Ed Whitfield

First Congressional District candidate Heather Ryan (D-Paducah) announced she was five-months pregnant at a press conference held today at which the candidate sought to "respond" to criticisms of her weight.Heather Ryan (D-Paducah) sports a t-shirt reading "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant. What's your excuse?": Campaign Photo

Ryan's campaign claims "physical features" have been made an issue in the campaign by supporters of 1st District incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville). Whitfield's campaign said it was unaware of any such criticism, however.

"When our economy is reeling from the worst economic crisis in modern history and when our men and women are dying in an unending war in Iraq, I believe our discourse should be about more than weight," said Ryan in a statement dispatched by her campaign.

Ryan said the press conference was a reaction to an increasing amount of chatter on online forums and websites like YouTube about her weight.

"One of my staff members had noted someone called me a ‘fatass' because I had not walked in a parade," said Ryan, of a comment left online.

Updated, 4:40pm, with Whitfield camp's response.

U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville) joined 132 fellow Republicans and 95 Democrats - including both from Kentucky's Congressional delegation - in opposing today's economic bailout package in a vote on the floor of the U.S. House.

In a statement released today, Whitfield said he "reluctantly decided to oppose" the legislation for several enumerated reasons.

Whitfield argued the $700 billion planned bailout "would weaken our government's financial status" by adding to the national debt.

Whitfield also took a statistical approach to the financial fluctuations, citing an recent FDIC report he said indicated "only 1.6% of our nation’s banks have a financial problem."

The structure of the bailout legislation itself was also criticized by the Republican from western Kentucky. Whitfield argued the package needed a "limit" on "overall executive compensation," while claiming the authority granted to the Secretary of the Treasury in the bill was "unprecedented."

WASHINGTON -- Two high-profile Arizona congressmen are amongst those Republican Conference members who have yet to pay dues to the cash-strapped National Republican Congressional Committee’s fall “Battleground” fundraising program, which is aiming to raise $12 million from Republicans in the House.

U.S. Reps. Jeff Flake (R-Mesa) and John Shadegg (R-Phoenix) can’t lay claim to helping out in the effort. With seven weeks until voters head to the polls, Flake and Shadegg have yet to open their checkbooks, according to a Republican aide familiar with the fundraising efforts who asked not to be identified.

Like all GOP members, each cycle Flake and Shadegg are expected to meet “assessments,” a contribution to the program based on one’s seniority status and membership in a committee or subcommittee. Flake, who serves on the Foreign Affairs and Resources committees, has a $70,000 assessment. Shadegg, who serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, owes $150,000.

As of August, Flake had $1 million in his campaign bank account while Shadegg had $1.3 million. Shadegg is facing a competitive re-election this fall. Flake is not.

1st Congressional District candidate Heather Ryan will open a campaign heaquarters in Ryan's hometown of Paducah next week - the first office the campaign will have in the district.

Ryan, a Democrat, is running a low-budget effort against incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield, who has represented the 1st District since 1995.Heather Ryan (D-Paducah): Politicker photo

Her campaign nerve center will be located at 4509 Clarks River Road in Paducah. The office's grand opening is scheduled for August 21 at 5pm.

"Men, Women, Children and Check Books Welcome!" reads an invitation to the grand opening event dispatched by Ryan's campaign.

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.

U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in Inez, KY earlier this year: Politicker photo

The campaign of presumptive Republican presidential nominee and U.S. Sen. John McCain announced its first organizational moves in the state this afternoon, naming state Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) as Kentucky campaign chair.

A 22-year veteran of the state Senate, Williams has served as that body's president since 2000. He also unsuccessfully sought to unseat then-incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Wendell Ford in 1996.

"John McCain is a leader who Kentuckians can believe in. John McCain will protect our country, grow our economy, reform our government and improve America's energy security," said Williams in a statement dispatched by the McCain campaign. "We believe voters in Kentucky have a choice this November between John McCain, who will lead this nation forward, and Barack Obama who will take our country backward with his failed policies of the past. John McCain has always put our country's interest before his own; I am confident he will continue to do so as president."

U.S. Rep Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville) has barely touched his $1 million-plus warchest, as his campaign's newest FEC report shows few expenditures to round out the second fundraising quarter of 2008.

The second quarter gave Whitfield a $33,628 bump up in cash-on-hand, as his coffers grew from $1,015,555 to $1,049,183.

Whitfield's campaign disbursed less in the second quarter than it did in the first, dropping just less than $22,000 from the end of March to the end of June - about a third of the camp's first quarter expenditures.

Kentucky's 1st Congressional District seat has been in the hands of U.S. Rep Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville) since the Republican party's 1994 nationwide harvesting of Congressional seats. Then, Whitfield topped incumbent Democrat Tom Barlow by just over 2,000 votes. After winning his first re-election bid in 1996 by seven points, Whitfield has kept a firm grasp on the 1st District, never winning by less than 11 points.

This year, Whitfield faces Heather Ryan (D-Paducah) in November's general election in what may be an atypical challenge for the incumbent.

The Ryan campaign's presentation of U.S. Rep "Ed Whitfield" (R-Hopkinsville), right, and U.S. Senator "Mitch McConnell" (R-Louisville)

Heather Ryan's (D-Ryan) low-budget campaign effort in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District has taken a turn for the theatrical with the unveiling of two internet videos depicting her opponent, U.S. Rep Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville), as a paper bag puppet. One video even features a cameo appearance from "Mitch McConnell," in the form of a sock puppet with half a set of dentures.

The two videos - entitled "Reprezentin" and "Fancy Farm Fandango" - are the first installments of the planned "Bag Eddie" series. While lacking in technical flair, the videos are a satirical effort to highlight some of the criticisms Ryan has made of Whitfield's voting record.

"Reprezentin" features the paper-bag "Whitfield" - given a gravelly, vaguely Eastern European accent by a puppeteer - lauding "big oil" and pharmaceutical companies in no uncertain terms.