FRANKFORT — Kentucky Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning said Tuesday he will run for re-election in 2010 “barring an unusual occurrence – like death” and that he opposes a proposed $25 billion bailout of automakers.

He also said fellow Kentuckian Mike Duncan is unlikely to run for re-election as chairman of the Republican National Committee and it “would be wonderful” if Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., is named Secretary of State because she “wouldn’t be in the Senate.”

During a teleconference with Kentucky reporters, Bunning was asked if the next RNC chairman might benefit his re-election in 2010.

“Yeah, I think whoever takes control of the RNC, especially in an off (non-presidential) election – most of the money raised will be for Senate and House elections – which includes me,” Bunning answered. He said, “Right now there is absolutely no doubt” he will run in 2010.

Bunning is in his second term, having won re-election in a tight 2004 race over Democratic opponent Daniel Mongiardo who is now serving as Kentucky’s lieutenant governor. In addition to Mongiardo, several other Democrats have been mentioned as potential Bunning opponents in 2010: Attorney General Jack Conway, state Auditor Crit Luallen, and Louisville businessman Bruce Lunsford who just lost a race against Kentucky’s other Republican U.S. Senator, Mitch McConnell.

Bunning doesn’t think Duncan will seek another term as head of the RNC. Some Republicans have called for a change at the committee and several others have been mentioned as successors. The membership chooses its chairman in January.

“In my opinion, he’s not going to run,” said Bunning who previously served on the RNC for eight years. “I don’t think he’ll seek re-election.”

Bunning, a member of the Senate Banking Committee and an economist by training, opposes a $25 billion bailout of Detroit’s Big Three automakers, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler, which is contained in a $100 billion stimulus plan proposed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Bunning noted that Kentucky is the third-largest auto manufacturing state – with Ford plants in Louisville, a GM Corvette plant in Bowling Green, and Toyota in Georgetown. He said 49,000 Kentucky workers are employed by those automakers or their suppliers and the $25 billion would “be a significant hit for Kentucky but in three months it would be gone and we’ll be doing it again.”

He said if he thought the bailout would protect Kentucky jobs, “I’d probably be for it.” He said America’s automakers need “to change everything they are doing,” including eliminating some models, getting control of labor and retirement costs and reducing the number of retail dealers as well as making more competitive cars.

Instead, he said tax credits and deductions for consumers to purchase vehicles – new or used – would help credit markets as well as spur sales and provide cash to automakers. Bunning said the Reid proposal is unlikely to pass.

He said Clinton would be a better, “hands down,” Secretary of State than New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, whom he called a “rogue negotiator.” At least Clinton would go through state department channels,” he said, but she is not as qualified as Condoleezza Rice, the current Secretary of State.

And, Bunning said, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is not trusted by financial markets and, “It looks like he’s in a holding pattern right now, expecting the new administration to take over.”

Bunning left the teleconference for Republican caucus elections where his fellow Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell was re-elected Republican Leader.

RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. He can be reached by e-mail at rellis@cnhi.com.