Politicians dish out barbs at Fancy Farm

Kentucky's traditional political picnic returned for a 142nd serving over the weekend, and Democrats (a few of them, at least) were part of the action once again after 2021's all-Republican lineup.

Apart from that showdown Saturday, elected officials of both parties ― including Democratic President Joe Biden ― spent time in Eastern Kentucky visiting the communities overwhelmed by recent floodwaters.

Here's the latest on Kentucky politics:

Zingers abound at Fancy Farm

The crowd at Fancy Farm this year was pretty boisterous, especially compared to last year's laid-back atmosphere. A key reason for that: The annual speech-a-thon once again featured politicians from both parties.

The mostly Republican lineup featured three Democrats, including U.S. Senate candidate Charles Booker, and that trio came prepared with criticisms of Republican politicos (while weathering plenty of barbs directed their way, of course).

Some Republican politicians even took swipes at each other, as they look ahead to next spring's jam-packed GOP primary for Gov. Andy Beshear's job.

The Courier Journal put together plenty of coverage of what went down, including:

• This list of some of the zingers Republicans and Democrats dished out

• Five big takeaways from the political showdown

• A look at what Booker, the Democrat at the top of the ticket in this November's election, had to say

• Columnist Joe Gerth's take on this year's edition of Fancy Farm, a more than century-old tradition

• Plenty of photos of the festivities from photojournalist Scott Utterback

Biden, senators visit Eastern Kentucky

The president, joined by first lady Jill Biden and by Beshear, spent time Monday meeting Kentuckians affected by the recent flooding. He said what he saw in the Bluegrass State was "incredibly heartbreaking" and pledged federal resources to assist with long-term recovery work.

“You think to yourself, what in God’s name happened?” Joe Biden said as he described the bird's-eye view of the devastation he got as he flew over the region in a helicopter.

U.S. Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul also visited Eastern Kentucky this week, and both Republicans suggested there are plenty of federal dollars available to aid the recovery efforts.

McConnell, for example, suggested federal assistance could come from funds Congress authorized through 2021's bipartisan infrastructure law (which he voted for) and Democrats' American Rescue Plan (which he voted against).

Paul said he's formally asking Beshear and President Biden to take action, so unspent COVID-19 relief money can be spent on disaster recovery needs.

In case you missed it...

• CJ reporters visited Illinois and gave subscribers a closer look at how that state is becoming an epicenter for abortion services while nearby states like Kentucky severely restrict abortion access in the post-Roe v. Wade era.

• Gerth wrote a column criticizing both of Kentucky's U.S. senators for voting down a plan to cap insulin costs at $35 a month for a lot of Americans.

• Reporter Joe Sonka is out with a new update on several Republican "liberty" candidates' pursuit of recounts for primary elections they lost. State Senate candidate Jessica Neal, of Northern Kentucky, posted a bond totaling over $57,000 so an official recount can happen.

• Secretary of State Michael Adams announced he's pursuing reelection next year instead of running for a different office (like, say, governor).

Morgan Watkins is The Courier Journal's chief political reporter. Contact her at mwatkins@courierjournal.com. Follow her on Twitter: @morganwatkins26.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Politicians dish out barbs at Fancy Farm