Thoughts on Bunning’s Career and Retirement

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There were many reasons Jim Bunning dropped out of the race for his Senate seat. According to Bunning, none of them are his fault, but to extent, many are. Put simply, Bunning procrastinated when it came to raising funds for his race. In the final stretch, it was the republicans who fought against him because they knew he couldn’t win with the short amount of cash he had on hand compared to the likes of Jack Conway (D). However, the establishment Bunning refused to become a part of dealt the final blow.

Perhaps the man who sums up Bunning’s career best is the man who helped bring it down: Mitch McConnell. “Jim has enjoyed two Hall of Fame worthy careers, and I am honored to have worked by his side in the Senate for the past several years. His steadfast focus on serving the people of the commonwealth has been as unwavering as his conservative ideals.” ‘Unwavering conservative ideals’ is the main phrase. When Mitch McConnell retires, few will give him such accolades, and the ones that do have their head in the sand. Bunning was one of the few Republicans who were not members of the establishment, had to earn their places in the Congress, and did not get the respect they deserved.

Bunning’s ‘unwavering conservative ideals’ will be what he will be remembered for, and I can vouch for him having spoken with his office on several occasions. Of those ideals, Bunning was one of the loudest speakers against the stimulus and bailouts proposed by both George Bush and Barack Obama. The senator saw the coming housing bubble, and had foresight on Fannie and Freddie. Bunning was a firm believer in the free market system and the liberty that is inherent to it. Yet still, his colleagues saw him as unelectable.

Men may not always be kind to those who practice and speak for what they believe in, but history is.

Responses to Bunning’s Retirement

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Following Jim Bunning‘s announcement to the political sphere that shocked really no one, several politicians are responding to the news. Here’s a list below, along with their statements.

Daniel Mongiardo (Democratic Candidate for Senate): “Our campaign’s never been about Jim Bunning; it’s about fighting for affordable healthcare, affordable energy, and good jobs for Kentucky’s hard-working families. Today’s announcement does not change that,”

Jack Conway (Democratic Candidate for Senate): “Jim Bunning should be thanked for his many years of service in the public arena. I wish him and his family well in the next chapter of their lives. As for the political race in 2010, I look forward to facing whomever the Republican nominee will be next fall. “

John Yarmuth (Dem. Rep.):“I know Jack Conway is going to win this race, and I suspect that Senator Bunning realized that, too.”

Brett Guthrie (GOP Rep.): “Jim Bunning always focused on doing what is best for Kentucky and because of that our commonwealth is better off. Throughout his entire career, he never wavered on his conservative principles or passionate service. I have always admired Senator Bunning, and thank him for his commitment to people of Kentucky.”

Hal Rogers (GOP Rep.): “I want to commend Senator Bunning for his great service to our nation and for always fighting for our American principles and Kentucky values. His voice will be sorely missed in the halls of Congress. I look forward to working with and campaigning for the eventual nominee of our party in 2010.”

Mitch McConnell GOP Senator):“Jim has enjoyed two Hall of Fame worthy careers, and I am honored to have worked by his side in the Senate for the past several years. His steadfast focus on serving the people of the commonwealth has been as unwavering as his conservative ideals.”

“Kentucky is a far better place because of his service,” the Senate GOP leader continued. “While he may have decided not to run for reelection, I am confident that he will continue to be a valued member of our conference and contribute in meaningful ways for years to come.”

I’ll post my own pontifications in the morning.

Jim Bunning Drops Out of Senate Race

The man who was considered a “conservative hero” has been betrayed by the “conservative” Republican party. From Bunning himself in a newsletter:

I have the same conservative principles in 2009 as I had when I was first elected to Congress in 1986. Over the past twenty-two years I have always done what I thought was right for Kentucky even if that meant taking positions that were not popular with the media or even leaders of my own party. Speaking out against bailouts and wasteful spending supported by the Republican leadership in the Senate and a Republican President last year angered many of my colleagues in my own party, but I didn’t run for public office for fame or public acclaim. When I cast a vote I think about how it will affect my grandchildren and the next generation of Kentuckians, not my next election or invitation to a D.C. cocktail party. The people of Kentucky know where I stand and I am honored that they have continued to send me back to Congress to represent them each time I have run for the House and Senate.

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Unfortunately, running for office is not just about the issues. To win a general election, a candidate has to be able to raise millions of dollars to get the message out to voters. Over the past year, some of the leaders of the Republican Party in the Senate have done everything in their power to dry up my fundraising. The simple fact is that I have not raised the funds necessary to run an effective campaign for the U.S. Senate. For this reason, I will not be a candidate for re-election in 2010.

This was a difficult decision because I feel like my work in the Senate is more important now than ever. As I finish out my term, Kentuckians should know that I will continue to be a strong voice against the domestic policies pushed by the White House and Congress that – if enacted – will put this country on the path to socialism.

I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that the United States remains true to the principles that have made this country a beacon of freedom and economic opportunity for so many. My hope has always been that my grandchildren and all Kentuckians have the same opportunities that I had growing up in Northern Kentucky many years ago. My fear is that the debt that this Congress and Administration is placing on future generations of Americans will lower the standard of living for all Kentuckians in the future if they are not stopped.

While I am confident that this seat in the U.S. Senate will stay in Republican hands, I have no plans to endorse a candidate in the Republican primary. Like many others in Kentucky, I look forward to seeing where each of the candidates stands on the important issues and I hope a strong conservative wins the primary. The Republican Party needs more people with strong principles and convictions that can stand up to the temptations of political power that have engulfed so many of our leaders after they arrive inside the beltway.

Finally, I would like to thank the many friends and supporters that have encouraged me to seek a third term in the Senate. Without the friendship, guidance, and support of so many over the years I never would have had the privilege to represent Kentucky in the House and Senate. Mary and I feel so blessed to have so many good friends and such a strong family. We have spent many years in the public eye and we look forward to spending more time with our children and grandchildren. Thank you and God bless.

This is one reason why Americans are so fed up with American politics. I don’t care if Jim Bunning is too old, too ugly or too whatever. He was a man who served his country as well as he could, in the best way he saw fit. He did not deserve how he was treated, no matter what Republicans or liberals say.

Jim Bunning Loses Over 100 Faithful Donors

Poor Jim Bunning, such a great conservative being thrashed by his party, for no legitimate reason than they don’t think he can win, which he probably can’t, and won’t if he keeps losing donors to Sec. of State Trey Grayson.

CJ is reporting this morning that more than 100 people who originally donated to his 1st 2 senatorial campaigns have defected to his primary opponent (sorta, kinda) Trey Grayson.

A Courier-Journal review of campaign finance reports and databases found that 164 people who gave to Bunning’s campaigns in 1998 and 2004 have contributed to Grayson’s exploratory campaign this year. Only 47 of them also gave to Bunning in this election cycle.

On the other hand, it’s hard to feel any compassion since Bunning urged Grayson to form an exploratory committee to start with. Perhaps that was his plan all along: see if another Republican would fare any better than him, and if so, call it quits. But Bunning isn’t that predictable.

Jennifer Duffy, a senior editor for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, said most of those former Bunning supporters who gave to Grayson understand the significance of their contribution.“It looked to me like 45 individuals hedged their bets,” she said. “The other 120 read the writing on the wall.”