Kentucky Republican Powers-That-Be Step Up Pressure on Farmer
No one knows what Richie Farmer plans to do next, and that probably includes Richie Farmer himself. But recent media speculation about a Williams-Farmer ticket for governor isn't so much informed speculation, but an organized effort to convince Farmer where he needs to be.
It started earlier this month with an article by Tom Loftus in the C-J, hidden in the Fourth of July Weekend:
Some in GOP promote David Williams, Richie Farmer ticket for governor
Higher-ups in the GOP structure were trotted out to praise what a great ticket that would make for the GOP.
"Richie running with David is really the only credible talk that I'm hearing lately," said Ellen Williams, a former chairwoman of the state Republican Party. "I think that would be a formidable ticket and one that Kentuckians would be excited about."
State Senator Damon Thayer (2010 Rank: #1) said:
"That would be a dream ticket for Republicans and Steve Beshear's worst nightmare," he said. "I would fully support that ticket."
Republican consultant Scott Jennings said:
"If David and Richie form a ticket, I think it's extremely formidable and would dissuade most others from running in the GOP primary," he said.
Even Larry Forgy added to the chorus:
Larry Forgy, the GOP's 1995 candidate for governor, said a Williams-Farmer ticket would be the best the party could field.
The chatter got Larry Keeling's attention: "GOP Dream Team or Pipe Dream?" and he outlined the point we were inclned to make.
As much as it's clear that the "party" has made up its mind, it is also clear that Farmer has not. The truth, and Farmer and Williams both know it, is that just about all of those accolades could be proclaimed about any Richie Farmer ticket, with or without Williams.
So the strategy for Williams and surrogates is to push media stories about how great the ticket would be to help make Farmer comfortable with the idea. Williams has even conducted a poll to demonstrate the viability of such a ticket so that he can say "See Richie, we can win this way." It is a sound strategy and a solid effort.
We'll just have to wait and see if Farmer can be persuaded.
