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UK Political Commentator: Headlines Did Little To Help Grimes

UK

A number of small but important factors contributed to Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes’ loss Tuesday night.

That’s according to commentator and University of Kentucky political science professor Stephen Voss.

While he highlights a handful of meaningful mistakes made by Grimes on the campaign trail, he also points to other factors beyond her control, namely headlines from across the country and the world which reinforced conservative themes.

"Those issues were ones that, as the election proceeded, were brought to people's attention. We had ISIS in the Middle East. We had children piling up on the southern border. We had Ebola. These were not the kinds of issues that benefit a Democrat. These are the kinds of issues that only made an experienced Republican seem more desirable," he says.

Voss argues Sen. Mitch McConnell’s fundraising abilities, name recognition, and clout also went a long toward overcoming his poor favorability ratings.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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