Andrew, Stephanie & Nicholas Horne at Louisville Aids Walk.
[Please welcome Andrew Horne to Blue America. As always, stay on topic, be polite, and take any off-topic discussions to the prior thread. Thanks! -- CHS]
Last time Andrew Horne ran for office, Blue America was neutral. It was a Democratic primary pitting two excellent progressives, Andrew and now-Congressman John Yarmuth against each other for the Louisville congressional seat Ann Northup had decided to relinquish by playing the role of complete Bush rubber stamp.
This year Andrew finds himself in another primary race with a Democrat, one Blue America community members will probably remember from last year, corrupt, ultra-reactionary putative Democrat Bruce Lunsford, the multimillionaire Establishment hack Steve Beshear defeated last year on the way to become governor of Kentucky.
Unfortunately, Lunsford is back. Thank goodness, so is Andrew.
The race couldn’t be more important; it’s for the U.S. Senate seat held by Bush’s Lord High Chief Obstructionist, the incredibly unpopular Mitch McConnell. Lunsford, a former McConnell campaign contributor — as he was for several other right-wing Republicans — is about as much a Democrat as his pals Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman. But he has something Chuck Schumer couldn’t get out of his mind: millions and millions of dollars.
Schumer, head of the DSCC, cracked the whip and is trying to pass Lunsford off as the front-runner and the "preferred" candidate. For workingmen and women in Kentucky and for grassroots activists, Lunsford is anything but preferred. Andrew Horne, on the other hand, would make a great Democratic candidate and a great progressive U.S. Senator. His website will tell you a lot about him and we’ve invited Andrew to join us at Firedoglake today — a getting to know each other session.
When I spoke with him on the phone after he was enthusiastically endorsed by DFA, there were two issues he kept coming back to, that he emphasized over and over again — and they’re both a perfect Blue America fit: the Iraq War and universal health care. The two issues hit home for Andrew when he got called up for active duty in Iraq, just as his wife, Stephanie, was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Being attorneys, they had health insurance. Being Democrats, they are hardwired to feel empathy for those who don’t.
And being a small businessman he also sees how providing health insurance for employees impacts on firms’ expenses and competitiveness. Feel free to ask Andrew anything you;d like to know about his campaign and why he’s the right Democrat for this race and how he’s be different from Mitch McConnell. Meanwhile, take a look at this clip that Andrew put together when he announced he is running for the Senate:
Related posts:
- Welcome Jonathan Tasini, Progressive Candidate For The U.S. Senate From New York
- Blue America Launches New TV Initiative in Arkansas — And We Need You
- Blue America: Meet Linda Ketner
- Blue Dogs Win Big for Health Insurance Industry; Public Option Now Less Robust
- Over Half of Blue Dogs’ 2009 Campaign Contributions from Health Care Industry
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Welcome Andrew…
Hello everyone. Thanks for reading and thanks to Howie and Jane for introducing me to the FDL community.
Thanks for joining us at FDL today, Andrew. We appreciate the service you’ve given the country and we’re excited about the service you can give the country by ridding us of the worst obstructionist in the Senate. After the gubernatorial primary last year, how do people in Kentucky look at Lunsford? I would think they’d be more aware than Schumer that he is barely a Democrat.
Welcome future Senator!
Now that former Head of the EPA Christine Todd Whitman tesified before Congress that the Clear Skies Act of 2003 actually allows more pollution, would you repeal or in some way change it?
I want to welcome Andrew and to let him know that I am rooting for him to kick McConnell’s butt. I have two questions. What is the deal with Lunsford’s entry into the race? Why do we need a DINO to get in? And what are the most important issues facing the residents of Kentucky? And what can be done to show that McConnell is on the wrong side of probably all of them?
Welcome to FDL Andrew!
With McConnell rubber-stamping Bush’s Iraq policy and filibustering both of Jim Webb’s amendments to restore proper troop rotation, do you feel that military families in Mitch’s stronghold of Western Kentucky are fed up and going to go your way this Fall? (after you take care of Lunsford, of course)
The voters of Kentucky know all about Bruce Lunsford. He has given money to several right-wing Republicans, including Mitch McConnell. He even endorsed the now disgraced, former Kentucky governor (and Republican!) Ernie Fletcher. Everyone here in Kentucky knows that.
