Daniel Mongiardo

DENVER - Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard) endorsed the presidential bid of the eventual Democratic nominee, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), before Kentucky's primary and when Obama was shown trailing significantly in polls of the state's voters - and by even larger margins in the eastern Kentucky area home to Mongiardo.

Mongiardo, in Denver for the Democratic National Convention, said he felt the heat after his decision.

"There was a huge amount of negative feedback by a lot of passionate Clinton supporters," Mongiardo told PolitickerKY.com today.

DENVER – A narrow loss to U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning in the 2004 election means Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard) is keeping an eye on the 2010 race, when Bunning is next up for re-election.

“Obviously when the 2010 race comes up, that’s something that, because I ran for that seat 4 years ago, I have a natural interest in because of the competitor in me,” said Mongiardo.

However, Mongiardo qualified his interest by saying he wanted to pursue elected offices that allowed him to make the biggest impact on a key issue for him – health care.

“My focus has been mostly on that,” said Mongiardo. “I am going to stay focused on health care and I am going to work as hard as I can to fix and solve our health care problem in this country. If that path keeps me in the lieutenant governor’s office, and I can complete my job there, then I am done with that. If that path takes me to another position or I have to go to another position to move that issue forward, then I am going to do that as well.”

DENVER -- Denver's Democratic National Convention is the second Lt. Governor Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard) has attended.

This year, however, he sees a difference from the 2004 convention he attended in Boston. Mongiardo told PolitickerKY.com that economic fluctuations are being reflected in the presence of the news media here in Denver.

"I see the impact of the economy on the media," said Mongiardo. "In Boston, there were rows and rows and rows of radio stations and it seems like there were a lot more reporters there. I think the economy has impacted the media because I don’t see as much of it as I did four years ago."

The presence of Kentucky-based media in Denver is minimal this convention, with very few reporters on-site.

DENVER -- As more of Kentucky's prominent elected Democratic leaders arrived in Denver for their party's national convention today, the line-up of speakers at the delegation breakfast was bolstered - and then supplemented by some special guests.

This morning, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean made a surprise appearance to kick off the line-up. He spoke for nearly 15 minutes on campaign strategy and the prospects for Kentucky Democrats.

Dean was followed by Washington D.C.'s "shadow Senator" Michael Brown, who spoke to assembled delegates about his hometown's lack of official Congressional representation.

U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler (D-Versailles) then took the podium for remarks in which he announced his support of Democratic Senate candidate Bruce Lunsford (D-Louisville), who later closed the morning speaking program.

Chandler was followed by delegate Ken Koch, a labor organizer. Koch introduced United Mine Workers of America President Cecil Roberts, who delivered a fiery speech slamming Republicans and the current nationwide advertising campaign targeting Democrats for their support of the Employee Free Choice Act.

DENVER -- The whirlwind of activity surrounding the Democratic National Convention will find Kentucky's delegation all over Denver today, with events capped off by a party jointly hosted by those from the Bluegrass state, Ohio, and Alabama.

Delegates started the day this morning with their daily breakfast at their downtown Denver hotel.

Keynoting today's meeting was U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, who blasted the Bush administration as a galvanizing force to unify Democrats across the nation.

Kentucky Democratic Party chair Jennifer Moore emceed the event and announced that, during each day's breakfast, she would highlight a different set of races. Today she spoke about Kentucky's state Senate races.

Much of the Kentucky Democratic delegation was also in attendance, including Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville), Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo (D-Hazard), Louisville attorney and Obama fundraiser Matthew Barzun, former party chairs Terry McBrayer and Jerry Lundergan, state Auditor Crit Luallen (D-Frankfort), and several Louisville metro council members.

The chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party said she expects the newly-selected Democratic vice-presidential pick, U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), to visit the Bluegrass state before the general election.

"He has strong Kentucky connections," said KDP chair Jennifer Moore. "I expect him to be in Kentucky."

Moore noted Biden has some family ties to Kentucky, as his sister-in-law is a native of the state.

Biden, an active campaigner for Democrats nationwide, has previously made political visits to the Commonwealth on several occasions.

