In this Daily Beast article Jonathon Miller, one of Ashley Judd's political advisers, makes the case that her candidacy was scuttled from within the Kentucky Democratic elite who worked together to send out false information, and red herrings, to an eager press who were salivating over every morsel that was fed to them, even if it was coming from places OTHER than the Judd campaign.
He goes on to explain that many of the things attributed to Judd were out and out false, and that there is no evidence that Bill Clinton wanted Judd out of the way so that another candidate, Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, could run against McConnell instead.
Here is how Miller sums up his article.
Now, I don’t pretend that Ashley Judd was a perfect candidate, or that there weren’t a significant number of Democratic insiders who opposed her candidacy. But in her early calls, she was winning over many skeptics, including the incumbent Governor and the House Speaker, the latter being the most prominent politician from Appalachia, the region purportedly most hostile to the actress because of her public opposition toward a controversial coal mining technique.
Nor do I believe that the negative press was the primary force behind Judd’s decision not to run: The actress religiously avoided reading news coverage as she engaged in her studious, deliberate decision-making process.
But pity Alison Lundergan Grimes, the primary beneficiary of the anti-Ashley putsch. Like most Judd supporters, I hope Grimes runs, defeats McConnell and enjoys a long and successful career in Washington. But there are two other equally plausible—if not more probable—scenarios: One, Grimes gets drubbed by McConnell, whose ruthless, take-no-prisoners campaigns have ended the political careers of four of his last five opponents. Or two, Grimes opts out of the race for another campaign, leaving McConnell with no serious opponent.
All the while, I imagine McConnell sitting back, watching the antics with his sly, tight grin, enjoying how a small group of Democrats duped the so-called liberal media into creating the false narrative of a Democratic civil war. Only a master politician could get so damn lucky.
Interesting don't you think?
Now I had been accused by some as having my eyes clouded by Ashley Judd's fame and beauty, and that I was choosing sizzle over substance, just like many Palin supporters had.
But that is untrue.
What I had been seduced by instead, was the idea of a candidate who was TOO well known for McConnell's team of political character assassins to define in a negative manner, and who had the tenacity and support to withstand the withering barrage of attacks that were surely coming her way.
I like pretty people as much as the next guy, but the real attraction for me was the idea of seeing the much reviled Senator attempting to debate the poised, intelligent actress while carefully avoiding using the tactics that had served him so well in the past.
If he had attacked her character he would have been eviscerated by the press, and undoubtedly lost the majority of the female vote, while also driving millions of dollars into her campaign fund. Ultimately I think Judd would have walked all over him, done so while maintaining a gracious attitude, and would have easily defined him as a bully and as a politician more interested in serving big business than the needs of his constituents.
I mean let's face it, he really did not have much to work with. (As evidenced by the fact that the Right Wing media outlets had already resorted to using Judd's nude scenes in movies to attack her.)
Look I wish Grimes all the best in her race against the slimy Mitch McConnell. But as of right now my prediction is that he will retain his seat for yet another term.
On the other hand I truly believe that running against Ashley Judd would have been what defined his final days in office.
Yeah sure whatever.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a catharsis so you can move along to your next Hollywood celebrity
de jour.
Ashley hon, we hardly knew ye.
Gryphie will always wonder about what coulda been.
Gosh, you sound like a Palin. You can take that assessment as either a complement or an insult, though most sane, intelligent people would take it as the latter.
DeleteI think Democratic insiders tried to sabotage Jesse Ventura as well, but he hung tough. They didn’t want usurpers adjusting their machine. Current Minnesota residents can educate me if I’m wrong.
ReplyDeleteCaroline Kennedy was also scared off.
How did outsider Elizabeth Warren manage to win? She was known and respected, but so was Ashley.
I understand Caroline Kennedy is be named as Ambassador to Japan soon.
DeleteThe cynical might consider the appointment a reward for her endorsement of President Obama, or a consolation prize for being edged out of a bid for Hillary's Senate seat.
McConnell will reap what he sows. Maybe he will get sick and die soon. One can hope. What a different world we will live in when those of his generation and ilk are gone to the great void and learn that they got it ALL WRONG (and get to come back as flies sucking on dog shit).
ReplyDeleteHopefully Ashley has other plans that can influence policy in a positive way.
Cockroaches in a hammer factory; I didn’t coin that, but it’s one of my favorites. Bam!
DeleteHey, your brush is a bit too wide. There a lot of crazoid oldies, but as a senior myself I want you to know that some of us were flower children and hippies or just plain social activist so don't go using that "generational" BS.
DeleteThat would be the way conservatives think - boxing people into neat little categories.
