Elizabethtown, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell made five more stops on his statewide bus tour today, hitting Ballard, McCracken, Graves, Calloway, and Hardin Counties.  McConnell was again joined by former Kentucky Adjutant General Donald Storm and State Senate President David L. Williams, as well as Congressman Ed Whitfield, State Senator Ken Winters, State Representative Steven Rudy, Secretary of State Trey Grayson, and Second Congressional District candidate Brett Guthrie.  Well over 100 people braved the cold weather to wrap up the night in Elizabethtown.  McConnell touted his work on behalf of Hardin County, including $130 million for improvements and training at Fort Knox.
 
“I am here to tell you that Ft. Knox is here to stay,” McConnell said.
 
General Storm continued to explain why the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) PAC has endorsed Senator McConnell.  Storm said McConnell has stood up for soldiers, veterans, and their families time and again.
 
“Nobody has done more to take care of veterans and their families than the senior senator right here," General Storm said during the event.
 
In Paducah, Iraq War Veteran Robbie Doughty, who was badly injured in battle, praised McConnell’s efforts to help him personally. 
 
“Veterans have a friend in Senator McConnell. We need him in Washington.  You were there for me, and I am here for you,” Doughty said.
 
Learn more about Robbie’s story by visiting:
http://www.kentuckyheroes.com/site/c.hrLOK0PFLqF/b.3092397/
 
McConnell’s stop in Paducah found Mayor Bill Paxton explaining just what McConnell’s leadership has meant for his town.
 
“When we have needs, Senator McConnell listens and delivers,” Mayor Paxton said.  “I understand what Senator McConnell has done for Paducah and McCracken County, and we need him in there for another six years.”
 
Paxton highlighted McConnell’s work to bring home over $9 million for the development of the Paducah Waterfront, $6.4 million for upgrades to the Paducah Area Transit System, $4.8 million for runway improvements at the Barkley Regional Airport, $550,000 for the Paducah River Heritage Museum and over $250 million for construction at the Kentucky Lock.
 
Another big topic in Paducah: the USEC plan and energy policy.  McConnell worked to ensure language in the FY09 Defense Appropriations bill, which was signed into law, to restrict Russian uranium imports.  This provision will protect the Paducah plant from Russian uranium imports – keeping the 1,100 jobs at the USEC facility in place.
 
“Senator McConnell has fought for years for the cleanup and health monitoring activities at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant.  None of this would have happened without Senator McConnell's leadership,” Mayor Paxton added.
 
McConnell and Mayor Paxton discussed the future of nuclear energy and coal and its impact on Paducah.
 
“We have the potential here to be the energy capitol of the country.  We have coal resources.  We can do nuclear.  And Mayor Paxton and I believe there's a big role for Paducah to play,” McConnell said.  Paxton added that McConnell had been tremendously helpful in the town’s efforts to lure a clean coal project to the region.
 
Opening the morning in Ballard County, State Representative Steven Rudy welcomed visitors to his family’s farm store in Kevil.  It was a cold morning, but several dozen showed their support for the McConnell-Rudy ticket.
 
“Forty-nine other states would love to have a senator with as much integrity, character, and ability as we do,” Rudy said. “For western Kentucky, we can't do any better than to have Ed Whitfield and Mitch McConnell fighting for us in Washington.  They have delivered for us time and time again.”
 
Congressman Ed Whitfield also joined Senator McConnell in Ballard County, and reiterated the importance for West Kentucky to have a solid one-two punch in Congress.
 
“I've served alongside Mitch and have seen what he can do for Kentucky.  He's a strong advocate for us, and a great partner for me as together we fight for Western Kentucky values in Congress.”
 
State Senator Ken Winters was along for the ride in Graves and Calloway Counties.  He fired up grassroots activists by telling them to get out and fight for their conservative values on Election Day.
 
“Senator McConnell is an important link between us and Washington.  He is our voice, representing our values,” Senator Winters said.
 
On Wednesday, the McConnell Bus Tour rolls through several stops in the second congressional district, and will also stop in Allen County.