While the primary drags on and sucks up much of the oxygen in the room, national Democrats should remember we have another tall order in the fall. That order is beating the symbol of Republican power and obstructionism in the Senate, Mitch McConnell. Just imagine, even if we win the White House, we have accomplished little towards pushing through our agenda if the Republicans still have 40 votes in the Senate and can fillibuster any Progressive change.

I think to kill a monster, you must cut off its head. The head of the Republican machine in our Senate, and indeed the Congress is Mitch McConnell. Most people know we are likely to win the White House in the fall. Despite all the ugliness in this primary I always vote a straight Democratic ticket. I have in every election since I was allowed to vote in 1988. This time will be no different.

Unfortunately, voting is a very small part of the process. I long for the days when money had less to do with who wins, and elections were decided by who cares the most about the people they represent, and who has the best ideas to move their constituents foward. Sadly, these days have passed.

With that in mind I would like to introduce some of you to an excellent candidate to send Mitch McConnell packing here in Kentucky, Lt. Col. Andrew Horne. Here is a brief summary of the distinguished life of Andrew Horne from his site:

Andrew Horne was born to working, middle-class parents, who for 30 years owned and operated a series of small businesses in Louisville, including Horne Cleaners and Clubfit International, a golf equipment and supply store. Just before graduating from Pleasure Ridge Park High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and, soon after commencement, headed to Parris Island, S.C. for boot camp. Horne worked his way through the University of Louisville, and in 1983 became the first in his family to graduate from college. He later earned a degree from U. of L.'s Brandeis School of Law, after fulfilling his six year active duty contract with the Marines.

After tours overseas in both operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, Horne retired this year from the Marines as a lieutenant colonel.

Horne, his wife Stephanie, and their two children are members of Louisville's Christ Church United Methodist, where he's taught Sunday School. Horne serves as the spokesperson for the Brain Injury Association of Kentucky, leading the Wounded Warriors program which provides resources and relief to those suffering from this "signature" wound of the Iraq war. He also has been active with the Toys for Tots campaigns, the Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Kentucky, Boy Scouts of America, Junior Achievement and Boys' State of Kentucky. He is a member of the Louisville Bar and American Bar associations. He previously served as a Senior Advisor to VoteVets.org , a pro-military group that supports Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans running for office.

http://andrewhorne.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18...

Here is Andrew Horne detailing why he has decided to run against Mitch McConnell:

Thank you for visiting our website.

I am a husband, father, attorney, U.S. Marine, small business owner and citizen of this great Commonwealth.

America was built on the idea of making and leaving a better place for our children and grandchildren. President Bush and Senator Mitch McConnell have not kept this promise.

A misguided war and record deficits are crippling our future.

Washington is broken and our Senator, Mitch McConnell, is fully complicit in this culture of corruption. He works against Kentucky’s interests and rewards his big money donors with his votes...big business, large insurance companies and lobbyist friends. Our jobs are being outsourced, McConnell shows no leadership on immigration, and instead works for his friends in China.

McConnell has turned his back on students and their families as college tuition skyrockets.

It is time we fight back.

I offer trustworthy, competent and genuine leadership. I am not a Politician.

I’ve served this Country and this Commonwealth with the Marines for 27 years, and I am a Veteran of both Gulf Wars.

Together we can make a difference.

I am Andrew Horne. I am running for Senate.

I respectfully ask for your support.

Semper Fi

http://andrewhorne.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55

Here is Andrew Horne in his own words announcing his candidacy for U.S. Senate:

I think it is plain to see that Andrew Horne gives Kentucky Democrats and indeed Democrats from all over this country true hope that Mitch McConnell can be defeated. To do this however, we are going to need help from our fellow Democrats everywhere. Mitch McConnell has a whole lot of money raised from the special interests he represents instead of the people of Kentucky. In my Western Kentucky home of Paducah, Mitch McConnell is already running television ads to try and trick the voters of Kentucky into allowing him to continue the failed agenda he represents.

Please help us defeat McConnell and elect an awesome Democrat to the Senate from Kentucky. With an effort like the one that dispelled Joe Lieberman from our party, we can send Mitch McConnell home. I mean cmon Democrats, aren't you tired of seeing the sneering, black tooth grin of Mitch McConnell after Progressive change in this country is defeated once again? Need I remind you no matter who wins the Presidency, it will be close to impossible to achieve any change without a 60 vote majority in the Senate? We need Andrew Horne, and so will our next President. We need to pick up as many seats in the Congress and Senate as possible, just in case we somehow lose the White House too.

Democrats across this land have shown their dedication by donating $250 million plus to our Presidential candidates. Just a fraction of that given to Andrew Horne could insure a Democratic victory, and the defeat of the worst obstructionist, and the Republican leader in the Senate. Is this not a noble cause also?

Please visit Andrew Horne's site and catch up on an exciting candidate who can take the fight to McConnell and defeat him on his home ground. While you are there, please make an investment in Andrew Horne, and a Senate that works for the American people once more here:

http://andrewhorne.org/main/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=98

I know the Presidential primary has caused a lot of division in our party but the one thing we should all be able to agree on is that Mitch McConnell simply has to go. We have a candidate with a long record of fighting not only for our country, but for the ideals the Democratic Party was founded on. Will you not help us in this endeavor?