Soon after the 2012 election, the pundit class began discussing the election cycle for 2014. It happens every time and we fall for it every time! No one ever stops and takes a breath anymore. Anyway, Ashley Judd was quickly named as a possible candidate for a much-agonized-over Senate seat in Kentucky. The Senate seat is currently occupied by Sen. Mitch McConnell, the Senate Minority leader. Democrats see McConnell as an obstructionist and as a leader who is incapable of controlling his caucus. Republicans see McConnell as “too friendly” to the Democratic Party and “not conservative enough.” Which means that McConnell is probably going to have a Republican primary challenge, and then if he wins that (which isn’t a sure thing), then he’ll have to face Ashley Judd in a general election.
As of December, Ashley seemed to be weighing her options, considering what it would take to run for statewide office. A few months have passed, and people are STILL talking about Ashley and what a great candidate she would make, and I’m completely astonished that no one has even brought up the fact that she would be – to put it conservatively – an extremely flawed candidate for state-wide office in the South. It’s not just that she’s in the middle of a divorce. It’s not just that she’s seen as “Hollywood”. It’s that she’s flat-out cray. But Ashley has now met with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and OMG.
Ashley Judd 2014? The actress, 44, met this week with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington, D.C., Politico reports. The DSCC helps support Democratic candidates running for Senate — furthering suspicions that the Double Jeopardy star may indeed be interested in running against Mitch McConnell, the current Republican Senator of her home state, who is up for re-election next year.
More clues? Judd also dined with prominent Kentucky Democrats on Thursday in Louisville, with local TV station WHAS 11 reporting that Judd is told Congressman John Yarmuth and other VIPs that she is “leaning toward” running for Senate, and may decide by Derby Day, May 6.
Judd is even targeted in an attack ad from McConnell, in which he mocks the lack of viable Democratic opponents for the Senatorial seat and characterizes Judd as a “radical.”
The buzz around Judd’s political aspiration began last November, immediately after President Barack Obama”s re-election. “I cherish Kentucky, heart and soul, and while I’m very honored by the consideration, we have just finished an election, so let’s focus on coming together to keep moving America’s families, and especially our kids, forward,” Judd told Us Weekly in a statement.
Either way, it’s a time of transition for the star. Late last month, she and race car driver husband Dario Franchitti announced the end of their 10-year marriage. “We’ll always be family and continue to cherish our relationship based on the special love, integrity, and respect we have always enjoyed,” a rep for the couple said.
I just don’t see how this is a good idea. At all. Too much baggage, she’s getting divorced, she can’t make it through a ten-minute interview without spouting out a jumble of nonsense words, and let’s face it – she IS “radical” for Kentucky. She’s a liberal Democrat by Hollywood standards, which makes her a communist in Kentucky. If the DSCC decides to push Judd for the Democratic primary, the GOP will be celebrating. Trust me.
And just so you don’t think it’s completely anti-woman or anti-strong-female-candidates… the Enquirer has an interesting story about Eva Longoria also considering a run for political office in her home state of Texas. Allegedly, Eva has already been in contact with the Texas Democratic Party about a possible run for a Congressional seat. And you know what? She should do it! She would be an amazing candidate and public servant.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I guess I don’t know much about her political leanings because when I started reading I figured she was republican. Either way, no. I read the article someone posted on the last thread. Could you imagine the special treatment she would expect ? She does know she wouldn’t be able to use her silent stones, right?
Haha, I was confused at first, too, because I also had pegged her as a Republican.
Great, if Ashley judd is 44 I am 23 again!
I think the fact that her mental health issues are so well documented would also give her opponents too much ammunition against her. Honestly, she seems like too much of a hothouse flower to do well in a grueling political campaign.
Unfortunately I think her past treatment for mental health issues would hurt her politically especially in a place like Kentucky. Maybe she could spin it properly. We’ll see. Anne Richards became governor of Texas even after she got out of treatment for alcoholism.
I’d hope not. In this day and age, i would think the stigma attached to mental health would be better . I think so many have struggled with some form depression, or other mental health issues. I would think she would be an example. She’s very smart, and if she’s treating her mental illness, it shouldn’t be an issue.
She ruined her face. She used to be SO beautiful and she’s smart, very smart… It’s sad that she felt the need to do that to her face.
No to ashley. Eva, go for it!
I live in the (only?) liberal leaning county in Kentucky, and I totally agree with your assessment. And I’m a Dem.! She is too liberal even for the most progressive Repubs here. But! McConnell is already spending loads of cash on dragging her through the mud, so he must be worried. He is probably more vulnerable now than he has ever been, but he’s not going down w/o a fight. McC is such a nasty piece of work; it’s going to get ugly. Judd is meeting with Gov. Beshear soon to discuss her run according to today’s local paper.
I am from Kentucky, and Mitch McConnell is a dreadful person. I strongly dislike him, but I don’t know if Ashley Judd is the answer to him. When Nick Clooney ran, he was beaten (by Geoff Davis, I think), so just b/c she has a recognizable name and is a prominent Kentuckian doesn’t mean she will get the seat (thankfully). Next, please.
I personally think McConnell should step down and let his wife Elaine Chau run.
LOL. Like she has no skeletons in her closet. I can’t stand her, but for the sake of her health, I hope this is a joke.
Given that McConnell’s stated main priority was not to represent the people of his state and work to improve the nation (you know, his job) but to make Obama a 1 term POTUS, I think it’s time someone else get the job and maybe do some actual productive work.
But I don’t think that person should be Ashley. I don’t think she is grounded in any sort of reality.
I find Eva Longoria very annoying, but I think I’d vote for her before Ashley.
