If you’re confused about where Alison Lundergan Grimes stands on most of the issues, you’re not alone. Despite reporters literally chasing her down to get answers to simple questions like, “Do you support the Democrats’ shut down strategy?” or “What parts of Obamacare would you get rid of?” or “How would you oppose the President on coal?” Part-Time Grimes has felt no shame in running away.
Fellow Democrats say it’s a “smart political strategy,” but it doesn’t seem so smart anymore when even the groups she’s purporting to support are calling her out for her empty campaign rhetoric. Both the chief lobbyist for the National Rifle Association and the president of the Kentucky Coal Association have called her bluff, and now with her deafening silence on Obamacare, its time for Kentuckians to see where she really stands.
Grimes is blatantly engaging in deceptive political tactics to hide her true policy positions, and Kentucky voters deserve better.
Thanks,
BACKGROUND
Alison Lundergan Grimes often tries to hide her true policy positions when she knows they’re unpopular in Kentucky.
OBAMACARE
GRIMES PRETENDS SHE DOESN’T SUPPORT OBAMACARE BECAUSE OF ITS “UNPOPULARITY” “Grimes, who is running against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, has said little about the new law as she tries to distance herself from an administration that remains unpopular in her home state. Like many other red state Democrats, she has said that she opposes full repeal and would like to fix certain areas of the law, but Grimes has yet to get specific on what changes she would make.” (“Kentucky Governor’s Obamacare Advocacy Could Help Mitch McConnell,” National Journal, 10/3/13)
GRIMES WON’T GIVE SPECIFICS ON OBAMACARE “But to abandon the Affordable Care Act, which is often called Obamacare, would likely cause Grimes serious trouble with her Democratic base. Grimes’s campaign disputed the idea that the candidate has in any way shrunk from the issue, but a statement to the Lexington Herald-Leader from campaign spokeswoman Charly Norton was similar to what Grimes has said in the past, offering few specifics about how she would try to change the law without repealing it.” (“Alison Lundergan Grimes Quiet as Healthcare Battle Rages Around Her,” Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/5/13)
GRIMES HAS A WAIT AND SEE STRATEGY ”There’s a lot of caution that’s apparent in her campaign, and the campaign is still a long one,” Yanarella said. “She believes she has the time to read the tea leaves, see where the political winds are blowing and if they seem to be blowing favorably toward the Democrats, she can get on board.” (“Alison Lundergan Grimes Quiet as Healthcare Battle Rages Around Her,” Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/5/13)
IF OBAMACARE IS SO POPULAR, WHY IS GRIMES STAYING QUIET? “But if ObamaCare is so popular in the Blue Grass State, why doesn’t Democratic Senate candidate Alison Grimes, who is challenging Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell next year, want to talk about it?”(Kentuckians for Obamacare?” Wall Street Journal, 10/4/13)
IF OBAMACARE IS SO POPULAR, WHY DO DEMOCRATS THINK GRIMES IS SMART TO SAY NOTHING? “Furthermore, if Kentuckians are so gaga over the new law, why does Congressman John Yarmuth, a Democrat from Louisville, think Ms. Grimes has been wise to avoid the subject? “I think it is probably smart politics,” he told the paper. “I think just from a very pragmatic political perspective, I think she has the opportunity to wait and see how it’s received.”” (Kentuckians for Obamacare?” Wall Street Journal, 10/4/13)
GUN RIGHTS
CHIEF LOBBYIST OF NRA CALLS GRIMES OUT FOR “EMPTY CAMPAIGN PROMISES” “Alison Grimes would clearly rather hold court with her anti-gun Las Vegas trial lawyer friends than stand with hundreds of thousands of NRA members, gun owners and sportsmen in Kentucky,” Cox said. “While she may make empty campaign promises to support Second Amendment rights, her actions say something completely different. Kentuckians deserve better.” (“National Rifle Association criticizes Grimes over Vegas fundraiser host,”Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/10/13)
GRIMES ATTENDS FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY ANTI-GUN TRIAL LAWYERS“According to the fundraiser invitation, obtained by the Lexington Herald-Leader, the hosts of the event are both trial lawyers, one with a history of making anti-gun remarks that might not play well in the Bluegrass.” (“Grimes’ fundraiser a dream come true for Republicans?”Lexington-Herald Leader, 10/10/13)
NRA CRITICIZES GRIMES OVER VEGAS FUNDRAISER HOST “The National Rifle Association, unhappy with one of the co-hosts of a fundraiser for Alison Lundergan Grimes, assailed Grimes on Thursday as unfriendly to gun owners.” (“National Rifle Association criticizes Grimes over Vegas fundraiser host,” Lexington Herald-Leader, 10/10/13)
KENTUCKY COAL
GRIMES TRIES TO SAY SHE FIGHTS FOR COAL, KENTUCKY COAL LEADERS SAY SHES WRONG “Kentucky Coal Association President Bill Bissett quickly and publicly credited her opponent, Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, for being the industry’s chief supporter on Capitol Hill.” (The War on Coal puts Democrats on Defense,” U.S. News, 9/19/13)
GRIMES FALSELY PORTRAYS HERSELF AS A FRIEND TO COAL “It is amusing to watch Grimes try to portray herself as a friend of coal while cozying up to its worst enemies. This issue will have big impact on the Senate race because the Kentucky coal industry is facing some of its toughest times ever from the combined effect of Obama’s war on coal and the natural gas boom.” (“Mitch McConnell & Grimes: Contrast on Coal,” WDRB 9/20/13)
KENTUCKY COAL LEADER DOUBTS GRIMES COULD BE STRONGER ADVOCATE THAN MCCONNELL “”But when you consider we’re hearing a lot of rumors about upcoming fundraisers with Sen. Harry Reid, there is a real question of what that relationship is going to be with someone who has carried out all of the president’s marching order against coal in the Senate. It is my understanding that if someone gives you money, you expect them to think and act like they do.” Grimes’s positions on coal also doesn’t help her with environmentalists and the liberal wing of the Democratic Party in the state, who see little daylight between their presumptive nominee and McConnell” (“Kentucky Coal Leader Doubts Grimes Could Be Stronger Advocate Than Mitch McConnell,” WFPL, 9/18/13)
SENATE DEMOCRATS BLOCKING MCCONNELL’S COAL BILL PUTS ALISON LUNDERGAN GRIMES IN TOUGH SPOT. “A coal industry leader had already raised doubts about Grimes being a more effective voice for Kentucky coal operators and miners than McConnell. But Reid’s maneuvering raises further questions about whether Grimes can stand up to the Democratic leader while relying on him politically to unseat McConnell.” (“Senate Democrats Blocking McConnell’s Coal Bill Puts Alison Lundergan Grimes in Tough Spot,” WFPL, 9/19/13)
GRIMES IS, SERVING UP PLATITUDES, TRYING TO FOOL KENTUCKIANS“Grimes is trying to fool Kentuckians — serving up platitudes on Obamacare and coal while getting ready to raise cash in Las Vegas with Harry Reid, the chief defender of Obamacare and the War on Coal,” said Riggs Lewis, board member of Kentuckians for Strong Leadership. “Alison Grimes has two new middle names: Harry Reid — and everyone in Kentucky is going to know it.” (“Senate hopeful Alison Lundergan Grimes bashed in Kentucky over links to Sen. Harry Reid,” Washington Times, 9/20/13)
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