State-Journal.com - Bloggers berate Sen. Carroll for losing cool on CNN

Photo By Mike SunseriBloggers and Facebookers are calling Sen. Julian Carroll a “crazy and embarrassing old man” after a video was posted on CNN that shows him losing his cool.

Click here to watch CNN clip

Bloggers and Facebookers are calling Sen. Julian Carroll a “crazy and embarrassing old man” after a video was posted on CNN that shows him losing his cool.

The video aired Wednesday and focused on a bill that would allow independent voters to participate in primary elections.

A transcript shows a visibly angry Carroll telling Michael Lewis, chairman of Independent Kentucky, to “move to another country” if he doesn’t like the two-party system.

The bill, SB 53, passed the Republican-dominated Senate 25 – 12, largely along party lines, and will go to the House.

The Page One Kentucky blog posted an article titled “What The Living Hell, Julian Carroll?”

“He should be ashamed,” the author wrote. “He is clearly in no state to represent Kentucky voters in Frankfort.”

Commenters urged their fellow readers to call or e-mail Carroll and tell him their opinion of his CNN appearance.

Carroll said he was surprised when Lewis and a CNN cameraman “accosted him” after he left the bathroom on Wednesday. He said CNN had arranged for an interview after lawmakers adjourned on Wednesday.

“I’ll tell you he deceived me,” Carroll told The State Journal Thursday. “Frankly, I was very upset.”

The resulting video was a “fabrication” and ignored any of the reason’s he’s opposed to the bill, Carroll said. On the floor, Carroll said he doesn’t want someone who isn’t a member of his party to pick the Democrat’s candidate.

Carroll said he’s also concerned independent voters could sabotage a primary election and vote for a weaker candidate.

He also said he’s a strong supporter of the two-party system and accused Lewis of trying to undermine it.

“Frankly, it has made us the most effective democracy in the world,” Carroll said.

CNN correspondent David Mattingly said there’s little reason for the Democrats to change the status quo since they outnumber registered Republicans.

The Kentucky GOP posted the CNN video on its official Facebook page. Most commenters discussed their views on open primaries – not Carroll’s behavior – though one suggested “perhaps it is time for his constituents to send him back home.”

Lewis could not immediately be reached for comment, but according to the transcript, he said independent voters are being left out.

He also said Carroll, well known as a Frankfort Democrat and former governor, was spreading “false truths” about the intentions of independent voters.”

Seventeen other states have open primaries.

Staff Writer Katheran Wasson contributed to this report.

36.	Posted by HugoStiglitz February 8, 2010
	One thing everyone here must understand about our government & our local Govermental utility (Frankfort Plant Board); They are allowed 'by law' to raise rates/taxes in order to maintain a 'balanced budget' in most cases... FPB, they don't even have to be balanced, they're allowed to raise rates even if 'they're just close to the line.' Obviously this means, the more they spend... guess what... the more they can raise the taxes/rates... Hence; the 3% raise to FPB employees (what was it 2 years ago?)... ---------------- but back to the article here: Carroll, isn't he the one that came up/stalled the development on the judicial building... just a hunch, but bet some $ needed to be 'redirected'... Now where are we at with that 4years later. Good Shephard made out ok. Oh, ironically, I just saw that picture of a bunch of 'them' (the judicial building decision maker committe) all shovelling dirt at some 'new' development/park or something... Wonder who's going to the bank on that one? Carrol and Posse? Well, we're naive to think they aren't networked. That's a given... Just look at the SJ pictures (last Sunday's I think) and you can see shovels of dirt they're throwin' around. Or turn a blind eye... For me... I can't wait for the next election. Say "au revoir Sushanna" Gippy, Kathy, and the man that won't look at me... say "auf Wiedersehen" to your Nazi Blle

32.	Posted by bjos February 7, 2010
	BrandiB, I'm not sure I agree with you on how it works. You say there aren't many places where merit employees can replace contract employees because contract employees are paid with federal money. What about those jobs where a meri employee retired and came back to work IN THE SAME POSITION as a contract employee? Did that job suddenly become a federal position? And you say contract employees can't supervise merit employees? I beg to differ; it's happening right now, although possibly they are getting away with it because of a technicality. And yes, contract employees do not get paid holidays, etc., but they also don't pay into the retirement fund, and since most of them are double dippers, they already have their benefits. I understand you are pro-contract employees, but I would like an unbiased and verifiable accounting.

31.	Posted by Need4speed February 7, 2010
	Um Dan'l, the dummycraps had a super majority and still didn't get it done. How is that the repuglicans fault? Or the independents for that matter? Maybe, just maybe, the Tea Party movement is for real, and people really do want the shenanigans in DC to stop. You probably haven't considered that in your left wing lunatic rants. (Notice I didn't use the word elite) I would like to see health care reform myself, but I want reform that I can read and understand (The previous bill had over 2 K pages) and hasn't been hammered out with a bunch of back room double dealing and being paid for by taxing the hell out of my health plan which I got by "taking the hard courses". The Independents should have a voice in the primary election cycle and not have to be satisfied having to vote for one of two of somebody elses candidates. Of course, the best solution would be a third party which at local, state, and federal level would force compromise. the current system doesn't work as well as it should. Parties just wait until they have the majority and then ram thru whatever crap they want to. For some reason, this time it didn't work. Finally, on subject, Julian Carrol is one of the more shady characters in Kentucky politics (read crook) and needs to shuffle off in to the sunset, sit quietly in his corner and nap, fart, and drool quietly to himself. But hey, he's a dummycrap so that only applies to senile old fools like Bunning right? Sorry if this sounds a bit disjointed, I'm still on my first cup of Cafe du Monde coffe. GO SAINTS! How's that hope and change workin out for ya?