Five days after an unusual rollout, Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes has launched an official campaign website to solicit donations for the U.S. Senate race in Kentucky.On Monday, Grimes said she intended to seek the party's nomination to take on Republican incumbent Mitch McConnell.But observers were uncertain why the first-term secretary of state did not take advantage of the much anticipated decision by launching a campaign that could take contributions.After the July 1 announcement, Grimes lacked much of a social media presence and hadn't done any media appearances. Meanwhile, the McConnell campaign, which has raised nearly $13 million for his re-election bid thus far, launched two online videos this week mocking Grimes's rollout.In a telephone interview, spokesman Jonathan Hurst told WFPL Grimes hadn't launched a site because she officially filed with Senate clerk, but that a full campaign would not be active until the end of the month. However, after Democratic consultants questioned the rollout and GOP groups said the lack of a fundraising mechanism was a sign of inexperience, the Grimes camp has quickly crafted a suitable web address.A few days earlier, the National Republican Senatorial Campaign beat her to it and launched GrimesForSenate.org, which prominently features President Barack Obama.It has since been reported that the bumpy start was in part due to Grimes's ongoing negotiations with national Democrats, and whether they were going to adequately back a bid against McConnell.
