Just back from spring break, where I avoided politicians and rioters.

Political survivor

        I'll admit it. Before I interviewed Rodger Bingham a few weeks ago I had never seen much of Survivor, the reality-based television show that has made the Grant County man famous.

        If I want to watch a dysfunctional group that can't get along, bicker constantly and try to do one another in, I'll go hang out in Frankfort.

        But I did watch the show, and Rodger — as everybody who watches the show calls him — is as nice, pleasant and genuine in person as he is on the tube.

        Which leads me to believe that if he wants to run for office in Grant County, he could be competitive in just about any election he enters.

        He's the whole package: Widely known, likable, handsome, strong morals in a conservative county where he's lived forever, with an ability to rise above the pettiness he would certainly find in politics.

        I have no idea if he even wants to get involved in politics. But politicians have certainly tried to get involved with him.

        U.S. Rep. Ken Lucas, a Boone County Democrat, had Rodger along when he recently announced an education initiative.

        And Gov. Paul Patton invited Rodger to Frankfort a few months back.

        This isn't an effort to recruit Rodger into a campaign. I have a sense that as accommodating as Rodger is to the folks who show up for his autograph at Crittenden's B&E Restaurant, there is a part of him that will be happy to get back to his life as a farmer, teacher and regular Grant County guy.

        But if he ever does want to run, watch out. He would probably be a Survivor.

No returns, please

        Some locals were among the folks who gave wedding presents to Lt. Gov. Steve Henry and his bride, former Miss America Heather French Henry of Maysville.

        The couple, married Oct. 27 in Louisville, is required by state law to disclose gifts valued at more than $200.

        Among those on the gift list are Covington developer Bill Butler; Fort Thomas businessman Wayne Carlisle; television personality Nick Clooney of Augusta; John Dunn of Alexandria; and Cintas chief executive Richard Farmer of Cincinnati.

It's about time

        Kenton County Attorney Garry Edmondson has had a bad case of the goo over some of the news coverage Eric Deters — who is challenging Mr. Edmondson in the 2002 GOP primary — has been receiving.

        Mr. Deters is an aggressive politician who knows how to generate publicity.

        He takes high-profile cases in his law practice, continually comes up with political ideas and proposals and even has a full-time campaign manager, Hayes Robertson, already on board.

        As expected, Mr. Edmondson hasn't cared for the coverage Mr. Deters has been receiving. But for weeks, instead of going out and pushing his own stories, he's just complained about stories on Mr. Deters.

        Last week Mr. Edmondson showed some signs that he is finally starting to get it. He rolled out some stats showing the DUI conviction rate in his office.

        Mr. Deters, naturally, wanted to immediately debate the figures and went off because he wasn't quoted in any of the stories about Mr. Edmondson's claims.

        With Mr. Edmondson now apparently prepared to seek some media coverage, we're going to be hearing and seeing even more about this race — whether we want to or not.

       Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics for the Enquirer. He can be reached at (859) 578-5581, or at pcrowley9@home.com.

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