State rep, GOP chair don't agree on Fletcher ...
Copy editor on holiday: Newspaper flubs candidate's name

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Thursday, Jan. 18, 2007, 11 a.m. -- It's not an uncommon mistake among Democrats across the state, particularly those outside Jefferson County. I'm sure even Republicans mess it up too.

But shouldn't our local newspaper have known there's only one "R" in former Congresswoman Anne Northup's last name?

I'm not throwing bricks at the newspaper, nor am I suggesting I don't make plenty of mistakes on my own. But getting a gubernatorial candidate's name wrong implies a lack of attention to detail; beyond that it's just plain embarrassing. No one likes to see anyone have a reason to make fun of a community resource.

My tongue-firmly-planted-in-cheek suggestion would be for the newspaper to fully diversify its editorial staff -- hire some Republicans (or marry one as I did -- who do you think told me I was spelling her name wrong too?).

FLOYD FOR NORTHUP, BURKOT FOR FLETCHER. Today's edition of the Lexington Herald-Leader quotes local state Rep. David Floyd, who told the paper he believes Fletcher cannot win in November.

"I don't know statewide politics, but I know my district," Floyd said. "And I believe that the people there aren't going to be there for him."

This puts Floyd at odds with the local GOP chairman Greg Burkot, who has pledged to support Fletcher, and claims Kentucky's Second District also supports the governor's bid for reelection.

NORTHUP VS. FLETCHER. The media is already depicting Northup's entry as the first volley in a GOP civil war. Despite those who are professing to support the governor (including our GOP county chairman Greg Burkot), I suspect we'll see a big shift away from Fletcher as the primary nears.

Right out of the starting gate, Northup is using Fletcher's own promises against him. She said after filing that she and her running mate "will bring the openness and honesty to state government that Kentuckians were promised four years ago." Go Anne, go!

PRIMARY PROGNOSTICATION? It's way too early to call this race; if it were only Northup and Fletcher, the easy money would be on Northup. Billy Harper, the Paducah millionaire who's pledged to "spend whatever it takes to win" will be the wild card.

Harper said when he announced his run for governor that he felt a Fletcher primary win would lead to a disastrous Fletcher defeat in November. There's a great many of us who agree with that -- and a growing number of GOP leadership are among that group.

Right now the focus is on Northup and Fletcher; the real story will be which candidate Harper's continued candidacy hurts the most. Harper must realize that his candidacy may set up Fletcher to win the May primary -- a result that most Republicans (including Harper) don't want to see.

The GOP can squabble amongst themselves for a while, stay tuned for more jockeying for position from the Democrats in the next two weeks.