Welcome Andrew!
As a native Kentuckian (Harrison Co) living away, it does my heart good to see folks like you taking on people like Mitch and Lunsford.
I saw the term “thrillionaire” used at the blog, BlueGrassRoots to describe Lunsford and your other competitors in this race. Let’s give them a thrilling ride right out of politics!
From what I’ve read, Chuck Schumer wants Lunsford to self finance and save the DSCC money.
Hi Andrew, and welcome!
Someone was telling me about a weird shrine to Elaine Chow in some enormous Mitch McConnell building that includes her third grade essay books and stuff. Was wondering if you’d seen it.
The most important issues to Kentuckians are healthcare, the economy, and the war, same as everywhere. Mitch McConnell is a disaster and the people of Kentucky know it. He led the swiftboating of the twelve-year old who spoke up in defense of SCHIP and he’s filibustered nearly meaningful piece of legislation that would have benefited our troops fighting in Iraq.
McConnell is vulnerable. There’s no question about it. We just need to provide the voters of Kentucky with a strong alternative.
Atlanta is running out of water, does Kentucky have the same problem?
here it is Jane, it’s creeeepy!
http://www.bluegrassroots.org/…..iaryId=866
Welcome Andrew!
I like the ad and very glad that you didn’t use right-wing frames such as “War on Terror” and instead focus on why you are a better candidate.
With Schumer endorsing Lunsford, after Mukasey, you know Lunsford will be placed for policy continuation in case of a McConnell lose.
Yes, MediaCzech. Military families everywhere are fed up with the disregard they’ve received from Mitch McConnell in the Senate. If we can communicate our message to voters in every corner of the Commonwealth, Mitch McConnell won’t have a stronghold.
Andrew…
WELCOME and thanks for being here to answer our questions. I am a gay man who supports the Supreme Court notion that separate is not equal. Do you support the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, the law that forbids openly gay and lesbians Americans to serve in the military and, if so, will you co-sponsor such legislation in your first year in the Senate? Do you support the right of gay and lesbian people to marry? Do you support the expansion of hate crime laws to include sexual orientation?
Thanks!
I hope this isn’t a hot button issue for you but how do you respond to the global warming deniers who push the environmental disasters with mountain top removal mining?
Deep apologies…normally I don’t so this:
Jane: check your inbox.
Whoa. Bizarro!
The shrine! Yes. The shrine is at the entrance to the Elaine Chao Auditorium in the main library at the University of Louisville.
Coming up the escalator you see a huge banner of Mitch and Elaine hanging there in the atrium.
I have a great Idea… A quota for millionaires in congress! Let’s have proportional economic representation in congress.
Too many fat cats. Who needs them?
In your campaigning, do people understand the importance of the National Debt, or do they believe Bush and cut taxes and spend more and nothing bad will happen?
Doesn’t Chuck Schumer realize that if Bruce Lunsford spends over $800,000 of his own money he will trigger the “millionaire clause” and Mitch McConnell contributors can TRIPLE their maximum donation?
I liked your commercial.
MM is a disaster. PLEASE defeat him in November.
Kentuckians are painfully aware of what happens when government is mismanaged. The last governor, Republican Ernie Fletcher, left Kentucky in a state of financial crisis. Our education budget here was recently cut by 12%. The national debt will certainly be an issue in this campaign.
If they are so aware how do AMERICANS manage to return to congress these people who are not looking out for the people’s interests?
Why do they get re elected time and again?
Yes, if Bruce Lunsford triggered the millionaire’s amendment, which he certainly would if he became the nominee, Mitch McConnell could raise three times as much from individual donors and receive unlimited funds from the NRSC and RNC. But this would only matter to Schumer if he actually cared about beating McConnell.
Is there any chance for a powerful manufacturing jobs program, where new manufacturing jobs would be created totally tax free, to bring new business to America, for example LCD panels, not one is made in America.
Lunsford has pledged to spend TENS OF MILLIONS of dollars. And McConnell will do likewise. I think a race between them would make people in Kentucky sick.
Gee, I’m a little slow on the uptake today. For those who don’t know, MediaCzech is a front pager at the blog BlueGrassRoots which has been one of the Blue blogs helping to fight against McConnell and Company.
Term limits please.
Campaign finance – public finance. No private funds what so ever. No deep pockets candidates.
