky, the voters are quite conservative. This is no slam-dunk for the pro-slots movement, but with a dominant lead for Democrats in fundraising, especially when combined with money brought in by the horse industry, there is a very good chance the Republicans will lose another seat in the Senate, and the balance of power will get ever closer to tilting to the Democratic side.
Both candidates have experience in Frankfort, with Republican Jimmy Higdon currently the state representative that encompasses a good portion of the 14th Senate District. From what I can tell, he is a hardworking and honest legislator. However, only three paragraphs into the ‘About Jimmy Higdon’ section of his website, Higdon draws a line in the sand on the slots issue. “On gambling, Jimmy Higdon voted against the governor’s slots-in-racetracks bill during the 2009 special session and he is committed to oppose the legislation as it is currently drafted.”
On the hand, former Democratic state representative and city councilman Jodie Haydon understands the issues our industry faces. Haydon rightly points out that “over 100,000 people have jobs in the Kentucky horse industry” and does an expert job of explaining the relevance of this number. “If you put Toyota, Ford, Delta and UPS all together, their employees would only amount to 1/3 the number of employees in the horse industry.” That’s a strong statement from a bold leader.
In reality, this race isn’t about Jimmy Higdon or Jodie Haydon. Instead, this election needs to be a referendum on the bully politics that David Williams has displayed over the past decade. A win for the Democrats in this election will spell doom for Williams’ once-mighty majority. This final nail in the coffin would most likely awaken the sleeping giant, United States Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who will surely do everything in his power to keep the Republicans in the majority in Kentucky’s state Senate.
Why would the country’s most powerful Republican U.S. Senator care about this outcome? Whichever party holds the Kentucky Senate in 2010 also controls the redistricting of the U.S. Congressional seats based on the upcoming census. Currently, Republicans enjoy a 4-2 advantage but if the Democrats grab a majority after the mid-term elections that number could flip. Nothing would be more embarrassing for McConnell in a year that is certainly trending Republican.
With that in mind, David Williams is grasping at his last straw on Tuesday. A win and he probably holds on to his position. A loss and the McConnell machine will most likely push another candidate for Senate President during the run-up to this year’s general session. For those of you not familiar with Kentucky politics, McConnell has previously taken this type of matter into his own hands when dissatisfied with his party. He recruited former Louisville Congresswoman Anne Northup to run against sitting Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher in the primary for the 2007 gubernatorial election. While she lost, the primary delivered a final blow to an already scandal-ridden Republican who then lost big in the general election to current Gov. Beshear.
More recently, McConnell used his power to cut off fundraising to Hall of Fame pitcher and Sen. Jim Bunning, deeming him unelectable in the 2010 Senate elections, opting instead to support Secretary of State Trey Grayson. Bunning decided not to seek reelection.
If the bell tolled for a Hall of Fame pitcher and veteran Senator and the first Kentucky Republican governor in 32 years, David Williams will be gone faster than you can say VLT. The clock is ticking on the heavy-handed reign of Kentucky’s current State Senate President, a man who for some reason has taken it upon himself to try and destroy Kentucky’s signature industry. Let’s hope after Tuesday’s results, Williams’ time is up.
Copyright © 2009, The Paulick Report
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Tags: Anne Northup, Census, congress, Dan Kelly, david blackjack williams, david williams, ernie fletcher, Good News Friday, Jimmy Higdon, Jodie Haydon, kentucky democratic party, kentucky republican party, liberation farm, mitch mcconnell, Paulick Report, Ray Paulick, Senate, Slot machines
December 4th, 2009 at 11:07 am
Without the revenue brought about by the horse racing industry the economy in the state of Kentucky would be devastated. His apparent belief that he and others of his ilk can treat the industry in any manner and they will not leave shows how short sided his vision truly is.
I wrote an article about this in June:
http://oddsonfavorite.blogspot.com/2009/06/williams-says-senate-may-end-session.html
December 4th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Why would Mitch help out the horse industry, he has nothing to gain and everything to lose? As horse farmers we’d get more attention and support from the republicans if we opened a porn shop on the Paris Pike.
Maybe we ought to turn our lush, well manicured pastures into chicken factories. Let our neighbors understand what “real” farming is all about.
December 4th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
That 100,000 jobs figure has been de-bunked from here to the moon. An argument which starts with such a big lie isn’t like a good wine..it doesn’t get better with age. Hey, what’s the approval ratings of Governor Beshear, Ray?
December 4th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Bak
wrong again!
December 4th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I wish Mr. Greathouse or somoeone would clue me in on several things. If I owned a bar in Owensboro or Lexington for that matter, could I put slots in my bar? Why should the tracks be the only folks that are able to have slots. Who died and gave the race tracks the only hoped for legal right to have slots or video poker on their property?
Why does the TB industry brush off any effort to open up most of the states in the southeast to TVG or any account wagering. Or better yet when you are having supper at the Merrick Inn and the races from Cal. are on the TV sets, why are their no machines like they have at the Thoroughbred Club, so folks could bet on a hrose of their choice.
But Kentucly racing is going to be saved by the overweight and stupid (no offence to Mr. Greathouse) going to the Red Mile/Ellis Park and feeding the slot machines. I just don’t see it.
