McConnell on Rand Paul's Victory

Here's Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell's statement on Rand Paul's election:

For nearly two years, Kentuckians have said they want their government to focus on jobs and the economy. And at every turn, President Obama and Washington Democrats have ignored the people, and pursued their own left-wing agenda. Tonight, Kentucky voters sent a strong message to Washington by electing Dr. Rand Paul to the United States Senate. His message of reining in outrageous Washington spending and the overreaching policies of the Obama Administration resonated throughout the state. Senator-elect Paul ran a great campaign, and I am excited to have him as my colleague in the Senate next year to help us stop this crippling agenda.

C-J Endorses Conway (Yawn)

This endorsement is about as unexpected as LiLo going back to rehab.

Is it too late for someone to start a paper to compete with the Courier-Journal? Sure, newspapers are dying. But that old watch-dog role that the media like to claim functions best with actual competition. The C-J has been reduced to an apologist for the Democratic Party; it provides no accountability.

Where is Sun Myung Moon when you need him? The Washington Post became a much better paper with a little competition from the Moonies. Maybe it's not too late to turn the C-J around -- but only if someone will make it fight for the scarce time of its (dwindling) readership.

Kelley Paul Responds to Conways Aqua Buddha Ad

Rand Paul's wife, Kelley, responded to Jack Conway's Aqua Buddha ad. It is the Paul's 20th anniversary. Here's the text of her remarks:

Rand's opponent has made a desperate, shameful attack on our family.The New Republic called it despicable and the ugliest political ad of the year. Today's Courier Journal calls it odious. Democrats and Republicans across the country and here in Kentucky have condemned it.

I could hardly believe my eyes when I saw it, and neither could our three sons, who are 11, 14 and 17.

Rand and I were married in my hometown of Russellville on October 20th of 1990, surrounded by our family and friends. Yes, today is our 20th wedding anniversary, and I can honestly say I never thought this is how we would be celebrating it!

I am truly shocked by Conway's ads questioning Rand's faith based on nothing more than anonymous accusations from nearly three decades ago.

Rand and I are both Christians and our faith is very important to us.As the granddaughter of a Baptist minister, faith has always been a part of my life, and I'd never have fallen in love with or married a man who didn't share my values.

Jack Conway has a family too, and while I'm sure he isn't thinking about it right now, these personal attacks hurt people's families. I'd have thought someone with a beautiful baby daughter would take that into account, no matter how desperate he may be to win.

There are less than 2 weeks left in this campaign. Rand is hoping we can get back to discussing the real issues. Kentucky and our nation face huge problems like a 13 trillion dollar debt that threatens to destroy our children's futures.Washington tries to pile more and more on each day through cap and trade, obamacare, and bailouts.

Rand got into this race to stand up against the Washington machine - not be part of it. He'll be a Senator we can be proud of Rand would never try to smear an opponent with baseless, anonymous gossip from their teenage years.

At the end of the day, we all have to look ourselves in the mirror. I'm proud to say that my husband will have no trouble doing that when this race is over.

Dueling Medi-Scare Ads

We've reached that part of the electoral cycle when candidates simultaneously accuse each other of lying about a particular issue.

On the issue of Rand Paul supporting a $2000 deductible for Medicare, it is a false conflict. Paul was very candid in the Fox debate Sunday (see post below) by stating that Medicare needs drastic reforms to continue to exist. But Paul was adamant that any such reform cannot, must not apply to current recipients. This deductible is a reform that younger voters may bear.

That Jack Conway ad, in which a bunch of grumpy old people complain about Rand Paul imposing a $2000 deductible against them is therefore dishonest; this group is "grand-fathered" from any such reform, so to speak. And Conway knows it.

Likewise, the follow-up Conway ad that quotes Paul calling for a $2000 deductible is beside the point. Paul has reiterated that such a deductible is a very real possibility for younger voters; indeed, it is their only hope for ever seeing a Medicare check. But none of the sound-bites in the Conway ad quote Paul as applying the deductible to those Seniors who now enjoy Medicare.

That's why the Demo-blogs misquote the Paul ad as stating that Paul claims he "never supported higher Medicare deductibles." Note that the end of the Paul quote drops the operative words "for Seniors."

