The Hazard Herald received an emial from the camp of senatorial candidate Dr. Dan Mongiardo with the headlines: "Bunning Campaign Refuses to Pull Attack Ad; It Admits Contains Lies."

The email reads, "Senator Bunning's integrity and credibility are now in question. Senator Bunning has crossed the line by falsely implying Daniel Mongiardo has done something wrong. From comparing Daniel Mongiardo to Saddam Hussein's sons to this current false personal attack, Senator Bunning has engaged in trash politics unbecoming of a U.S. Senator. - Kim Geveden, Mongiardo Campaign Manager."

We here, to say the least, were perplexed.

The email refers to the ad endorsed by Bunning where the wrong house and other issues concern Mongiardo.

Senator Jim Bunning has served Kentucky in Congress since 1986 with some success. Bunning not only is in the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, but he also is the only individual to throw a no-hitter in both the American and the National leagues.

To be blunt and honest, we felt Mongiardo was running up against a "brick wall" of money, politics and too well-known and liked of a person.

Then Bunning decides not to pull an ad with false information. We here in the journalism profession have a term called, "to kill" when anything is proven false in something. And "to kill" at once.

Bunning continues to confuse us on his position in this race. He won't debate, but he needs special security for some unknown reason and then resorts to degrading tactics.

Bunning is beginning to show signs of a hurler past his prime.

When a wall shows damages beyond repair, then questions begin to arise.

We understand Mongiardo is not your average Hazard citizen, nor Kentuckian for that matter, especially financially speaking.

But neither is Bunning.

Both are millionaires in some sense of the word. But it seems a doctor with more than a decade of public service and a former professional baseball pitcher would both be pretty wealthy.

Our point is we don't care. We know you're both rich, you're both in polititcs.

What are you going to do for Eastern Kentucky? How about help for teachers and their insurance premiums?

In all honesty, that was for you Dr. Dan.

We know what Jim Bunning has done for us here, and you do to Dr. Mongiardo. Maybe that's why you're running against him.

But don't resort to these tactics. It's past time to leave someone in the (coal) dust. Respond and move on.

Hey kids, look over here in my right hand while I hold this ball.

Missing anything?

Ha, ha, got your wallet in my left hand.

Get back to business, gentlemen.

Tricks are for kids.

- The Hazard Herald