Rand Paul gains media endorsements and pulls into a big lead, despite his opponent's attack ads. by George Dance
(libertarian)
Monday, November 1, 2010
On the eve of the 2002 U.S. Congressional election, Republican candidate for Senator of Kentucky Rand Paul has built up a commanding lead on the eve of the 2002 congressional election. Online newssite The News of Today reported Nov. 1 that "A poll released this morning by Public Policy Polling, indicates that Rand Paul is leading Jack Conway 55-40." Adds the site: "On Saturday, a separate poll performed by CN-2/Braun-Research, indicated that Paul was ahead 47-39, and another poll, by Rasmussen Reports on Friday [Oct. 29], showed Paul ahead of Conway 53-41." (1)
In contrast, retiring Sen. Jim Bunning (whom Paul and Conway are trying to replace) won the seat in 2004 for the Republicans by less than one percentage point. (2)
Also on Oct. 29, new stiteTalking Points Memo (TPM) reported that "robopolls from SurveyUSA and Rasmussen as well as a new live telephone survey from a Kentucky cable channel show Paul with a healthy lead ranging from about eight to around 12 points. The last polls from the three, taken a few weeks ago, showed Paul with a lead from 2 to 11 points." (3)
A Conway spokesman disputed those figures, telling TPM that their internal polls show Paul leading by
2 to 7%, "within striking distance." Conway continues to campaign vigorously; former president Bill Clinton will be campaigning with him today.
Other Conway supporters have been quick to exploit an incident outside the Oct. 25 debate in Lexington, KY, in which a Paul supporter put his foot on the head or shoulder of a member of moveon.org. For instance, the Kentucky Democratic Party is airing a web video and ad called "The Ron Paul Stomp", showing footage of the incident and claiming that Paul is "Stomping on Kentucky." Associated Press commented: "The ad's airing comes as Conway tries to make inroads with female voters. During a campaign stop yesterday, Conway called fallout from the skirmish a potential game changer in the vitriolic race." (4)
Online magazine Huffington Post told its audience that "Rand Paul supporters, along with an actual Rand Paul campaign staffer, displayed their insecure masculinity and newly restored honor' by beating up a woman in plain view of cameras and other citizens who appeared to do nothing to stop the assailants." Fulminated the Post: "This is evidently how the Republicans intend to handle dissent should they gain any sort of congressional majority. When they're ... unable to rationally debate the issues, they lash out with violence.It's a special brand of cowardice that's symptomatic of their utterly inexplicable and contradictory positions." (5)
The Conway campaign previously ran an ad asking, "Why did Rand Paul once tie a woman up? Tell her to bow down before a false idol and say his God was 'Aqua Buddha?'" an allusion to an alleged college prank (thought the ad made no mention of college). (6)
Paul has come under similar attacks throughout the general election campaign. Commented the Cincinnati Enquirer: "few candidates have had their words and ideas so frequently vilified and taken out of context." (7)
The Enquirer endorsed Paul on Oct. 24, declaring: " Paul is saying things that need to be said. He is raising issues that at least ought to be addressed thoughtfully. He is asking questions that don't-rock-the-boat politicians dare not ask.... We need that kind of voice in the Senate, where too many members indulge in the kind of go-along, get-along group-think that has allowed government to grow fatter, more inefficient and more intrusive." (7)
Paul has been picking up other main stream media endorsements as well. One was from the Richmond (Ky) Register, which has been critical of him during the campaign, but which told its readers Oct. 30:
We are probably just as shocked as you are that we have chosen to endorse Rand Paul for U.S. Senate....
In a different time, Jack Conway would be an ideal candidate. He's well-spoken, intelligent and has experience in the political realm.
But, this is a time when Americans are calling for drastic change. It seems that the roof is falling in on us, and if things continue, we'll soon be trapped in the poor house.
Unemployment and underemployment continues to plague our communities. Middle class Americans are paying the price for the greediness of the rich and there is no end is sight.
It is time for a change....
We can't see Conway making a big difference for Kentucky in the U.S. Senate. Yes, he would fit in well with the current leaders. But, that's not what we want or need now. We want someone who will make waves, not ride them out.
We encourage you to vote for Rand Paul." (8)
(1) Brian Krassenstein, "Kentucky Election Polls for Senate: Rand Paul Vs. Jack Conway," TheNewsOfToday.com, Nov. 1, 2010. Web, Nov. 1, 2010.
(4) "Democrats put scuffle at Paul rally in TV ad," Boston.com, Oct. 26, 2010. Web, Nov. 1, 2010. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/10/29/democrats_put_scuffle_at_paul_rally_in_tv_ad/?rss_id=Boston.com+--+Top+political+stories
(5)Bob Cesca, "When in Doubt, They Beat Up Women," Huffington Post, Oct. 27, 2010. Web, 2010.
(6) Amanda Paulson, "Rand Paul and the 'Aqua Buddha': why Election 2010 is turning nasty," Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 18, 2010. Web, Nov. 1, 2010.
(7) Amanda Van Benschoten, "Enquirer endorses Rand Paul for U.S. Senate," Nky.com blog, Cincinnati Enquirer, Oct. 24, 2010. Web, Nov. 1, 2010.
