Ky. Sen. Bunning Says Foe Spreads Rumors

[RedEarth]

FLORENCE, Ky. - Sen. Jim Bunning (news, bio, voting record), a hard thrower during his Hall of Fame baseball career, fired at his Democratic opponent Wednesday, accusing him of spreading "disgusting" rumors that the incumbent is mentally incompetent.



"I think that's the lowest of the low of anybody who I have ever run against," said the 72-year-old Republican, who charged that Daniel Mongiardo's campaign conducted a "push-poll" that asked respondents: "Did you hear that Jim Bunning was mentally incompetent to run for the U.S. Senate?"


"The rumors that have been spread by my opponent about my health are disgusting," Bunning said during a campaign stop here. "People who know me know the truth."


Contacted by The Associated Press, Mongiardo denied Bunning's accusation as "just another absurd comment," but questioned what he called his opponent's "bizarre conduct."


During the campaign, Bunning has compared Mongiardo's appearance to that of one of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s sons and alleged Mongiardo's staffers assaulted his wife at a political picnic, leaving her "black and blue." Mongiardo has denied the accusations

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=1988&e=3&u=/ap/20041021/ap_on_el_se/senate_kentucky&sid=96395317

[Not Me]

1. He *IS* mentally incompetent

n/t

[gratuitous]

2. Okay, drifting into the territory of "this is just sad"

No indication in the story that Bruce Scchreiner, the author of the piece, actually saw or spoke to Bunning. They trot out the same "two doctors say he's in great physical shape" non sequitur. The only addition to the story is a quote from a political pal of Bunning's who says that Bunning is as sharp as ever. He thinks.

The rumors aren't about Bunning's physical condition. They're about his mental capacity and competence to conduct himself appropriately. He ducked his last debate with his opponent, scurrying off to DC to appear by video conference so he could read his answers off a teleprompter.

Oh well. The voters of Kentucky will have to decide if they want another incompetent representing them in Washington.

[Ediacara]

3. Oh......

I guess Dan Mangiardo FORCED him to read from a teleprompter during a debate, and I guess Dan Mangiardo FORCED him not to show up to their last debate, and I guess Dan Mangiardo FORCED him to say that Mangiardo resembled Uday Hussein.

Mentally incompetent? If the shoe fits Jim......

[Mr E McSquare]

4. No, No its all Clintons fault

[proReality]

5. Unfortunately...

most of my fellow Kentuckians will probably re-elect the idiot, just as they keep putting McConnell back in office.

[lordwhorfin]

6. What's up with this story?

Note that the reporter actually gives Bunning's ouburst about Mongiardo's alleged 'attack' on Bunning's wife credibility!

"Mongiardo denies the charges"? WTF? How about "Mongiardo was not at the event and did not speak to Mrs. Bunning," or something based in freaking objective reality? Someone reading this who wasn't following the story could easily conclude that there HAD been some kind of confrontation between Mongiardo and Mrs. Bunning.

Man, I am sick of the press.

[pa28]

7. Even if you are Republican you want a stable Senator . . .

representing you. First he thought his opponent looked like Uday Hussein and now "they" are "after" him. You people in KY can do better than Bunning.

[RedEarth]

8. Here is a press release from Mongiardo

Senator Jim Bunning today refused a face-to-face debate with Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Daniel Mongiardo on NBC's Meet the Press with Tim Russert, scheduled for Sunday October 24th.
Meet the Press made a formal offer to both candidates to appear on the program earlier this week. Yesterday, the Mongiardo campaign accepted the offer. Today, Senator Bunning rejected the offer.

"It's sad that Senator Bunning continues to hide behind a million dollar ad campaign, rather than debating how to improve the lives of Kentucky families. Kentucky voters deserve a Senator who is not afraid to debate the issues; a Senator who does not hide behind protective security; a Senator who understands their concerns. Senator Bunning simply does not get it. Kentucky families need a Senator who will fight for them, not one afraid to debate the issues," said Mongiardo.

[onenote]

9. interesting strategy

invent crazy accusations that your opponent is calling you crazy, forcing your opponent to say that your're making crazy accusations

winning this one would be soooo sweet.

onenote

[Mixxster]

10. I guess I'm in the minority here.

If Mongiardo's campaign did conduct a "push-poll" asking respondents: "Did you hear that Jim Bunning was mentally incompetent to run for the U.S. Senate?" then I think that's wrong. I think it's awful when they do this stuff it to McCain or Clinton or anyone else.

I think Mongiardo has every right to question Bunning's conduct or ducking debates or whatever but I think it's unacceptable to use push-polls like that. Just my 2 cents.

[Roy]

11. I also might be in the minority here....

But, I think is very unproductive to give credibility to unsubstantiated assertions by the other side that anything happened.

Especially when the other side continuously make unsubstantiated assertions that are later shown to be not credible or highly questionable.

[robbedvoter]

12. Did you check his behavior THAT MADE NEWS?

The debate from RNC, not showing up at second, the crazy accusations? I know that W set the sanity standards for sanity very low, but even so....

[warrens]

13. He's got some sort of dementia

Since my mom has it too, I am sympathetic. But my mom ain't running for Senator.

[snippy]

14. It is not just Mongiardo who has questioned Bunning's competency.

From the article:

Last week, the state's largest newspaper, The Courier-Journal of Louisville, endorsed Mongiardo and wrote an editorial questioning Bunning's "suitability" for office.

"Has Sen. Bunning drifted into territory that indicates a serious health concern?" the editorial asked.

If Bunning really is suffering from some form of dementia, rather than just being your typical lying, hate mongering republican, he will either crack or continue to hide between now and the election.

[Tight_rope]

15. 72 years old...his ass needs to go anyway!...Can we say "RETIRE"!