There are plenty of talented people who can serve, and then step aside and let someone else take a shot.
We need to not have this seniority system. It is anti democratic.
Our education budget here was recently cut by 12%. The national debt will certainly be an issue in this campaign.
But, but… you have miss McConnell as Minority (yes, Mr. McConell, it’s *Minority* Leader in the Senate). How did KY miss education budgeting? Or was this a state-mandated thing?
And – what would you have to say as to the standing and popularity of Mitch McConnell in the state of KY?” Chances of re-election, etc.?
Well, SanderO, unfortunately, the way campaigns are currently financed, elections often come down to a choice between the lesser of two evils. That’s the kind of choice voters would face if Bruce Lunsford became the nominee. That’s why my campaign is getting so much traction here in Kentucky. The people here are hungry for honest leadership.
So what does Mitch McConnell have against 12 year old kids?
Thanks for the link. That is SOOO creepy.
We could have some fun with that over time.
Oh yeah.
Also, I am a firm supporter of campaign finance reform. 100%. We need to end a system that allows corporate special interests to buy influence.
Kentucky 53, Alabama 42 2nd half :)
[Mod Note; The mods will consider this on topic in just this particular Blue America thread — updates are not necessary. Thanks]
You wouldn’t have any specific 12 year old kid in mind would you? Although given his record, there are multiple twelve year old kids he has trashed in the news in the past year.
I have to agree and I wish you luck. If the people really use critical thinking skills you would be a shoe in.
I just hope that they do. And thank you for all the work you have done for the people in your career.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Schumer hand picked Lunsford so McConnell stays. He probably doesn’t want to lose a pal from the “Good ‘ol Boys Club.” Schumer, Reid and Emmanuel think they were the ‘architects’ of the wins in the House and Senate in ‘06. They won inspite of them not because of them.If Schumer has a choice between the right thing and dumb sh*t he’ll pick dumb sh*t every time. Emmanuel the same. Reid is a follower.
Lt. Col. Horne: Could you address the issue of the current maladministration stripping all Constitutional power away from Congress? The latest outrage is Bush claiming he, not Congress, controls the purse strings and apparently Harry Reid just saluted.
How would you encourage your fellow Democrats in the Senate to reverse this usurpation of power by the executive, and restoring the Constitutional balance of powers?
According to SurveyUSA, Mitch McConnell’s favorability rating among Kentucky voters is hovering below 50%. His unfavorability rating is in the same range. McConnell is vulnerable, and a strong Democrat will carry the swing voters. Kentucky just elected a Democratic governor, a Democratic Attorney General, the people here are ready for a change.
Howie can we do a Blue dude to challenge Schumer and Engel next go round? Please… I’ll do anything you ask.
Hey Andrew, thanks for coming out to FDL. For those who didn’t catch it, Andrew’s wife, Steph, had a great diary over at Kos a couple of days ago.
http://www.dailykos.com/storyo…../48/448443
PLAN!!
I can only dream someone would take Schumer on. We went to high school together and he was my congressman for a while. In Brooklyn we didn’t have actual Republicans. We had authoritarian, brittle Democrats like Schumer instead.
I’m kicking myself for trying to datisfy my curiosity. That is beyond gaggy. The only thing missing is a branch table for Santorums artifacts. They could make a horror film from that foursome. McConnell took a page from Bob Dole and is hustling his old lady’s ass to any high paying patronage job in DC. I doubt she ever labored in her life. McConnell is Kentucky’s Santorum for weirdness.
YellowDog. All federal elected officials take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution and they need to be reminded of that. Senator Chris Dodd is clearly leading the way and reminding us what we stand for. I would proudly stand with Chris Dodd, and fight to preserve separation of powers.
Yeah the Senior Senator from Big Bidness and the supposed Secretary of Labor.
And what a great wife Andrew has. She did a stunning diary over at Kos. Thanks for the link.
American needs this man! And his wife too.
WOOT. This is a Democrat with a spine, folks.
Music to my ears to hear that a Dem is concerned with executive overreach.
What amazes me is that NY State has so many brilliant people and we have been saddled with so many slackers except Nadler.
