Bunning takes another shot at McConnell

Bunning calls McConnell a 'control freak'

The bizarre Kentucky Senate race took another wild turn today as GOP Sen. Jim Bunning once again blasted his fellow Kentucky Republican -- Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican.

In a conference call with reporters, Bunning called McConnell a "control freak" and said McConnell's animus is an asset. "If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me, that may be the best thing that could happen to me in Kentucky."

Plus as a bonus a mention of Rand Paul.

But wait, it gets better: Also potentially running in the GOP primary is ... Ron Paul's son, Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist who lives in Bowling Green, KY. Rand Paul says he is weighing a Senate run, and would likely have the support of his father's network of donors. Ron Paul raised $35 million for his presidential run last year.

Speculation Bunning may announce retirement Saturday

Bunning skips Kentucky Derby

Grayson has said he would run only if Bunning retired, and many Republicans saw the move as a precursor for Bunning to announce his retirement — possibly as soon as Saturday, when the state Republican Party holds its annual dinner.

Rand Paul poised to run for U.S. Senate

Rand Paul poised to run for U.S. Senate

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Republican Rand Paul, son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, said Friday he is poised to enter the race for U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning's seat if the 77-year-old sports icon decides to retire.

"I've been traveling the state and giving speeches as if there is going to be a race," he told The Associated Press. "Every bone in my body says there is going to be a race."

But the Bowling Green physician said he won't rush into the campaign just because another potential GOP challenger has stepped forward.

Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced Thursday that he had formed an exploratory committee, a move that allows him to raise and spend campaign money before actually entering the race for the GOP nomination. Grayson also has hired a political pollster.

Nonetheless, Grayson said he won't run for the Senate seat unless Bunning retires. Paul said that holds true for him, too.

"Out of respect for Sen. Bunning, I'm not doing anything formally," Paul said. "I'm not forming any committees, I'm waiting for him to have a graceful way saying what he's going to do."

Senator Bunning to retire?

Bunning poised to retire

Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning, the most endangered Republican up for reelection in 2010, appears headed for retirement after giving his leading GOP rival the blessing to prepare to run for his seat next year.

Bunning’s retirement would be a huge victory for national Republicans who have grown increasingly nervous that the 77-year-old two-term senator would lose a critical race as the party tries to cling to its diminished minority in the Senate.

On Thursday afternoon, Kentucky GOP Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced that he would form an exploratory committee to run for Bunning’s seat — a move that Kentucky GOP operatives say is a precursor to Bunning's retirement. Grayson's entry will come as a relief to Kentucky Republicans and Senate GOP leaders, who may now have reason to believe their party could hold on to this seat.

“He told Trey to do this,” one senior congressional official said of Bunning. “Why else would he tell his main rival to prepare for a run?”

Added one senior Senate GOP aide: “For the first time, we now know who the Republican nominee will be next November and that’s Trey Grayson. He’s by far the best-positioned Republican to be competitive and hopefully win in the fall. It’s not even close.”

I find it laughable that the Kentucky Democrats still think they can win this seat in a state that gave McCain 58% of the vote. Obama and Congress hasve done nothing but piss people off with their out of control spending.

As for the GOP heir to Bunnings seat maybe we should just let the people decide for themselves as I think Rand Paul may have a surprise for them.