Running From Bunning

The latest Kentucky political survey from Public Policy Polling is bad, bad new for the Kentucky GOP. Jim Bunning? Toast.

Jim Bunning’s approval rating is just 28%, he trails the four most likely Democratic candidates in hypothetical contests, and fellow Republican Trey Grayson looks like a much more formidable possible candidate, the newest survey from Public Policy Polling finds.

54% of voters in the state disapprove of Bunning’s performance, and even among
Republicans just 42% think he’s doing a good job. Grayson, the Secretary of State
mentioned most as the possible GOP candidate were the incumbent to step aside, is
viewed positively by 46% of voters with just 19% holding an unfavorable opinion and
35% not sure.

Congressman Ben Chandler leads Bunning by 14 points, Attorney General Jack Conway
is up 9, Auditor Crit Luallen has the 8 point edge, and Lieutenant Governor Dan
Mongiardo’s advantage is 7.

Grayson is more competitive, trailing Chandler by 6 and Conway by 4 but leading
Luallen by 2 and Mongiardo by 4.

“If there was ever any doubt Republicans would be better off with Jim Bunning retiring
these numbers can put that to rest,” said Dean Debnam, President of Public Policy
Polling. “It looks like he would lose to any of the Democrats being mentioned as
possible candidates. Trey Grayson may want to rethink his decision not to run unless
Bunning retires.”

Numbers like that mean Bunning's seat is a dead lock for the Democrats if he runs for reelection in 2010. And Bunning's just crazy enough to do it.