Thread: Rand Paul defeats Trey Grayson in KY primary

Found it interesting. I voted for Paul because of his lack of backing by the GOP establishment and his stance on issues much like his father.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Rand Paul defeated Republican establishment favorite Trey Grayson in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, a closely watched race that was a test of the tea party movement's strength.

Paul, the son of former presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, on Tuesday gave a tea party activist a key win in a statewide election that could embolden the fledgling political movement in other states. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Paul was leading with 59 percent to Grayson's 35 percent.

"It's just a tremendous mandate for the tea party," Paul said. "It cannot be overstated that people want something new; they don't want the same old, same old politicians and I think they think the system is broken and needs new blood."

Paul, a 47-year-old Bowling Green eye surgeon, had never before run for office and turned to the Internet fundraising model used by his father to pay for his campaign. Grayson stayed competitive drawing heavy financial support from traditional GOP donors inside Kentucky.

The Kentucky election was being watched around the country, especially after tea party activists helped to defeat three-term Sen. Bob Bennett in Utah and forced Florida Gov. Charlie Crist to abandon the GOP to make an independent run for the Senate.

Paul began the race as a long shot against Grayson, the GOP establishment candidate and perceived frontrunner in the race to replace retiring Sen. Jim Bunning, a 78-year-old former major league pitcher who opted not to seek a third term under pressure from Republican leaders who considered him politically vulnerable. Bunning ended up bucking them by endorsing Paul.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin also supported Paul, while Grayson received endorsements from establishment leaders Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and former Vice President Dick Cheney.

Palin told The Associated Press in a telephone interview that Paul's victory is a "wake up call for the country."

"This is a real time of awakening for America," she said. "We have an opportunity to not embrace the status quo but to shake things up."

The state's GOP establishment immediately rallied around Paul, with Grayson and McConnell both pledging to rally behind him.

"We'll be standing side by side on Saturday at the unity rally," Grayson said, referring to an upcoming Republican rally in Frankfort.

Paul will face Democrat Jack Conway, the Kentucky attorney general, in November. Conway outlasted Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo in a tight race, leading 44 percent to 43 percent with 99 percent of precincts reporting. Mongiardo barely lost six years ago to Bunning.

Paul built his campaign on a handful of issues that showed key differences between him and Grayson. Among them, Paul promised to vote only for a balanced budget, to eliminate congressional earmarks, and to institute term limits. Grayson said it isn't practical to vote only for a balanced budget, objected to the elimination of earmarks and opposed term limits.

Both voiced support for the coal industry and the jobs it brings to Kentucky, where the unemployment rate has been hovering at 10.7 percent since January, about a point above the national rate.

Murray resident Bill Osburn said he voted for Paul because "he's not a politician."

"I'm against the establishment. They're all crooked, unreliable and selfish for power," said Osburn, 79, a military retiree. "We need citizen representatives, not political politicians."

___

Schreiner reported from Bowling Green, Ky.

While I don't agree with him on everything, glad to see that a candidate that ACTUALLY has the same ideas as the true "tea party." Instead of 90% of "tea party candidates" that are just modern republicans trying to get into power

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

While I don't agree with him on everything, glad to see that a candidate that ACTUALLY has the same ideas as the true "tea party." Instead of 90% of "tea party candidates" that are just modern republicans trying to get into power

Honestly a great deal of the 'tea party' fundamentals is just true old school Republican ideals from back before WW2 even.

Originally Posted by Blakeman

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

While I don't agree with him on everything, glad to see that a candidate that ACTUALLY has the same ideas as the true "tea party." Instead of 90% of "tea party candidates" that are just modern republicans trying to get into power

Honestly a great deal of the 'tea party' fundamentals is just true old school Republican ideals from back before WW2 even.

except its bastardized into a more of a mix of christian right social ideas, and modern republican financial ideas (spending, police the world, cut taxes for the rich, etc.). Not to mention it has become a "Brand" now, in that those who want powers say they are tea-party etc. and winning primaries. At least Rand Paul ISN'T one of those types.

Basically instead of "Hope and Change" we have "I'm a tea party candidate"

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

Originally Posted by Blakeman

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

While I don't agree with him on everything, glad to see that a candidate that ACTUALLY has the same ideas as the true "tea party." Instead of 90% of "tea party candidates" that are just modern republicans trying to get into power

Honestly a great deal of the 'tea party' fundamentals is just true old school Republican ideals from back before WW2 even.

except its bastardized into a more of a mix of christian right social ideas, and modern republican financial ideas (spending, police the world, cut taxes for the rich, etc.). Not to mention it has become a "Brand" now, in that those who want powers say they are tea-party etc. and winning primaries. At least Rand Paul ISN'T one of those types.

Basically instead of "Hope and Change" we have "I'm a tea party candidate"

Yup the right wing christian aspect has always been what has turned me off to the mainstream republican candidates. I also agree with you on non involvement in world politics.

Politics is all about brands... unfortunately.

Originally Posted by Blakeman

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

Originally Posted by Blakeman

Originally Posted by Red_Lizard2

While I don't agree with him on everything, glad to see that a candidate that ACTUALLY has the same ideas as the true "tea party." Instead of 90% of "tea party candidates" that are just modern republicans trying to get into power

Honestly a great deal of the 'tea party' fundamentals is just true old school Republican ideals from back before WW2 even.

except its bastardized into a more of a mix of christian right social ideas, and modern republican financial ideas (spending, police the world, cut taxes for the rich, etc.). Not to mention it has become a "Brand" now, in that those who want powers say they are tea-party etc. and winning primaries. At least Rand Paul ISN'T one of those types.

Basically instead of "Hope and Change" we have "I'm a tea party candidate"

Yup the right wing christian aspect has always been what has turned me off to the mainstream republican candidates. I also agree with you on non involvement in world politics.

Politics is all about brands... unfortunately.

You talk like they run around preaching like Billy Graham...I think Obama talked more about his Christianity in this past election than McCain did...but the Right wingers...they are the "Christian conservatives..."

Whatever...