Fletcher aide apologizes for staging victory press conference

An aide for Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher issued an apology Wednesday morning for an errant "victory" press conference that local media learned of after he sent emails celebrating the governor's win at the polls. Voters do not go to the polls until Nov. 6.

Britt Hall, a Fletcher aide who made the transition from the Republican governor's 2003 campaign to a cabinet-level position, announced via email that the "Yeah Y'all Victory Freedom Gala 2007," which was actually held online in a chat room, had been a rousing success, and that Gov. Fletcher was looking forward to his second term in office.

"I sincerely apologize for jumping the gun on this one," Hall said in a statement issued after the e-party. "I guess I got a little excited from all the talk around us this campaign season."

Another Fletcher aide, Jennifer Dialo, said she and the others were wary of a victory announcement so far before the vote, but went along with it because of Hall's closeness with the governor. She said it was Hall's decision to hold the briefing in an online chat room, rather than an actual physical location, where reporters and members of the invited public could interact.

"I mean, usually he wants us to ask questions, to be in there making these decisions," she said in a phone conversation Tuesday. "This time, he just told us to 'go with it.'"

Fletcher refused to comment on the incident, instead issuing a statement reiterating his campaign pledge to return "integrity" to Frankfort.