Jim Bunning is a daily laugh-fest. Man, I sure hope the Republicans don't shove him out with a primary!! It is going to be so much fun running against Kentucky's "Crazy Uncle". It seems every time this man opens his mouth, his foot is inserted within.

Now the latest, as reported by Ben Carter at Bluegrass Roots seems to be that Mr. Bunning, and one of his potential replacements, Sleepy the Dwarf David Williams may have violated campaign financing laws to help hold on to state Senate seats last year. And of course, most eccentric Jim Bunning may have let the cat out of the bag by what he does best, a slip of the tongue. From Ben's post at Bluegrassroots:

Bunning shot back Tuesday, accusing Williams of failing to repay $30,000 that his campaign provided to help state Sens. Ken Winters, R-Murray, and Jack Westwood, R-Crescent Springs, retain their seats in the fall election.

Williams "owes me $30,000 and he said he'll repay me," Bunning said. "I was short in my FEC money and he asked me if I would help save two state Senate seats. ... I told him if I did it, I would have to have it replaced at the first of the year. So far, he has not."

Ben then states what seems to have happened:

It kind of sounds like Jim Bunning and David Williams had a conversation about helping Winters and Westwood get reelected. One which contemplated Bunning giving money to the Republican Party of Kentucky.

He then continues with more quoted material:

A Federal Election Commission report for Bunning's campaign committee, Citizens for Bunning, shows a $25,000 contribution to the Republican Party of Kentucky on Oct. 20, 2008. Bunning said his political action committee donated an additional $5,000.

http://www.bluegrassroots.org/showDiary.do;jsessionid=9462E2B3EAD9BE018D...

Ben goes on to point out some of the legal aspects of this loan:

Federal elected officials routinely donate money to their state party. That's pretty commonplace. What is not commonplace is having an elected official state that the money was specifically for a certain race. This is less common probably because transferring a bunch of federal money to a state campaign, even especially if it's laundered through a party, is a violation of campaign finance laws.

Check the whole article from Ben Carter here, and decide for yourself:

http://www.bluegrassroots.org/showDiary.do;jsessionid=9462E2B3EAD9BE018D...

Ah, but in more glorious Jim Bunning news, it seems as if his illegal money is good enough for state Republicans, but their money is too good for him:

Republicans have a new strategy for dealing with the wildly unpredictable Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.): keep their distance and hope he implodes.

That means little fundraising help from top Republicans in Washington, little to no engagement with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and a cold shoulder from Kentucky political strategists. And if you’re Texas Sen. John Cornyn, the NRSC chairman, no cross words about Bunning.

“The easiest way to get rid of him is not give him any money,” said one Washington-based Republican fundraiser.

Cutting off Bunning from the big money — while ignoring his outbursts on the campaign trail — may be the only hope for Republicans whose behind-the-scenes effort to force Bunning to retire have backfired. Calls for him to retire, and any recruitment of a primary challenger, will only embolden Bunning, Republicans say.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19528.html

And Bunning is making a most wonderful mess for the GOP in Kentucky whether they can shed themselves of his antics or not:

But the most delicate challenge ahead is how to recruit a potential GOP challenger in Kentucky. Bunning still has enough of a base among Kentucky’s conservative activists that he could win the primary in May of next year. State Senate President David Williams, a Republican who is close to McConnell, is considering a bid and had a courtesy meeting with NRSC staff last week. But he has not publicly announced a primary challenge. A second potential GOP candidate, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, has said he won’t run if Bunning’s in the race.

Even Kentucky's most toothless Senator Mitch McConnell scuttled away from a reporter inquiring on Bunning's status:

Publicly, McConnell has been quiet on the Bunning situation. He avoided questions last week about the race, walking in silence as a reporter trailed him, asking if he wanted Bunning to run for reelection.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0309/19528_Page2.html

And for once, Bunning himself had not a crazy remark to make when asked of his own status as the most embarrassing member of the lunatic fringe that the Kentucky Republican Party has become:

Asked for comment about GOP concerns, Bunning refused, saying, “I’m not talking to you.”

But Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo, the one Democrat that has thusfar announced to run against Bunning or his replacement, who himself was a victim of one of Bunning's erratic remarks had a solution for everyone:

In his 2004 race, Bunning said his Democratic challenger Daniel Mongiardo looked like “one of Saddam Hussein’s sons.” He won that race, but only by 1 percentage point in a big GOP year.

Mongiardo, who is now the state’s lieutenant governor, plans to run for the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat, and he called on Bunning last week to bow out of the race, something that may only encourage Bunning to dig in.

Yes, lets hope Sen. Bunning digs in and runs in 2010!! Even if not lets enjoy watching the Kentucky Republican Party rip itself to shreds!! It is never too early to help win this race and give Democrats the most coveted 60th vote:

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/331

http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/21924