Sen. McConnell has been traveling all over Kentucky on the "Leadership Matters" bus tour. On Friday, he was joined by Congressman Geoff Davis for a rally in Maysville at the Rotary Park Clubhouse.
The noontime rally was attended by more than 150 people, according to Mason County Republican Party Treasurer Doug Hendrickson.
"We stopped counting at 150 (people)," Hendrickson said, noting local party officials had estimated 40 to 80 people would attend the rally.
"I think it's a testament to what Senator McConnell and Representative Davis have done for us in Kentucky and the Buffalo Trace area," Hendrickson said.
The standing room only crowd included men and women of all ages, veterans, and elected officials from not only Mason County, but neighboring counties.
During his remarks, McConnell discussed why so many liberal special interest groups are laser-focused on the Kentucky Senate race.
"Some of you are wondering why I'm having such a race," McConnell said, acknowledging the close race between he and Lunsford. He said the difference between now and his last bid for re-election six years ago, is the result of the confidence his Republican colleagues put in him by selecting him as minority leader. That has made him a target of such organizations as MoveOn.org and "the most disliked Republican among lobby groups and outside forces," even more so than the party's presidential nominee McCain.
"I'm damn proud of that," McConnell said.
McConnell said if he loses to Lunsford, the state will "immediately see a reduction" in funding coming from the federal government because Lunsford will be a "rookie" senator with little chance of reaching the level of seniority of McConnell. That senior status enabled McConnell to bring $500 million in federal funding into Kentucky last year alone, he said.
In closing, McConnell asked supporters to realize their vote does make a difference and to work over the next days to reach out to others in the community and encourage their votes.
"We are really representing your aspirations, your hopes for you, your children and your grandchildren." McConnell said.
