Jack Conway and the Race that Wasn't

In September, Jack Conway was asked point blank if he was going to run as the Democratic challenger to Republican Anne Northup in the 3rd Congressional District of Kentucky, and he said, "I'm thinking about it."

At that time, he said he would let people know by the first week of October. When the first week of October came and went, it became "next week."

As the weeks came and went, that became "in a few days."

As the months, weeks, and days passed by, Jack was courted by the DCCC, even taking a trip to Washington, D.C. Everyone talked about Conway running against Northup. After all, he had experience, having run against her a few years back, and came pretty darn close to beating her.

This time, the stage was set for victory. The Republicans are on the run. Anne Northup is as vulnerable as she will ever be. Jack Conway was assured both financial and volunteer support from the DCCC to the Kentucky Democratic Party to the grassroots. Everybody Jack talked to knew he could win, and so did Jack. So what happened?

He told some people that he was waiting for his family to give him the go ahead. Asked if his fiancee (he's getting married in May) was supportive, he was quick to assure us she was indeed supportive of his running.

So who wasn't? Family usually means either a husband or wife, or one or both parents. In this case, has to be the latter. Now why would a father or mother not wish their son to win a Congressional race against one of the most despicable politicians in Kentucky?

I guess if they'd rather have him run for the top spot, or second top spot, in Kentucky, instead. Consider, then, the implications. If Conway's parents, of whom at least one is a very powerful individual, withdrew their support for their son's Congressional bid, what's a middle-aged guy to do?

Well, here's my take on the whole situation.

Jack Conway strung this community along for months, apparently while trying to talk his parents into supporting him, which includes financially (remember, powerful people get contributions). Assurances by the DCCC, the Democratic Party, friends, and grassroots individuals apparently were not enough if Conway didn't have the support of his family.

I grew up in an era where Civics was taught in Jr High School. Civics has long since passed out of the public school curriculum, but I sincerely advocate its comeback for precisely this reason: Civics teaches the young student the symbiotic relationship between citizen and nation-state, which is a relationship of rights and responsibilities. The nation-state has a responsibility to do its duty to provide for the common good by ensuring the well-being of the individual, but the citizen also has a duty to serve the nation-state when needed. This always takes the form of voting, which is the responsibility of the individual, but more than that, when the nation-state needs an individual to serve, and there is no one else to do the job, it is incumbent upon the citizen to answer the call.

Jack Conway did not do that. Instead, he turned his back on the 3rd Congressional District, on the State of Kentucky, and on his country. Does that sound harsh? Good.

Anne Northup and every Republican like her are a blight on this country. Each individual Congressperson makes up the body of the whole. We need voices that fight for Democratic values of justice, fairness, and equality for all, and most importantly, for the moral value of doing the right thing, even if it's hard to do.

Jack Conway has turned his back on these basic Democratic values, saying "not yet."

Well, Jack, here's my reply: "Take your sorry ass back home and stick a fork in it, because you're done." Forget about running for Governor or even Lt. Governor in 2007, because the people of Kentucky will not forget, especially if they are still smarting from a loss in the 2006 election. Forget about running for Atty. General - Stumbo is doing a fantastic job.

Moreover, if Conway doesn't have sufficient fire in his belly to run in a race that he has to know he can win, then why do we want him for any elected position? If his family counts on him to win anything in 2007, I think they're going to be disappointed.

But the worst faux pas that Conway committed is stringing Democrats along for so long that it will now be virtually impossible to find someone who can challenge Northup. A campaign should already be beginning. And the worst humiliation of all? Northup and her Republican cohorts must be laughing their collective asses off.

This is one Kentuckian who will never forget Jack Conway's betrayal of our trust. He took away our hope, our dream, and quite possibly, our chances of finding another candidate.

Jack, you just don't screw your public like that and expect to show your face in public again, let alone deserve our support.

Hit the road, Jack, and don't come back no more, no more, no more. You deserve every harsh word and criticism you get.

Conway abandons voters to Northup's craven fealty to Bush, DeLay