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Kentucky could be key Senate race Kentucky could be key Senate race
(about 5 hours later)
By James Coomarasamy BBC News, KentuckyBy James Coomarasamy BBC News, Kentucky
A small crowd of onlookers began to clap as a couple emerged from the large "Bluegrass tours" coach, emblazoned with "McConnell can do more for Kentucky", which had pulled up outside Pagliali's pizza restaurant in the town of Henderson.A small crowd of onlookers began to clap as a couple emerged from the large "Bluegrass tours" coach, emblazoned with "McConnell can do more for Kentucky", which had pulled up outside Pagliali's pizza restaurant in the town of Henderson.
Mr McConnell is tied with his challenger, polls suggestMr McConnell is tied with his challenger, polls suggest
The pair - the top Republican in the Senate, Mitch Mcconnell, and his wife, US Labour Secretary Elaine Chao, the longest-serving member of the current Bush Cabinet - are two of the most powerful people in the Republican Party. The pair - the top Republican in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, and his wife, US Labour Secretary Elaine Chao, the longest-serving member of the current Bush Cabinet - are two of the most powerful people in the Republican Party.
But the four-term Senator, who was comfortably re-elected six years ago, with 65% of the vote, finds himself criss-crossing the state, battling for his political life.But the four-term Senator, who was comfortably re-elected six years ago, with 65% of the vote, finds himself criss-crossing the state, battling for his political life.
Just a few weeks ago, he appeared to be coasting to victory. But the man who was one of the bi-partisan public faces of the $700bn financial bailout plan has seen his race against local businessman, Bruce Lunsford, tighten dramatically.Just a few weeks ago, he appeared to be coasting to victory. But the man who was one of the bi-partisan public faces of the $700bn financial bailout plan has seen his race against local businessman, Bruce Lunsford, tighten dramatically.
Opinion polls currently place the two in a statistical tie.Opinion polls currently place the two in a statistical tie.
Plum targetPlum target
"I've become a huge target," he told a group of lunchtime diners, "because I'm the top Republican in the senate. The Democrats are sending in money from other places, such as Chicago and San Francisco.""I've become a huge target," he told a group of lunchtime diners, "because I'm the top Republican in the senate. The Democrats are sending in money from other places, such as Chicago and San Francisco."
To a round of applause, he added: "We're not going to allow the people of San Francisco to decide who Kentucky sends to the US Senate."To a round of applause, he added: "We're not going to allow the people of San Francisco to decide who Kentucky sends to the US Senate."
Certainly, the man who is arguably Kentucky's most successful politician ever is a plum target for the Democrats, but even they did not take his potential downfall seriously until very recently.Certainly, the man who is arguably Kentucky's most successful politician ever is a plum target for the Democrats, but even they did not take his potential downfall seriously until very recently.
This is a poor state and it has to be Kentucky first Senator Mitch McConnellThis is a poor state and it has to be Kentucky first Senator Mitch McConnell
At Harve's restaurant in Morganfield, a town where one of the big local factories is about to close, his rival is addressing a similar gathering.At Harve's restaurant in Morganfield, a town where one of the big local factories is about to close, his rival is addressing a similar gathering.
Bruce Lunsford - who twice failed to become his party's nominee for governor - is convinced that he has benefited from growing economic concerns.Bruce Lunsford - who twice failed to become his party's nominee for governor - is convinced that he has benefited from growing economic concerns.
"It's all about the numbers," he said. "85% of the people here want a different direction. 70% are concerned about losing their jobs.""It's all about the numbers," he said. "85% of the people here want a different direction. 70% are concerned about losing their jobs."
Earlier in the day, I had watched the candidates take part in their third and final debate, organised by a Republican-leaning newspaper.Earlier in the day, I had watched the candidates take part in their third and final debate, organised by a Republican-leaning newspaper.
With the power of incumbency, the McConnell campaign has ensured that none of the three encounters was carried live on television.With the power of incumbency, the McConnell campaign has ensured that none of the three encounters was carried live on television.
Each took place in a venue that was more or less favourable to him.Each took place in a venue that was more or less favourable to him.
Pet projectsPet projects
In the hall - and on the campaign trail - he plays a tried and tested card, boasting of his ability to get funding for Kentucky projects, to "bring home the bacon". He warns that the loss of his hard-won clout in the US Senate would have huge financial consequences for the state.In the hall - and on the campaign trail - he plays a tried and tested card, boasting of his ability to get funding for Kentucky projects, to "bring home the bacon". He warns that the loss of his hard-won clout in the US Senate would have huge financial consequences for the state.
"You've sent someone to Washington who has got to the top," he argued "and last year that meant $500m for the state of Kentucky.""You've sent someone to Washington who has got to the top," he argued "and last year that meant $500m for the state of Kentucky."
This, of course, runs counter to his party's presidential candidate John McCain's pledge to stamp out pet projects or earmarks.This, of course, runs counter to his party's presidential candidate John McCain's pledge to stamp out pet projects or earmarks.
"John and I disagree on that," Senator McConnell told me after the debate."John and I disagree on that," Senator McConnell told me after the debate.
"From my point of view, though, this is a poor state and it has to be Kentucky first.""From my point of view, though, this is a poor state and it has to be Kentucky first."
And with that, he hopped back onto his bus.And with that, he hopped back onto his bus.
He may have had it easy in his last election, but Senator McConnell has the reputation for being a formidable and aggressive campaigner.He may have had it easy in his last election, but Senator McConnell has the reputation for being a formidable and aggressive campaigner.
If he does lose, it will not be because he has rested on his laurels.If he does lose, it will not be because he has rested on his laurels.
His opponent has fewer cards to play, but - at the debate - he was able to show off five of them: the four former Kentucky governors, as well as the Democratic incumbent governor, Steve Beshear, who are backing him.His opponent has fewer cards to play, but - at the debate - he was able to show off five of them: the four former Kentucky governors, as well as the Democratic incumbent governor, Steve Beshear, who are backing him.
And - in a sign of the importance that Democrats are placing in Kentucky - former President Bill Clinton, the last Democratic Presidential candidate to carry Kentucky, has been campaigning with Bruce Lunsford.And - in a sign of the importance that Democrats are placing in Kentucky - former President Bill Clinton, the last Democratic Presidential candidate to carry Kentucky, has been campaigning with Bruce Lunsford.
He told a small crowd in the town of Paducah that they hold the fate not just of their neighbourhood, but of their country in their hands.He told a small crowd in the town of Paducah that they hold the fate not just of their neighbourhood, but of their country in their hands.
And he explained how difficult it is for any President to pass legislation without his party controlling 60 seats in the Senate.And he explained how difficult it is for any President to pass legislation without his party controlling 60 seats in the Senate.
He was talking from experience.He was talking from experience.
During his eight years in the White House, it was a cushion he never had.During his eight years in the White House, it was a cushion he never had.
Republicans were able to filibuster - or talk endlessly on the Senate floor - to kill bills they did not like.Republicans were able to filibuster - or talk endlessly on the Senate floor - to kill bills they did not like.
Will Barack Obama have an easier time, if he becomes President?Will Barack Obama have an easier time, if he becomes President?
If the bluegrass state turns a bit bluer, he just might.If the bluegrass state turns a bit bluer, he just might.