The Fox Debate

About that Rand Paul - Jack Conway debate, moderated yesterday by Chris Wallace: seems to me that it was a draw. Nobody said anything so outrageous or sagacious as to change the election. That means that Paul will likely retain his lead.

Having watched it three times, I was continually struck by the difference in the appearance of the candidates. Jack Conway looked like what he is: a rich trial lawyer -- rich enough to run a horse in the Derby. His suit (Canali, perhaps?) was exquisite, beautifully tailored. Between the suit, the Hair and the Jaw, he made quite a dashing image.

Rand Paul, not so much. His suit didn't even fit. Television make-up for men can be tricky, but Paul needed some translucent powder; the shine on his forehead was distracting. He looked pale and sickly. The up-side for Paul is that no one would mistake him for the career politician in the race.

On the merits, Paul was able to put into context some of his past remarks that form the basis of Conway's advertising. Paul was particularly strong about the $2000 deductible for Medicare. He made clear that he would not vote for such a deductible for current recipients, but asserted that younger voters recognize that the system is unsustainable without serious reform, including possibly a deductible. It was the most honest and adult portion of the debate.

Regrettably, Paul did not do as well regarding past remarks on mine safety or the drug issue. He did go on offense and criticize the increase of meth labs on Conway's watch as Attorney General. But his general observations that local control is better was unpersuasive on a drug problem that spans not just states but countries.

The same for mine safety: Paul's stated preference for local control rather than federal regulations did little to reassure, particularly after Conway's melodramatic assertion that the federal mine safety regulations are "written in the blood" of dead miners.

Paul did not respond to attacks about the applicability of the A.D.A. and Civil Rights Act of 1964 to private entities, and given how much he has said on this, that was the right call.

Chris Wallace, at one point, corrected Paul, who had stated that Obamacare applies to illegal aliens. The Courier-Journal coverage notes only half of this exchange, which creates the misimpression that Wallace schooled Paul. Here's what the C-J omits: Paul then corrected Wallace by pointing out that though Obamacare does not apply to illegal aliens, it is illegal to ask whether a patient is legal or illegal. Republicans, as Paul explained to Wallace, repeatedly tried to close the loop-hole, but Democrats outvoted them. For Paul to catch Chris Wallace in such a factual mistake showed Paul's considerable mastery of the nuances of Obamacare, a central issue in the campaign.

Jack Conway was likewise taken to task by Wallace for flip-flopping on cap and trade and bailouts. Conway asserted -- repeatedly -- that he has been consistent, but all he could offer was just the bare assertion with no details. Paul pounced on his inconsistencies.

Wallace highlighted that Conway's positions line up with both the Daily Kos and Moveon.org, including support for a single-payor healthcare system. Doesn't this put Conway to the left of President Obama?, Wallace asked. Conway denied it and trotted out the cliche that he would "put Kentucky first."

Regarding party leadership, Conway seemed to suggest that it was premature to speculate whether he would support Sen. Harry Reid because Reid "is in his own race" -- what, and might not win? Conway should be so lucky.

Paul said he presumed Mitch McConnell would emerge from the party caucus as party leader and that Paul would support him, but his voice became almost inaudible. This caused Wallace to repeat the question from several different angles. Bottom line: Paul said he would support McConnell but he appeared to be whispering so as not to enrage the Tea Partiers who don't like McConnell's earmarks.

Perhaps the most surprising moment was when Conway said how proud he was to run "for Wendell Ford's seat," and Paul responded that he thought it was "the people of Kentucky's seat." Good for Paul for seizing upon Conway's gaffe.

The shock here is that Conway appeared not to have noticed that Massachusetts held a special election last year in which Martha Coakley was skewered by Scott Brown for referring to the seat as "Teddy Kennedy's seat." The sound-bite was played over and over. Scott Brown even alluded to it in his victory speech.

For Conway to set himself up this way gave rise to two inferences: (1) he was oblivious to the special election in Massachusetts after Teddy Kennedy died or (2) -- and this is more likely -- he figures that ordinary Kentuckians had not paid attention to the Massachusetts race and Coakley's mistake. Memo to Conway: Kentuckians have been paying attention, close attention, to the elitism that threatens to ruin our country. Conway unwittingly painted himself as an elitist.

