By Ryan Alessi
Lexington Herald-Reader
Touting the importance of Kentucky in the coming Democratic primary elections, key supporters of New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign opened its newest regional headquarters in Lexington Wednesday.
Jerry Lundergan, the former Kentucky Democratic Party chairman who serves on Clinton's national finance committee, said Clinton and her former president husband plan to be in Kentucky starting next Wednesday -- the day after Indiana and North Carolina Democrats vote.
"And Hillary's going to be in Kentucky on election night, May 20th," Lundergan told the crowd of nearly 200 who filled the parking lot of a former bank building at 901 Richmond Road. "So we want to make sure when the vote comes in, it's big for her."
Lundergan was joined by former Kentucky first lady and Miss America, Phyllis George, who said Clinton "needs the women's vote, especially." Lundergan also listed other key Kentucky Democrats supporting Clinton, including former governors Paul Patton, Martha Layne Collins and Julian Carroll.
After acknowledging that Clinton is trailing Illinois Sen. Barack Obama by some measurements, Lundergan adopted the campaign's message that Clinton has won the large states crucial in the November general election, which is decided by the Electoral College.
"It's not about the popular vote. We know the popular vote doesn't elect a president," Lundergan said. "If that were so, Al Gore would have been president."
Anne Atcher of Lexington showed up with a sidekick -- a life-size cardboard cutout of Clinton decked out with a hat and beaded necklace.
Atcher, wearing a "Team Hillary, Yes she will" shirt, said she got the cutout for her birthday April 17. She said she sets it next to her to watch debates and election results.
"I feel like she has more experience," Atcher said of why she supports the real Clinton.
The Lexington office marks the fourth of at least nine headquarters the Clinton campaign plans to open in Kentucky. Obama has 10 offices across the state and opened its office on Reynolds Road in Lexington last month.
