Published: May 19, 2009 05:37 pm      

Bunning says he might be better off without McConnell endorsement

Agrees their relationship is 'strained'

FRANKFORT — U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning said Tuesday his relationship with fellow Republican Senator, Mitch McConnell, is strained and he might be better off in his re-election bid if McConnell doesn’t endorse him.

After saying McConnell held either the top or second position in Republican Senate leadership while the party lost seats, Bunning said, “So if Mitch McConnell doesn’t endorse me, that may be the best thing that could happen to me in Kentucky.”

McConnell has questioned Bunning’s ability to win re-election and raise enough money to be competitive, Bunning said Tuesday in a teleconference with Kentucky reporters. McConnell declined Sunday on a Fox News Channel broadcast to endorse Bunning, saying the race has not “formed yet.”

Two years ago, McConnell declined to endorse then Kentucky Republican governor Ernie Fletcher in the primary, although he campaigned for Fletcher in the general election.

“I think anybody can win without McConnell’s support,” Bunning said Tuesday. “Ernie Fletcher won the primary without his support.”

Bunning described his relationship with McConnell as “strained and that’s being kind.” The 77-year-old former major league pitching star said McConnell told him he is too old to run for re-election and the relationship became strained when Bunning didn’t agree.

“Because I said no to him, and he doesn’t like people that say no to him,” Bunning said. “He’s a control freak. He likes to control everything that happens.”

Robert Steurer, spokesman for McConnell, declined comment.

Bunning said his fundraising is going “a little better. We’re going to do better than we did in the first quarter.” He said his schedule is filling up with events, including one scheduled Tuesday in Washington. Last week, he talked of upcoming fundraisers scheduled in Memphis, Miami, Lexington and Somerset.

He said fundraising will be easier after the primary election and he’ll be able to raise enough money to compete in the general election. He thinks if he can focus the campaign on issues, he will win.

“I win because most of Kentucky’s population agrees with my votes,” Bunning said. “All I have to be able to do is to get the word out on issues and how I would vote and how I have voted in the past.”

He also said he will attend the annual barbecue and political free-for-all at Fancy Farm this year.

Bunning said he didn’t blame Bowling Green ophthalmologist Rand Paul for forming an exploratory committee after Bunning gave his blessing to Secretary of State Trey Grayson to do the same. Both have said – with some qualification – they won’t oppose Bunning in a primary.

“I don’t blame him,” Bunning said. “Why not? He was very strong in saying he would not run against Jim Bunning and that is exactly what Trey Grayson has said.”

Bunning said Grayson’s political future is bright – even if he were to back away from a 2010 Senate run after doing the same thing in the 2007 gubernatorial race.

He said Grayson is a “bright and shining young star in the Republican Part in Kentucky so he will considered a prime candidate for most offices that come up.”

Grayson spokesman Les Fugate declined comment.

Bunning expressed concern about President Barack Obama’s intention to close the Guantanamo Bay prison camp for suspected terrorists.

“What is not clear is what the president plans to do with these dangerous terrorists once the prison camp is closed,” Bunning said. “These are trained terrorists we are talking about and I don’t think anyone in America wants them being brought into their communities which is a very real possibility.”

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort.. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com.