Ashley Judd to run against Mitch McConnell

[Mojo2]

Yes, you read that right — from the Courier-Journal:

Actress and Kentucky native Ashley Judd is being touted as a top contender to challenge Sen. Mitch McConnell in the 2014 election, with supporters saying it could produce the ”premier race in the country.”

”If you had an Ashley Judd-McConnell race, I think it would be as high profile a race as Elizabeth Warren and Scott Brown,” said U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-Ky.

Judd knows something about races. She is married to IZOD IndyCar Series driver Dario Franchitti, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner.

[LynneSin]

1. I don't know. George Clooney's dad couldn't win a house seat in Kentucky

so not sure what chances Ashley Judd would have.

[WCGreen]

12. He was also an anchor man in Cincinnati, if my memory serves me....

[demosincebirth]

2. Is she a dem?

[Little Star]

6. yes.

[godai]

17. Uhhh...yes!

Ashley Judd's humanitarian work has revolved around becoming a global ambassador for YouthAIDS, a prevention program under the Population Services International. She has been a member of their Board of Directors since 2004, also. Judd has travelled with YouthAIDS to places affected by illness and poverty such as Cambodia, Kenya, Rwanda, and many others.[24]
Inspired by her travels, which allowed her to witness the life of the poor and uneducated, she has since become an advocate for preventing poverty and promoting awareness internationally. She has met with political and religious leaders, heads of states, diplomats, and leaders on behalf of the deprived to convey the message to those who have the power to bring about political and social change.[24]
Judd has also narrated three documentaries for YouthAIDS which aired internationally on the Discovery Channel, in National Geographic, and on VH1.
In 2011, Judd joined the Leadership Council of the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW).[25]
Other organizations Judd has been involved with include the Women for Women International, and Equality Now, along with other non-governmental organizations which center around bringing attention to social, educational, health, economic, cultural, and financial funding of the unfortunate.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashley_Judd

[NewJeffCT]

43. wow, did not know all that

I was worried that, while she was smart, she might not know the details/issues.

[msongs]

3. she is not running until SHE says she is running nt

[Little Star]

4. I hope she does it! She would be great and..

it would certainly be a very high profile race.

Please Ashley say yes.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

5. Ashly would gove cranky Mitch...

a run for his money!

[Berlum]

7. Ashley!

[godai]

24. With Dario

[sheshe2]

36. Wow the Beauty VS the Beast! Your pic vs mine!

[url=http://postimage.org/image/il4i5aj1p/full/][img][/img][/url]
[url=http://postimage.org/]upload pictures[/url]

Run Ashley Run!
Is he up for re-election in 2014????

[WI_DEM]

8. This is speculation--it says nothing definite that she is going to run

you probably should change your headline. or provide a link where it actually says she is going to run.

[godai]

22. Just the threat would make McConnell more cooperative.n/t

[Mojo2]

9. She is a huge

backer of the University of Kentucky basketball team, as they always show her in the front row at every televised game.

[femrap]

32. Then she will

MOST DEFINITELY WIN!!!! I've seen grown men cry when U of KY loses. I lived in Lexington, KY for a few years. It's bigger than Ohio State football.

She is an extremely intelligent woman...and has been involved with politics.

Can't you just see Judd vs. McConnell debate. He'd be sweating bullets.

The poverty in Eastern KY is massive.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

50. Yes it is. And she is liked well out towards Lexington...

But the coal counties despise her.

People here love their coal and war on drugs.

It drives me crazy.

[femrap]

54. One of these days

won't the coal just run out? I know there are lots of people suffering from that mtn. top removal...water is ruined.

So if she took Lex and Louisville and Frankfurt...couldn't it be possible? Of course, there's the sexism, too.

But does KY have anyone else to offer against Mitch?? He really is a turd.

[Mojo2]

10. Politico front page

Can't get the link to post right.

[DURHAM D]

11. She is a good liberal Democrat and very smart.

She made many appearances for Obama.

Go for it Girl.

[NewJeffCT]

13. it's about time a Democratic celebrity runs for office

though, I think she'd need to go out there and see if she can build up her credibility over the next year or so. A Democratic celebrity will be held to a higher standard than a Republican one.

[maxsolomon]

31. Al Franken

how soon we forget

[NewJeffCT]

41. by the time he ran

he was more of a political radio host and political humor writer who had been involved in politics and political issues for years. It had been years since he was on Saturday Night Live as a regular (mid 90s, I think?) when he ran for office.

Ashley Judd is an active movie & TV actress that has promoted Democrats and Democratic causes, but has not been as involved in the day-to-day details like Franken was on his radio show, or as in depth as Franken when he wrote his books. While I don't doubt that she can do these things, I'd like to see more direct involvement in the issues.

[Blue4Texas]

14. The visual contrast alone exposes Mad Mitch

[moobu2]

15. Believe it or not the tea part nuts think Mitch McConnell

Is to liberal. Maybe they'll primary him and knock him out of the race.

[gravity]

16. Does she really have a chance to win?

I don't know much about Kentucky politics, but I wouldn't think a "Hollywood Liberal" would have much a chance to win a red state.

Is there something I am missing?

[godai]

18. He last won with 53%.

She's a Kentucky Colonel...hardly a Hollywood liberal.