I am not angry at you, but I am impatient. We all need to think through the words we use because we need each other to stand against those who would divide and conquer us.
My parents are in their 70s (my dad is closer to 80) and they are two of the most politically progressive people I know. The world will be worse off when they are gone (but I agree with you about the McConnel and his ilk).
DeleteMcConnell has that look of someone that is not long in this world but so does John McCain and he is still around.
DeleteOT.... We are sorry, conservatives, that you are all mad at Sarah Palin for spending 95 percent of her SarahPAC muneez on grifty consultants and “shipping and handling” and “overhead.”
Read more at http://wonkette.com/509398/oh-no-conservatives-in-epic-twit-fight-against-common-frauder-sarah-palin-and-it-is-all-the-fault-of-your-wonket
Chill out anons - my brush was not too wide. Did you read the "and their ilk" part???? That excuses all the older folks not like Mcconell for dogs sake. Read carefully before freaking out.
DeleteSeems I've heard about this nefarious background group of connected Dims before somewhere.
ReplyDeletemeh
It could be that conservative wing of the Democratic party - the Blue Dogs. They are not much different than the GOP.
DeleteA lot of them are hand-in-glove with corporatist right wingers in the "Fix the Debt" organization.
DeleteTake a look at their "Who We Are" roster of former Bushies, corporate CEOs, and former Obama financial consultants.
Political games from either side piss me off to no end. It's all about winning and strategy, and nothing about running the government the way the constituents want it to be run.
ReplyDeleteO/T April FOOLS?
ReplyDeletehttp://rumorfix.com/2013/04/joan-rivers-bristol-palin-to-wife-swap-exclusive/
I was super disappointed in hearing she wouldn't run. I really wasn't aware there was a silent sabotage going on by the Dems...that is really sad considering what is at stake. That's what primaries are for....let the best man win. It is critical to get rid of that evil Turtle...jeezz, we are only gonna have 2 years of Obama as it is, those guys have to go. The worst part of the Senate is 6 years...the thought of McConnell another term is enough to make you vomit, that is Hillary's entire 1st term. I hope maybe she might change her mind.
ReplyDeleteIt's isn't the first (or the last) time that Dems eat one of their own best candidates, for whatever obscure reason.
ReplyDeleteIt's as if they do not WANT to be the majority party that gets things actually done. :(
Yeah, Ms. Grimes was Big Dog's pick. Bill Clinton wanted it and it happened. And as he is the ultimate insider . . . he pretty much is trying to set up the perfect atmosphere for "his" and Hilary's re-entry to politics.
ReplyDeleteI was very disappointed that Ashley chose not to run. I wanted McConnell out of office so damned badly and I honestly thought she'd give him a run for his money. The guy is an asshole and obstructionist to President Obama and nothing more.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that Ms. Judd would have been a formidable opponent, and would have had a good chance of unseating the Turtle. However, I object to comparing her to La Palin. Did Palin have a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Harvard? I think not. Ms. Judd is way more qualified than the Quitler ever was; being beautiful is just icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading in "Untold History of the U.S." how the Democrats acted in a way that has shown to be the highest form of EVIL toward their own country, in regard to the election of Harry Truman, I'll believe anything of this nature.
ReplyDeleteHad Henry Wallace made it to the presidency then, the entire world's history would have taken a turn toward sane, caring government...but we didn't get the chance to see such a beautiful world...as usual, due to unbridled GREED.
I had thought maybe someone threatened her family which led to her dropping out, but being bullied by the Blue Dogs makes sense, too. They have a strong hand on who gets nominated, who gets supported -at least they do here in Alaska.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the chances this is a feint, an end-around the McConnell propaganda machine? The election is November 2014, more than a year away.
ReplyDeleteLike the story said, she'd already made contact with and impressed the "incumbent Governor and the House Speaker, the latter being the most prominent politician from Appalachia".
What's to say a few months of stealth outreach is being done while she makes a few of her usual appearances as an activist and performer?
Or am I being naive?
Love it! Hope you are right.
DeleteBristol Palin and her former boyfriend Gino Paoletti are back together.
ReplyDelete“We are pleased to announce that we have reconciled. . We are looking forward to our future together,” read the statement, which Bristol posted on her blog on March 31.
Who reads Bristol's blog? She is shilling trying to get work in Hollywood. Back together is part of the ploy for another show. Not even Gino is dumb enough to go back for the abuse without some big benefits. What is big for Gino? May be $11,000 for a season this time.
DeletePolitics and Sausage Making aren't for the faint of heart. I still think Ashley has a chance in politics in the future.
ReplyDelete