Republican candidate for Senator from Kentucky Rand Paul has opened up a commanding lead on the eve of the 2010 congressional election. Online news site The News of Today reported November 1 that "A poll released this morning by Public Policy Polling, indicates that Rand Paul is leading Jack Conway 55-40." Adds the site: "On Saturday, a separate poll performed by CN-2/Braun-Research, indicated that Paul was ahead 47-39, and another poll, by Rasmussen Reports on Friday [Oct. 29], showed Paul ahead of Conway 53-41." (1)
In contrast, retiring Sen. Jim Bunning (whom Paul and Conway are vying to replace) won the seat in 2004 for the Republicans by just over one percentage point. (2)
Also on October 29, politics site Talking Points Memo (TPM) reported that "robopolls from SurveyUSA and Rasmussen as well as a new live telephone survey from a Kentucky cable channel show Paul with a healthy lead ranging from about eight to around 12 points. The last polls from the three, taken a few weeks ago, showed Paul with a lead from 2 to 11 points." (3)
A Conway spokesman disputed those figures, telling TPM that their internal polls show Paul leading by two to seven points, "within striking distance." Conway continues to campaign vigorously; former U.S. President Bill Clinton is campaigning with him today. (3)
Other Conway supporters have been quick to exploit an incident outside the October 25 candidates' debate in Lexington, KY, at which a Paul supporter put his foot on the head or shoulder of a female member of moveon.org. For instance, the Kentucky Democratic Party is airing a web video and ad called "The Ron Paul Stomp", showing footage of the incident and claiming that Paul is "Stomping on Kentucky." Associated Press commented: "The ad's airing comes as Conway tries to make inroads with female voters. During a campaign stop yesterday, Conway called fallout from the skirmish a potential game changer in the vitriolic race." (4)
In a story headlined "When in Doubt, They Beat Up Women," online magazine Huffington Post told its audience that "Rand Paul supporters, along with an actual Rand Paul campaign staffer, displayed their insecure masculinity and newly 'restored honor' by beating up a woman in plain view of cameras and other citizens who appeared to do nothing to stop the assailants." Huffed the Post: "This is evidently how the Republicans intend to handle dissent should they gain any sort of congressional majority. When they're ... unable to rationally debate the issues, they lash out with violence. It's a special brand of cowardice that's symptomatic of their utterly inexplicable and contradictory positions." (5)
The Conway campaign previously ran an ad accusing Paul of tying a woman up and forcing her to worship a "false idol" -- a reference to an alleged college prank (though the ad made no mention of college). (6)
Paul has come under similar attacks throughout the general election campaign. Commented the Cincinnati Enquirer: "few candidates have had their words and ideas so frequently vilified and taken out of context." (7)
The Enquirer endorsed Paul on Oct. 24, declaring: "Paul is saying things that need to be said. He is raising issues that at least ought to be addressed thoughtfully. He is asking questions that don't-rock-the-boat politicians dare not ask.... We need that kind of voice in the Senate, where too many members indulge in the kind of go-along, get-along group-think that has allowed government to grow fatter, more inefficient and more intrusive." (7)
Paul has been picking up other main stream media endorsements as well. One was from the Richmond (KY) Register, which has criticized him during the campaign, but which told its readers Oct. 30:
"We are probably just as shocked as you are that we have chosen to endorse Rand Paul for U.S. Senate....
"In a different time, Jack Conway would be an ideal candidate. He's well-spoken, intelligent and has experience in the political realm.
"But, this is a time when Americans are calling for drastic change. It seems that the roof is falling in on us, and if things continue, we'll soon be trapped in the poor house.
"Unemployment and underemployment continues to plague our communities. Middle class Americans are paying the price for the greediness of the rich and there is no end [in] sight.
"It is time for a change....
"We can't see Conway making a big difference for Kentucky in the U.S. Senate. Yes, he would fit in well with the current leaders. But, that's not what we want or need now. We want someone who will make waves, not ride them out.
UPDATE, Nov. 2: At 7:04 p.m., November 2, Associated Press reported: "Republican Rand Paul, a Tea Party favorite, has been elected to the Senate from Kentucky in his first run for office. The son of libertarian congressman Ron Paul defeated Democrat Jack Conway." (9)
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Sources:
Photo: Rand Paul at a town hall meeting in Louisville, KY. Photo by Gage Skidmore. Licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY-SA-3.0 Unported License. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
(3) Evan Morris-Santoro, "Is It Still A Race In KY-SEN? Polls Say No. Dems Say Yes, We Can," Talking Points Memo, Oct. 29, 2010. Web, Nov. 1, 2010. http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/is-it-still-a-race-in-ky-sen-democrats-say-yes-they-can.php
(4) "Democrats put scuffle at Paul rally in TV ad," Boston.com, Oct. 26, 2010. Web, Nov. 1, 2010. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2010/10/29/democrats_put_scuffle_at_paul_rally_in_tv_ad/?
(5) Bob Cesca, "When in Doubt, They Beat Up Women," Huffington Post, Oct. 27, 2010. Web, 2010. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/when-in-doubt-they-beat-u_b_775094.html
The views expressed
in this article are those of George Dance only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
George Dance is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
