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August 30, 2010

Williams-Farmer ticket could be announced soon

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — Signs point to an announcement soon that David Williams and Richie Farmer will form a Republican ticket for governor and lieutenant governor. Williams badly wants to run and openly covets Farmer as his running mate.

On Thursday at the State Fair, Farmer surprised some by saying he is still considering a race for governor. “Possibly,” he said. “But the conversations that we’ve had basically talked about (Williams) wanting to run and talking about forming a ticket.” Williams said he is confident Farmer will make “the right decision” and the two will make an announcement “about both our futures very shortly.” Nearby, their wives chatted and laughed as Robyn Williams playfully tousled the hair of one of Farmer’s sons.

Farmer said he has “a lot of respect” for Williams, calling him “very, very intelligent” and “someone who understands state government about as well as anyone.” When asked what advantage he sees in being lieutenant governor, Farmer said in “the right situation, I could be involved and possibly learn more about state government.”

That sounds like a man who wants someday to be governor but for now thinks he could use a bit more “seasoning.” It also sounds like a man who has either made his decision or is very close. Williams has no hesitation about his own ability to be governor. He does not lack confidence or ego. A reputation for partisanship, high negatives among those who oppose his policies or his aggressive style, and sometimes a thin skin are more troublesome.

But those in the press and the political echo chamber of Frankfort who say Williams is unelectable may want to think about some things. Williams isn’t quite so well known outside of Frankfort. Money isn’t likely to be a problem for a Republican ticket and money and advertising can sometimes soften a candidate’s image. Williams has name recognition and it’s not all bad. Some voters recognize the name but aren’t sure what they know about him. David Lynn Williams, a perennial candidate from Glasgow, got more votes for Agriculture Commissioner in the 2007 primary than anyone on the ballot except Jack Conway for Attorney General. And while most people don’t vote for a gubernatorial ticket because of the candidate for lieutenant governor, Richie Farmer might represent a different ballgame.

Then there’s the political climate. It’s the most intense anti-incumbent mood I can recall. The very same people who say Williams has no shot only a year ago said Rand Paul had no shot at the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate. Well, accidents happen. Should Paul — in spite of a penchant for blunt and controversial statements — win this November’s Senate race against Conway, the “throw the rascals out” mood might carry over into next year’s race for governor. You can argue Williams is one of the rascals because he’s not been averse to spending so long as it’s where and how he wants to spend it. But that’s a tougher case for an incumbent governor who wanted to spend gambling revenue that didn’t exist.

Williams himself has a penchant for blunt statements which sometimes come off as mean-spirited. His skin isn’t as thick as it should be for someone so skillful at zinging opponents but not so good at absorbing criticism. People who dislike him passionately dislike him. It’s tough to beat an incumbent governor. Some voters give Steve Beshear good marks for managing a difficult budget which might insulate him from the “out-of-control spending” charge. Beshear will be favored, but I wouldn’t dismiss a Williams-Farmer ticket too soon.

Ronnie Ellis writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort, Ky. He may be contacted by email at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.

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