December 4th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
I like this post better. Analysis instead of vilification.
December 4th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Sorry Ray, I don’t see this as a “Good News Friday”. I understand the logic, but think those reading could have been better served with a truly good news opportunity.
The doo-doo pile that is US/State politics that you have posted is informative (and your surprised at McConnell doing anything that is for him, the party, state or special interest as long as HE maintains control?), but doesn’t solve KY’s racing problem. Granted, gerrymandering is a tried and true spoilers tradition, but it doesn’t serve the country, just control of it by a specific party.
Next time, please focus on people doing positives instead of the ash and trash we hear about every stinking day about politicians…because the majority of them ain’t solvin’ nothin’.
December 4th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
Rick
First off the Voters of this State have said point blank, if its slots they better be at the race tracks where gambling already exists
Secondly…the State has no investment in these machines…Race Tracks must pay for them and make it work…they don’t magically appear
Thirdly…do you know anything about economic incentives? Its what brought Toyota to this State, its what bailed out Ford. These Farms and the Racing Community have a huge Economic Impact on this State and the State is giving us NOTHING except the ability to compete with neighboring States that don’t have these Farms, jobs or INCOME from them.But sure would like to take it away from us!
The TB Industry does not control which States let people bet on Races. It would be in our interest for these States to have it…there are laws against it in some States.
Glad you have been to the Thoroughbred Club. If you have been there then you ought to know something about the Racing industry. There are laws against the sort of thing you ask about..as far as the TBC is concerned, Its owned by Keeneland. They can put whatever they want in there!
Lastly..glad you know me!
December 4th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Many thanks for this clever twist on Good News Friday. This is the best good news I received in some time relevant to the horse industry. Let’s hope for a good news sequel on Tuesday, December 8 along with a hearty bon voyage to President Williams. You live by the sword, you die by the sword.
December 4th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
What more can be said about Williams? I’m just waiting for a Garrett Redmond rant about how you can’t join this forum if you don’t post your real name (and SS# and address…….)
December 4th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Others beside garrett have made that STUPID STUPID STUPID statement.
December 5th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
williams &mitch were draft dodgers..what else do u want to know.
December 6th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
As I work two jobs, it is not always easy to keep up with every topic. This one I missed, but a phone caller just alerted me.
I shall not respond directly to timid pebble-throwers who, lacking testicular fortitude, tremble in fear of exposure.
Must record my special contempt for a self-proclaimed martyr that claims to have given all at racing’s burning stake. When such self-sacrifice is cloaked in anonymity, how can we appreciate such saintly heroism??
Ray: If you check, you will find the types described above rarely contribute anything of value to the discussions.. A free society thrives on the interchange of ideas and opinions. When relevant discourse is drowned-out by the braying of jackasses, all others will depart.
December 6th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Mr. Greathouse FYI Beshear approval at 39 per cent. Eugene Levey, I loved your work on SCTV, brilliant stuff. Mr. Redmond, when the 527 funders ID themselves we’ll talk about true identities. Let the people vote, why so afraid? It’s what the Governor ran on..oh, see approval numbers.
December 6th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Garrett, Ryan Driscoll and leave my testies out of this.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
When I read a comment, names don’t mean a thing, unless some big cat decides to chime in, which is really neat. I decide the merit of the comment on the comment not the name. I know by the comment if it is worthy of merit.
This may be one of the things wrong with racing, we only listen to the big cats but now all have a voice and therefore this is what makes blogging and the PR so neat and popular, maybe if our leaders listen to the ‘no names” such as myself the game may improve.
Having been a reader since day one, only a small amount of comments are bitter and I dismiss them, as talk radio listeners and move on. lol I don’t dwell on it and could care less who made it, it’s all part of this new craze called blogging, it’s a new fact of life.
Come on Garrett and others who want real names, it can’t happen so why address it? If the PR started censoring, then it losses credibility and readers (minus vulgarity). This is the main point I was trying to make.
Qualifications:
Fan since birth
Ex Groom
ex Horse Sales
ex teller
ex farm employee (took care of Winning Colors which was awesome!!!)
ex Jockey club employee
ex Horse owner
MBA (I know a dime a dozen)
and did I say Fan
Peace
December 7th, 2009 at 8:06 am
You are right Tapit, but according to Garrett “Witchhunt” Redmond, I have nothing to add to this forum if I call myself a screen name. Forget the fact that I worked the first twenty years of my life at the racetrack starting as a stable hand, then an elevator operator and lastly a general manager.
December 7th, 2009 at 10:32 am
Just wondering when the voters of KY said point blank they only want casino gaming at racetracks? I voted in every KY election since early 80s and just don’t remember seeing it on a ballot?
December 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Don’t be confused, Confused. Mr. Greathouse also considers Merrick Inn cocktail waitresses to be part of the 100,000 jobs KEEP claims for the Kentucky TB industry. BTW The 14th District Senate race will go over a million bucks. Gee, I wonder why? Good government, I reckon.
December 11th, 2009 at 4:33 am
I’m looking for online casinos that offer decent sign up bonuses which can be cleared by playing blackjack. Any ideas?