Hillbilly Report

The Kentucky Democratic Party Web Site Receives Facelift

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
October 1, 2007
www.hillbillyreport.com
www.ditchmitchky.com
www.bluegrassroots.org

As we move into the final days of this critical campaign, having an up-to-date, interactive and responsive website is crucial to our victory on November 6.
Today, I am proud to announce the Kentucky Democratic Party has launched our new website. The address is the same: www.kydemocrat.com but the look, feel and content is altogether different.
Since taking over as Chair and Vice-Chair, Jennifer Moore and I have set as one of our top priorities moving the Party further into the information and Internet age. Our plan is to combine old-school grassroots organizing with the new technological tools and resources that are changing politics in the 21st Century.  We want a Kentucky Democratic Party that is on the cutting edge of technology, but one that also understands the value of neighbors talking to neighbors.
With the launch of the new kydemocrat.com, we bring the old and new together in an innovative, but user-friendly, website.  The history and heritage of the Kentucky Democratic Party is reflected in the design; our progress and movement ahead is reflected in the information and tools you can use to help build our Party.
On the new kydemocrat.com, you can:

• Search and view events in your area, with printable maps and directions
  
• Enter your own Democratic Party event in your community (you can even take reservations online)
  
• Read up-to-the-minute news clippings and press releases about the Democratic Party, candidates, campaigns, and political interest stories
  
• Volunteer online for activities and events
  
• Quickly find information about your local party, your Democratic elected officials, our 2007 slate of candidates, and even the history of the Kentucky Democratic Party
• Shop the new KDP online store, hosted by democraticstuff.com (and get a free bumpersticker when you visit)

Your financial support of the Kentucky Democratic Party is crucial to our success, and with the new kydemocrat.com, we make the process easier with improved, secure credit card processing.  For those on a budget, our new PLEDGE TO WIN program allows you to make recurring contributions, every month, in any amount you like (you can start with $5.00 per month.)  The contribution is deducted automatically from your credit card. PLEDGE TO WIN is a fast, easy, worry-free way to help the Democratic Party.
We're excited about the future of the Kentucky Democratic Party. We invite you take a moment to visit our new website.  Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more.
Jonathan Miller, Chair
Kentucky Democratic Party

Jerry Lundergan Will Recommend Jonathan Miller And Jennifer Moore To Lead The Kentucky Democratic Party At The May 31, Executive Committee Meeting, Google Video.

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 24, 2007
I have not always agreed with Jerry Lundergan and I have pointed out why from time to time in this blog, but today I’m going to focus on some of the positive things Jerry Lundergan has done for the Democratic Party.

• You don’t have to guess where you stand with Jerry Lundergan he will tell you what he thinks, I know, he has told me and that’s hard to find now days, someone that will tell you exactly how they feel even when you don’t want to hear it.
• Jerry Lundergan will let you tell him exactly how you feel, I know because I’ve told him. He may get upset, but he gets over it and I don’t believe he holds grudges.

• Jerry Lundergan worked his rear end off for Mike Weaver, in the 2006 2nd District Congressional race, I know because I was there.

• Jerry Lundergan cleaned up the Democratic Headquaters.

Like the rest of us Jerry Lundergan is not without fault, but Jerry has brought the Democratic Party to the point where a person like Jonathan Miller can lead the party to even further heights and who knows Jerry may have been the only person who could have accomplished that.
Thank you Jerry for all the long days, the many miles you put in your Suburban, the many miles you spent  in your plane, the money spent out of your own pocket and our spirited conversations, of which I will truly miss.
The Hillbilly

Steve Beshear Nominates Jonathan Miller And Jennifer Moore To Head The Kentucky Democratic Party, Youtube Video

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 24, 2007

Steve Beshear Wins The Kentucky Gubernatorial Democratic Primary

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 23, 2007
Steve Beshear wins and so does Kentucky. We get a new chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party and a creditable Democratic candidate.
Click here to see him at his victory celebration.
Much thanks to Jonathan Miller and Irv Maze for endorsing Steve Beshear.
Click here to see Jonathan Miller at the victory celebration.
Dr. Dan, what can I say, a real class guy.
Click here to see Dr. Dan at the victory celebration.
Regular folks express their feelings.
Click here to hear and see what they have to say.

Jonathan Miller Speaking At the Steve Beshear Victory Event, Youtube Video

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 23, 2007

Thank You Jonathan Miller And Irv Maze. Go Steve Go, Youtube Video.