It's Not a Tie

Notwithstanding its track-record of accurately predicting the final election results, I am not buying the WHAS11 SUSA poll's conclusion that Jack Conway is now tied with Rand Paul.

I do believe that the race has tightened. A lot. But not that much.

Those of us who opposed Paul in the primary knew that his nomination would make this a needlessly close election. Republicans nominated a candidate with more baggage than an Samsonite store.

The Conway commercial with the sheriffs -- in which Paul says he opposes the criminalization of non-violent crimes -- makes me cringe every time it airs, no matter how saturated the Conway campaign's buy. It was bound to move the polls. Perhaps the worst aspect of that ad is Paul's demeanor; his hair is disheveled and he is unusually inarticulate.

So the question must be asked: why didn't Trey Grayson use that video? If he didn't have it then he should have had something similar, given all the interviews Paul sat for during his father's two failed presidential runs.

Still, Paul is solidly conservative on fiscal issues in year when voters are fixated on the size of government and the national debt. It might not be pretty, but he will win.

SUSA Poll Shows Paul Up by 15

The latest WHAS11/ Courier-Journal poll by Survey USA shows Rand Paul has widened his lead over Jack Conway to 15 points. SUSA has the best track record for accuracy in polling Kentucky races.

Paul leads 55 to 40. That's a four point gain over last month, and a three point drop for Conway.

The poll shows an extraordinarily large gender gap; men are fleeing from Conway like he has bedbugs or something. Men favor Paul by 34 points. Among women, the gender gap is less pronounced: Conway leads by three.

Democrats are attempting to spin the poll as inaccurate by arguing that it over-samples Republicans. John Yarmuth said much the same thing in his interview with Joe Arnold about the 3rd Congressional district poll. What Democrats can't seem to grasp is that more voters are identifying themselves as Republican. That's not a problem of oversampling, but it is a problem for the Democrats.

Jack Conway, "Unscrutinized"

The Daily Caller has a feature on the "unscrutinized" Jack Conway, who has received so little press that some around the nation don't know who is running against Rand Paul (The notable exception is Joe Klein from Time magazine, who scrutinized Conway from head to toe and pronounced him "wicked handsome.")

Two points emerge. First, Conway is getting a pass from the mainstream media because they are too fascinated by Rand Paul to waste the ink on Conway.

Second, in comparing the websites of the two campaigns, Conway looks like an empty albeit stylish suit.

Rand Paul's website lists positions on 18 substantive issues: "abortion, bailouts, campaign finance, reform, energy innovation, federal reserve, guns and politicians, health care, home schooling, illegal immigration, inflation, national defense, privacy and liberty, sovereignty, taxes and debt, term limits, United Nations, veterans and World Bank and IMF."

Jack Conway's website lists positions on just five issues: "cutting the deficit, small business, protecting social security, Wall Street reform and hometown tax credit." Notably absent: Conway's support of Obamacare.

But then again, Conway does have The Hair, and The Chiseled Jaw.

Jack Conway Will Lose

The upshot of the Fancy Farm speeches is that Jack Conway is running the same campaign against Rand Paul that Trey Grayson ran. It's inexplicable. The strategy didn't work for Grayson It wasn't even close; Grayson got his clock cleaned. There is no reason why Grayons's strategy will work for Conway.

Note Conway's rhetoric at Fancy Farm:

This race presents a clear choice," Conway shouted, "A clear choice between my proven record and our responsible proposals for the future and the risky and radical ideas of my opponent.

"Risky and radical" sounds like a line from a Grayson speech. Conway's speech writers don't even have the originality to paraphrase. It makes the campaign --and the candidate -- look lazy and not very bright. Why else copy a campaign that was so spectacularly unsuccessful?

Conway has the luxury of learning from Grayson's mistakes but instead seems intent on repeating them. As a consequence, Conway, like Grayson, is going to get creamed.

McConnell Helps Rand Paul Money Bomb

Sen. Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has sent an email blast to encourage Republicans to donate to Rand Paul's money bomb today.

