Rand Paul won the Kentucky Republican primary yesterday, beating out KY Secretary of State Trey Grayson by a wide margin. by Walt Thiessen
(libertarian)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Rand Paul took a major step toward joining his father in the halls of the U.S. Capitol by winning the Kentucky Republican primary for Senate yesterday. Hailed by many in the media as a victory for the tea party, it was actually a victory for the Ron Paul segment of that movement, which originally established itself during and in the aftermath of Ron Paul's 2008 presidential campaign. Or was it?
Clarity Elections reports that with 119 out of 120 counties reporting, Paul led Grayson by 206,812 to 124,710, with 20,405 cast for other candidates.
One of the more interesting aspects of his candidacy is that Rand Paul was endorsed by Sarah Palin, a known neo-conservative voice. Rand Paul's own rhetoric during the campaign caused concern among supporters of his father. Ron has long supported shutting down the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, while his son, Rand, came out against that idea. A press release from the campaign dated November 19, 2009 caused consternation among his father's supporters in the tea party movement when Rand said:
"Foreign terrorists do not deserve the protections of our Constitution. These thugs should stand before military tribunals and be kept off American soil. I will always fight to keep Kentucky safe and that starts with cracking down on our enemies."
This may temper the enthusiasm of some to the 23 point victory by Paul over Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in yesterday's Republican primary. Indeed, some libertarian-leaning tea partiers gave up their support for him last fall, and others will be watching closely to see what he has to say in the contest with Democratic nominee, state Attorney General Jack Conway for Sen. Jim Bunning's seat in November. Recent polling shows Paul with a very small lead over Conway, but that may change quickly now that their respective nominations have been won.
Paul's victory is almost certainly a result of voter discontent with Washington, as were other major shake-ups yesterday. Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector lost his new party's nomination, showing that switching parties didn't save him from voter ire. Also, Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln failed to win her primary outright, leading to speculation that she may lose big in the runoff against Lt. Gov. Bill Halter for the Democratic Party nomination in that state.
Still, the 23 point victory gives lots of hope to many in the tea party movement from the Ron Paul wing. His son's largely libertarian positions, including strong anti-Wall Street sentiments by the candidate, will make the Kentucky election one to watch.
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Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: May 19, 2010 06:01:48 PM
Hi Walt,
Rand's win is certainly a reason for hope. Not because of Rand Paul. Candidates come and go. The truly remarkable point in this small victory is that his supporters actually used the tools available to them and participated in the GOP's candidate selection process. If that trend continues then when Rand Paul is no longer around he will be succeeded by a similar candidate...now THAT is the start of something big...should it come to pass.
BTW, why do all comments end in "yes." ? Just wondering....
-Jahfre Fire Eater => I didn't type the next word,
Posted By: Hokie-O67
Date: May 20, 2010 08:00:25 AM
Walt, et.al.
The word around the Republican circles in the KY state house is that they are so miffed at the tea partiers taking control of "their party," that they are planning on supporting Jack Conway (Paul's Democrat opponent). A phrase heard in the hallway yesterday was, "... would rather have a Democrat represent us in Washington than that idiot interloper Paul." We have to understand that the Republican establishment hates what the Tea Parties stand for just as much as the Democrats do. The same sense was evident in Tom Kaine's comments that Rand Paul would be easier to defeat than Grayson. The Democrat strategy is "divide and conquer." Rand is already being painted as an "outsider," a "rich doctor," "an extremist," "a far right radical ideologue." The DNCC and others are already running TV ads labeling him as wrong for Kentucky.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: May 20, 2010 12:18:37 PM
@Hokie-067 That is wonderful news. It sounds like the re-factoring along priorities and parties is underway nicely in KY. When it becomes nationwide maybe those who left or shunned the GOP will begin to feel more comfortable and begin to participate in continuing this trend.
The nature of the tool is defined by those who use it, not by those who avoid it.
-Jahfre Fire Eater
Posted By: Maria Folsom
Date: June 1, 2010 08:31:35 PM
Though he squawks like a libertarian sometimes, he is not one. Anyone who supports more funding for Medicare and refuses to dismantle Social Security is not the Real Thing. Still, it's nice to know that voters in Kentucky have the good sense to be dissatisfied with things.