Good luck to her if she does, it is going to be an uphill battle.
At least Ashley Judd is qualified.. Eva Longoria has a BS but no formal education on public policy or government. We need real politicians and public servants, not celebrities running this country.
I don’t recall Ashley getting a degree in public policy. Sorry just because you have one doesn’t mean you should run for office. Ashley is so entitled that she wouldn’t like all those rules the govt imposes in terms of travel reimbursement, what she can buy for her office etc.
No I don’t think she is a viable candidate.
This woman is so unstable and when multiple actors make negative comments about working with her tells me that she is not a very affable person……and we all know you have to be somewhat likable to win elections. I have heard so many beotch stories about this nutter…..
um,doesn’t Ashley live in Nashville, Tennessee? She needs to take her moon pie face to therapy and get her head straight before she giving the politicians an invitation into her past.
She does live in Tennessee, just outside of Nashville. Of course the fact that Hillary lived in Arkansas/Washington DC didn’t stop her for running, successfully, in NY. You can be a successful carpetbagger if your credentials are good enough. Ashley’s, however, are not. If McConnell is too much of RINO for the KY electorate, does anyone really think a “Hollywood liberal” is going to carry a state-wide election? This is daffy.
What makes either Ashley Judd or Eva Longoria qualified to be a senator or congresswoman? I’d vote for Judd over any Republican in Kentucky, but come on! Judd has a reputation for being unlikable, even in Hollywood, irrelevant of her politics. As for Longoria, does she think she is qualified just because she did some fundraisers for Obama? There are better ways to use her time to help the public without holding political office. I’m so tired of entertainers thinking so highly of themselves. Just look at how Arnold screwed over CA. I want someone who has spent their entire adult lives as a public servant over any millionaire or celebrity who plans to buy their seat. Ridiculous.
One one hand I hear what you’re saying but on the other hand sometimes lifelong public servants don’t bring much to the table either, having had no other “real world” experience to give them perspective. They can be “empty suits” as much as the next guy/gal.
I’m not against a celeb going into politics if he/she shows a clear command of the issues and has some concrete solutions outlined. Same goes with someone very young. Especially if you balance your inexperience with people who can knowledgeably advise you.
All that said, I don’t see Ashley as a celeb who’s equipped to make the transition into politics.
God, the narcissism of celebrities is out of control.
How about she runs for city council first instead and gets some actual electoral experience?
I am with you on this point, Cazzie. I believe anyone can run for office and do a good job. But instead of working up through the ranks, these celebrities shoot for Congress. I would love to see someone put the time in to really get a feel for which office would suit them best by starting at the ground floor.
This is a really good point – getting some experience in smaller government is probably a very good idea, before jumping head first into national politics and hugely expensive campaigns.
Wow. BAD idea. All reports of her interactions w/ press and co-stars state that she is contentious and exhibits somewhat bizarre behavior. Am I wrong, or have there been reports of mental illness? Sorry, too lazy to look it up.
remember when she was beautiful and only slightly annoying? 🙁
Off topic but seriously her hair in the first picture is totally ridiculous.
Also, I think she kind of comes off as a bitch in interviews and stuff. That’s all.
She has an advaced education from a prestigious university, and as a several generations from Kentucky family member with a world travelling background she is AT LEAST as qualified as any other prospective candidate. Ladies, do you seriously want Mitch (“the lttle b1tch” McConnel making decisions about your vagina any more? We need serious CHANGE in this country, and Women will be the motivating power to put things on more equal footing for everyone. Lets stop tearing each other down, and build each other up. The deck is already stacked against us because we have a uterus, now lets beat this rigged game.
So the only issue women should care about is their vaginas?? I am not a fan of Mitch McConnell but I am most definitely not a fan of President Obama’s economic policies. So I therefore could not support someone who would rubber stamp the president’s economic policies. I think the reason why many people would vote for McConnell would be to counter the president’s economic agenda which appears to be spend,spend spend,tax tax tax.
I personally think life long Republican and Democratic senators like McConnell and Schumer should step down….life long politicians are a major problem in Washington DC.
I think this would not be a smart move for her – or KY – at all. There are ways she can contribute to the people of her state or get involved with social issues and awareness for things she is passionate for. But, there is so much responsibility with being a member of Congress that most people do not seem to understand. IMO, her being in Congress, given her history and lack of actual leadership, would be very irresponsible.
If she thinks this will happen, she should check with her doctor and see if they can up her anti-delusion meds along with the don’t treat everybody you work with like crap meds.
I used to like her but she’s starting to grate on my nerves…she looks so much like her mom.
Um, no. Way too liberal for Kentucky, and way too unlikable. To run for office (or, I guess, to win) you need to be likable. And although you can think you are so smart and always right about everything, you can’t come across that way, and she’d have a terribly difficult time not letting everyone know how brilliant she is. You have to be able to act as if you’re one of the people, and she can’t do that, because she truly thinks she’s better than everyone. This one’s a no-go.
+1
This woman in’t conversant enough on important public policy issues to be a Senator. Seriously? Ok Ashley, let’s talk Chained-CPI, monetary policy, net neutrality, trade argeements, entitlement reform, procurement cuts, the Doc fix, DC vs. Heller, etc. Same goes for Longoria. Stick to what you guys do for a living, even if you don’t do it all that well!
McConnell is an extreme right wing Senator. I applaud anyone trying to challenge him. Believe it or not, there are a lot of democrats in the red states – more than people realize. She may not win but it would shine a national light on the awful things McConnell is doing to Kentucky and to the Nation.
FYI – She may live in Tennessee now but she grew up in Kentucky with her grandparents while The Judds were on the road.