Paul, after beginning his campaign with a series of gaffes, has shown the discipline to control his message. He is no longer running as a gadfly but rather as a serious contender who wants to win.

Here's McConnell's pitch on Paul's behalf:

The out of control tax and spend policies of the radical left in Washington MUST be stopped.

As Republican leader, I'm doing my best to lead the charge against these frightening proposals. And it seems like it's one thing after the other - Government run health care, trillion dollar deficits, tax hikes, and massive "stimulus" bills that do little more than plunge us further into debt.

We're doing our best to stop some of the worst of it in the U.S. Senate.

But I'm going to need a lot more help to really take the fight to the opposition, and stop their out of control spending and power grabs.

That's why I'm writing you this note today about a candidate I urge you to support.

I need Dr. Rand Paul in the Senate. It's just that simple. You can support his one day moneyblast by following this link.

I know I can count on Rand to do something very important -- stand up for conservative values in Washington. Rand Paul has built his exciting campaign on the goals of limiting the size and power of government, and standing up against those who would promote out of control tax and spending.

I can't think of a better advocate for those principles.

Unfortunately as so often happens, his success frightens those who think a Big Government Agenda is a good idea. You have probably noticed that Rand now finds himself as one of the left's biggest targets. Big Labor, Trial Lawyers and wealthy special interests from across the country are pouring money into efforts to stop him from getting to Washington.

I urge you to help Rand Paul fight back, and have the resources necessary to get the job done.

Rand's grassroots supporters are having a moneyblast, TODAY -- Monday, June 28. Please consider supporting that one-day fundraising event with your most generous contribution.

I'm supporting Rand Paul, and I hope you will too. The stakes are so high this year, and Rand Paul can help get America back on track.

It Could Be Worse

We Grayson supporters continue to cry in our beer, while Republicans in Nevada worry that the Tea Party candidate will take their beer away.

The Nevada Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat -- Harry Reid's seat -- features Sharron Angle. According to National Review Online, Angle went from 5 to 25 points in the polls once the Tea Party threw its support her way.

NRO now speculates on whether Angle will be the next Rand Paul; will she win the primary and then be revealed to espouse all sorts of weird positions on issues nobody thought to ask her about?

Libertarians, including Rand Paul, get criticized for their hostility to federal drug laws. For some libertarians, the issue is that the government has no right to interfere with recreational drug use; it is government overreach into individual conduct. For others, including Paul if you believe him, the issue is one of federalism: leave drug enforcement to the states.

Then there is Nevada's Sharron Angle, who not only supports criminalizing narcotics, but has suggested that alcohol should also be prohibited (Yes! That's how Prohibition got its name.)

In an interview in 2005 on the legalization of marijuana, Anglegrudgingly tolerates the legality of alcohol: “I would tell you that I have the same feelings about legalizing marijuana, not medical marijuana, but just legalizing marijuana. I feel the same about legalizing alcohol. . . . The effect on society is so great that I’m just not a real proponent of legalizing any drug or encouraging any drug . I’m elected by the people to protect, and I think that law should protect.” Her spokesman vehemently denies that Angle is a prohibitionist, but one can imagine how that comment could get construed by Nevada restaurant,casino and bar workers in a heated Senate campaign.

It would be like Rand Paul coming out against the thoroughbred industry. Oh, wait, Kentucky Senate President David Williams already did that.

Rand Attacks Conway

Rand Paul is aggressively pressing ahead with issues other than that which caused him so much embarrassment for the last 48 hours, the Issue That Must Not Be Named. He is pounding Jack Conway on a number of issues including one we've not seen in a few months: card check. Here's his release:

Jack Conway is interested in distorting Rand Paul's positions on settled law from the 1960's. If you're wondering why that is, it's because he doesn't want to talk about his views on the issues being debated in Congress in 2010, such as:

• Repealing Obamacare: Nearly 2/3 of Kentuckians want to see the Obama/Pelosi health care scheme repealed. 15 other Attorneys general have stood up for their state and sued to end the federal mandate on their citizens. But not Jack Conway. He's standing side by side with the liberal Washington DC establishment.

