Jim Bunning of Southgate and Mitch McConnell of Louisville, the group emerged from a private meeting with state Senate Republicans just a few minutes before Gov. Paul Patton delivered his State of the Commonwealth address. They then moved en masse down a long, marbled corridor, arriving at the House chamber door just in time to literally bump into Mr. Democrat himself, Rep. Greg Stumbo, the powerful House floor leader and an eastern Kentucky liberal. There was lots of talk from both sides Tuesday about cooperation and bipartisanship, but that will have to be witnessed to be believed. That's always been a challenge in Frankfort, even before the Republicans took over the Senate thanks to a couple of Democratic defectors who jumped to the GOP last year. The legislative session never fails to be a brutal, tedious exercise that pushes the limits of even the most veteran of state pols.
Committee hearings are long, floor speeches and votes longer.
Coalitions form, break up and re-form. Deals are cut. Lobbyists and reporters constantly bang on lawmakers for support or quotes. Members are away from their homes, families and jobs for most of four months. Here comes the drill Throw in a partisan split and anything could happen before this sessions ends in early April.