I’ve been keeping an eye on the race to represent the sixth congressional district of Kentucky, partly to see whether Democratic Rep. Ben Chandler can survive his vote for cap-and-trade there. Roll Call ran a story on it last week.

Chandler’s two main Republican opponents are attorney Andy Barr and retired coal exec Mike Templeman. The latter is taking heat for donating money to Democrats–including, last year, to one of the Democrats running for the U.S. Senate. Roll Call quotes Templeman on the controversy: “Templeman explained his Democratic donation as simply part of being a good businessman. ‘I have given to Democrats, and if I was in business today, I would still continue to give to some Democrats. Unfortunately that’s part of doing business in this country,’ he said.”

Part of doing business is giving money to Senate candidates who are likely to lose and with whom you don’t agree? I doubt Kentucky Republicans are going to buy this excuse.