• Opposing Card Check Forced Unionism: Nearly 80% of American oppose forced unionism and support the secret ballot. The union boss power grab known as card check eliminates the secret ballot and puts more workers under union boss control. Jack Conway stands with his Big Labor masters who fund his and national democrat campaigns.

• Cap and Trade: This dangerous bill would raise costs for Kentuckians, raise taxes -- and could well single-handedly destroy Kentucky Coal. Jack Conway supports Cap and Trade, something he'd rather the taxpayers and coal producers of Kentucky not hear about.

Finally, since Jack is so fond of musing about positions, perhaps he'd like to finally take one on a few other pressing issues, like:

1. Does he support the Obama/Pelosi move to regulate and ban semiautomatic weapons and abridge the 2nd amendment rights of Kentuckians?
2. Does he support or oppose Arizona's new immigration laws?

The Arizona immigration law makes for a fascinating debate, but I'm not sure what it has to do with a U.S. Senate race in Kentucky. It's an Arizona statute. Of course, if the federal government defended our national border, states like Arizona wouldn't have to pick up the slack.

Grayson Camp Accuses Paul of Voter Intimidation

The Grayson campaign alleges that the Paul campaign is intimidating voters and violating election laws. Here's the release from the Grayson campaign; note that the link to the Paul document referenced is not working:

Rand Paul distributed a document to his supporters instructing them to engage in illegal activity at polling places today that has resulted in widespread voter intimidation and election law violations.

As reported by the Herald-Leader today, there have been complaints in multiple counties about Paul campaign operatives intimidating voters while allegedly conducting “exit polling,” including reports of voters being harassed for not casting votes for Paul as well as illegally entering polling locations. In some cases law enforcement officials have reportedly been called to remove the disruptive Paul operatives.

Specifically, the document distributed by the Paul campaign illegally instructs supporters to arrive at polling locations this morning to “check each machine” and to return in the afternoon before voting concludes to “verify the correct machines are being used” and to witness “the vote counting,” in violation of KRS 117.235 which prohibits such activity.

Challengers qualified and trained as provided for by KRS 117.315 would be allowed into polling locations, but not for the purposes of inspecting voting machines or watching “the vote counting.” The duties of qualified challengers are outlined here. Challengers are prohibited from disrupting activities at polling places or verbally harassing voters. It appears that most incidents involving the Paul campaign do not involve qualified challengers, but instead they’re supporters who have received the illegal instructions from Rand Paul.

Campaigns are allowed under KRS 117.165 to have a representative present to inspect voting machines at the time they are inspected by county boards of election.

KRS 119.275 makes it illegal to advise or assist persons in violating election laws.

Grayson Campaign Manager Nate Hodson said, “This despicable behavior should not be tolerated. Bullying and intimidation should have no place in our elections. Rand Paul needs to rein in his goon squad and follow the law.”

Hodson continued, “This is part of a pattern of illegal activity by the Paul campaign. They have repeatedly evaded tax laws, violated campaign finance laws and are now knowingly instructing supporters to violate election law. Kentucky deserves better, and Rand Paul should know better.”

Lights Were On, Nobody Home

Given that Jack Conway has closed the gap and has a real chance at winning on Tuesday, I was surprised to see his Louisville campaign headquarters empty last night at 10:30. Way to squander your momentum.

Paul: We Shall Sing Kumbayah

Rand Paul has told the Daily Caller that he's a "big enough person" to work with Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, notwithstanding McConnell's endorsement of Trey Grayson.

Paul said McConnell has "done a good job of uniting Republicans against a lot of bad stuff the Democrats have tried to push through. So I think there are many areas we agree on."

Paul said McConnell has called for a "unity rally" for the primary winner to take place Saturday somewhere. Yippee.

Oh, The Irony

Bernard J. Kunkel has written me a letter to inform me that Trey Grayson was spawned by the devil. It includes pictures of Trey along side (different pictures) of Bill Clinton, Al Gore and Van Jones. Apparently Jack the Ripper and the Joker were unavailable.

