The comment was widely reported, but Mr. Williams said last week it didn't happen that way.

        “I said he was drinking that night,” said Mr. Williams, a Burkesville Republican. “I said he was mouthy. But I never have seen the man consume alcohol and then act inappropriately, publicly or privately.”

        Whew. Glad that's cleared up. We sure wouldn't want any bad blood between two pols who, just about a week before the beginning of the 2002 General Assembly session, are getting along about as well as Pakistan and India.

        So, Mr. Patton, how is your relationship with the head of the chamber that bottled up your workers comp reform bill in the last session like a fifth of Woodford Reserve bourbon?

        “Nonexistent,” Mr. Patton said during a recent interview in his State Capitol office. “It's not good. It's not bad. It's nonexistent.

        “I can work with the Republican leadership of the Senate as a group of leaders,” he said, “but my relationship with the Republican Senate will be as a leadership group, not with David Williams as President of the Senate.”

        So, Mr. Williams, how do you feel about that comment?

        “I don't know what that means,” Mr. Williams said Friday over his cell phone. “As far as whether he likes me or not, or whether I'm on his dance card, obviously we've had some personal exchanges and problems. But I can deal with him.”

        Let's hope so. Because if the governor and the president of the Senate can't or won't get along, then gridlock could be redefined when it comes to legislation.

        The signs are already there. Senate Republicans have hinted — okay, threatened — that no bills will come out of the Senate until legislative districts are redrawn.

        Democrats have stayed away from redistricting like the lunch crowd stays away from the Capitol Annex cafeteria when Chuck Wagon is the special. The Dems fear they'll lose seats and power.

        “If anybody tries to hold other legislation hostage to redistricting,” Mr. Patton warned, “then I think the public will hold them accountable.”

        Mr. Patton, Mr. Williams surmised, “does not like anybody who does not kowtow to him.”

        How about this slap to the head, one from the governor, on how the Senate Republicans have handled the workers' comp issue?

        “They have not exercised leadership in that and some other ways,” Mr. Patton said. “But I'm not bashing Republicans.”

        Coulda fooled me.

        And here's Mr. Williams on Mr. Patton's leadership abilities and how they will play into a budget with no money for road or other projects.

        “I'm anxious to see how he will govern without economic development projects and get people to secure their votes without giving them projects,” he said.

        Did I miss something or were plenty of Republicans, including those from Northern Kentucky, standing in line last year to make sure they got projects and money for their districts?

        Man, if this is getting along, I'd hate to see when these guys get mad. Somebody might get mouthy. Or drunk. Or both.

        Patrick Crowley covers Kentucky politics. He can be reached at (859) 578-5581, or by e-mail at pcrowley@Enquirer.com.

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