Sunday, November 07, 1999
Patton: More popular in N. Ky.
Could beat strong Republican, he says
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
FRANKFORT — Gov. Paul Patton, easily re-elected to a second term last week, believes he would have carried Northern Kentucky even against a stronger Republican candidate than Peppy Martin.
As it turned out, Mr. Patton, a Pikeville Democrat, did not lose a precinct in Boone, Kenton or Campbell counties, areas where he was beaten badly four years ago.
But had a more credible, experienced and better-known GOP candidate run, Mr. Patton said he still would have won the heavily Republican enclave of Northern Kentucky.
“I may not have carried every precinct, but I would have run much better,” Mr. Patton said during an interview Friday.
Mr. Patton said his job creation programs, the strength of the regional and state economy and his at tention to Northern Kentucky would have made the difference from his poor showing in his 1995 race against Larry Forgy.
“I do recognize four years ago people didn't know me in Northern Kentucky,” Mr. Patton said.
“And I do recognize that people (in Northern Kentucky) feel Republicans serve their interests better. I disagree with that.”
Northern Kentuckians got to know him and his programs better over the last four years and by voting for him they showed they approve of the job he has done, Mr. Patton said.
“People got the opportunity to learn about me, what I was about and what I was able to do, and it's very gratifying that people recognized that,” he said.
“I've spent a lot of time in that area and was able to be personally involved in attracting additional economic activity to the area,” he said. “Obviously I tried to let people know that.”
Republican Party officials conceded they put up a poor candidate in Ms. Martin, who embarrassed the party with
several campaign gaffes and wild, unfounded accusations and allegations of illegal activity by county sheriffs, state police and Mr. Patton and his wife, Judi.
But they don't believe Mr. Patton would have carried Northern Kentucky if a stronger candidate like lawmakers Stan Cave of Lexington or Steve Nunn of Glasgow; eastern Kentucky banker and Republican National Committeeman Mike Duncan; or Mr. Forgy, a Lexington lawyer and the 1995 candidate, had run.
“We would have killed him in Northern Kentucky with a stronger candidate,” said 4th District Republican Party Chairman Jay Hall of Florence.
“Northern Kentucky shied away from Peppy Martin because of her stance on abortion,” Mr. Hall said.
“We had resources we didn't tap into and everyone understood we did not go full bore in this governor's race,” he said. “But we would have with one of those four candidates.”
Mr. Patton also would have been damaged by his stance on abortion, Republicans believe.
While he has signed legislation aimed at curbing abortions and regulating abortion clinics, Mr. Patton vetoed a bill passed last year by the General Assembly that mandated a 24-hour waiting period on abortions.
“Abortion is a very important issue in Northern Kentucky,” Mr. Hall said. “Another Republican candidate would have articulated and held a stronger pro-life stance.”
Some Democrats privately admitted on election night that while Mr. Patton would have done far better in Northern Kentucky than he did four years ago, a stronger challenger would have cost him support and rendered him unable to carry Boone and possibly Kenton counties.
Crestview Hills lawyer Dave Kramer, a member of the Kenton County Democratic Executive Committee, disagreed.
“In the last couple of days I have talked to a number of Republicans who voted in the election,” Mr. Kramer said. “None are political operatives or spin doctors and every one of them voted for Paul Patton.
“People have recognized he has worked hard and done a lot for Northern Kentucky in the past four years, and in general they think he has done a good job,” Mr. Kramer said.
“That's why they voted for him. I certainly don't think we would have seen a repeat of the 1995 election if the Republicans had managed to field a viable candidate.”
Mr. Patton, the first governor since 1800 elected to a consecutive term, had 61.4 percent of the statewide vote compared to 22.4 percent for Ms. Martin and 14.9 percent for Reformer Gatewood Galbraith.
In Northern Kentucky Mr. Patton won Boone County with 60 percent of the vote; Kenton County with 63 percent; and Campbell County with 66 percent.
During the interview, Mr. Patton touched on several other issues, including:
• Working with the GOP-controlled state Senate.
Mr. Patton said he was optimistic about the 2000 General Assembly session because “I've always had good relations with the Republicans.
“Republicans have had more input on the way the state spends money,” he said. “The last session Republican leadership was totally involved. That's my style, to let everybody have input.”
• Changing the workers' comp law.
Pushed through the legislature three years ago by Mr. Patton, changes to the law made it more difficult for workers to prove injuries and collect benefits.
It also reduced the amount of money paid out and the premiums paid by businesses.
Mr. Patton said the law could go through some revisions but he does not favor a “reversion to the excessive system that was costing Kentucky jobs.”
• Casino gambling.
Mr. Patton said he is not advocating legalized gambling but wants the legislature to debate the issue.
If lawmakers are willing to vote on it, he would favor having them put the question on the statewide ballot for the voters to decide.
Mr. Patton said he will probably have a stronger opinion once a state report on casinos and their impact on Kentucky comes out in early December.
• Legislative agenda.
Mr. Patton said he will focus on “promoting and expanding educational opportunities in Kentucky,” including more opportunities for adult education.
The environment, including finding ways to reduce roadside litter, will also be one of his priorities.
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