[gravity]

26. Would she connect with working class voters?

[MoonchildCA]

37. She was raised by a single mother...

and in her early life they were quite poor, even on welfare, before her mom and sister became country music stars. A true rags to riches story.

[Maximumnegro]

47. Yep. There's the entire Judd clan to consider.

It's not like she is a solo name. So she has got real southern cred.

[GeorgiaDemGuy]

19. Ashley is Kentucky fan/ But she lives in Tennessee

Those who follow college basketball know that Ashley is big Univ of Kentucky basketball fan.
So, many may think she still lives in Kentucky.
She does not. She lives in Tennessee.
http://www.celebrityhousepictures.com/ashley-judd.php

So, to run against McConnell she would need to move back or have another residence in Kentucky.

[GeorgiaDemGuy]

25. Link to article w/residency requirement noted

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20121107/NEWS010605/311070120?nclick_check=1

the pertinent quote:

Judd lives in Tennessee and is not registered to vote in Kentucky but she could move back to her home state of Kentucky and qualify to run at any time.

[godai]

20. This will scare the crap out of McConnell.n/t

[polichick]

21. She'd kick his sorry ass - go Ashley!

[rablrouzer]

23. Phi Beta Kappa

in the Senate, instead of

Fie Butta Connell

(all right, a lame attempt at a joke, but Ashley is one smart woman)

Wouldn't it be great if Wynona and Naomi played "The Boss" to her "Obama" ??

[progressivebydesign]

27. Cool. I like her. nt

[godai]

28. Obstacle...is she willing to spend 6 years in the Senate.

I'd blackmail McConnell with the threat to run her,to make him more cooperative.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

29. I need a link, please. Your title is misleading. I'm sending the news to all my friends from KY

and the article does not say that she is running. You need to change the title to "speculation".

[godai]

30. link

http://www.politico.com/blogs/burns-haberman/2012/11/yarmuth-talks-up-ashley-judd-for-senate-149016.html?hp=r1

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

33. Positives: Popular in Ky., liberal critic of mountaintop removal; Negative:

She dated this guy:

[Berlum]

48. The DU Enquirer has obtained exclusive celebrity news photos of the Xsweethearts

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

34. McConnell has never won by large margins

Most in Ky. don't like him, but the dems have always run weak candidates against him who can't quite finish the sale

[JudyM]

35. Would rethug white men prefer to serve their wallets or their libidinous fantasies?

This would be an interesting race. I suspect that they would enjoy the opportunity to have her delightful demeanor and appearance in the papers and in the news, and while she's very sharp, even as a feminist I have to say her looks could be a significant asset. Those boys have gotta be sick of looking at McConnell by now.

[Cha]

38. I went there, mojo, and it says "Ashley Judd race against Mitch McConnell Would Be A Premier

Matchup".. Operative word being "Would"...

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20121107/NEWS010605/311070120/Ashley-Judd-race-against-U-S-Sen-Mitch-McConnell-would-premier-matchup-U-S-Rep-John-Yarmuth-says

[MoonchildCA]

39. Chuck Todd, I believe was just talking about this.

She is considering either a run for senator or governor. I will enjoy watching her political career.

[NewJeffCT]

42. I'd rather see her knock off McConnell

if she does run.

[oswaldactedalone]

40. I'd like to see it

Run Ashley run!!!!

[LiberalFighter]

44. I hope she uses a vaginal transponder on him.

[libdem4life]

45. Imagine the Political rallies...the music would rock and the NASCARs will flock.

Please let it be true. An old, white, privileged, troglodyte geezer against a young, smart, connected, experienced, beautiful and talented lady. Oh, the wailing and gnashing of teeth. LOL

[PlanetBev]

46. Where do I suit up?

Let's get Turtle Boy out of there....

[Comrade_McKenzie]

49. In Kentucky's current political climate, no critic of coal will win.

People here can't stand Ashley Judd and that's just one of the reasons.

And McConnell will get another 6 years.

[SEMOVoter]

51. You nailed it.

They don't accept her as Kentucky.

[DCBob]

53. Well the muslim socialist terrorist kenyan got nearly 38% of the vote.

I suspect Ashley Judd can do quite a bit better than that.

[DCBob]

52. This would be fantastic.

Ole Turtle head might be more willing to work a deal with the Democrats if he sees trouble ahead in 2014.

[Texas-Limerick]

55. Mitch McConnell (rockin' robin)

He plots in the back rooms all day long
Lyin' and abribin' senators to go along
All the crooked lobbyists on K Street
Love to hear Mitch go cheat cheat cheat

Mitch MCConnell, cheat cheat cheat
Mitch McDonnell, cheat cheatly cheat
Go Mitch McConnell
'Cause we're gonna filibuster tonight

Every stock holder in  listening range, 
Every little  broker in the stock exchange
The board of directors and the CEO
Struttin' their stuff sayin' go Mitch go

Mitch McConnell, cheat cheat cheat
Mitch McConnel, cheat cheatly cheat
Go Mitch McConnell
'Cause we're gonna fillibuster tonight

President Obama at the bargain stand
Told Mitch where to shove it, and it was grand
President said get ready, and bless my soul
Bent Mitch over and shoved John Boehner up his glory hole

Mitch McConnell, cheat cheat cheat
Mitch McConnell, cheat cheatly cheat
Go Mitch McConnell
'Cause we're gonna filliibuster tonight