687. Senator McConnell's retirement - with Facebook comments on both the "proposed" retirement and the commenters

Every now and then I've reposted from Facebook something I wrote "over there." This entry is one of those. Yesterday I put in writing, albeit electornic writing, something I've been thinking since last November's successful election for the Republicans. That is, to wit, that Kentucky's senior senator, Addison Mitchell McConnell, Jr., would not seek re-election in 2014. I've considered several reasons, none of which are particularly or singularly convincing - except, as is obvious, to me.

Below I've copied my posting from yesterday, along with the comments to date. As a primer, let me introduce you to the "commenters" in order of appearance.

Cecelia Tandy, of Lexington (I think) is a woman I do not believe I have ever met, but she regularly makes comments to and "likes" my Facebook posts, something for which I am thankful.

Lisa Tanner is a Louisville Democrat who is a well-known political "field" person, although field people, of which I count myself, are really the only people who know what that means. She is a trusted friend upon whom I am depending for some help in my 2012 bid for re-election to the Kentucky Democratic Party State Central Committee.

Michael Bowman, of southwestern Jefferson County, is an active Democrat in his 20s upon whom we should keep our collective eyes as one day his name will be next to one of those little ovals we fill in to cast ballots on Election Day. Chances are good if I see his name, I will fill in the oval next to it.

BudMan, formally Claude "Buddy" Vaughn, is a Lexington friend from my second-round of college at UK about 30 years ago. He, like me, is an Episcopalian, although his claim goes back to the cradle - mine goes back to 2010. Unlike me, he is a conservative, not liberal, Democrat. Buddy and I play the Scrabble-like Lexulous on Facebook where he has beaten me about 87% of the time.

Jonathan Lowe I do not know well, but have known for about six years. He has been a consistent volunteer in the Yarmuth for Congress campaigns and is a member of the Metro Democratic Club in Louisville.

Curtis Morrison is a Louisville gadfly of sorts, someone I jest and joust with with frequency on the FB pages. I've known Curtis for about sixteen years and have enjoyed his friendship, as well as our political differences. With the exception of his satirical answer of Greg Fischer, I tend to agree with all he has written here.

Ryan Fischer, to my knowledge of no relation to Greg Fischer, is another person I've known for about sixteen years, and Ryan was a teenager at the time we met. He is presently a firefighter with the City of Frankfort Fire Department.

Thomas A. McAdam is a Louisville attorney, a 1961 graduate of Valley High School, a conservative Democrat, the Louisville City Hall writer for Examiner.com, a regular commenter - usually in opposition - to my posts, and a friend of many years.

Jacob Conway is a handsome, young, curly blonde (when you are bald these things matter), relatively liberal politician from rural Jeffersontown in southeastern Jefferson County. He ran, unfortunately unsuccessfully, for the Jeffersontown City Council in 2006 and has since helped others in their aspirations to public office. I spent this year's Kentucky Oaks with him and his friends at his Dogwood Drive plantation.

Cindy Flanagan Lamb's comment on the thread had nothing to do with politics. But, she is an active Democrat who, like Mr. Morrison, did not support Greg in his race for mayor in 2010 but, unlike Mr. Morrison, seems to be pleased with his administration so far. She is a writer and midwife - that may not be the correct term - for aspiring moms. She invited me to the Louisville Bats game last night where I made my famous 8th inning catch.

Steve Magruder I've never met, although we worked side-by-side though on opposite sides at the mayoral debate last year held at Central High School. He is a blogger of Louisville history and other matters.

Jeremy Tyler is a new name to me. I have no idea who he is (to my knowledge), but I appreciate his participation.

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Jeff Noble
I've just made my first prediction for the 2014 United States Senate election in Kentucky. It will be wide open - in both Parties. Who will succeed Mitch McConnell in the 114th Congress?
Yesterday at 1:01pm

Cecelia Tandy
To not sound rather mundane -At this point I'll take any Democrat as long as we say bye-bye Sen. McConnell. Someone anyone who could please beat him.
Yesterday at 1:04pm

Lisa Tanner
I hope someone young!
Yesterday at 1:06pm

Cecelia Tandy
Also as soon as we can rid ourselves of McConnell could we please vote Rand Paul out of office. I can never tell which makes me feel the need for two martini's and a valium more when they open their mouths and one hears what comes out.
23 hours ago

Michael Bowman
You made a prediciton....but didn't quite tell us who you predicted. Inquiring minds want to know.
23 hours ago

