Full-contact politics for the Republican Senate candidates at Fancy Farm

Politics is a full-contact sport, and nowhere is that on greater display than at the St. Jerome Fancy Farm Picnic.

The three men hoping to replace Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell in Washington, Daniel Cameron, Andy Barr, and Nate Morris, stood before the heavily Republican crowd and traded barbs as they sought to set themselves apart from one another. After a series of coin flips, Daniel Cameron was the first to speak.

Cameron was one of several people on the day poking fun at KET, noting that in a few short years, they went from covering bailouts to getting one. He added that KET showing up was more than could be said for Democrats, as only one accepted an invitation. Cameron touted Trump’s America First Agenda and said that the President needed reinforcements.

Taking a jab at Barr, Cameron accused him of voting with Nancy Pelosi over 1200 times. Then he compared Morris’ campaign to passing gas, “It stinks, it’s unproductive, and it’s a sign the emitter is full of crap.” Cameron also hammered Morris after Morris blamed his wife for a donation to Nikki Haley while calling himself a Trump guy, now.

Cameron went on to talk about his record, saying he fought for Kentucky as Attorney General, and he will in the U.S. Senate. He said the seat doesn’t belong to a politician, but rather the people of Kentucky.

Barr was up next. He pushed his record of working with President Trump, saying he’s the only candidate with a hand in making the America First Agenda happen. Barr criticized Governor Andy Beshear for not attending. He said America will soon find out what Kentuckians already know, “that he’s as liberal as he is boring.” Adding that, “I would say anyone could beat this guy, but I wouldn’t want to offend Daniel Cameron. I think we’ll keep the tradition alive of Andys beating Daniels.”

Then he turned his attention to Morris. “Nate calls himself the trash man, but dumpster fire is more like it.” He went on to accuse him of opposing President Trump, supporting Black Lives Matter, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Barr said people with those traits are called Democrats.

Barr thanked the organizers for allowing the candidates to make their case for the Senate. He went on to say that West Kentucky would have no greater friend in Washington aside from Congressman Comer.

Morris rounded out the trio and, in the most vitriolic tone, wasted no time going after Senator McConnell.  After introducing himself and talking about his family and his background in the trash business, he said he was going to trash Mitch McConnell’s legacy. He asked if having a senior citizen who freezes on national television is a good thing, equating the instances to the discussions about former President Biden’s decline while in office. Morris then accused Barr of wanting amnesty for illegals, adding that he wasn’t surprised since he “is a fully-owned subsidiary of Mitch McConnell.”

Morris called Barr and Cameron “the McConnell boys.” He said that neither of them has “built anything, done anything impactful, employed anyone, but boy, do they know how to take direction from a decrepit old mob boss.” Morris also accused Cameron of managing “to choke like a dog and losing a general election to Andy Beshear in our Commonwealth, in a state Trump won by 30 points.”

The Fancy Farm crowd that gave McConnell a standing ovation did not necessarily receive Morris’s remarks all that well. It will be worth watching whether it advances his cause.

With nine months to go before the primary, a lot is left to be answered. Cameron has statewide name recognition, but is limited on cash. Barr is in a better position, financially, but is introducing himself to Kentuckians outside the Sixth Congressional District. Morris, though, has personal wealth but has chosen to be a wild card.

Is it May yet?