Louisville Courier-Journal:

[T]he issue here is not whether Dr. Paul would be able to answer a “Jeopardy” question about Harlan's past. It's about whether an aspiring United States senator from Kentucky understands that coal is not, and never has been, just another industry in this state. When Dr. Paul speaks flippantly about how “accidents happen” — as he has in discussing mining fatalities — he betrays a lack of awareness of the tragic price in blood that has been paid for rapacious mining practices and inadequate regulation. And that's before one ponders the environmental predations associated with mining. And one can add to that list Dr. Paul's astonishing recent assertion that drugs are not “a real pressing issue” in Eastern Kentucky. Really? Does Dr. Paul, a physician, not understand that the methamphetamine and prescription pill scourges in the mountains and rural areas are not remotely the same thing as a few young people sharing a marijuana joint? Voters in communities that feel under siege — including their Republican officials — surely will not share Dr. Paul's view that federal funds for undercover investigations and for drug treatment programs should be cut. Similarly, Kentucky farmers, who receive $250 million or more each year in federal agricultural subsidies, might want to reflect upon what Dr. Paul's opposition to those payments might mean to them in a poor state.

Lexington Herald-Leader:

People who "live" somewhere for 17 years will pick up a little knowledge through osmosis even if they don't bother to get out and learn about their surroundings [...] A person who has "lived" in Kentucky for 17 years might know how "Bloody Harlan" got its name and that The Dukes of Hazzard was set in the fictional Hazzard (two Z's) County, Georgia, not the Kentucky city of Hazard (one Z). A person who has "lived" in Kentucky for 17 years might know the community of Fancy Farm is in a dry county and the picnic put on annually by the old folks of St. Jerome Parish is a family affair where no one has to worry about having beer or anything else thrown at them. Those are just a few items someone who has lived here for several years might know. But there are some things a person who has lived in this state for any amount of time can't help but know. Right at the top of that list is this fact: Not only is Eastern Kentucky's drug problem "a real pressing issue," it is arguably the region's and the state's most pressing issue. For Paul to think otherwise, he must have spent his 17 years in this state in a cocoon — perhaps paying 24/7 homage to Aqua Buddha.

WKYT:

Conway sharply disagrees [with Rand Paul's promise to eliminate federal funding for drug abuse programs], saying without federal money, which totaled $4.3 million last year, local law enforcement agencies will be crippled. "The Federal Government needs to help places like Kentucky where we have a problem with drug abuse; we have a problem with meth; and a problem with prescription pills," Conway continues. Sheriff Kevin Corman with the Jessamine County Sheriff's Department says, "we have a hard enough time combating the problem with federal money, I can't imagine being able to do what our offices do with out funding." Sheriff Corman says the drug problem means more than just substance abuse in Kentucky Communities. "It pretty much drives 60-70 percent of other crimes in our community, like burglaries, thefts, it isn't a partisan problem."

Williamson Daily News:

Pike County District Six Magistrate Chris Harris said he felt Paul was out of touch with Eastern Kentucky. “I have to admit that I was shocked and disappointed to hear that statement coming from an candidate for United States Senate,” Harris said. “I don’t know him and I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but if he doesn’t believe that drugs are a pressing issue in Eastern Kentucky, he’s simply just not in touch with reality. Our court dockets are loaded, our jails are full and county budgets all over Eastern Kentucky are busted, all because of drug abuse. “ Maybe if Paul would spend a day in Pike District Court he would get an idea of just how pressing the issue of illegal drugs in Eastern Kentucky is.” Pike County Sheriff Charles “Fuzzy” echoed that statement. “I think that is a very stupid statement for someone of his caliber to make,” Keesee said. “He should come and sit in the courtroom, or in the sheriff’s office for a day.” Sheriff Keesee said most of the crime in the county is the direct result of the drug trade. “I have always said 98 percent of the crime in Pike County is becasue of drugs.” Conway attended a drug court recently during a visit to Eastern Kentucky, where he addressed Paul’s remarks. “What Rand Paul needs to do is get off Fox News, get in his car and drive to Eastern Kentucky so he can see the problems with marijuana and meth,” Conway said. “County judges are saying we have lost a whole generation to drugs. Rand Paul just doesn’t get it.” Sheriff Keesee said he feels the same way. “What he said is absolutely ridiculous,” Sheriff Keesee said. “I won’t vote for him.”

Marijuana? Whatever. Now meth is serious, horrible shit.

Kentucky law enforcement has now gotten behind Jack Conway:

Democratic Senate candidate Jack Conway has picked up an endorsement from a group representing law enforcement officials across Kentucky.



The Kentucky State Fraternal Order of Police praised Conway's performance as the state's attorney general in announcing its support for the Louisville Democrat on Monday. The state FOP cites Conway's work to crack down on prescription pill abuse and to remove child pornography from the Internet.



The state FOP represents more than 9,200 law enforcement personnel and their families.

The state's demographics dictate a Rand Paul victory. He's doing everything in his power to alienate every constituency in the state -- mine workers, farmers, law enforcement, and we're still months away from the election.

The big question for Kentucky voters will be -- what do you hate most, Barack Obama's presidency or Rand Paul-style do-nothing government? Their answer will determine the Senate victor.

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Jack Conway for Senate