Al Mayo: Grimes–The Gift

With Ashley Judd seemingly poised to run for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, it seems the loudest voices think her winning could be not only possible, but almost easy. I’m here to tell you Judd may not even win a Democratic primary. I’m certain Judd’s supporters think I’m crazy or uninformed, but practically speaking, Judd could meet her match, and go down if the right candidate comes along. What Kentuckians need is a candidate with experience and Judd’s charisma.

Rumbles are getting louder that some Democratic heavyweights are wooing just such a candidate behind the scenes. Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is a rising star in the party, but was thought to be staying on the sidelines for this 2014 race. Grimes has all the credentials Judd possesses and in my mind a lot more bonafides as a Kentuckian. Judd hasn’t lived here since leaving UK as a student to pursue an acting career. There’s not a thing wrong with that, except that she might seem more committed to Kentucky if she actually had a home here. Grimes has no such problem. She is a Kentuckian and is proud of it. In fact, her ties to Kentucky’s state Democratic Party run deep. Her father Jerry Lundergan was state chairman, and his ties to the Clinton faction of the national party have surfaced recently. Apparently Bill Clinton has pressured his daughter to think about a run against McConnell. Clinton all but promised he and his wife would strongly support Alison if she were to make the run. The former President and Secretary of State enjoy huge followings in the Bluegrass, and their considerable political weight would go a long way toward putting Grimes in the race.

Grimes has several big positives working in her favor. Obviously her native credentials, but the Clinton backing would help assure her of the money needed to make a legitimate run for the Senate. Not to say Judd would not have the money if nominated, but I suspect more dyed-in-the-wool Democrats would back Grimes than Judd. That translates into money, which further translates into votes. Grimes also has a ton of charisma. Judd has it too, but political charisma is different from Hollywood charisma. The ability to know the issues and translate them into plain speech is a skill not everyone can master. Judd has already shown a few moments of hesitation when speaking on issues. Grimes has The Gift. The Gift is hard to describe, but it involves walking into a room full of people and being the center of attention before you say a word. Judd has that, but it’s more Hollywood than DC. Only one other person in my lifetime had both sides of The Gift. Ronald Reagan. I’m not equating Judd or Gimes with Reagan, but it shows just how elusive it can be.

Judd can be the center of attention in any room she enters just because of her glamorous persona. In my mind she loses some of that when she speaks in public. Grimes commands the attention when speaks. Ask yuorself this. Would you rather see Ashly Judd stumping at Fancy Farm against McConnell? That could get VERY ugly. Grimes understands the rough and tumble of politics. Particularly Kentucky politics, which can be about as rough as all three Ali-Frazier fights rolled into one. Grimes was practically born into a political life. Her experience is limited, but she’s a strong enough politico that a loss to a juggernaut like McConnell this early in her career might not hurt her too badly in the future.

If Judd is the nominee and beats McConnell, it’s all moot, but I’m very sure that won’t happen. That is when the laments, and second-guesses will start, and Grimes’ name will be on the lips of many who will be saying, “I told you so!” Grimes not only would beat Judd head-to-head, but has a real shot at McConnell. Looking at the total package, I’d say the only two things McConnell could hammer her with would be her inexperience/youth, or find something in her family political closet to drag out into the open. Two things I’m certain will happen if this race would occur. I’ve tried to talk myself out of Grimes as a nominee, but practically speaking, if Kentucky Democrats want to win this race, it may be the only real option.