Candidates trade jabs on Pure Politics' gubernatorial debate with GOP primary less than a month away

cn|2 Pure Politics ^ | 4/21/2015 | Kevin Wheatley

[Republican Wildcat]

WITH VIDEO: Tempers flared before a televised audience as Kentucky’s GOP gubernatorial candidates traded barbs over bridge tolls, the Affordable Care Act and attacks from an outside group backing Republican Hal Heiner on cn|2 Pure Politics’ gubernatorial debate Tuesday.

More often than not, Louisville investment manager Matt Bevin was in the midst of conflict, frequently needling Agriculture Commissioner James Comer and Louisville real estate developer Hal Heiner with four weeks until Republican voters pick their party’s gubernatorial nominee.

Bevin asked if viewers “want a governor who will hide behind the lies of people” who want to “soil the bed of the Republican primary.”

“Hal Heiner’s former campaign manager is the guy who is now the spokesman for that PAC, and yet supposedly no coordination at all,” Bevin said in his closing statement of the 501(c )(4) group Citizens for a Sound Government, which is supporting Heiner. “Is this what you want? Is this what you want as the next governor? I would challenge you, please reach for lightning.”

Bevin’s promised lightning, though, is “likely electrocution,” Heiner retorted in his ending remarks.

“Matt, although he says he’s not a politician, has taken a political approach,” he said. “… He knows very well that those are not our ads, and we want to be judged based on what I say and what comes from our campaign, and in fact it’s illegal to respond to another group’s ads. He wants to bait us into that.”

Comer also took aim at CSG through Heiner. The group had distributed a direct-mail piece claiming Comer supported the politically divisive federal health law, which he vehemently denied.

“Shame on you for your PAC sending out a direct-mail piece saying that I support Obamacare,” Comer said, turning to Heiner.

[fieldmarshaldj]

I’m leaning to Comer. Who are you supporting, RW ?

[Republican Wildcat]

That’s who I was leaning toward but I’ve been very disappointed with his campaign so far...rather lackluster.

[fieldmarshaldj]

That’s unfortunate to hear. The GOP needs to make a serious effort to take the statewide offices instead of letting the Dems have it practically on a silver platter.