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Steve Forbes has just endorsed Rand Paul for Senate. Rand Paul is the son of famous libertarian icon and former presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (R TX-14). The Kentucky Senate race is shaping up to be the most interesting of 2010. This may not be the closest or most important race, but it could definitely become the most entertaining to watch.
Rand Paul is running in the Republican primary against State Treasurer Secretary of State Trey Grayson. Grayson is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s hand picked successor to Jim Bunning. Despite not having the support of the local or national Republican Party machinery, Rand Paul has managed to tap into a large network of supporters and raise $1.7 million for the race so far. Paul is running on a strong anti-tax, anti-bank bailout, anti-Patriot Act, small government platform. Polling as been light this early in the race, but a SurveyUSA poll from two weeks ago had Paul ahead of Grayson, 35% to 32%.
The Kentucky Senate Republican primary should be a fascinating case study in the power of the local and national party establishments in determining the outcome of important primary races. Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell is arguably the most important elected Republican right now, and he clearly favors Grayson. If his preferred candidate can’t win a primary race in his own state, it will say a lot about the waning power of political party establishments in this new era.
It will be interested to see how much time, money, and energy McConnell and the national Republican Party think they need to invest in Grayson. And, with Rand Paul well positioned to ride the wave of right-wing populist anger against the bank bailouts, it might also be a sign of how much real political clout the “tea party” movement has accumulated.
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You did not mention the most recent poll out by Public Policy Polling, who were one of the most accurate pollsters of 2008.
From the PPP site:
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Paul leads big
If there was any doubt Rand Paul is a serious candidate for the Republican Senate nomination in Kentucky it can be cast away. Our first poll of the race finds him leading Trey Grayson 44-25.
“Rand Paul is running in the Republican primary against State Treasurer Trey Grayson.”
Gee, I thought Trey Grayson was the Kentucky Secretary of State. You learn something every day!
There’s nothing wrong with America that an elite dynasty can’t solve. If Rand stands for Ann Rand, well so much the better.
fwiw Rand Paul wants to make term limits a national issue. Is another reason he is supported by teh people and not the establishment politicians.
Dear Jon,
Why can you not give Rand Paul the respect of his title. He is a medical doctor. Remember this Jon DR. DR. DR.
Since Rand, like his father, does not emphasize the title in his campaign literature, why should other folks do it for him?
Seems if both father and son thought their MD credentials would give them a leg up in the political arena, ALL of their campaign literature would prominently display those credentials. They don’t, however go that route.
Hey pussy cat,
You are really full of it. I just went to Rand Pauls campaign web site at http://www.randpaul2010.com and what did I see? A picture of Rand Paul and his wife and above the picture it says – MEET DR. RAND PAUL OF KENTUCKY You and Jon need to show respect for the Doctor if you want any respect.
*sigh*
Might I suggest this?
re the most interesting senate race of 2010. i’m holding out to see if ralph nader runs for dodd’s seat in CT for some left wing populist anger.