Dueling demonstrators rally outside Bunning’s Lexington office
Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, one of the Democrats trying to win Sen. Jim Bunning’s soon-to-be-open seat, talked to the crowd at the protest of Bunning outside Bunning’s Lexington office.
James Pence and Earl Newberry exchanged words during protests outside U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning’s Lexington office.
David Adams, GOP Senate candidate Rand Paul’s campaign manager, supported Sen. Jim Bunning during a protest outside of Bunning’s Lexington office.
GOP Senate candidate Bill Johnson attended a rally March 2 outside Sen. Jim Bunning’s Lexington office to show his Bunning support.
Susan Turner of Frankfort had words for Sen. Jim Bunning, who blocked short-term funding for a host of federal programs that expired Sunday, leaving thousands without unemployment benefits.
Becky Agostin of Louisville voiced her pro-Jim Bunning stance during a protest in front of his Lexington office. Bunning blocked short-term funding for a host of federal programs that expired Sunday, leaving thousands without unemployment benefits.
MORE COVERAGE:
- McConnell predicts Bunning’s blockade will end soon
- Bunning again blocks jobless benefits
- Jon Stewart mocks Bunning on The Daily Show
- Bunning refuses to back down
By Linda B. Blackford – lblackford@herald-leader.com
Dueling demonstrators went head to head in Lexington over Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning’s one-man blockade of short-term funding for a host of federal programs that expired Sunday, leaving thousands without unemployment benefits.
“This is about Republican hypocrisy,” declared Ron Moore, an unemployed Louisville resident who drove to Bunning’s Lexington office on Tuesday to demonstrate against the Kentucky Republican and in support of Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, one of the Democrats trying to win Bunning’s soon-to-be open seat.
Nearby, Lexington resident Mike Stephens held a sign that read “Thank you, Jim Bunning,” part of a group that supports Bunning’s stand and the candidacy of one of the Republicans who’d like to replace him, Rand Paul.
“We do not need government to get any bigger,” Stephens said.
Crowds that huddled around Mongiardo chanted “Stand with Dr. Dan,” while people holding Rand Paul signs shouted back “Pay Go, Pay Go,” in reference to Bunning’s insistence on finding funds for the $10 billion spending bill before he drops his opposition.
About seven Lexington police officers stood around the service road off of Corporate Drive, occasionally moving people who tried to interrupt speakers. There appeared to be more than 100 people who attended the rallies.
Jenny Given of Versailles carried a large American flag in support of Bunning.
“He’s standing up for what’s right,” she said. “No more free rides … we’re in trouble and Jim Bunning is the only one standing up.”
Susan Turner drove from Frankfort to support Mongiardo and protest against Bunning. “We are evolving into very mean people,” she said. “We see people voting against the most vulnerable people in Kentucky.”
Mongiardo, who was the only Democratic U.S. Senate candidate at the gathering, insisted that the event was not part of his campaign. “This is not about politics,” he proclaimed. “It’s about standing up for the unemployed of Kentucky right now.”
David Adams, Paul’s campaign manager, said Paul, a Bowling Green eye surgeon, couldn’t attend the event because he was in surgery. However, Paul appeared in a live interview on CNN at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Adams said Bunning’s moves have “drawn a line in the sand over the size of government. This is the best discussion we can have right now.”
Another Republican candidate, Bill Johnson, also appeared. “At some point, we have to stop deficit spending,” he said, adding that he thought two years of unemployment benefits was too much.
Bunning, a 77-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher, is the only senator who has objected to a voice vote on the spending bill, which would fund a variety of federal programs.
Two other candidates for Bunning’s seat, Republican Trey Grayson and Democrat Jack Conway, did not appear at Bunning’s office, but have expressed their sentiments down party lines.
In news releases, Grayson has supported Bunning’s stance, while Conway called on Bunning to end the stalemate.
According to the National Employment Law Project, a research group, some 1.2 million unemployed workers, including 14,000 in Kentucky, would lose federal jobless benefits this month. The U.S. Labor Department figures about one-third will lose benefits in the first two weeks of the month.
Bunning has become the butt of jokes by late-night comedians and the target of much more serious ire from people around the country, including his constituents.
