Kentucky Republicans had a very good election day. Matt Bevin defeated Democrat Jack Conway to become only the second Republican Kentucky governor in four decades. Jenean Hampton won her quest for lieutenant governor, becoming the commonwealth’s first African-American to hold a statewide office. “Rising Democratic star” State Auditor, Adam Edelen, was ousted by Republican state Rep. Mike Harmon, despite raising nearly $900,000 to Harmon’s $37,000.
Democrats held on to some seats, but the defeats were crushing in part because Conway was ahead in polling up to election day. With so many Democrats ousted from office or unable to win their campaigns, Kentucky House Speaker Greg Stumbo is one of the top-ranking Democrats still standing.
He gave a speech that was striking for its odd content and rambling delivery. Flanked by state Reps. Martha Jane King and Jeff Greer, Stumbo discussed his thoughts on the political affiliation of Jesus and his view on what Scripture really is and how it influences politics.
“And the other thing I know is that if in fact the Bible is a book of parables, like I believe it is, think about this: Mary did not ride an elephant into Bethlehem that night,” he said to a restrained crowd.
King and Greer do their best to be supportive as the six-minute speech does everything from encourage Democrats to go to church and confront other people about politics to how he doesn’t agree with everything President Obama does.
His mangled syntax reaches a climax at the end when he makes an allusion to Hillary Clinton:
“I believe there’s a horse out there. Not American Pharoah. It’s an Arkansas Traveler. And that horse is bringing a lady jockey and that horse and that jockey are going to come to Kentucky next year and help us rebuild this party,” he says.
A sampling of how the speech was received by Kentuckians.
I agree with @KYHoover, what in the world was Stumbo trying to say in his speech? #whatthewhat?
— Brian Linder (@RepLinderKY) November 4, 2015
I need the transcript tonight from Greg Stumbo’s speech. If anyone finds it, let me know. #crazyspeak
— Keith Farmer (@KeithFarmer18) November 4, 2015
Is this Greg Stumbo speech really happening?
— Eric Wright (@ericpaulwright) November 4, 2015
@KyDems Greg Stumbo says to go to church on Sunday and start a political argument with a republican.
— mark coultrap (@markcoultrap) November 4, 2015
Me after listening to Greg Stumbo’s speech tonight : https://t.co/ZeTFBKbLrK
— Joshua Arthur (@JoshuaArthur17) November 4, 2015
What Democrat State Reps are staring at TV screen in KY right now thinking “should I switch parties?” #kygov
— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) November 4, 2015
Wow!Stumbo invoked every Dem including @POTUS, rambled&came close to calling on American Pharoah,but veered to some Arkansas horse. HELP
— Scoobie Ryan (@ProfScoobie) November 4, 2015
@KySportsRadio. If anyone wants to know why Democrats struggled tonight listen to Stumbo’s insane speech just on KET. #lostit
— UK-allday (@UKAllday1919) November 4, 2015
Awkward analogy of the night goes to Stumbo who just called Hillary Clinton a jockey riding a “Arkansas Travelin” horse into the White House
— Howie Lindsey (@howielindsey) November 4, 2015
Not sure what’s more stunning, the results of the election or Stumbo’s speech. What in the world was that?
— Bryan Baise (@bryanbaise) November 4, 2015
Greg Stumbo seems to be really reaching to try save the Ky democratic party in this speech. Gave the media lots of juicy quotes. #kygov
— Matt Baucum (@mbaucum75) November 4, 2015
Greg Stumbo says something about a horse form Arkansas with a lady jockey who will save Kentucky next year. WUT. WUT. #kygov #kyelect
— Joe Sonka (@joesonka) November 4, 2015
Greg Stumbo apparently turned to bourbon for further political analysis quite a bit earlier in the evening.
— John David Dyche (@jddyche) November 4, 2015
If a Republican said what Stumbo just stumbled through, we’d have “theocracy” thrown down before you could even blink.
— Bryan Baise (@bryanbaise) November 4, 2015
I have no idea what Greg Stumbo is saying right now. Neither does he.
— Jamie Bennett (@apostle84) November 4, 2015
Greg Stumbo just gave the most ignorant rant about what the Bible teaches and why churches should vote Democrat that I’ve ever heard.
— Brad Hall (@pastorbradhall) November 4, 2015
Side note: Greg Stumbo doesn’t know a lot about the bible.
— Quinn Cole (@QCgolf) November 4, 2015
KY House Speaker, Greg Stumbo, basically… pic.twitter.com/Nh9YgvN42Y
— Joe Hollenbach (@JoeHollenbach) November 4, 2015
Rep Greg Stumbo should avoid a career in theology. #kyelection
— Kyle McDanell (@mcdanell99) November 4, 2015
Speaker Greg Stumbo making a very poor attempt at biblical hermeneutics at Democrat HQ.
— James A. Smith Sr. ن (@JamesASmithSr) November 4, 2015
Stumbo giving Republicans free commercials. Called Hillary either a horse or a jockey. No way she’s a jockey.
— WeAintFoundSh!t (@BernieSadori) November 4, 2015
