On Selection Sunday, Republican U.S. Senate candidate Trey Grayson's tongue in cheek "ad" tweaked the xenophobia of Kentucky basketball fanatics toward Dukies, underscoring that rival Rand Paul's medical degree is from the hated Duke University. On Monday, the campaign of Democrat U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Mongiardo went one step further with a "friendly wager" to rival Jack Conway that sought to score political points by aggravating the urban vs. rural divide in the Bluegrass, or maybe it's just Louisville vs. the rest of Kentucky.
It sparked an all-too-serious war of words between the Democrats' campaigns. Mongiardo's bet called for Conway to give him a golf lesson at a Louisville country club (It's not the first time Conway has been painted as an elitist golfer - see Northup, Anne) if Kentucky advances farther than Duke, while Mongiardo would take Conway turkey hunting (it's not the first time gun ownership and hunting have been used to promote a campaign) if Duke advances farther.
“Although Jack doesn't have a hunting license, if by chance Daniel loses and ends up taking Jack turkey hunting, Daniel will pay for Jack’s hunting license" Mongiardo spokesman Kim Geveden
Conway's campaign responded by saying his focus was on jobs, and education. And, by the way, Jack has UK going all the way in his bracket.
".... it's unfortunate that Daniel Mongiardo's campaign has decided to cheapen America's greatest sporting event by injecting lowbrow political attacks into the NCAA tournament" Conway spokeswoman Allison Haley
Yet, somehow it does not end there. The Mongiardo camp sends out another news release.
"Geveden dismissed Conway’s claim to have picked Kentucky over Duke in his NCAA bracket saying, “Real Wildcat fans aren’t fooled by Jack’s claim to having picked Kentucky over Duke. While it is interesting to watch Jack flip-flop on his allegiance to his alma mater, we can’t help but wonder how Jack’s fellow Dukies will react when they learn that one of their own has apparently forsaken them and Duke Blue Devil fans everywhere.”
Kentucky Sports Radio's Matt Jones critiques the campaigns on his blog.
Mongiardo release #1
UK Grad Mongiardo Offers Friendly Wager
To Duke Alum Conway
If Conway Loses, He Gives Golf Lesson to Daniel at Conway Country Club
If Mongiardo Loses, He Takes Conway on Western KY Turkey Shoot
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FRANKFORT --- University of Kentucky graduate and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Mongiardo today offered a friendly wager to Duke graduate Attorney General Jack Conway that Kentucky will advance farther than Duke in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
With the University of Kentucky seeded #1 in the East Region, and Duke University seeded #1 in the South Region, both teams are considered top contenders in the NCAA Tournament which begins on Thursday, March 18th.
“I am a proud Kentucky graduate, as I know Jack Conway is a proud Duke graduate. In the spirit of friendly competition, I offer Jack a friendly wager that Kentucky will advance further in the tournament than Duke. If Jack loses, Jack will serve as my golf instructor at Louisville’s Audubon Country Club, where he is a member. If I lose, I will serve as Jack’s hunting guide on a wild turkey hunt in Western Kentucky,” said Mongiardo, who graduated from UK Medical School.
Kim Geveden, Mongiardo campaign spokesman, said the offer was being transmitted to Conway on Monday morning, and noted, “Although Jack doesn't have a hunting license, if by chance Daniel loses and ends up taking Jack turkey hunting, Daniel will pay for Jack’s hunting license.”
Conway release
Campaign Responds to NCAA Wager
Conway campaign spokesperson Allison Haley sent the following in response to the Mongiardo campaign's offer to wager on the NCAA tournament:
Dear Mr. Geveden,
While we certainly appreciate the Mongiardo campaign's offer to wager on the NCAA tournament, at a time when Kentucky's unemployment rate is nearly 11%, we believe it's more appropriate to keep the focus of this campaign on which candidate can help the people of Kentucky in this difficult economic time. Jack is less interested in where anyone went to college than in making sure Kentucky families can afford to send their kids to college.
As a long time college basketball fan, it's unfortunate that Daniel Mongiardo's campaign has decided to cheapen America's greatest sporting event by injecting lowbrow political attacks into the NCAA tournament.
Additionally Jack's bracket has UK winning it all, so our campaign is not in a position to accept this bet since the spirit of it conflicts with our candidate's bracket.
Mongiardo release #2
Conway Overly Sensitive About Duke Ties;
Angrily Rejects Mongiardo’s Friendly Wager
Flip-Flops on His Fellow Duke Blue Devils
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FRANKFORT --- Attorney General Jack Conway angrily rejected Dr. Daniel Mongiardo’s friendly offer to wager on which team advances farthest in the NCAA Basketball Tournament – the Kentucky Wildcats, Mongiardo’s alma mater or the Duke Blue Devils, Conway’s alma mater.
Mongiardo campaign spokesperson, Kim Geveden said, “We are disappointed that Jack Conway could not get into the spirit of the NCAA Tournament shared by millions of Kentuckians. I guess the fact that Jack is trailing Daniel by 18 points in the latest Bluegrass Poll has removed any sense of humor Jack may have had. But he really should lighten up and take Coach Cal’s advice – ‘have fun.'”
“It’s too bad Conway is so sensitive about attending Duke that he cannot identify with the good natured fun of the NCAA. After all, even in these difficult economic times, a love for Wildcat basketball during March Madness is a common bond shared by Kentuckians of every political stripe and economic standing. It’s too bad Jack Conway doesn’t understand that,” Geveden added.
Geveden dismissed Conway’s claim to have picked Kentucky over Duke in his NCAA bracket saying, “Real Wildcat fans aren’t fooled by Jack’s claim to having picked Kentucky over Duke. While it is interesting to watch Jack flip-flop on his allegiance to his alma mater, we can’t help but wonder how Jack’s fellow Dukies will react when they learn that one of their own has apparently forsaken them and Duke Blue Devil fans everywhere.”
Mongiardo had wagered that if his Wildcats lost and Duke advanced farther in the NCAA tournament than U.K., Mongiardo would purchase a hunting license for Conway and serve as his personal hunting guide on a turkey hunt in western Kentucky. If Conway lost and Kentucky advanced farther, Conway would serve as Mongiardo’s personal golf instructor at Louisville’s Audubon Country Club, where Conway is a member.
