http://www.politickerky.com/wallyedgeky/2018/poll-early-voting-lunsford-leads-12Poll: In early voting, Lunsford leads by 12
By Wally Edge
A Research 2000 poll commissioned by the left-leaning blog DailyKos.com finds that U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) leads Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) by just 3 points, 47 to 44 percent. Their prior poll from two weeks earlier showed a similar 46 to 42 percent advantage for the incumbent.
But among the 16 percent of voters who have already cast their ballots, Lunsford leads McConnell by 56 to 44 percent.
U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) leads U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) 56 to 39 percent overall and 52 to 44 percent among early voters.
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http://www.politickerky.com/treypollard/1966/herald-leader-endorses-lunsfordHerald-Leader endorses Lunsford
By Trey Pollard, PolitickerKY.com Reporter
The Lexington Herald-Leader endorsed Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville) this weekend, choosing the challenger over four-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville).
"If you don't like what's happening to this country, it's only logical and fair to hold Sen. Mitch McConnell accountable," reads the first line of the paper's endorsing editorial.
The Herald-Leader's editorial board appear to echo Lunsford's sentiment on the trail, arguing that the federal funds McConnell brings home are outweighed by the impact of other policy decisions.
"The Senate's top Republican has thrown his clout behind most of the bad decisions of the last eight years, from the unnecessary war in Iraq to the anything-goes economic oversight that has the world teetering on the brink of a depression," reads the editorial."
"Here's the question for voters: Is what McConnell brings to Kentucky worth the damage he has inflicted — and would continue to inflict if elected to a fifth term?" it asks.
The editorial adds Lunsford is a "better candidate" now than in his two previous bids for the Governor's office, in 2003 and 2007, and lauds the Democrat as "extraordinarily successful" in business.
Further, the Herald-Leader's editorial board criticizes McConnell for focusing on nuclear power and foreign relations in recent debates, arguing he should have centered discussion around the economy, while hammering his policy positions on the Iraq War, health care and taxes.
"Lunsford has better ideas," continues the editorial. "He would let the Bush tax cuts for the top income brackets expire and, instead, target tax cuts at working Americans and to spur job creation. He calls for developing a 'blue plate special' health plan so all Americans, especially kids, can be insured."