Mike Wynn

@MikeWynn_CJ

4:30 p.m. | By Joe Gerth| MAYFIELD, Ky -- U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes met Saturday for the first time in a year, sparring on the stage at the annual Fancy Farm Picnic in western Kentucky.

With the crowd a bit better behaved than in past years, Grimes hammered on McConnell, listing a series of her policy positions and urging to respond that McConnell "doesn't care."

McConnell for his part took shots at Grimes and a series of gaffes she and her campaign have made.

But more than anything, he continued in his campaign's primary campaign strategy, which is to tie Grimes to Democratic president Barack Obama, who is not popular in the state.

"You see, Kentucky is under attack from Barack Obama's Administration and we need to fight back," McConnell said.

The crowd of ... was loud and boisterous as always but they didn't chant throughout the entire speeches, largely complying with the request of St. Jerome Catholic Church officials who organize the picnic.

"When you agree with what they say, cheer. If you disagree, boo." Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham urged the crowd. "And then shut up and let them go on with their speech."

2:45 p.m. | By Joe Gerth | Security is tight at Fancy Farm with a bigger police contingent than usual and they are cracking down -- on the Grimes' campaign team.

A few minutes before the program was to begin, a police officer on the state spied Grimes campaign manager Jonathan Hurst and two Grimes staffers -- all wearing Grimes paraphernalia -- encroaching on the large media area in front of the stage and ordered them out from the area.

Hurst looked incredulous but obeyed the order.

2:30 p.m. | By Joe Gerth | Huge numbers of folks in the crowd were wearing either McConnell or Grimes t-shirts.

Where'd they all get them?

The campaigns had tents set up on the St. Jerome Church grounds where they were giving them away. Hundreds and hundreds it seemed like.

BINGE ON POLITICS:Read more about Fancy Farm, Alison Grimes, Mitch McConnell and others

The shirts of both candidates underscored their key message for the campaign -- that Grimes is too much like President Barack Obama and McConnell has been around to long and needs to go.

The McConnell shirts said, "Obama needs Alison Grimes. Kentucky needs Mitch McConnell."

The Grimes underscored the same message that was on signs that lined KY 80 from the Purchase Parkway to Fancy Farm: "Welcome to the RetireMitch Party."

2:20 p.m. | By Joe Gerth | MAYFIELD, Ky. -- There was no limit to the number of gubernatorial and possible gubernatorial candidates at Fancy Farm.

Of course Attorney General Jack Conway was there and so was Republican Hal Heiner, both of who have announced that they are running.

So was Agriculture Commissioner Jamie Comer, who was expected to talk about his plans later in the day.

Former Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, who is thinking about running in Democratic Primary was also politicking and so was Supreme Court Justice Will T. Scott, who is rumored to be thinking about seeking the GOP nomination.

So, Justice Scott, are you going to run?

"I'm a Supreme Court justice," he said.

"I know, but are you running for governor," I asked.

He simply smiled and held his arms out, palms up, signifying "I don't know."

2:00 p.m. | By Joe Gerth | MAYFIELD, Ky. -- There may be no politician in Kentucky who loves the Fancy Farm Picnic than former Gov. Paul Patton, you each year travels from his home in the Eastern tip of the state to the event in the western tip of the state.

And no matter the weather, he shows up the same way -- dressed in a shirt and tie pulled snuggly up against his throat.

"I just always do it," he said, explaining why he dresses in what passes for formal affair at the picnic where most people are in shorts and t-shirts.

"People look at me and say look at that crazy old man wearing a tie," he said. "I guess I'm a little bit eccentric."

12:35 p.m. | By Mike Wynn | MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Republican leaders drew cheers by attacking "Obamacare" and the "war on coal" Saturday, as they sought to rev up party faithful before U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell headed to Fancy Farm to square off with Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Speaking to hundreds at the Graves County Republican Breakfast, McConnell accused Grimes of providing a "new face for the status quo" and the policies of President Barack Obama, which he said are straggling Kentucky coal fields and killing jobs.

"She's a new face for no change at all," he said. "If you believe our country needs changing … the way to do that is to elect a new majority in the Senate with a new majority leader from Kentucky to begin to repair this country."

McConnell charged that Obama's approach to coal is leading to an economic depression in Eastern Kentucky that is headed west, and he chastised the administration for "no interest" in border security.

On immigration, McConnell won applause when he said America's policies toward unaccompanied minors should focus on "compassionate detainment and immediate return" and when he urged Obama to "stand with our Israeli friends."

"This is about what kind of America you want to have," he said. "Look what they (Democrats) have done to America over the last six years. Can you think of anything they haven't fouled up?"

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Rand Paul said that while Democratic candidates claim to support coal and conservative values, the party "hates coal and hates Kentucky." He predicted that, if elected to the Senate, Grimes' first vote would be in support of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"I don't know how any Kentuckian could consider a vote for Ms. Grimes," he said.

Both McConnell and Grimes are scheduled to take the stage at Fancy Farm this afternoon, and Democrats were also hosting a breakfast in Graves County on Saturday to support their candidates ahead of the event.

11:15 a.m. | By Mike Wynn | MAYFIELD, Ky. -- Trey Grayson, who sought the Republican nomination for Senate in 2010, has some advice for candidates speaking at Fancy Farm later today: "Get up, say your thing, and don't mess up."

Grayson was among the hundreds of voters and politicos prepping for the annual picnic Saturday by gathering at Graves County High School for the GOP Breakfast, where Republicans drew cheers by taking shots at "Obamacare" and the "war on coal."

Grayson cautioned beforehand that both U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell and his Democratic challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes should avoid giving their political opponents any ammunition during their speeches at Fancy Farm this afternoon.

"You don't win elections here," he said. "Neither of them is probably going to win an election here. But just don't mess up. Don't make news. Don't cuss."

Grayson, now the president of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, said the reality of Fancy Farm is the same for both candidates.

"I love Fancy Farm, but it's really more fun than substance," he said.