"He campaigned here four years ago for Daniel Mongiardo," noted Moore, referencing the now-Lt. Governor's unsuccessful 2004 bid for U.S. Senate.

Biden also visited the state in 2006 for campaign stops in Greenup, Owensboro, Taylorsville, Shepherdsville, and Maysville on behalf of Kentucky Democrats, including congressional candidates Mike Weaver in the 2nd District and Ken Lucas in the 4th.

Sonny Landham may be out of the 2008 U.S. Senate race, but Kentucky could see the controversial former actor jump into another political race in the near future.

"There is 2010 to run, there is a Governor's race to run. I'm going to look at that," Landham told PolitickerKY.com. "Right now, this one is over."

Landham was stripped of the Libertarian Party's Senate nomination last week after making a series of anti-Arab comments.

He now stands by his comments though he is out of the race.

Should he pursue another U.S. Senate bid in 2010, he would face incumbent U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Southgate).

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) at Fancy Farm: Politicker photo

FANCY FARM -- The Fancy Farm picnic offers an array of activity for the politically-inclined, and bingo and barbeque for those who are not. Saturday's raucous political speaking, offering plenty of political fodder for the interested, including some 2011 politicking and a heated exchange from the 1st Congressional District race.

Governor Steve Beshear (D-Lexington) delivered the first blows for the Democratic side during the Saturday speaking. He was the first speaker from either side, but was no rookie to the event. During his own run last year for Governor, he faced off with then-incumbent Ernie Fletcher at Fancy Farm. This year, he seemed well-accustomed to the rhetorical style required to face down the event's notorious heckling.

As the damp heat lingered in the air, Beshear referenced the "funeral home fans" used by Republicans in attendance. He said "they're going to need them" because "we will bury their candidates."

Beshear also took aim at U.S. Senator Jim Bunning (R-Southgate), in attendance for the first time since 2004, when he said was assaulted by supporters of then-opponent Dan Mongiardo. He pledged to never come back after that incident, but was nonetheless seated on the front row on Saturday.

"I called his office and offered to call out the National Guard to protect him down here," said Beshear.

Bunning seemed unmoved at the remark until U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) - seated next to him - playfully nudged his colleague.

The 128th annual Fancy Farm picnic is scheduled for this Saturday, and legions of Kentucky's politicians and political junkies are headed to western Kentucky for the event's uniquely participatory political forum. With November's general election looming, some politicians have been hyping their speeches at the event for months, but the news that U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) and Jim Bunning (R-Southgate) may not be attending could put a damper on the potentially rowdy affair.

The Fancy Farm picnic - located in Fancy Farm, Kentucky - began as a bar-b-que and barn dance that has since morphed into one of the state's most important political traditions. Candidates for office in western Kentucky and those running statewide are expected to attend and speak before an audience of thousands notorious for rowdy heckling and theatrical behavior.

Legend has it that any politician not braving the crowd at the event will not be elected.

48th District House candidate David Watson (D-Louisville): Politicker photo

Businessman David Watson (D-Louisville) entered the race for Kentucky's 48th state House District as a political novice in a long-time Republican area. With some prognosticators predicting Republican struggles across the country, and with his family history and business background, Watson speculates he could put up a winning fight against sixteen-year incumbent and Minority caucus chair Bob DeWeese (R-Louisville).

Watson comes from a unique bloodline that he says resonates with many in the district. His father, Merle Watson, was a Democratic Party activist who Watson notes worked as "Ronald McDonald" in Kentucky, contributing to the growth of Ronald McDonald House charities in the area. Watson says his father's legacy in the community has led to support from voters and party insiders.

In an interview with PolitickerKY.com, Watson argues he can build upon this foundation to connect with voters with a more "moderate" approach informed by his long history in the private sector, pushing zero-based budgeting and modernization in Frankfort.

"I embrace technology, I embrace innovation, and I want to look at different ways of doing things and seeing the best way to do it," said Watson.

Along those lines, Watson also discusses a unique approach to fundraising, pitching events that "give value" to the donor's dollars and his