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 22, 2007
During the Democratic primary I had the opportunity to meet Jonathan Miller and Irv Maze and I found these guys to be the real deal. They proved it when they stood up to Bruce Lunsford and they proved it again when they dropped out of the Democratic primary and endorsed Steve Beshear. Jonathan and Irv are two special people and this hillbilly wants to thank them and their families for all of their efforts to bring good government to the people of Kentucky. That being said, I now join forces with Jonathan and Irv to support Steve Beshear. Go Steve go.
Since my writing skills leave a lot to be desired, I have expressed my feelings in the video below.
The Hillbilly

Jonathan Miller Is Dropping Out Of The Kentucky Gubernatorial Race And Endorsing Steve Beshear.

Hillbilly Report
Glendale, Kentucky
May 7, 2007
Jonathan Miller is dropping out of the Governors race and is going to endorse Steve Beshear.
Jonathan Miller is too valuable to the Kentucky Democratic Party to just disappear from the scene. Could it be that Jonathan Miller will be the next Chairman of the Kentucky Democratic Party, if Steve Beshear wins?
UPDATE:
FROM JONATHAN MILLER
A Kentucky author once wrote, "If we can all abandon the politics of self-interest, we can together build a stronger America."
Okay, that author was me.  And the book was "The Compassionate Community," available in bookstores near you and in paperback this fall.
And the sentiment -- that politicians must put aside their selfish ambition to build a stronger community -- is at the core of my beliefs.
That's why today I announce that I am withdrawing from the Governor's race and endorsing Steve Beshear.
Lisa and I have thoroughly enjoyed the last six months of campaigning across the state.  In our journey, we have met thousands of Kentuckians, who have shared their homes, their hearts, and their dreams for the future.  That journey was made all the more fulfilling and enjoyable by my partnership with Irv Maze.  I have long respected Irv and his public service, but it was in the past six months that I have grown to understand what a truly outstanding human being he is, as well as his wife Peggy.
It was a long road, but a good road.   And with two weeks left before the primary, this is a very competitive race, one I felt that I had a real chance of winning.
But the odds are, if I stayed in the race, there is a real possibility that the Democratic primary would produce a nominee who was unelectable in the fall.  A nominee whose baggage would be picked apart and exploited by the Fletcher media machine. 
And Kentucky simply cannot afford four more years of Ernie Fletcher.  As a loving and proud Kentucky native, I cannot bear to watch us continue to slide.  We need strong, effective leadership.  We need someone who will bring honesty, integrity and the right kind of experience to Frankfort.  We need Steve Beshear. 
While I have known Steve for most of my adult life, I have been privileged to get to know him even better in the last six months.  And I have learned that our common values and principles far outweigh our differences.  As any debate observer can attest, Steve and I share a commitment to affordable higher education, health care for all of Kentucky's children, universal preschool, and the will and honesty to pay for these needs.   
Steve Beshear will make an excellent Governor.  And while I have asked for nothing in return for my endorsement I look forward to supporting his ticket with all of my heart this spring and fall. 
I want to express my deepest thanks and gratitude to all of my friends and supporters, old and new, to our phenomenal campaign staff and volunteer corps who dedicated so many hours to our cause, and especially, to the Miller and Maze families, who gave us strength and continued to remind us of why we are in this important journey. 
And I want to emphasize, that while we did not accomplish our ultimate goal, we made a real difference.  As the papers today illustrated, we were the first gubernatorial campaign in memory to make the environment a centerpiece issue.  I look forward to working with Governor Beshear to help bridge the divide on the issue of mountaintop removal mining, bringing together all parties to promote a solution that allows the coal economy to thrive while we take more special care of our environment and natural resources. 
And, on an even more exciting note, we are the first gubernatorial campaign in recent memory, to have energized our next generation of leaders, our young Kentuckians, to become involved in political life, and to begin to take leadership in their communities. 
My political journey started as a 19-year-old volunteer for Al Gore.  But even a few months before that, I was able to cast my first vote for Governor.  I remember the excitement of entering the voting booth.  And I remember the candidate I voted for.  He was a young two-term constitutional officer, around the age of 40, who offered progressive ideas for the future of Kentucky.  And while Steve Beshear did not win that time, I look forward to voting for him again - in fact, three more times this year - to ensure that his political journey ends in the Governor's Mansion. 
o      It's time for new leadership in Frankfort.
o      It's time for honesty, decency and experience.
o      It's time for less talk and more action.
o      It's time we Democrats nominated someone that we were proud of. 
And, while it's not yet time for a Miller, you will see this Miller doing everything he can to ensure that this man is the next Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Steve Beshear.
Jonathan Miller