FANCY FARM — When Kentucky Democratic Party Chairwoman Nicki Patton says U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell missed the Fancy Farm picnic so he could make a beer run for the Bush twins, it is clear that the level of political discourse at the event is not the stuff of an Oxford debating society.

        Yet it is entertaining and illuminating in its own way.

        As Gov. Paul Patton, who has soared and stumbled himself at the annual gathering, said, “This is the one place in Kentucky where political leaders can stand up and show their political differences and let the people decide.”

        Decide what, exactly, is open to some interpretation.

        It might be easy to decide that the person hired to walk around in 90-degree heat and humidity inside of a furry cat suit was not getting paid enough.

        What the 121st picnic on Saturday did not decide was the lineup for the 2003 campaigns, even though that was the primary topic of conversation, conspiracy and consternation.

        Attorney General Ben Chandler, one of the legion of politicians who are pondering a campaign for governor in 2003 to succeed Mr. Patton, decided it was “too early to be talking about anything relative to a governor's campaign.”

        Other candidates decided they would be less coy, at least on Saturday in public.

        Crit Luallen, Mr. Patton's cabinet secretary and on nearly every Democrat's long list of potential lieutenant governor running mates, said that office holds little interest for her.

        But, Ms. Luallen admitted, “I haven't completely shut the door on that as an option when I've been talking to people representing the various candidates.”

        Some of the prospects for offices down the ballot from governor were refreshingly candid.

        “I'm headed for the attorney general's race,” said current state Auditor Ed Hatchett. Former Attorney General Chris Gorman also admits he will be making another run for that office in 2003.

        “Unless lightning strikes, I'm running for re-election,” said state Treasurer Jonathan Miller.

        Mr. Miller, alone among the statewide officers, has that option. All the rest of them are prevented by term limits from seeking another four years in their current offices.

        State Sen. Joey Pendleton, D- Hopkinsville, is a candidate for commissioner of agriculture.

        Agriculture Commissioner Billy Ray Smith said he has been contacted by representatives from three potential gubernatorial camps about potential as a lieutenant governor running mate — Mr. Chandler, former Gov. Brereton Jones and Louisville businessman Charlie Owen. “And I got a message last week that Steve (Henry, the current lieutenant governor) wanted to talk to me.”

        Mr. Jones did not make it to Fancy Farm, but then he usually missed the annual political event when he was governor.

        “There's a lot of ifs, and it depends on who goes where,” Mr. Smith said.

        The “where” might even include his own campaign for governor, Mr. Smith said.

        Among the question marks is Secretary of State John Y. Brown III, who did not attend Fancy Farm. Mr. Brown is said to be considering a race for auditor, but as a lawyer could also run for attorney general and has been frequently mentioned as running mate material.

        Republicans were in fairly short supply. Mr. Nunn was the headliner in place of Mr. McConnell or Mr. Bunning. First District Rep. Ed Whitfield was on hand, but also speaking was Maryland GOP Chairman Michael Steele. Kentucky Chairwoman Ellen Williams jousted with Nicki Patton but also had to play some defense about whether the GOP will be able to show up with a full team in 2003.

        Republicans could not manage to field candidates for any statewide offices except governor in 1999.

        But the GOP was not entirely without prospects. Besides Lambert, Jefferson County Judge-Executive Rebecca Jackson was also on hand. Ms. Jackson, who could also run for mayor of the new merged government arrangement in Louisville-Jefferson County next year, is among an unprecedented large group of Republican possibilities for 2003.

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