One Bunning Bobble Too Far

Seems that KY Republican Sen. Jim Bunning's wildly inappropriate comments this weekend about predicting Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginbburg's death within nine months might have been the proverbial straw that broke the Bluegrass State GOP's back. Bunning has a long history of being a total whackjob (which is fine with the GOP) with unpredictably bad message discipline (which is not fine with the GOP.) But it seems now they want Bunning OUT.

A political bombshell this weekend from several well-placed GOP sources, in Frankfort and Washington: State senate President David Williams met with officials at the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) on Friday to discuss his interest in running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Jim Bunning. Williams, in town for the National Governor's Association winter meeting, impressed GOP officials, who called his interest "serious."

GOP leaders -- in Kentucky and D.C. -- continue to work fervently to nudge Bunning, who they believe is too weak to run, from the race. The NRSC recently commissioned a poll to assess Bunning's standing; sources say the numbers are brutal for the junior Senator, with his bottom line totals falling WELL-short of 50 percent (it isn't known whether Bunning has seen the complete poll tabs and, if he has, what affect it will have on his decision to run). Another recent poll, done by the liberal Web site DailyKos, was more favorable to Bunning.

Bunning's seat is being targeted by the Democrats by popular former Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, among others. But a serious primary challenge from Dave Williams on the GOP side would make this seat competitive again for the Republicans. Bunning's war chest is nowhere near what it needs to be to stave off a challenge from Mongiardo, and Bunning is just nuts enough *not* to drop out in a bad situation.

But it certainly looks like Dave Williams is being set up as Plan B for the KY GOP.