Report: Ashley Judd Will Run for Senate

Monday, March 11, 2013

Ashley Judd, the 44-year-old actress and social activist, has told key advisers and political figures that she will be announcing a Senate candidacy to unseat Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R), Howard Fineman of Huffington Post reports. Judd told one close ally that she plans to announce her run for the Democratic nomination for the 2014 race "around Derby" -- meaning in early May when the Kentucky Derby brings national attention to Louisville and the Bluegrass State.

Posted by rcade at 07:39 AM | 63 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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rcade

Joined 2003/04/04
Visited 2013/05/21

Status: editor

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Comments

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Yeah, because celebrities have the qualifications that are important for a politician. Well, I guess they are trained liars.

#1 | Posted by LEgregius at 2013-03-11 08:18 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Yeah, because celebrities have the qualifications that are important for a politician."

Yeah but wants politicians? The U.S. needs more citizen candidates and fewer lawyers.

#2 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-11 08:37 AM | Reply | Flag:

I have no trouble with the dems running someone to oust McConnell....but this isn't the answer.

#3 | Posted by eberly at 2013-03-11 09:05 AM | Reply | Flag:

....
....Mitch is pissed .....now he won't be the best looking girl on the ballot ....

#4 | Posted by skizziks at 2013-03-11 09:05 AM | Reply | Flag:

She is actually very smart, went to the Kennedy school of business. People like Frankin are a joke but she is not bad.

#5 | Posted by fishpaw at 2013-03-11 09:13 AM | Reply | Flag:

"People like Frankin[sic] are a joke but she is not bad."

Al Franken has a degree from Harvard. What about you?

#6 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-11 09:21 AM | Reply | Flag:

this is funny.

when a liberal has an Ivy League degree, it matters.

But back to Judd.....I have no idea how effective she will be.

My only issue is with "celebrity status" that seemingly qualifies her above so many others for office.

#7 | Posted by eberly at 2013-03-11 09:24 AM | Reply | Flag:

"My only issue is with "celebrity status" that seemingly qualifies her above so many others for office."

Kind of like a successful businessman who is very well-known across a region or state? The only qualifications for those who want to run are those in the US and state constitutions, right?

#8 | Posted by pragmatist at 2013-03-11 09:28 AM | Reply | Flag:

"..but this isn't the answer."

Probably. It's hard to imagine those inbred rednecks in Kentucky voting for someone intelligent and well-educated.

#9 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-11 09:31 AM | Reply | Flag:

She is actually very smart, went to the Kennedy school of business. People like Frankin are a joke but she is not bad.
#5 | Posted by fishpaw

Judd's Harvard degree is a plus, Franken's cum laude Harvard degree in government a minus?

Ho boy, stock up on them Wheaties today.

#11 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-03-11 09:35 AM | Reply | Flag:

Nulli,

another reason she'll have trouble(you'll love this one) is because she is against the type of coal mining practiced in Eastern KY. She'll either have to flip flop on that issue or be prepared to get no support from the Eastern side.

"Kind of like a successful businessman who is very well-known across a region or state?"

what leadership qualities can she point to?

"The only qualifications for those who want to run are those in the US and state constitutions, right?"

what?

#12 | Posted by eberly at 2013-03-11 09:37 AM | Reply | Flag:

Al Franken has a degree from Harvard. What about you?

So did Bush. See where that got us? The nation is full of educated derelicts.

#13 | Posted by Daniel at 2013-03-11 09:37 AM | Reply | Flag:

She's a much better actor than Reagan ever was.

#14 | Posted by Corky at 2013-03-11 09:38 AM | Reply | Flag:

Yeah, because celebrities have the qualifications that are important for a politician. Well, I guess they are trained liars.
#1 | Posted by LEgregius

There you go again.
~ Ronnie Raygun

#15 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-03-11 09:39 AM | Reply | Flag:

"So did Bush. See where that got us?"

exactly. Her acting/music career coupled with a Harvard Degree.

why...that's Reagan and Bush all rolled up into one.

and liberals are going to slobber all over it......now.

#16 | Posted by eberly at 2013-03-11 09:41 AM | Reply | Flag:

She's a much better actor than Reagan ever was.
#14 | Posted by Corky

Bonzo was a much better actor than Reagan ever was.

