How much help and leadership does Senator McConnell provide to the Republican Party of Kentucky?
Senator McConnell recently called me at home early in the morning. We talked for 45 minutes. We don’t talk everyday and we might not talk every week, but I have no hesitation whatsoever to pick up the phone and call him. He always takes the call. He has no reservation to call me. We speak frequently. We have the sort of relationship where we have staff to staff contact and other contact frequently — we are very cordial. How would you rate Peppy Martin’s campaign for Governor? I would rate it over. How strong will the Republican’s slate of statewide candidates be for the election in 2003? I am not always the best prognosticator, but Kentucky is poised for the sort of two party competition that exists throughout the rest of the south. People show no fear of changing to the Republican Party in very heavily Democratic areas. The atmosphere is positive. Congressional candidates will be running for re-election around the state. Republicans will have a very strong ticket from top to bottom.
