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LOUISVILLE - Some of the higher-profile Democrats from the Louisville area appeared in their hometown today to voice their support of Democratic U.S. Senate nominee and Louisville businessman, Bruce Lunsford. For a press conference in downtown's Jefferson Square Park, Lunsford was joined by Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, U.S. Rep John Yarmuth - of Kentucky's 3rd Congressional District - and Attorney General Jack Conway.

Each voiced their endorsement of Lunsford in his bid to unseat four-term incumbent Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville), the Minority Leader in the Senate.

"I want to speak out in regard to his vision. This is a man that I believe sees what is right for the United States and what is right for the commonwealth of Kentucky, first and foremost," said Abramson, the city's long-time mayor. "In my judgement, Bruce Lunsford has the background, the experience and the energy to be able bring about a supportive change that is necessary for the future of America."

Lunsford's background was of utmost significance for prominent supporters at today's event. Each lauded Lunsford's experience as a former Secretary of Commerce and businessman.

Abramson acknowledged Lunsford's role in the foundation of Vencor, a health services chain that later split into two entities - Ventas and Kindred Healthcare.

"He understands the importance of working for investment and job creation," said Abramson.

Lunsford's history with Vencor was a sticky issue in the contentious Democratic primary fight the ultimate nominee waged against fellow Louisville businessman, Greg Fischer. Fischer frequently hammered Vencor's history - particularly a $104.5 million settlement with the Federal Government agreed to by Vencor over charges of "over-billing" and "failure of care" claims.

With regard to that settlement, Lunsford's campaign continually notes wrong-doing was never acknowledged by the candidate.

At any rate, the Vencor history - and Lunsford's business record in general - was lauded as a positive by the speakers at today's event.

"We need someone with business experience, we need someone that understands economics, and we need to [img_assist|nid=875|title=Attorney General Jack Conway (D-Louisville) speaks on Friday|desc=Politicker photo|link=none|align=left|width=273|height=266]send them to wash because George Bush didn't do this alone," said Conway, referencing the recent economic downturn. "He did it with some help, and specifically he had a lot of help from the senior Senator and the Minority Leader from Kentucky."

Arguing McConnell was financed by special interest groups, Yarmuth said that Lunsford was not "beholden" to the same entities.

"There is so much special interest money in this system that the people in Congress basically have put themselves in a position where their hands are tied. It doesn't need to be that way," said Yarmuth.

"We have an incumbent Senator who has raised, I don't know, 10,12,15 million dollars. He does that by dealing with the same people who are writing the drug bills, writing the health insurance plans, writing the energy policy," continued Yarmuth. "We have to get out of that box if we are going to solve these problems. Bruce Lunsford is beholden to no one. He is beholden to his conscience, he is beholden to his intellect, and he will be beholden to the citizens of this commonwealth, and that's it."

Lunsford has already demonstrated his willingness to self-finance his campaign, having spent over $2,000,000 of his own money before the May 20 primary.

In his own remarks this afternoon, Lunsford acknowledged his long-standing relationships with his three prominent supporters. He also took time to blast perceived "obstructionism" on the part of McConnell in his role as Senate Minority Leader.

"No one can really understand why we have legislation blocked time and time again. I believe in differences of opinion. I believe we should argue about your differences of opinion. But just to obstruct and stop movement forward is not the right answer," said Lunsford. "I've spent my life being someone who believes in compromise. I've spent my life believing that you build consensus by argument, by discussion, by voicing opinion."

McConnell has been at the forefront of filibusters halting progress on many pieces of key Democratic legislation, including recent efforts to pass legislation to create a "windfall profits tax" on oil companies and a cap-and-trade system of emissions control.

The Energy Battle

Today again, Lunsford hit McConnell on gas prices, pointing to the sharp increase in prices during McConnell's last six years in office.

When asked about his own energy proposals and solutions for rising gas prices, Lunsford said he supported short-term relief in the form of a gas tax holiday and the usage of domestic reserves. He also suggested the nation deal with "commodity manipulation" as soon as possible, but indicated the issue was a complicated one.

Lunsford also re-iterated his opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), an Alaska wildlife sanctuary targeted for exploratory drilling in recent legislation sponsored by McConnell. ANWR is estimated to hold at least 4.3 billion barrels of oil.

"If you look at how little impact that has, that has become a political football. It has no effect on price, and it almost does nothing about our consumption," said Lunsford.

The Democratic nominee also attacked the policy on the grounds of the damage it is predicted to inflict on the natural environment in ANWR.

"Would someone in Kentucky want to see our environment destroyed like we are asking to do in Alaska? I don't think so. I think Kentuckians are much more environmentally conscious than that," said Lunsford. "It's a hoax."

McConnell has slammed Lunsford for his opposition to ANWR drilling in recent days, even criticizing Lunsford for owning a racehorse called "Drilling for Oil" while not supporting the sentiment in ANWR.