Todd Murgatroyd of Columbus, Ohio, is an unemployed college football coach whose benefits will expire Saturday. He’s angry at Bunning for the stalemate, particularly after Bunning reportedly flipped the bird to an ABC reporter in Washington on Monday.
“It’s deplorable that he can do things like that and get away with it,” Murgatroyd said. “If he cared about the people of Kentucky or the country, he would put his personal agenda aside and say these people are hurting. He’s the only person standing in the way.”
Mike Young of Lexington has been out of work almost a year, after decades as a computer specialist with IBM. His unemployment benefits are on a different schedule, and won’t be affected by the Senate impasse.
“Most people aren’t out of work by choice,” Young said Tuesday at Lexington’s unemployment office. “They need to find more jobs … they ought to be doing something for the typical man.”
Bruce Epperly is also unemployed. “I think it’s wrong for one person to have so much power,” he said of Bunning.
The Bunning blockade also has triggered a minimum 21 percent fee reduction to doctors seeing Medicare patients that began on Monday. Medicare payments could also be affected by the problem.
Dr. Baretta Casey, director of the University of Kentucky Center for Rural Health in Hazard, said cutting Medicare payments will further destabilize health care for the elderly in rural areas.
For physicians serving a population that has a high percentage of Medicare patients, “A huge cut like this … is a dramatic impact on their bottom line and will most likely cause physicians to have to make very tough decisions,” she said.
The move may force doctors to consider opting out of the Medicare program, laying off employees or cutting back on the services they provide to patients, she said.
The Kentucky Medical Association Web site said that physicians should be receiving information from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services about a potential hold being put on Medicare claims as the debate over the bill continues.
Marty White, spokesman for the Kentucky Medical Association, said the proposed cuts in Medicare reimbursement for physicians were a pending issue, but Bunning’s action made them immediate.
If such cuts are made permanent, “I don’t think physicians will have much choice” but to stop seeing Medicare patients, he said.
Meanwhile, Several Kentucky highway projects also could be affected by the stalemate.
Transportation Cabinet Spokesman Chuck Wolfe said that bids on five different projects — in Lincoln, Henry and Fleming counties — are supposed to be advertised on Friday, but without federal transportation reimbursements, all those projects will come to a halt.
In addition, the Louisville Southern Indiana Bridges Authority was supposed to hear from federal experts on innovative financing later this week, but “we’ve learned they will not be able to attend because of the furloughs.”
Reporters Halimah Abdullah and Cheryl Truman contributed to this report.
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
Clooney | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
can’t we just keep printing money and vote for lifetime benefits for the unemployed? Come on, people! What is wrong with you?
km | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Senator Bunning is right. We should find a way to pay for this bill.
I propose that we give back Kentucky’s federal highway money to help offset the costs of providing unemployment benefits.
handiman | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Senator, just vote. As long as we have ink, we have money don’t we?
How dare you spend the democrats money for pork projects to buy votes this fall!
You scoundrel!
Dave | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Is Senator Bunning going to give up his pension to help the deficit?
Jesse Felix | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Vote for the wars…no problem
Help tobacco….of course
Cut off the unemployed….priceless
oink | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Bunning is doing what he should have done from the start of his term.
s.smith | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Sorry I could not be there, but like every real entrepreneur I was at ” My Business with the ten people I employ.” I see the Democrats and Anarchists had the day off and could make it there.
yeah right | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
People this is the Republican answer to everything. Unless your funding a war, or giving huge amounts of money to big business, bankers, or insurance companies, it is always too much money….Let the Republicans continue the current path and we will all be unemployeed with no unemployement payments. Wont that be special…..
Frank Melton | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
I believe Sen. Bunning is right. People on unemployment knew their benefits mihgt run out weeks before this. Why did the Senate wait until the last minute to consider this?
kytruthiness | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Good to see the mouth-breathing Tea Bagger make a fool of himself and his constituents, not to mention a Middle School Student Gov’t move by Johnson. Keep it up- America is watching!
The Republicans are collapsing upon themselves!! Hypocrisy at its finest!
Prof. Gilligan | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Quote: “This is not about politics,” (Mongiardo) proclaimed. “It’s about standing up for the unemployed of Kentucky right now.”
Does ANYONE believe that?!?!?! It was *CANDIDATE* Mongiardo holding a *RALLY* at the offices of *SENATOR* Bunning?!?! What’s not political about THAT?!?!?
