Johnny Hayes, Editor and Publisher, Tom Loftus

Dave Astor at Editor and Publisher Magazine did a terrific story about my column concerning the economic crisis that ran yesterday. I've gotten response to Dave's column from all over the United States.

Here is the link.

Editor and PublisherDave Astor's story about Don McNay column in Editor and Publisher

Editor & Publisher story




Tom Loftus
On a happy note, I want to congratulate Tom Loftus at the Courier Journal on winning the 2008 James Madison Award for Service to the First Amendment. A huge honor for a guy who deserves it. Tom is a "journalist's journalist." He has an incredible work ethic. A good man and great journalist. Loftus Wins Madison Award

On a sad note, I want to report two deaths.

Johnny Hayes
The first is my old friend Johnny Hayes. The enclosed obit calls him "a political giant" and that was an understatement. He was one of Al Gore's chief fundraisers and closest friends. We worked together (Johnny was the big boss and I was down the ladder) in Gore's 1988 campaign. Along with a long resume of accomplishments (you can read about them in the link) Johnny was a man you could trust and a great guy to be around. Devoted to his family. He called me once at midnight to find a dentist for his daughter. I found one.

Johnny was instrumental in launching the political careers of rising stars like George Phillips in Nashville and former Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller. One of his greatest protege's was Alex Haught, who was killed by a drunk driver.

I mention Johnny in a column I wrote about Alex. The column was rewritten and part of both of my books.

A drunk driver might have kept Al Gore from being President

Newspapers around the world have carried the news of Johnny's death. Although Johnny would have enjoyed that a French newspaper carried his obit, the one in the Nashville Post is the most comprehensive.

Nashville Post story about the death of Johnny Hayes

Freda Mings Baird

Another death that hit home was the death of Freda Baird this week. She is the mother of Richmond trial attorney David Baird, who has been my friend for over 30 years. David and his brother Randy, and their late father C.R., were fixtures at Eastern Kentucky University football games for 20 years. David's wife Connie and daughter Sarah are like an extended part of my family.

Sarah, who works for Lt. Governor Dan Mongardo while she attends Centre, has the honor of being my first Facebook friend.

A great family and a great loss. Mrs. Baird was an incredibly nice woman.

You can read more about Mrs. Baird in the Richmond Register obit. Freda Mings Baird

Don

History of Jim Bunning and Economic Crisis

I will be writing non stop as the crisis goes on. I've spent my life studying the issues being debated and want to have an impact on the outcome.

I'm available to any group that wants to have me speak or any media outlet looking for information, an interview or a soundbite.

You can call me at (859) 353-4598 (1-888 Mr. McNay) or email at don@donmcnay.com

I've did two interviews (Thursday and Sunday) with Joe Elliott on WHAS, an appearance on Comment on Kentucky with Ferrell Wellman and an excellent interview with Neil Middleton on Issues and Answers on WYMT in Hazard.

I'm including links to the video of Comment on Kentucky and Issues and Answers. The Issues interview was one of the best ones I have ever done. Neil was well prepared and asked great questions.

If you are not on Facebook, it is time to join my page and my fan page. I'm updating both with breaking news. I go there before I go to my web site or blog.

Don McNay on Issues and Answers with Neil Middleton

Don McNay, on Comment on Kentucky, with host Ferrell Wellman,Stephenie Steitzer, Frankfort reporter for The Courier-Journal; and Adam Walser from WHAS

Don
don@donmcnay.com



I was Bunning when Bunning wasn't cool
THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU WILL EVER SEE A BARBARA MANDRELL SONG IN ONE OF MY COLUMNS. I SUFFERED THROUGH HER CONCERT IN 1983 AND STILL HAVE NIGHTMARES.

This week, I saw an article in a large publication that noted Bunning's opposition to Bernanke. If you had been reading this column for the past couple years, you would have been way ahead of the curve. I've taken some heat from my fellow Democrats but I call the economic issues as I see them. Bunning has been the guy seeing them the best.

Read from oldest to newest and you can see how this crisis should never have happened.

All are on www.donmcnay.com. Search for Bunning's name on the page.

Bunning, The Lone Voice Against Bernanke, Feb 2008
Nice Guys Make Lousy Senators, August 2007
Birdbrain Bernanke September 2007
Save us from Ben Bernanke, June 2007
The People Really Calling The Shots, May 2006
Big Shot Bernanke, May 2006
Three Sure Bets to Save Employees Pensions, June 2005

Join My Facebook Fan Page.
Most of you know that I am an avid user of Facebook.

Now I have a Facebook fan page. It showcases my work and also allows me to post interesting things that don't show up in my column.

I can see where the Facebook page will eventually be a staple of my writing. If you want to be ahead of the curve, sign up now.

I'd love to have you join my page. Please go to to link below to sign up. If you are on Facebook, you can also search by typing in my name.

Don McNay's Facebook Fan Page

Video of Don McNay on Issues and Answers

http://www.wkyt.com/issuesandanswers

Don McNay and Neil Middleton talk about the economy in general and Kentucky economics in particular.

Don McNay on WYMT's Issues & Answers

Author and syndicated columnist Don McNay will be on Issues and Answers on WYMT television in Hazard at 7.pm on Monday, September 22.

Issues and Answers is one of Kentucky's most popular public affairs programs.

McNay is the Chairman of the Board for McNay Settlement Group. He is an award winning columnist and author of two books. www.donmcnay.com