http://mycn2.com/politics/while-calling-the-governor-weak-and-shrill-williams-bemoans-the-tone-the-debate-has-taken

Publication Date: March 10, 2011

Author: Ryan Alessi

While calling the governor 'weak' and 'shrill,' Williams bemoans the tone the debate has taken

03/10/2011 07:27 PM

After a contentious week in Frankfort, Senate President David Williams said he was disappointed that Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear has made the current debate over managing the Medicaid budget political and personal.

Williams, who is running for the GOP nomination to face Beshear in the fall election, then proceeded to call the governor “weak” and “shrill.”

And Williams later responded to the House Republicans — who disagreed with the Senate Republicans approach toward the Medicaid budget — by saying that caucus’ leadership essentially doesn’t matter.

But much of Williams’ rhetoric was aimed at Beshear, whom he calmly criticized for his handling of the debate over fixing the Medicaid budget.

“The governor is worried about the next election — he’s not worried about next year or the next generation, and it’s obvious he’s politicized the situation,” Williams said. “At every press conference that he has, he calls me out by name because he’s worried about the governor’s race. I’m not worried about the governor’s race.”

Beshear said during his Wednesday press conference that he placed the blame for the special session at the feet of Williams.

“Yes, the people ought to be outraged,” Beshear said on Wednesday’s press conference announcing his call for the special session.

Williams responded to a clip from Beshear’s press conference, saying it was “unfortunate” Beshear used a state-owned room in the Capitol to launch political attacks directly at him.

“The bottom line of it is that he is a weak governor who cannot manage this office. He cannot do it,” Williams said. “And now his voice is shrill.”

Williams also responded to the statement Republican Rep. Jeff Hoover of Jamestown sent out on Friday stating that the Republican House caucus opposed the Senate’s plan to cut education.

“I really don’t think that he understands the gravity of the situation we face,” Williams said of Hoover. “… The difference between the Republican leadership of the House and the Republican leadership in the Senate is that what we have to say matters.”

(Programming note: You can watch more of the interview with Senate President David Williams on Monday night’s edition of Pure Politics. Friday night’s edition will feature a wrap-up of the regular session and preview of the special session from two lawmakers, Democratic Rep. Mary Lou Marzian and Republican Rep. Julie Raque Adams).

- Ryan Alessi

About Ryan Alessi

Ryan Alessi joined cn|2 in May 2010 as senior managing editor and host of Pure Politics. He has covered politics for more than 10 years, including 7 years as a reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader. Follow Ryan on Twitter @cn2Alessi. Ryan can be reached at 502-792-1135 or ryan.alessi@twcable.com.

Comments

  • Public Employee wrote on March 10, 2011 07:48 PM :

    cn|2 Politics should pefrom a fact check on Sen. Williams’ claims about the state having a 1000 more employees today than in December 2008. I would suggest that a state employee count month by month over the course of the last 8 years. I think you would find that Sen. Williams’ statements reflect an intentional mischaracterization of the facts. State government has far fewer state employees today than they did in previous years. The media should not allow such statements to go unchecked and should call our candidates running for office on the carpet for misrepresenting the facts.

  • Mr. Potter wrote on March 11, 2011 04:43 PM :

    In the words of George Bailey, Sen. Williams is a warped and frustrated old man. How in the blue heck does Williams believe he can be elected Governor when he tears everybody down? Does he not think that in order to win he’s going to need the support of people like Jeff Hoover and the other House Republicans?

    The total number of registered Republicans and Independents is still less that the total number of registered Democrats in Kentucky. He would need about 20 percent of registered Democrats to vote for him in addition to all the registered Republicans and Independents to win, and right now it doesn’t even appear that he has all the support of Republicans in Kentucky. Most tea party folks will go with Moffett, and Holsclaw will draw a large voting bloc in Jefferson County which means he’ll be lucky to win the primary.

    My prediction is he’ll lose by 15 points in the fall, which of course will make him even more of a warped, frustrated old man. The plus is if he loses that badly, perhaps Senate Republicans will revolt and choose someone else who will actually lead instead of tearing everyone else around him down.

  • Wayne Biesel wrote on March 11, 2011 07:49 PM :

    Looks like a monologue rather than an interview. This guy has lost it. Wow.

  • Another Public Employee wrote on March 12, 2011 06:18 AM :

    I agree with the other comment. Arrogant obstructionist Williams has kept this state down for too long. Unable to obtain the Governor’s office on Farmer’s coattail, he could possibly lose the Senate presidency and drift back to Burkesville into obscurity where he belongs.

  • VoiceOfReason wrote on March 12, 2011 07:37 AM :

    Agree with Public Employee. Please look into the state employee count over the last 8 to 10 years.

  • Queenie wrote on March 12, 2011 09:57 AM :

    I will make a bet: It is impossible for a valid discussion of budget remedies to occur without a putdown of the current govenor or other legislator. That tactic is transparent to all!! Get to work on what the people of Kentucky pay you for…make the necessary budget cuts in a reasonable manner, and make them now!

  • mike wrote on March 15, 2011 04:55 PM :

    Williams is great at flaping his big jaw bones. But you lead by example not talk. He has voted to raise his pension and salary. He remolded his office at a cost to the tax payers in excess of $630.000 dollars and bought a plasma TV $17,500 for his office which we the taxpayer paid for. Right we can’t afford his type of leadership. Send him back to Burksville along with little Riciee who took his staff on the Junket to the Islands at a cost of over $10,000 + dollars of our money.

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