Signaling that he may challenge Republican Mitch McConnell for his U.S. Senate seat, Attorney General Greg Stumbo brought a pair of bloodhounds to the Fancy Farm Picnic yesterday.

"They're looking to see if there's a real United States senator for Kentucky in this crowd," Stumbo, a Democrat, said during an interview before the speeches began.

"The dogs are not impressed and, from what I can tell, neither are the people," he added.

McConnell used bloodhounds in his 1984 television ads during his victorious campaign against incumbent Sen. Walter "Dee" Huddleston, a Democrat.

McConnell, who arrived at yesterday's picnic shortly before the speaking began, said he hadn't seen the dogs and added, "Who's Greg Stumbo?"

The Senate minority leader had little to say about his own re-election campaign next year. "We're here today to support Governor (Ernie) Fletcher. The governor's race is going on in '07. We'll be happy to deal with the Senate race in '08," McConnell said.

But he did comment on next year's race when asked if the war in Iraq would be the defining issue.

"No. I think the defining issue in '08 is going to be Hillary Clinton and the Democrats in Washington who are busily at work trying to raise taxes, add more regulation and more litigation," he said.

During his speech later, McConnell repeatedly referred to Clinton, the New York senator who is seeking the Democratic presidential nomination.

To Steve Beshear, the Democratic nominee for governor, McConnell said, "Steve, I hope you'll invite Hillary to campaign in Kentucky."

Attorney General Greg Stumbo will form an exploratory campaign committee today to gauge the likelihood that he could beat U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in 2008.

The move is the first step toward running for office.