Although Democrats have long argued that they have every intention of defeating Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in November, we have always believed that they would be equally content to force McConnell to stay home and spend the millions he’s raised instead of going to the aid of his more vulnerable GOP colleagues. And, not much has happened to change that view.
McConnell’s opponent is wealthy businessman Bruce Lunsford. Over the last five years, Lunsford has made two unsuccessful bids for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. In 2003, he dropped out of the race just days before the primary after being pummeled with negative ads alleging that some elderly residents of his nursing homes had been abused. In 2007, Lunsford placed second, taking 21 percent in a six-way field. And, according to Republicans, they are not lacking ammunition to lob at Lunsford in this race.
That said, the U.S. Supreme Court did hand Lunsford and Democrats a break in late June when it overturned the Millionaire’s Amendment. This means that Lunsford can spend freely of his fortune, which is estimated to
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