#17 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-03-11 09:46 AM | Reply | Flag:

"So did Bush. See where that got us? "

You and others totally missed the point. My post was addressed to Fishpaw--whose posts sound penned like a high school dropout.

#18 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-11 09:46 AM | Reply | Flag:

The nation is full of educated derelicts.
#13 | Posted by Daniel

And uneducated ones, too.

#19 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-03-11 09:47 AM | Reply | Flag:

"So did Bush. See where that got us? The nation is full of educated derelicts."

What makes you think Bush was educated? He got a "gentleman C" in every course he took. He didn't get an A in any subject other than pom pom waving. Franken, on the other hand, graduated cum laude.

#20 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-11 09:52 AM | Reply | Flag:

Don't care...she isn't running in my state and my opinion therefore doesn't matter.

#21 | Posted by kanrei at 2013-03-11 09:53 AM | Reply | Flag:

The problem I see is that people think just because they have celebrity status they are not engaged with what is going on in the world. Just because they act out what other people write on screen does not mean they don't know or aren't involved with what is going on off the screen.

#22 | Posted by TheRef65 at 2013-03-11 09:55 AM | Reply | Flag:

For the money his family put into his education - Phillips Academy, the Kincaid School, Yale University, Harvard Business School - and the amount of effort one hopes at least some of his professors put into the process, George W. Bush stands as a remarkably poor representative of anyone calling themselves "educated." His overwhelming lack of curiosity and apparent pride in his ignorance are, really, quite sad.

"Laura said you oughtta try Camus. I also read three Shakespeare's."

#23 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-03-11 09:57 AM | Reply | Flag:

Null, when you are not listed as a dependent on your parent's tax return talk to us about other's education.

#24 | Posted by fishpaw at 2013-03-11 10:02 AM | Reply | Flag:

I have no problem with her celebrity status, it's her liberal left leaning politics that might cause her problems in Kentucky. The democrats here are quite conservative with perhaps the exception being the 2 blue cities in the state, Louisville and Lexington.

#25 | Posted by Daniel at 2013-03-11 10:02 AM | Reply | Flag:

The nation is full of educated derelicts.
#13 | Posted by Daniel

And uneducated ones, too.

#19 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

Don't be so hard on yourself Doc, I still think of you as an equal. =P

#26 | Posted by Daniel at 2013-03-11 10:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

"what leadership qualities can she point to?"

Every person who runs for office has proven leadership qualifications? Or should?

You didn't understand my comment about the constitutions. Such documents lay out requirements for eligibility to run for office. Those are the requirements that matter.

"Don't care...she isn't running in my state and my opinion therefore doesn't matter."

Which was sort of my point. : )

#27 | Posted by pragmatist at 2013-03-11 10:15 AM | Reply | Flag:

As I look around our country, our economy and our current standing in the world, I'm not thinking that career politicians have done such a good job. Citizen legislators has been one of the hallmarks of our political system and I see no reason that anyone needs more that Gods gifts of common sense and adherence to the Constitution and laws of this country to be a successful holder of political office.

#28 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-03-11 10:28 AM | Reply | Flag:

#26 | Posted by Daniel

You really shouldn't be so sensitive. Mine was merely an observation; of course, if you think it's a shoe that fits, you're welcome to wear it.

#29 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2013-03-11 10:31 AM | Reply | Flag:

She is as qualified as most you find in Congress and actually more than most...if you follow her career, she is more than just a 'pretty face'...pretty smart and tenacious lady who has pulled herself out of poverty basically and made something of herself...no matter the route...
this country elected an occupant of the White House twice who has no hint of leadership experience or qualities, so I do not think that strike can be used against her... she has accomplished a lot outside the studio lots of movie making and is a very intuitive individual...
strong leadership qualities do not always come from having a title from a company... it is from the personal ACTIONS one takes to get something accomplished...

#30 | Posted by drsoul at 2013-03-11 10:49 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Every person who runs for office has proven leadership qualifications? Or should?"

to run for the US Senate? yes. absolutely.

school board, city council, state rep, etc....not so much.

But to be 1 out of 100 members of the US Senate? they should have proven leadership qualifications.

