Pot, meet kettle. Former Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning says GOP gubernatorial candidate David Williams just is not a very likeable guy. This from a man who courted hostile press coverage like Hugh Hefner scopes out 22-year-old blondes.
The likeability factor aside, Bunning did formally endorse Williams over the weekend, saying Williams had always been there for him in the past when he needed help, and now it’s his turn to help. A noble turn of phrase, but probably too late to do Williams any good. What DW could really use is a little help from Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul and friends, but that doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon either.
He trails incumbent Steve Beshear by 20 points in nearly every statewide poll, and with Labor Day rushing toward us, that gap shows no sign of narrowing. What Williams desperately needs right now is a boost from the Tea party side of the GOP. Where is Tea Party Republican Phil Moffet when he’s needed most? (NOTE: He’s heading up the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy)
Conspicuously silent. Ominously silent in fact. As I wrote after the May primary Williams needs Moffet to endorse him in order to get as many of those Tea Partiers under the tent as possible. Those folks, along with disgruntled Democrats and independents would have given Williams a shot at taking Beshear down. But with the lack of TP endorsements and Independent Gatewood Galbraith running a strong race, Williams time may already be running out.
As for likeability? I honestly can say I have dealt with David Williams as a reporter and found him to be a worthy adversary. A firm grasp of the facts and figures, and good knowledge of his topic were standard practice for him. But I’ve also seen Williams look at reporters and citizens alike as though we were a fly on his windshield. Then again Bunning was not the easiest guy to interview either. He once stared at me for five minutes without saying anything as I asked him question after question, then thanked me for my time. What can Williams do about this? At this point not much, but I would hope the TV money that will begin flooding the state soon will try to show his good side, and not the negativity we all fear might be coming.
