Huge crowds greet the two leaders who deliver for EKY

Prestonsburg, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers campaigned together in London, Mt. Vernon, Hazard, and wrapped up the day here at the Big Sandy Regional Airport as the campaign bus tour again rolled through Eastern Kentucky.
 
While speaking to supporters at events during the day, Senator McConnell talked about the importance of including coal in America's energy plan.
 
“America can't be energy independent without relying on Kentucky coal,” McConnell said.  “That's why I supported a number of policy initiatives that encourage the development of clean coal and coal to liquids technology.”
 
McConnell offered an amendment, the American Energy Production Act, which would require the development and use of coal as a liquid transportation fuels; cosponsored Senator Bunning's Coal to Liquid Fuel Energy Act; and extended tax incentives for clean coal technology, including those needed to build coal-to-liquid refineries. 
 
McConnell also used his clout on the Senate Appropriations Committee to bring home funding for a variety of research projects in Kentucky to help make greater use of our abundant coal resources, including $4.2 million for the University of Kentucky's Military Fuels Research Program to research ways to use clean coal fuels to run military vehicles, $2 million for the University of Kentucky Consortium for Fossil Fuel Science (CFFS) to develop technology to produce clean transportation fuel from resources, such as coal, and $2.4 million for the UK Center for Advanced Separations Technology (CAST).  UK is one of seven schools in the CAST consortium, which researches ways to develop new mining technologies to make mining in Kentucky competitive, efficient, and environmentally friendly.
 
Congressman Hal Rogers and State Senate President David Williams joined McConnell at today's stop and touted his leadership in the Senate and its benefits to the people of Kentucky.
 
Rogers told the crowd that McConnell has worked to ensure Kentucky’s coal industry is kept on the forefront of national energy legislation.
 
“We need all the help we can get on coal and Mitch McConnell is solid with us,” Rogers said. “The other side, if you listen to them, is not going to be a friend of coal and we need Mitch there because of his experience to help us."
 
State Senator Tom Jensen kicked things off in London before a huge, standing room only crowd.  He welcomes the crowd by asking: “Who here is excited to send Mitch McConnell back to Washington?”   The crowd responded with a roar.
 
Rogers continued to stoke the enthusiasm of the crowd by talking about the good work he and McConnell do together in Washington for Eastern Kentucky.
 
“The longer Mitch McConnell has been there, the more respect and admiration he has earned.  And with his leadership position, he has been able to do more and more for us here in eastern Kentucky,” Congressman Rogers said.  “I'm proud to have a partner who works hard for eastern Kentucky, who has such talent and character, like Mitch McConnell.”
 
At the Kentucky Country Music Hall of Fame in Rockcastle County, another large crowd heard from McConnell and State Representative Danny Ford, who talked about values and the need for a conservative leader in the U.S. Senate who stands up for Kentucky.
 
“Mitch McConnell is a bulwark for the conservative cause – Pro-life. Pro-second amendment,” Ford said.  “He protects our values in Washington and we need him there for another six years.”
 
During this year's campaign, Senator McConnell has been endorsed by the Kentucky State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police, the National Vietnam & Gulf War Veterans Coalition, the National Right to Life and Kentucky Right to Life, the National Rifle Association and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) PAC. 
 
In Hazard, Democrat Mayor Bill Gorman endorsed Senator McConnell for reelection.  Before a crowd of 200, he honored U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Senator McConnell’s wife, by giving her a key to the city and naming her a “Duchess of Hazard.”
 
When McConnell stepped up to the podium, he said that he knew Perry County is mostly Democrat by registration, but that he knew there are conservative democrats in Eastern Kentucky who should rally to his cause on Election Day.
 
“Your vision of Kentucky is my vision.  The liberal democrat ticket does not represent your values,” McConnell said.  “I heard even Hillary Clinton might be coming to Hazard this weekend. Well, let's send her a message on Tuesday: Perry County is going for Mitch McConnell!”
 
During today’s bus tour stops, two public polls were released showing McConnell with a lead and momentum heading in to the final weekend.  The Courier-Journal Bluegrass Poll showed McConnell with a five point lead, while the Rasmussen showed McConnell ahead by seven points.  A few days ago the Herald-Leader also showed McConnell leading Bruce Lunsford.
 
“Even the most unfriendly sources show Senator McConnell leading and with momentum as we approach Election Day,” said McConnell campaign manager Justin Brasell of the Kentucky newspaper polls.
 
The bus tour concludes tomorrow with several stops in the Fourth Congressional District.  At its completion, McConnell will have made 62 stops in two weeks.