"Such documents lay out requirements for eligibility to run for office. Those are the requirements that matter."

[...]. those requirements are but the first step. Kind of like having a drivers license before applying for certain jobs. it's a requirement for eligibility.....but you need to have more than that.

a lot more in many instances......like the US Senate.

#31 | Posted by eberly at 2013-03-11 10:56 AM | Reply | Flag:

#29

I know what you meant Doc, I was just poking fun.

signed,
proud uneducated derelict

#32 | Posted by Daniel at 2013-03-11 10:56 AM | Reply | Flag:

"But to be 1 out of 100 members of the US Senate? they should have proven leadership qualifications. "

Proven leadership qualifications = subservience to corporate power.

#33 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-11 11:06 AM | Reply | Flag:

Judging by their performance, not a single U.S. Senator has "proven leadership qualifications."

#34 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-11 11:22 AM | Reply | Flag:

20 year old Ashley Judd was every heterosexual guy's dream. 44 year old Ashley Judd not so much. Politically she is no more nor less qualified than many other socially active celebrities and businesspeople who have gone into politics. I will grant that she comes across as quite intelligent.

#35 | Posted by moder8 at 2013-03-11 11:31 AM | Reply | Flag:

30: Wow. Great post, Dr.

31: Thanks for clarifying, Eb. I understand your point. But for me, that's where the election process comes in. Of course, some of us don't think past "I like that candidate!" I appreciate your high standards. : ) But then, I think some people can learn on the job.

#36 | Posted by pragmatist at 2013-03-11 11:38 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Proven leadership qualifications = subservience to corporate power."

no. that's not an equality.

it's a gigantic problem but that is something that happens to anybody who can get elected. their previous leadership experience is irrelevant to that.

a former school superintendent would be able to display leadership. the leader of a non-profit, a "community organizer".....those are all positions of folks who had to mobilize and direct folks to get things done. IOW, "leadership".

by no means am I narrowing this to business or corporate leadership.

#37 | Posted by eberly at 2013-03-11 11:52 AM | Reply | Flag:

none of this matters except the outster of MM!

#38 | Posted by ichiro at 2013-03-11 12:11 PM | Reply | Flag:

So Eb, how about a movie director rather than a movie actor? What about a movie actor who has been active in nonprofit charity work or political activism?

#39 | Posted by pragmatist at 2013-03-11 12:30 PM | Reply | Flag:

Too bad she's not running as a Pub. They're the ones who love to elect Hollywood celebs.

#40 | Posted by TFDNihilist at 2013-03-11 12:33 PM | Reply | Flag:

#25 | Posted by Daniel

Daniel, where in KY are you?

#41 | Posted by TheTom at 2013-03-11 12:59 PM | Reply | Flag:

I went to college in Barbourville Ky. Pretty place but, really backward small town hill billy's.

#42 | Posted by Dalton at 2013-03-11 01:06 PM | Reply | Flag:

Daniel, where in KY are you?

#41 | Posted by TheTom

Western region not far from Ky Lake area.

#43 | Posted by Daniel at 2013-03-11 01:14 PM | Reply | Flag:

All I know is that Kentucky spawned the greatest actor of all time (Warren Oates), and the greatest writer of all time (Hunter Thompson).

#44 | Posted by Karabekian at 2013-03-11 01:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

#42 | Posted by Dalton
"I went to college in Barbourville Ky."

College in a dry county...my condolences.

#45 | Posted by TheTom at 2013-03-11 03:52 PM | Reply | Flag:

Ashley Judd is so f-ing hot. [...] I would lie and tell her than Bush is the devil and Obama is our savior and all republicans are terrible people. Yep...I would lie and lie and lie. Mmmmmmm....sweet, sweet Ashley.

#46 | Posted by justanoversight at 2013-03-11 04:22 PM | Reply | Flag:

Tom it wasn't too bad. We just had to drive over the state line. Can't remember if it was Va or W Va? Anyway, it was a blast. Nothing like horny methodist girls being sent to a methodist school to keep them in line.

#47 | Posted by Dalton at 2013-03-11 04:31 PM | Reply | Flag:

Judd will get the low information voters and the high information voters.

can she get those inbetween though?

