From the House Race Hotline for Tuesday, May 6,2008

KENTUCKY 06 (D/FRANKLIN -- CHANDLER)

Team America: World Police

Tue. May 6, 2008


In their first televised debate, businessman Anthony McCurdy (R) and '07 AG candidate/atty Jon Larson (R) "took opposite views on just about every topic: immigration," the proposed gas tax holiday and Rep. Ben Chandler (D). McCurdy, who said he favors "tougher penalties on companies who hire workers without proper visas": "We have to seal our borders and only let legal immigrants in, find out who's in our country and find out what their intentions are." Larson said he sees immigrants not as a burden but as "America-seekers." Larson: "We can't deport 12 million people; we don't have the resources. It would hurt our economy."

McCurdy "also slammed Chandler" for endorsing Barack Obama, saying it was a "move that went against the polls showing" Hillary Clinton as the "preferred choice" of KY Dems. Larson said he "believed backing Obama was Chandler's right," then offered a "backhanded compliment." Larson: "I'm almost proud of the incumbent for taking a stand. I don't recognize that he's ever taken a serious stand on any controversial issue before" (Alessi, Lexington Herald-Leader, 5/6).