Can we do something about Nita Lowey, she may be in declining health. We need some one blue like John Hall over there.
thank you Andrew when will you be in western Ky the part that west of the LAKES LOL
Mitch likes to brag about all the pork he brings to Kentucky, but apparently doesn’t mind all of the wasteful pork going out around the rest of the country and the giant deficit he’s helping build. Should we have comprehensive earmark reform to end this patronage system?
We can’t beat McConnell with McConnell-lite. Given the opportunity, Kentuckians will vote for someone who will fight for universal healthcare, a just economy, and an end the Iraq war.
Andrew; when is the primary for senate race?
Also, a suggestion for when you are in the general election. Take the arguably most famous Kentuckian, Daniel Boone, and ask the electorate “who would this man vote for?”, all the while showing you in various shots, in and out of uniform, and a shot of McConnell playing golf with Bush or Delay or something similar.
like the pork that going to Paducah non profits some shading dealing going their
Have you talked with Schumer or anyone from the DSCC? And Beshear should understand that. What’s wrong with him?
I’ll be out in Western Kentucky later this month. We’re running a statewide race and the Purchase has been neglected for too long.
The DSCC has said repeatedly that it’s all about the money. But I’ll put my record up against a rich man’s bank account any day.
Andrew,
Have you done any polling on the race? We have learned this cycle that polls are becoming less reliable.
But are your chances good?
What do you need to improve them?
Are you getting your messages out and are they resonnating with Kentuckians?
thank you, we had one hell of a welcome for mitch last year hope he stay away lol
Few things bother me more than the “pork” argument. By leading the filibuster against SCHIP and then fronting for House opponents, McConnell cost Kentucky’s sick children more than he could ever bring home in gaudy buildings and no bid contracts.
http://www.ditchmitchky.com/11…..-grinch-2/
There are a lot of famous Kentuckians from over the years.
One aspect may be to point out all the ways Mitch denigrates the legacy of the late great John Sherman Cooper,a liberal Republican who once held this very seat.
And Mitch ain’t close to being the man that Alben Barkley was.
Beshear is giving up on the race. He would rather scratch the back of the big money people that funded his campaign. It’s sickening. But we’re going to beat Lunsford in the primary, with or without him. We’ll let him crawl back to us and beg forgivenes later.
have you contacted Romey Holmes president graves co dem’s has he any yard signs
Andrew,
This money and politics thing deeply disturbs me. It pits the rich against the poor at every step and the common man cannot enter the political arena and serve his country unless he happens to be very fortunate.
If you win and I hope you do, PLEASE get us public financing of elections. This money thing has ruined our democracy.
Especially rich men’s bank accounts built on screwing workers as both Lunsford and Mitch have done!
They primary is May 20. http://www.elect.ky.gov/calendar.htm
How much union support is Andrew expecting? Or will Schumer be able to bully them into supporting his anti-labor candidate. I bet AFSCME, the Inside the Beltway’s patsy union, supports Lunsford. AFSME has become a good negative indictaor. If they endorse someone, at least nationally, you can be sure it’s time for a close look. They’re like the NARL of the labor movement.
Who would Daniel Boone vote for? Daniel Boone would kick Mitch McConnell’s ass. But hell, Colonel Sanders could kick his ass.
Andrew
Any way that you could get an endorsement from Joe B Hall, Denny Crum and Muhammed Ali?
That would set some folks on their backs…
Just last year labor actively worked against Bruce Lunsford in the gubernatorial primary.
Here are Bruce Lunsford’s buddies
http://bluegrassroots.org/showDiary.do?diaryId=915
sen Webb would be a good one on your side i like the way he won
hell, PAT Boone, probably
I love that video. Here’s a still that’s worth a thousand words too.
if you need someone in graves county to hand out signs give me a call i worked at the general tire plant for 22 years local 665 that closed now, i would be glad to
mike watt
270 376 2167
i saved that picture, i have it on hard drive now if you need it emailed LOL that a good one!!!
We haven’t done any polling yet, but we know our chances are good because McConnell is vulnerable, Lunsford is hated, and our message resonates with Democrats, Independents, and even some Republicans who are tired of the same old politics. We have hundreds of volunteers and a lot of energy. The “buzz” is ours. But we do need the resources to compete.
If you’re in Kentucky and you want to volunteer click here.
If you can’t make it down here but want to help you can always make a donation on ActBlue. Ween need the support!
Thanks, Mike.
