Open Mic Night, Only With Moonshine

If it's the first August Saturday in Kentucky, it's time for Fancy Farm, the Bluegrass State's annual "pretend we're normal people" political speechifying event/open mic night.  It's something that every political hopeful here attends, and this year was no different as human-terrapin hybrid Mitch McConnell announced his intent to run for Senate again in 2020.

Saying it was never too soon to start, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell formally announced his 2020 re-election bid in his home state Saturday and tapped the young leader of the state’s House Republicans as his campaign chairman. 

The 76-year-old McConnell has said for months that he intends to run for re-election in 2020. But he left little room for doubt while speaking at a GOP breakfast in far western Kentucky, the precursor to the Fancy Farm picnic that serves as the traditional starting point for the state’s fall campaign season. 

“I have some news to make this morning. I’m going to be running for re-election in 2020,” McConnell told the crowd at Graves County Middle School, adding: “I don’t like starting late.” 

McConnell chose Jonathan Shell, the 30-year-old majority leader of the Kentucky House of Representatives, as chairman of his campaign. Shell made national news in May when he was ousted in a Republican primary by a high school math teacher who had never run for office before. The election was seen by many as result of massive protests across the country by teachers and public workers upset with education funding, retirement benefits and low pay. 

Hundreds of teachers mustered at the Fancy Farm picnic Saturday. The 138-year-old tradition in western Kentucky is known for pitting politicians of both parties onstage before a crowd of raucous hecklers who do their best to fluster those brave enough to stand at the microphone. Raising the stakes, the speeches are broadcast live on statewide television. 

As McConnell spoke Saturday, hundreds of teachers in matching red T-shirts stood and turned their backs on him as they chanted, “Vote him out!” 

But McConnell was steady, seeming amused by some of the reactions. Near the end of his speech, McConnell addressed the Republican side of the crowd by turning to the Democrats and saying: “Don’t be afraid of these people. Stand up for America and help us make America great again.”

I will admit, anyone who thought Mitch would be bothered by the political pressure he's under never put up with Fancy Farm crowds in a sweltering Kentucky August. Especially in the Trump era of "civility" heckling everyone on stage is free game and absolutely expected, and you're supposed to give as good as you get but you'd better keep it clean.  After all,  this is a church picnic, folks.

But you know who wasn't here?

GOP Gov. Matt Bevin.

Couldn't stand the heat, I guess.  Next year should be real interesting.