I particularly enjoyed the passage about Van Jones. Writes Mr. Kunkel,

"You remember Van Jones. He was Obama's green czar who was forced to resign in shame after Fox news [sic] revealed that he was an avowed socialist and a 9/11 truther."

"The crowd Trey Grayson runs with on this issue should be troubling to Republicans."

The letter is paid for "by Rand Paul for U.S. Senate."

It fails to note that the Legacy Candidate's father, Ron Paul, said that "they [the Islamofascists] are attackers because we are occupiers." Paul the Younger is trying gently to distance himself from Paul the Elder, but he did run around the country giving speeches on behalf of his father's two failed presidential campaigns, and has said he agrees with his father on "most issues."

Rand Paul's campaign is banking on this congruity of viewpoint -- literally. That's why Rand has been able to draw upon Ron Paul's out-of-state Internet base upon which to throw "money bombs."

If there is a "truther" in the Kentucky Republican primary for U.S. Senate, it is not Trey Grayson.

Cathy Bailey Endorses Rand Paul

Here's a shocker: Former Latvian Ambassador Cathy Bailey has endorsed Rand Paul. And in so doing, she essentially accuses Trey Grayson's supporters or campaign of misrepresenting Paul's record. Worse still, she implies that Grayson is neither conservative nor tough enough to be Kentucky's U.S. Senator.

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader,

In a statement, Cathy Bailey said, “I have consistently said that I wanted the Republican Party of Kentucky to nominate a true conservative to replace Senator Jim Bunning in Washington D.C.

“Like many people, I was originally told things about Rand Paul’s views that turned out to be false.

“The truth is Rand Paul is a true conservative and he will not participate in the business-as-usual culture of Washington D.C. I am confident that he will stand up for fiscal discipline, just as Senator Bunning has done time and again.”

. . .

Bailey said she selected between Paul and Secretary of State Trey Grayson on the basis of which one is “strong enough and conservative enough to truly stand against President Obama’s liberal agenda, which is pushing the United States down a treacherous path on many fronts.”

More Endorsements

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Trey Grayson, for what that's worth. Here's the release from the Grayson campaign:

“I’m grateful to have the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its members who share my agenda. I’m running for U.S. Senate, because I’m fed up with the Obama agenda of more government, out-of-control spending, increased deficits and job-killing policies. If I’m elected I will fight for a balanced budget and economic policies that will free small businesses and entrepreneurs to expand their businesses, innovate and create jobs,” said Grayson. “I will always put Kentucky first and fight for our priorities, including working to reduce the burdensome national debt that threatens our economic well being now and for future generations.”

In the endorsement, U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Thomas Donohue wrote to Grayson, “It is the Chamber’s goal to help elect a pro-business Congress and work diligently in the interests of businesses large and small to advance legislation that encourages economic growth, job creation and a less intrusive federal government. Your support of pro-business issues earned this endorsement.” Read the endorsement letter.

About Those Poll Numbers

The Rand Paul campaign boasts that it leads by 20 points, but its most recent TV spot calls that into question. No candidate who is truly up by that wide a margin would run an ad this negative -- particularly when Trey Grayson is running such a positive ad.

But the ads are not just different in tone. Grayson's ad features Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who won an overwhelming electoral victory just last year and remains very popular among Kentucky Republicans. McConnell, after all, did more than anyone else to transform Kentucky into a Red State.

James Dobson Endorses Trey Grayson

Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family has endorsed Trey Grayson. This is an important endorsement for "values voters." Here's the release:

Dr. James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, announced today that he is endorsing Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

“Trey Grayson is the only candidate with the conviction to lead on the issues that matter to Kentucky families. His unwavering commitment to the sanctity of human life and the family resonates with me. I know that he will be a leader on these issues, not just another Senator who checks the box. As a matter of conscience, I encourage Kentuckians to support Trey Grayson on May 18th,” said Dobson.

Grayson commented, “I am humbled to have the endorsement of Dr. Dobson. He is a well-respected leader on the issues of life and family, which are important to the foundation of our country. If I am elected, Kentuckians have my word that I will be a strong, conservative voice for them in the U.S. Senate. ”

Dr. Dobson is endorsing Trey Grayson as a private individual and not on behalf of any non-profit organization.