By Trey Pollard
Politicker
Oct. 12, 2008

The northern Kentucky newspaper the Kentucky Enquirer announced its endorsement of U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Louisville) on Saturday in his bid to secure a fifth-term over Democratic Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford.

The paper’s editorial on the matter noted criticism of the “earmarking” process had been seen on its pages before, but claims McConnell is a “master of the art” of earmarking.

“[I]t is beyond argument that McConnell’s influence in this system has been good for Kentucky,” reads the editorial endorsing the Republican incumbent. “McConnell’s position as minority leader puts him in the middle of virtually every issue in Congress. That will be especially important in the coming term as Congress grapples with energy policy and the nation’s crumbling highway infrastructure. Both issues are very close to Kentucky and Ohio.”

Of the Democrat, the paper has no explicitly harsh words.

“[Lunsford] is correct that his experience in the health care industry could jump him to a position of prominence in a Democrat-controlled Senate,” read the editorial, concerning Lunsford’s experience as the CEO and director of several health care companies. “But he would still be a junior member from a small and relatively poor state. He might ably succeed McConnell, but it would be years before he could replace him.”

The paper also endorsed U.S. Rep. Geoff Davis (R-Ft. Mitchell) in his contest against physician Michael Kelley (D-Lagrange).