Old Happy

Kentucky, land of high spirits, never seems to tire of one particular product. It is called Old Happy. Known also as A. (for Albert) B. (for Benjamin) Chandler, Old Happy has a guaranteed age of 64, has given Kentuckians a kick for three decades--and seems good for many more.

This year "Happy" Chandler is running for Governor, an office he has held twice before (1935-39, 1955-59) in a career that includes a stint in the U.S. Senate (1939-45) and a notably unhappy period as commissioner of major league baseball (1945-51). Opposing Chandler in the May 28 Democratic primary is Lawyer Edward T. Breathitt Jr., 38, who has the backing of Incumbent Governor Bert Combs. Old Happy is pretty much ignoring Breathitt (pronounced breath-it) and is popping his cork at Combs.

Chandler's campaign is vintage stuff. "The people love it," he has said. "Why, they eat it up." His crowds weep as he belts out a chorus of There's a Gold Mine in the Sky, nod reverently when he quotes the Bible, roar as he castigates Combs. Speaking of a $60,000 floral clock on the capitol grounds, Happy cries: "What time is it? Two petunias past the Jimson weed!" He promises that he will exempt food, medicine and clothing from the state's 3% sales tax without hurting the economy. When a woman asks him how he will find the revenue to make up for a resulting $23 million loss to the treasury, Happy beams: "Honey, I'm glad you asked me that question. I'm not going to tell you. But I do have a plan."

Chandler deliberately avoids mentioning his opponent's name, except to call him "that inept, incompetent, nice, pretty young fellow who wants to be Governor." By actual count, Chandler has so far ignored or declined 80 challenges to debate Breathitt on television. As for Breathitt, he has some good references. An ancestor was a pre-Civil War Kentucky Governor, for whom Breathitt County was named; his grandfather was a state attorney general, and an uncle was lieutenant governor. Schooled by his family in politics, Breathitt took a law degree at the University of Kentucky, served three terms in the legislature, once even helped Chandler in a gubernatorial campaign. "I tacked his signs up on every tree and post in Christian County," he recalls. "I carried box lunches. I have seen the light. All I ask is forgiveness."

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