Andrew,
I will be working all my family and friends in and around Central Kentucky and pushing your candidacy.
How out of touch must Mitch McConnell be to think that there is no health care crisis in this country? Voting against expanding SCHIP and warning of “socialism” is paranoid crap from the 1980’s, that stuff doesn’t play anymore.
Andrew,
I’ve heard a lot of great things about the “Ditch Mitch” movement in Kentucky, and great things about your campaign and the bi-partisan support you’re generating!
Andrew, what’s your position on net neutrality?
this wouldn’t be the same Noonan that post on AH would it
vet/kilowat
dakine01 and noonan, thanks, every bit of help and encouragment helps.
Andrew, how reliable are the voting machines in KY?
the day your wife posted on dailykos i posted that people were welcome to save and download picture from my photobucket i had over 800 hits that day she really did a wonderful post thank her
Andrew, the Bush administration has now fully embraced waterboarding. As a Marine Vet, what do you think about this?
The freedom of the internet is critical to the new politics and is creating a revolution. Open and free debate is not for sale to the highest bidder nor under the control of Big Brother. I will be an ardent defender of Net Neutrality.
You’re Welcome Andrew.
Even though I have not lived in Kentucky for over thirty years, I am now and always have been from Kentucky. High School at MMI and college at WKU and with family and friends still there, it is home.
Andrew Horne, best of luck to you. Thank you and thanks to your family for the enormous sacrifices they make in a statewide campaign like yours. America really needs to ditch Mitch, and you’ll find support across our country for your candidacy, I am sure.
MediaCzech
Waterboarding is clearly torture and any member of the Armed Forces that does that to a prisoner could and would be prosecuted under the UCMJ for “Abuse of a prisoner.”
They are all electronic Diebold…. ack.
Harry Reid and Charles Schumer make Alan Combs look like Nelson Mandela.
what bush has done to our military, and constitution how will we ever restore confidence around the world
kilowat
Thanks that was Steph’s first blog post ever. She was very excited it made the recommend list and I have not heard the end of it.
I think kos is down on Ky poster, they thought Schumer was right in trying to pick ky candidates
Andrew,
I am a resident of KY (live in Etown and work on Ft Knox as a contractor). My husband is a retired NCO working on post as a contractor also. We’ve got two sons, 19 & 21. We aren’t originally from KY, jobs on Ft Knox working with the military is what helped us decided that this was the place to retire. I like on your website how you very clearly lay out many of the things that are important to you and your take on the changes that need to be made. I encouraged both of our sons to go to college out of state since I don’t feel the majority of jobs around here will get them very far. Jobs, health care, college expenses, education, Iraq and global warming are all concerns of ours too. I will be supporting you and I have a feeling that the 3 men in my family will be too. I’ll have to start talking your name up in my house. Mitch McConnell isn’t good for Kentucky and definitely not good for the nation.
Andrew have you seen this
Bush Lawyers Argue Veterans Not Entitled to Mental Health Care
http://warcomeshome.org/conten…..ealth-care
The link is too several articles regarding e-voting machines in Kentucky. Their have been problems. This is a great concern.
http://tinyurl.com/37jhuv
Don’t tar everyone at Daily Kos because of a few naive people with a poor understanding of the progressive movement. Andrew has tremendous support at Kos and many people there understand how toxic the Insiders like Schumer, Emanuel and Hoyer are for the movement.
Andrew, thanks a million for coming by today and for being so forthright in your answers. Next time you hear from us, we’ll be inviting you back as a friend so we can formally endorse your campaign and figure out how best we can help you.
hope so i check kos out several time a day
Thanks Andrew! good luck with the campaign!
Thanks, Andrew, and thank you Howie for this great introduction. I look forward to Andrew’s next visit!
Howie, Jane, Christy and everyone on FDL,
Thank you for giving me this opportunity. It’s been a pleasure blogging with you all today and I look forward to our next converstion.
For everyone who would like to be involved in our campaign I would also encourage you to join the Netroots for Horne google group. This is a great way for me to get feedback from the Netroots and work with you all as our campaign moves forward.
Thank you again!
HonorH2,
Thank you for your comment and for taking the time to visit my website. Thanks too for telling your husband and sons about our campaign. This campaign is about family as much as anything else, and I’d be proud to have the support of yours.