He's extremely popular, much younger than that old fart McConnell, and, most importantly, not a Washington D.C. "insider".

I think he'd do quite well against the Turtle.

Allison Lundergan Grimes might be our best candidate to knock off McConnell.

Bake

"ASHLEY JUDD is a regular at Kentucky basketball games. Is that who we want representing TENNESSEE in the Senate?"

And the sad thing is, that might actually count for a lot of votes in SEC country.

If she has a reasonable chance of beating Mitch McFilibuster, then we need her there in Kentucky. He needs to go, badly. But I'm not so sure she would have a good chance as the right would portray her as an out of touch elite who's not in touch with the people's needs. As Ayn Rand Paul said, she's too attractive and too articulate.

that bodes well for her IMHO.

Former congressman Chandler can run, and he would have a great shot. The Former LT. Governor who ran in 2004 against Bunning and almost beat him can run. AG who ran against Paul can run. They have people who can do it, and I think it is likely that she won't be the nominee. Than again...

including former Louisville Mayor Dave Armstrong, who was very popular, and who absolutely hates McConnell.

I Live in Kentucky and until i saw her speak the other day i would have agreed with Jerry having a better chance, But now if she could only win the primary with out being too beaten up by the Dino's here calling her too liberal for Kentucky I think she would destroy turtle man. The biggest objection by the Dino's here is her objection to mountain top removal, but i agree with Yarmuth on this one she explains her position very well.

Some Conservatives here are going on the public airwaves saying her love of Kentucky basketball wont save her thats too superficial to give her a advantage, but thats exactly why Conservatives will vote for her here,Kentucky basketball is life for these people and they love Judd's support, I could see her pulling 10-20% of the righties for this reason. these same people would not vote for Jerry or Alison,Grimes is not a house hold name here.

but Jerry might not run...seems he wants to be governor.

I like Grimes but still not certain she could pull enough support from the DSCC to have the money to combat McConnell.

As for the former Lt Gov Mongiardo...he had a very poor showing against Jack Conway in the primary...doesn't debate well...for me. at least, not an option.

I forgot to mention that if the current governor Steve Breshear decided to run, even though he has said he done with political office after his term is up, I think Breshear could win. He's been an excellent governor and has proven he can win statewide. I wish he would reconsider.

Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson has already said he prefers an 'administrative' position over a 'legislative' position, signaling his interest in running for governor, not the Senate. The AG, Jack Conway was too green when he ran against Rand Paul (I never thought Paul would win), he's been a great AG but might be too early for him to run against McConnell...I'm wondering if he might run for Lt. Gov with Abramson (even though they are both from Louisville).

Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes might be an okay candidate...but not certain she could pull in the national money to combat McConnell.

All I can say is McConnell and Paul are both worried about Ashley Judd...both taking pot shots at her and McConnell running ads against her and she hasn't even established a residency in Kentucky. No matter what happens, it's nice to see these two GOP jackasses worried.

Promise we'll do all we can to get McConnell and Paul out but Kentucky is a conservative state...hard to overcome that mindset.

McConnell will have almost unlimited funds for the attack ads he will continue to run, and whoever emerges as the Dem to run against him, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee must help out in a big way.

if they do, regardless of the candidate, then that will be a great signal that internal polls are telling the Dems they can win. I'll be there to help do what I can!

She is a famous, well-liked actress who could really give Lamar Alexander a hard time, particularly because she could match him in fund-raising.

If Judd moves to Kentucky and runs against McConnell, she will first have to win the Democratic primary, which might be "down & dirty," since Kentucky has several Dems in statewide office who may decide to run against her in the primary.

On the other hand, in Tennessee, former governor Phil Bredesen "is the only Democrat, besides judges and presidential candidates, to win a statewide election since 1990."
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20130125/NEWS/301250125/Holiday-party-spat-riles-up-TN-Democrats/

My feeling is that the Turtle is definitely beatable, and he could be defeated by whoever emerges from the Democratic primary...particularly if the DSCC forks over the cash necessary to counter his attack ads.

McConnell may even face a Tea Party challenge in a Republican primary, which could get ugly.

Meanwhile, back in Tennessee where she lives, Judd still hasn't made up her mind.
"Judd has not announced her candidacy, nor started an exploratory committee,
nor raised a dime of campaign money. She's still thinking it over, with a promise to tell everybody on some day before the Kentucky Derby on May 4."
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20130223/COLUMNISTS20/302230039/James-R-Carroll-Ashley-Judd/

Her name recognition alone would be worth a lot but also her ability to fund-raise nationally.

If she doesn't, I think Grimes is the best choice. For one thing, it's high time Kentucky had a female senator!! But also, I like her and think she could do it if she could get the fundraising support.

My next choice would be for Adam Edelen, the state auditor. Then Jack Conway, the AG. Another good candidate would be Crit Luallen, but I don't think it will happen.

Folks upthread have mentioned Abramson, Beshear, Mongiardo, and Chandler as candidates but I hope they can be avoided. I would hold my nose and vote if any of them became the nominee, but I don't like them and don't think they have a very good chance of winning.

Just my 2 cents.

if Ashley Judd decides not to run against McConnell.

However, she will need help...lots of help...from the coffers of the DSCC.

win statewide elections at the state level but lose Federal US Senate elections because of issues such as Obamacare which is unpopular in KY

I'll wait till her people call me (which they will) and give me a convincing argument as to how a "Hollywood Liberal" (how she'll be framed) can compete in Kentucky.