Update Wednesday 08 Nov, 2006 8:30 am

All of my picks won their campaigns and that's a good thing. I learned a great deal from several of the candidates about the campaign process. As a small businessman with a keen eye towards marketing and advertising, this entire process has been an object lesson in getting the message out.

The US House has been lost to the donkeys and it would appear Representative Nancy Pelosi (D - CA) will be the first "Madam Speaker" in US history. I just visited her website (http://www.house.gov/pelosi/) and I have some concerns. For this reason, I may make this website my own "stump" so to speak.

I read an opinion somewhere recently that offered the concept that this loss could be a gain for the Republicans in the long run. While hard to see at first, it does make sense in so far as the "fighting" that is predicted in Washington could create a climate favorable for the Republican Party to keep the White House. Time will tell and, well, so will I.

This site: It is something that I created on a whim a little late in the season. I was going to offer my opinion on the difference races but realized that I opened the topic a little late in the process. Starting at "harvest time," in 2006, I can be better prepared for next Stump Season.

This site will become a combination of a blog, a news aggregator and resource center. Sure, it will have a republican slant because of my own conservative views, I hope to make it fair as well. I'm not really a party line kind of guy.

The focus will be on local, state and national politics in that order. My community as well as my business is influenced by policies of our local and national politicians so I feel it appropriate to remain mindful of the big picture.

I will attempt to offer news and information as well as commentary as it relates to local economy and small business. Even though I have a focus, I retain the right to change my mind or digress as appropriate because in the end... this is simply my opinion.

Respectfully,
David Francis

 

With the oncoming political campaign season due to start this weekend, I thought a new blog/website focused on American Politics and the Political Campaigns in Kentucky, more specifically, South Central KY would be well timed.

Sunday 10 Sep, 2006 11:24 am: Change in plan! After further review and discussions with some friends, I've decided to wait until next "Stump Season." The reasons for the delay numerous however, it boils down to a lack of preparation. I hope to have some research assistants by next season which will help with some of the planned features for this domain. I may add some political feeds here but for the most part, it will remain dormant until I'm better prepared to offer a useful tool for voters in SouthCentral Kentucky.

I chose the name "Stump Season" because that's what it is.

American Heritage Dictionary  definition #6

"Stump" A place or an occasion used for political or campaign oratory: candidates out on the stump.

Well folks, that is exactly what I intend for this place. I will request comments, videos and other resources directly from our local candidates and publish them here. I will do my best to profile each and allow user comment as long as it remains sensible and civil. Politics is one of those 'taboo' topics that tends to enflame deep seeded passions, on the other hand, it is an important topic that needs to be explored.

We are fortunate to have this electoral process in place and I believe that it is our responsibility to learn about those running for office and do our best to truly understand their positions on the issues.

Who is paying for this? It will be underwritten by Soky.net for the time being. I may accept some advertisers but will have to write a policy before I can consider the limitations. On one hand, accepting political advertisements may seem to be a conflict of interest, on the other hand, it could be a good source of revenue. Oh what a predicament.