New Kentucky polls out, and I'd like to explain some things to non-Kentuckians about Amy McGrath. [View all]

[Music Man]

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/503379-poll-booker-leads-mcgrath-by-8-points-in-kentucky-senate-primary

Civiqs has McGrath losing 53-33% to McConnell.

They have Charles Booker losing to McConnell only 52-38%. Not great, but certainly better, and Booker has more of an upside in my extremely humble opinion.

Finally, according to this poll, Booker is beating McGrath 44-36% in the primary.

Here's the deal: I like Amy McGrath. I respect her service as a Marine. Having talked to her once, I found her to be nice. Not terribly approachable or a natural campaigner, but nice. And we need more women's representation.

I'm certainly not speaking for all Kentuckians now, but most of the enthusiasm for McGrath is coming from out-of-state. Many folks have seen her fighter pilot ads, and I think there's a perception, "Man, Amy McGrath is a rising star down there in Kentucky."

But she's not. McGrath is a weak candidate. She has flip-flopped on issues like Brett Kavanaugh literally within hours. Many people just know she's a pilot but have no sense of her beliefs. She lost her House race in a district that includes left-leaning Lexington, and in a Democratic wave election year. Yes, McConnell is generally unpopular, but there's nothing more favorable about a statewide race versus KY-06.

So for many Kentuckians, we know that McGrath has already been painted as an extreme, ridiculous liberal despite her doing EVERYTHING she can to demonstrate otherwise, and we believe deep down that she doesn't have the political instincts to close a 20-point gap. Booker at least demonstrates some passion and authenticity, and as long as beating McConnell is a haul anyway, having someone who approximates progressivism or a fighter for working people is exciting.

I know when Bernie Sanders or AOC endorses Booker, it gets eye-rolls around here ("Ugh, there goes the only candidate that can beat McConnell".) But when the two major newspapers in the state and the former secretary of state endorse Booker, maybe it's time to consider why that may be the case.

If McGrath wins, more power to her, and I'll work my ass off to help her beat McConnell. As for me, I'll be voting for Charles Booker in the primary.