Dr. Dan,…if you demonstrate that you’ll feed us B.S. during the campaign,…why should we believe that you won’t feed us B.S. if you’re elected??
How insulting.
Dr. Dan is taking cheap play from the Rahm Emanual playbook: Never let a crisis go to waste.
ringer | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
too bad Mongiardo didn’t beat him the last time. That debate was held a little too late! Bunning the bonehead makes all of KY look bad.
Prof. Gilligan | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Oh, and I couldn’t make it to the rally either. I also had to work.
I wonder why Mongiardo didn’t hold this rally AFTER normal business hours, when the rest of us could attend. Is it possible that Dan didn’t want the people who actually PAY for our social progams to attend?!?!? Surely that can’t be.
Go Rand Paul! | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Johnson shows up desperately wanting attention in a big sea of Rand Paul signs and Rand Paul supporters….with almost no noticeable Johnson supporters themselves around.
Sums up his whole campaign I think.
Joe S. | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
So unemployed Bill Johnson showed up to protest unemployment pay?
Steve | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
Sen. Bunning is standing for something that too few politicians are willing to these days. PRINCIPLE The democrats recently co-sponsored and made a BIG deal about supporting \”pay-go\”, i.e. future spending would not be appropriated without some mechanism to pay for it NOW, not our children or grandchildren. THEY LIED, and now Bunning is calling their bluff. Voters across the nation are getting sick and tired of these lies and everyone will see that in November.
Taika | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
GREAT showing for Bunning & Rand Paul! They don’t show it in perspective, but it seemed to me like 75% of the crowd had Rand Paul signs… hehe epic. Mongiardo got a taste of what he’ll be up against in the general election, and he headed out of there really quickly!
bonzo66 | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
I’ve got an ideal. Why don’t we get out of the ratholes in Afganistan and Iraq? That would free up a couple of billion a month and we could pay for extensions on unemployment insurance and maybe even fund universal health care. How come Bunning didn’t propose that?
KY4Life | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
You all make this out to be another campaign stategy of Rand Paul..it wasn’t about Paul..apparently another attempt for him to “co-opt” another event. As for Johnson, he clearly had supporters there and in Louisville..He must be doing something right because all I ever see are snide remarks being directed at him and its from the “Pauler’s”..The fat lady hasn’t sung nor has the horse crossed the finish line..Still supporting a man of DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY..over someone who is clearly trying to carry his father’s message further!
Candidate Follower | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
As a matter of fact, Johnson supporters nearly outnumbered supporters of other candidates. It was Johnson who arrived an hour before the demonstration to meet the people. It was Johnson who engaged the voters, focused the attention of the crowd on Mongiardo, led the chants, gave interviews, was WIH the voters. When the crowd chanted, “Pay Go! Pay Go!” it was Johnson on a bullhorn who united Rand Paul and Johnson supporters.
Rand was making $$$. Trey was MIA.
Supporter of True Conservatives | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
It was obvious, Rand supporters were there to support the eye doctor and Johnson supporters were there to stand with Bill Johnson in support of Senator Bunning, uh…the purpose of the event!
Bill Johnson led the way today, just as he will in the future for Ky! Godspeed Bill Johnson! http://www.kentuckybill.com
Eric | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
“As a matter of fact, Johnson supporters nearly outnumbered supporters of other candidates.”
Bad news for your ‘lying through my teeth’ strategy dude: there are videos and pictures. Here, on YouTube, on WHAS11, etc. You ain’t fooling anyone.
Please don’t tell me things have gotten so bad for Billy’s campaign that his supporters are now officially going the ‘Baghdad Bob’ route. We can all see the signs behind Johnson whiles he speaks man!
Jack McCock | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
I have seen videos of this event, and didn’t see a single Johnson sign. I did see a picture of Johnson, though. He had this worried look, like a deer caught in headlights, probably wondering “where are my supporters?”. This was while the Rand Paul signs were in the majority. If a candidate really has support, you will see it.
lexslamman | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
We spend 20% of our GDP on our defense budget. I propose that we no longer spend money on defense – that way we will have enough money to both maintain and upgrade our infrastructure and keep our essential social safety-nets in place. Stop funding national defense, it has never made this country a cent and therefore it must be a waste of taxpayer money.
