It's unfair to think Judd couldn't win simply on her own merits -- she's bright, she's well-informed, she's energetic, and she's liked by many. But Mitch McConnell's standing in the polls is certainly a consideration.
The Hill reported that Judd met with leaders of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) in Washington last month to discuss a possible run against McConnell. The DSCC labels McConnell as the “embodiment of everything that’s wrong with Washington’s partisan political gridlock, and that’s why he’s the least popular senator in the country.” In fact, a December poll of Kentucky voters by Democratic-leaning pollster Public Policy Polling found 55 percent disapproval of McConnell. ...Juan Williams, The Hill
And, as Williams notes, Kentucky is going from red to purple along the lines of Texas and other bible belt states. Part of this has to do with the tea party candidates acting as time bombs within the state Republican parties.
Some Tea Party activists consider McConnell too moderate because he negotiated on deals that led to tax increases and the unpopular sequestration cuts. A tough GOP primary could split Kentucky Republicans and cause him to spend lots of money, weakening him before an election fight against Judd. ...Juan Williams, The Hill
Which is why Karl Rove is going all out to make sure Judd doesn't make it. Rove defeated himself during the 2012 campaign, losing a lot of money to bad political investments. It would be a real treat to see him go down in 2014, victim of a coup de grâce from Ashley Judd.
