http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/news/opinion/7952994.htmSpeaker's blackmail
The Republican Party is investing vast sums of outside money to buy Kentucky votes for Alice Forgy Kerr via the ubiquitous and misleading ads that we are subjected to daily.
Now, the GOP has a new tactic. U.S. Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert implies to Kentucky farmers that only if Kerr is elected will he allow a bill favoring the allocation of tobacco settlement money to Kentucky farmers.
He may call this politics, but I call it what it is: blackmail.
I have faith that the voters of Kentucky -- farmers and non-farmers -- cannot be bought or blackmailed.
I trust they will vote for Ben Chandler, the candidate with a proven record of looking after the interests of all Kentuckians, one with too much integrity to resort to such sleazy tactics.
Jean Pival
Lexington
Lacking compassion
Dennis Hastert, speaker of the U.S. House, demonstrated his commitment to politics rather than principle, by saying that he'd help get the tobacco buyout bill out of committee and through Congress, but only if Alice Forgy Kerr were elected to fill Ernie Fletcher's seat.
Meanwhile, we've got a war against terrorism, millions of people in our bountiful country homeless and starving, a projected record $537 billion deficit, and the country is apologetic over a two-second shot of Janet Jackson's boob from 100 yards away.
Let's hear if for compassionate conservatism.
Arnold Kirkpatrick
Lexington
Hastert's audacity
I was admittedly apalled at the audacity of Dennis "Half-Squirt" Hastert, who recently came to Lexington to deliver an ultimatum to the voters of the 6th District about the tobacco buyout.
How dare he dangle Mitch "The Snitch" McConnell's carrot? The buyers want to buy out. The producers want to sell out. Evidently, the politicians are the holdout.
If you all don't vote Alice Forgy Kerr, Hastert said he won't allow a buyout. Get serious. That's the same old ploy: Promise the candy factory; then every election, open the windows and let them smell.
Raleigh Jenkins
West Liberty
How is that for arrogance?