Kentucky political figure Wendell Ford dies

It's hard to believe that a Democrat hasn't won a U.S. Senate election in Kentucky since 1992. That was the year Democrat Wendell Ford won his final term in the Senate (with a little help from those bright orange bumper stickers).

The governor-turned-senator died today at the age of 90.

Ford enjoyed strong labor support in general elections, and voted against the disastrous 1991 Gulf War and Clarence Thomas's confirmation to the Supreme Court. One of his most notable achievements was the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 - commonly known as the Motor Voter Act.

The Motor Voter Act directs the states to let people register to vote when they renew their driver's license or apply for various public services. It also says states can't remove voters from the rolls unless certain guidelines are met. The law met strong Republican opposition despite some signs that it's actually not harming GOP registration efforts. For instance, Kentucky - a state with many more registered Democrats than Republicans - reports that some months have had more Republicans than Democrats registering through the Motor Voter Act.

By the end of his Senate career, Ford held the second-highest post among Senate Democrats.

Contrast Ford against Kentucky's current pair of senators. It's mighty sad what's become of Kentucky's congressional representation after Ford's retirement.