Kyblessin | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
I see the ugly Paul supporters have hit the comment section.It was both supporters or Johnson and Paul standing together on principile or didn’t you all get that ??? We are all Americans and want the same thing fiscal responsibility and for the government to STOP spending our money like drunken sailors on shore leave ! Being unemployed is rough on a family try doing it sometime without unemployment benefits Like we did and guess what we NEVER TOOK A DIME FROM ANY government program we used our savings .. Novel concept saving for a rainy day ..! Stop thinking just because you live in America you are entitled to any thing cause we are not. It’s not the governments responsibility to take care of us, its ours! I am happy Senator Bunning did the right thing! I wish the rest of those in Washington would follow his lead !!!
elio | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
First, unemployment money do not belong to the government but is own to the employee because they pay for with their unemployment detractions and or taxes, so all of you southern republican scum or you give my money back or we start to rob any republican owned business with force if is necessary!!!!!
Buck Feshear | Mar 2, 2010 | Reply
@lexslamman: National defense is one of the few things in the US Constitution that is specifically listed as a proper purpose of the federal government. It should be our first spending priority.
Candidate Follower | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
There were no Johnson signs because it was not a Johnson rally. We were there on behalf of Senator Bunning.
You were there on behalf of Rand. That was the obvious message. You stood around like shoesalesmen in sandwiche board ads looking like cheap opportunists.
A major turning point in our nation’s history was in the crux and you can only focus on some lousy signs?? What is the matter with you people?
Make that “petty and cheap”. Parasites. Randulon parasites.
Shame on you!
lexslamman | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
What turning point? You guys surrendered like cowards and the Democrats held the day. Bunning’s grandstanding accomplished nothing but a day off for Federal transportation employees (which will probably cost us taxpayers millions of dollars) and leaving the victims of this recession, which ironically was caused by the fiscal policies of the GOP, out in the cold.
Deborah | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
A few words for the big shot ‘entrepreneur’ S.Smith & his little lapdog, Prof. Gilligan: I’m sure you think we’re all impressed with your ‘work’ status. The truth is, nobody cares. Your childish, uninformed swipes at the unemployed in this country display a juvenile sense of humor, and an infantile capacity to appreciate the seriousness of the situation. In all of my conversations with the unemployed, not one of them ever expected to be in their current position. That would be a good thing to remember.
DBoone | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
lex & deb: Don’t go away mad.
Just go away. like Mongiardo did…as fast as he could go!
Maddie | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
In response to Steve:
How exactly can you call the dems hypocrites for pushing for “pay-go” legislation before voting for this (a response to the current unemployment EMERGENCY?) Bunning was the real hypocrite for explicitly AGAINST pay-go before standing up for this so-called “principle” of his…
bob morgan | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
rands thugs are just getting warmed up..they think they can be like hitlers black shirts and push people off the streets..lets hope the law keeps a eye on their behavior..
s.smith | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
Debbiie fruit cake I am no ‘big shot’ I am 55 years old and have been self-employed since age eleven paying into Uncle Sam ever since. It is your attitude that keeps you from fining employment at Mickey Dees, Wal-Mart and your local unionized foodstuffs store. I had to let two of my workers go in January, they recieve unemployment from the insurance I pay on them. If sales keep going down, and if health care requires me to pay for my workers insurance, this means further cuts. My survival depends upon the survival of my small minority business. Now go get a job and quit crying. Even the illegals in my disrtict have jobs. What is your excuse.
Maddie | Mar 3, 2010 | Reply
S.Smith:
Are you serious?!? Not everyone that is unemployed right now is in this situation because they are lazy! I’m currently unemployed, and do you want to know what my “excuse” is that I still don’t have a job? It’s that I’m too darn qualified to get most of the jobs that I’m forced to apply for! You’re a small biz owner – would you hire someone for a job at your co. if you knew that they were over-qualified and would be out the door as soon as a better job came along? No, and THAT is why there are so many people still unemployed that need these extensions! The job market right now is not the same as it always has been….this is a time for drastic measures, unless you’d like the entire country to collapse on itself…
kentuckyconservative | Mar 15, 2010 | Reply
Is it just me, or does the Rand Paul cult worshippers remind you of the people from Westboro Baptist Church?