Jeff Noble
Cecilia, I cannot agree with your first comment. Just "any Democrat" wont do. Lisa is correct - we need someone young, someone with new ideas, someone with unexpended energy, and someone who can stay there for a while. In the 2010 Primary, I supported Jack Conway over Daniel Mongiardo in part because he was almost exactly ten years younger (less one day) than Daniel. If Jack had been elected, he would have potentially had ten more years to serve than Daniel. Admittedly, there was one other big reason. But, we can't go on nominating just anyone to represent us. For political office, we should start thinking about people born in the 1970s and 1980s, and for a very limited few city council offices, the 1990s. Democrats are big on recycling. One place we shouldn't is in our Party nominees.
23 hours ago

Jeff Noble
Michael, my prediction is the second sentence of my post - that the election will be wide oipen - that Mitch will retire. As for candidates, I presently have none. How old will you be in late 2014?
23 hours ago

Bud Man
I'm guessing it won't be mayors Gray of Fischer. Chandler's out. Abramson will be to old. Yarmuth is my scary outsider fav for the Dems. Williams is toast. Farmer will be exposed. Mitch has to have someone who has survived many knee surgeries working under him. Watch Damon from Scott Co.
23 hours ago

Michael Bowman
Jeff, I believe that 30 is the minimum requirement...and I am happy to report that I will be 31.
23 hours ago

Jeff Noble
Cecilia - I did not mean for that to sound as preachily strong as it did - but, it is something I firmly believe - and make attempts at supporting every time I enter a ballot box and put pencil to paper.
23 hours ago

Jonathan Lowe
Jamie Comer or Damon Thayer vs. Alison Lundergan Grimes or Sanny Overly.
23 hours ago

Jeff Noble
Buddy - I agree with all of your observations in both Parties. And, despite all I have written above, if my congressman were to run, irrespective of his age, I would, without hesitation, support him. I've been supporting candidates for fo...rty-two years and voting for them for thirty-four. He is the only person in those many years for whom I have ever voted with whom I agree on almost every topic, voting as I would on nearly every issue, and working harder than any elected official I've ever known in my life and there are many. I would put my "age restriction" on hold and in reserve to elect John to the United States Senate.
23 hours ago

Curtis Morrison
‎Mayor Greg Fischer
22 hours ago

Ryan Fischer
I thought Jack Conway was the young, vibrant candidate? Did his last campaign make us change our thinking? I still like him and think he gives the Dems the best chance as long as he doesn't go negative.
22 hours ago

Thomas A. McAdam
Judy Green.
21 hours ago

Curtis Morrison
I want a woman.
21 hours ago

Curtis Morrison
Kathy Stein.
21 hours ago

Jacob Conway
Curt-sadly it would be hard for a liberal, Jewish woman to win a statewide election in KY. :(
20 hours ago

Cindy Flanagan Lamb
Discuss this at length over a game? Headed to Slugger Field @ 6:00! Find me at the nearest hot dog/beer stand.
20 hours ago

Steve Magruder
I wasn't aware that McConnell had announced his retirement. That said, getting him out would be a good thing.
19 hours ago

Steve Magruder‎
@Ryan, the problem with Conway is that he's afraid to run as himself. If had run as himself in 2010, it would have been a much closer race, in my judgment.
19 hours ago

Steve Magruder‎
@McAdam, your "turd in the punchbowl" antics surely make many chuckle. ha ha.... ha
19 hours ago

Jeff Noble
Mr. Magruder - McConnell hasn't announced his retirement. My prediction - which is the genesis of this thread - is that he will.
18 hours ago

Steve Magruder
My prediction is that he'll stay in the Senate until his death, or at least that is what he would prefer. McConnell is a career politician who's addicted to the career. McConnell is a guy who seems to earnestly believe that anyone who isn't a hard-right conservative like him is evil. You'll pry the Senate office from his cold dead hands, or a miracle election where he's thrown out.
18 hours ago

Thomas A. McAdam‎
@Magruder: Love your metaphor.
17 hours ago

Curtis Morrison
I don't understand this rush to moderation Democrats always do. We don't see Republicans do that. Stein represents Kentucky's Democratic purest values, without compromise. Why settle?
13 hours ago

Curtis Morrison
Also, I seem to remember it was McConnell who announced Bunning's retirement for him. Maybe we could get Rand to return the favor?
13 hours ago

Jeremy Tyler
I support Curt's comment on Rand pushing for McConnell's retirement.
33 minutes ago
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