Governor's Troubles Threaten G.O.P. in Kentucky

[cal04]

The real risk in noodling, which involves blindly sticking your arm into a catfish nesting hole and yanking out whatever swallows your closed fist, is not in getting caught doing it out of season, but in reaching too far into the hole and getting snagged by spiny fins.

Just consider the case of Gov. Ernie Fletcher of Kentucky.

A year ago, after being accused of illegally forcing Democrats out of state Civil Service jobs and giving the jobs to political loyalists, Mr. Fletcher, a Republican, dismissed the charges as little worse than noodling in March. (Kentucky regulations allow noodling only from June 1 to Aug. 31.)

But 15 indictments later, Mr. Fletcher's administration — including his self-titled "Disciples," accused of being the ringleaders of the patronage scheme — is still feeling the sting as the governor's approval ratings drop below 30 percent.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/20/us/20kentucky.html?hp&ex=1150776000&en=dcf24c8321e75068&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[KingFlorez]

1. Thank You, Ernie!

Democrats thank you so much

[alfredo]

2. He doesn't act like a minister, or does he?

His actions do cast a bad light on the ministry.

He is also a doctor and he is a death penalty advocate. As governor he has the power to stop executions. As a doctor he should not have anything to do with killing a human. If he wants to murder, he should turn in his medical license.

[BluegrassDem]

3. A new poll I saw tonight has Fletcher at 28%!!!

And I thought Bush was low in the polls! Fletcher is headed into Gov. Taft territory.

[alfredo]

4. Even us unsophisticated kentuckians can recognize a fraud and

scoundrel

[kestrel91316]

5. Approval rating under 30%?? Sounds like he's in line for another

Presidential Medal of Freedom.