Bunning's Plans Should Concern GOP

Two-term Republican Senator Jim Bunning is reiterating that he intends to run for re-election in 2010. Whether he really means this, or it is just bluster remains to be seen until at least next year. However, the idea of Bunning running again should definitely concern Republican leadership. Let me say that if Jim Bunning runs again, and Democrats get a strong nominee (hello Ben Chandler), Bunning will be defeated.

Jim Bunning has lived somewhat of a charmed life. A former congressman, he won election to the Senate over fellow Rep. Scotty Baesler by a bare 50-49 margin in 1998. Six years later, facing an unfunded and unknown state senator named Dan Mongiardo, Bunning won 51-49, despite the fact that President Bush was carrying the state by 20 percentage points. Not to mention, prior to getting into politics, Bunning was a good major leaguer and he pitched a perfect game in 1964 which helped eventually propel him into the Hall of Fame despite his likely undeserving statistics.

During the 2004 campaign, Bunning exhibited very strange behavior. He referred to his opponent as looking like one of Saddam Hussein's sons. He claimed his wife was attacked at a picnic. And he refused to participate in person at the only debate, opting instead to appear by satellite from the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, where it appears that he was fed answers by a teleprompter. After Bunning survived (in no small measure to the DSCC foolishly refusing to send good money to the state while wasting it in places like Missouri, Oklahoma, and South Carolina), it appeared to everyone his second term would be his last one.

Bunning does not see it that way. Despite the margins of his two Senate wins, and the tenor his last campaign, he, like many politicians who came before him, does not appear ready to relinquish his hold on power, even though he has clearly lost a lot of zip from his fastball. This is of course great news for Democrats, who surprisingly have a deep bench in Kentucky. Congressman Ben Chandler, State Auditor Crit Luallen, State Attorney Jack Conway, and others could all give Bunning a very stiff challenge. In fact, as I noted at the top, if Chandler gets in -- and I think he will -- Bunning will be history if he stays.

The biggest question, then, is if Bunning really will run again. Right now, he has basically no money in his account for a campaign that will be very costly. This doesn't mean he won't run again, but it is one sign. He is also 79, and clearly not in the best health, if 2004 demonstrated anything. Personally, I'd say it is 50-50 he runs again. At his age, clearly he wants to make the race, much like Arlen Specter, but desire and ability are two separate things. We'll see what happens, but the GOP should be hoping that he opts for retirement so they can run someone like Secretary of State Trey Grayson.