#48 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-11 04:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

"can she get those inbetween though?"

I don't think that's the inbetween you're really thinking about.

#49 | Posted by pragmatist at 2013-03-11 06:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

Don't care...she isn't running in my state and my opinion therefore doesn't matter. #21 | POSTED BY KANREI

She's running for a seat in the federal government. Everybody's opinion matters.

#50 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine at 2013-03-11 06:19 PM | Reply | Flag:

"I don't think that's the inbetween you're really thinking about."

LOL!

Guilty as charged I do like women. 8)

#51 | Posted by Tor at 2013-03-11 06:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

Doubtful she can beat Mitch.

Although, the strategy would be to get rid of Mitch during the primary.

We should repeal the 17th Amendment anyway.

#52 | Posted by MURPHY at 2013-03-11 08:50 PM | Reply | Flag:

I believe you'd be happier if they repealed the 19th and 21st as well.

#53 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-03-12 12:43 AM | Reply | Flag:

always had a thing for this broad. she has my, uh, vote.

#54 | Posted by AuntieSocial at 2013-03-12 06:58 AM | Reply | Flag:

I doubt I would agree much with Ashley, but I believe we need our legislature made up of a cross section of citizens. As a profession lawyers are over represented.

#55 | Posted by visitor_ at 2013-03-12 07:34 AM | Reply | Flag:

I'd rather vote for Willie Nelson.

#56 | Posted by shirtsbyeric at 2013-03-12 12:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

#25 | Posted by Daniel at 2013-03-11 10:02 AM | Reply | Flag:

As a lifelong Kentuckian (having lived in E Ky, W Ky, Lexington and Louisville), I think your assessment is generally true. I still plan to vote for her. She's smart and principled and has always wanted to do more than act. Plus UK's Big Blue Nation will be sympathetic to her.

Cool story: My brother was in a rock band for a while and got to meet Ashley at a post-gig party in Lexington many years ago, while Ashley was still an unknown student at UK. Bro walked into the party to find Ashley having a heated discussion with some drunk guy about (natch) women and politics, and the guy was acting crazy. Soon the guy pulled out a gun and started waving it around -- not at her directly, but still, it was alarming to all concerned. My brother, being a low-level rock star and a schmoozer who never met a stranger, was able to talk the guy into putting the gun back into his pocket. After some friendly jousting with my brother, the guy lost his balance, and the gun fell out of his pocket. Party guests pounced on the gun and threw the drunk guy out. Grateful Ashley kissed my brother for his efforts. That was the end of their relationship, but what a story he has to tell!

#57 | Posted by cbob at 2013-03-12 02:37 PM | Reply | Flag:

great story CBOB.

actually, your brother could dress that story up to suggest he saved her life and she banged him later that night to reward him.

#58 | Posted by eberly at 2013-03-12 02:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

I know, Eb, we've laughed about that.

He did get her phone number, but they each had other love interests, and their careers to pursue, and that was that!

#59 | Posted by cbob at 2013-03-12 02:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

My problem with Judd is the same problem I have with Obama and most liberal politicians of recent years. They literally attack other Americans for having a different point of view and then don't bring solutions to the table. (Hint: ideas don't equal solutions...see Solyndra) They seem to think that all they need is power. But when they get it, they don't understand budgets, economies, real human nature, or recognize what it really means to represent.

#60 | Posted by bogey1355 at 2013-03-12 04:16 PM | Reply | Flag:

Judd has a record of attacking people?

What does "literally attack" mean?

And there appear to be a whole lot of Republicans who "attack other Americans for having a different point of view and then don't bring solutions to the table." It's a human behavior, not a liberal behavior.

#61 | Posted by pragmatist at 2013-03-12 07:16 PM | Reply | Flag:

" They literally attack other Americans..."

David Cross ~ literally

#62 | Posted by Zarathustra at 2013-03-12 07:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

#61, right on, Prag.
And for you, Zara: media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com

#63 | Posted by cbob at 2013-03-13 08:55 AM | Reply | Flag:

"They literally attack other Americans..."

With what? Guns? Knives? Baseball bats?

#64 | Posted by nullifidian at 2013-03-13 09:02 AM | Reply | Flag: