BluegrassBulletin.com

The Latest New Media Effort By Supporters Of Rand Paul

Catch a wave and you're sittin' on top of the world.  The Rand Paul campaign has perplexed many establishment type conservatives because it has begun to look less like a typical campaign and more like a movement.

That movement has become fully invested in the power of the new media to reach, touch and motiviate people.  The video below was designed to motivate people to donate to Rand Paul.  But some on the left felt motivated by the video to criticize the "movement" itself.

Either way it goes, the video will be spread far and wide.  Posted to YouTube on Friday, the video has already had over 3,000 hits.  I suspect that number will increase by the time tomorrow's "money bomb" is concluded.  Anyway, here's the latest, pretty sappy, video in support of the "Paul" revolution.

Trey Grayson Getting Big Boost

According to CQ Politics, the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has filed the paperwork necessary to form a joint fund raising effort with Kentucky's Trey Grayson.

This is a big boost.

STORY HERE

Scoring The Grayson/Paul Bout

With the end of the next campaign finance reporting period three weeks away, no doubt the fight for the title of "GOP Nominee" between Trey Grayson and Rand Paul will soon be entering round 5 of a 10 round championship bout.

So how would the judges score the fight so far?

First, Trey Grayson came into the ring as the champion.  Not only did he have a better trainer, a better record and money behind him, but his status as the champ meant the challenger had to take the fight to him and win decisively.  Those are some of the advantages of being the champ.

Round one was all about getting attention and no doubt Rand Paul landed far more blows in the media than Grayson.  For those familiar with "Google Alerts" the stories in the news on a daily basis about Paul eclipsed those about Grayson.  In fact, when Grayson's name popped up on an alert it was more often than not as a "mention" in a story about Paul.  Score round one for Paul.

Round two was all about raising money.  Grayson came out strong but then out of nowhere Paul stunned the political world by out raising Grayson and amassing enough dough to become highly competitive.  Not only did Paul's flurry of fund raising activity excite observers but his steady increase in numbers made it clear that at least in this one area, he was far from punched out. Round two also goes to Paul.

Round three was measured by the Survey USA poll which put Paul on top among likely GOP voters.  Paul himself said that he entered the race expecting to get about 10% of the vote.  Coming out ahead of Grayson in a statewide poll means Paul won the third round on all cards.

The fourth round was all about credibility.  At first it looked like Grayson had rocked Paul with a few well landed blows to his mid-section finding discrepancies between the words he spoke about Gitmo and the words he published on his web site.  Then came the head shot from the NRSC which questioned Paul's veracity when he reported that they had committed to him to not endorse in the race.  But Paul seemed to recover well and before long rocked Grayson with a skillful combination of punches.

First, he deftly brushed aside the criticism and effectively shook off the effects of the hit.  Then Paul began showing up again and again on national news programs and seemed to reach deep inside to gather the energy of the TEA party movement, getting the crowd behind him.  And then Paul executed a crushing right when he was the ONLY one of the two to get out front for state senate candidate Jimmy Higdon who defeated his better funded democratic opponent despite all of the predictions of a loss.

This latest punch was not a knock out, but clearly Paul took advantage of an opening and that politically smart move on his part was a solid hit.  It would be hard for anyone to suggest he is not a real contender.  Score round four for Paul.

Round five will be the fourth quarter finance reports.  If Paul out raises Grayson again, he will be ahead in the count with only five rounds to go.  Certainly he needs to continue to take the fight to Grayson, who is still seen as the champ, but if Paul wins the next two rounds, it will take a knock out punch to beat him.

While Grayson may very well be playing a bit of rope-a-dope and letting Paul punch himself out, Paul is showing little sign of tiring.  Grayson packs a helluva hard right hook, a lesson learned from his undefeated trainer Mitch McConnell.  But there is always the risk that Paul will go the distance and win in a close decision.

Grayson better answer the next bell on his feet and ready to fight.  It doesn't even look like Paul is breathing hard, yet.

Why Steve Beshear Is A One-Termer

Steve Beshear was not the favorite pick of the democrats in 2007, but among the field he was seen as the least "undesirable" a long time democratic source in Frankfort told me.  "Anybody could have won against the republicans that year," he said,"and Beshear was our safe harbor."

But Beshear took a huge risk in the race that he probably didn't need to take.  He put all of his eggs in the "gambling" basket.

As many Frankfort insiders will tell you, in the first year of Beshear's term the kind of people seen coming and going from his first floor office made it pretty clear that casino types were putting on the full court press.

Over time Beshear has gambled on reforming the makeup of government hoping to eliminate votes in opposition to his casino plans.  With very few exceptions when Beshear injected himself into the election process his side came up losers.

The gambling interests are not going away.  But the man on whom they placed their bets has not paid off.  Odds are they are going to move to a different dealer next time around, and don't be surprised if that ends up being a republican.

They already have enough democrat votes that by adding a few republicans they could get what they wanted.  That won't happen in Kentucky unless we have a republican governor.  Who that might be is pure speculation right now, but one thing is a pretty safe bet.  Beshear is a one-termer.

Kentucky Republicans Turn Back Beshear Challenge

Word from Bardstown is that republican state senate candidate Jimmy Higdon has defeated his much better funded democratic opponent in a special election today.

Two points of interest.  First, despite the efforts of Steve Beshear to change the balance of power in Frankfort, his influence continues to be rejected.

Second, United States Senate candidate Rand Paul was all over this race and the results of the contest bode well for his status in the future of the republican party.

Who Has His Head On Straight?

In the last 40 years we've seen a shift in politics.  No, not a shift in the pendulum swing of political philosophy, but a shift in the sense that politicians increasingly seem to be losing sight of their limited roles in our lives.

Presidents, for example, now feel compelled to opine about issues of general interest and concern, but far outside of their limited constitutional duties.

Congress continues to expand the role and influence of the federal government in matters constitutionally left to the states or the people.

And political wannabes are judged not on their core philosophy regarding the duties they wish to assume if elected, but when asked to opine about every little news story that comes down the pike.

This week in Kentucky all four of the top candidates running for the United States Senate seat being vacated by the retiring Jim Bunning, felt compelled to weigh in on Obama's Afghanistan policy, and they did.

That's not really surprising since the midwest delegation in both houses all added their two cents worth by having something to say.  But so what?

Commentary on the President's wartime decisions should be left to us pundits, blog writers, the editorial pages and guys and gals griping about government over coffee and tea.

Oddly enough the one candidate who took the right approach is the one now considered to be out of step, Rand Paul.

Paul correctly said:

 [I]t is Obama’s “prerogative to determine troop levels in time of war.

“It is not the responsibility for Congress to micromanage the orchestration of war,”

Sounding somewhat perplexed by the statement, the Lexington Herald-Leader commented that:

The statement, did not say whether he agrees with Obama’s decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in coming months.

How odd, they seem to be saying, that Jack Conway, Daniel Mongiardo and Trey Grayson were all willing to share their opinions on the matter but Paul restricted his views with a respectful acknowledgment of the separation of powers.

There's just something about those core values and constitutional oaths that seem so confusing these days. 

Unfortunately that's the shift in politics we've seen over the last 40 years.

Whose Hand In Cookie Jar Now?

Boone County Kentucky's current administration has gotten far too cozy with tax increases to please some residents, as a host of recent disputes reveals.  Now at least two citizens who also happen to be public officials have applied to the Attorney General for a formal opinion whether Boone County has been taxing illegally.

Cindy Rich the Boone County PVA and Cathy Flaig, a Boone County Commissioner and candidate for Judge Executive, have asked Attorney General Jack Conway to look at the special taxing districts in the county and advise whether or not they have been increasing taxes contrary to law.

While the request is a bit too complicated to explain in a blog post suffice it to say that this new development puts a bit more tarnish on the high brass in Burlington.

Boone County has enjoyed tremendous growth and prosperity compared to the rest of the Commonwealth over the last two decades but with that growth comes the need for adaptation.  As any good conservative will tell you, higher taxes hinders further growth in the private sector, but higher property values and business profits cause politicians to salivate over the number of programs and government projects they can dream up.

In Boone County spending tax dollars on pet projects became pandemic over the years.  But a recent uprising of citizen objections against a parks tax and other recreational expenditures has caused a serious review to be made of just how conservative the current administration really is.

Next year's elections will certainly focus the public's attention on fiscal responsibility and depending on Conway's opinion, compliance with the law might be added to the mix.

Subscribe To "The Marcus Carey Perspective":

CQ Politics Says McConnell Is Grayson's Ace In The Hole

CQ Politics has rated the general election for the United States Senate in Kentucky a tossup.  But it gives a special nod to the influence of Mitch McConnell in Trey Grayson's chances to secure the republican nomination over Dr. Rand Paul.

While giving credit to Paul for his fund raising to date and acknowledging that Paul was leading in the last public poll, CQ offers the observation that everybody knows McConnell is behind Grayson and "as McConnell goes, so goes the national party."

In somewhat of an agreement with earlier opinions expressed here in the past, CQ agrees that though Paul's appeal has not been to the party insiders nevertheless he will need those very people to win the party's nomination in May.

Paul, the son of Rep. Ron Paul , R-Texas, is running as a political outsider who is proud that he’s not a career politician. But to win the GOP nomination, he will need the support of the same Kentucky Republicans who worked hard to get McConnell elected to a fifth term in 2008.

No one watching this campaign can deny McConnell's ability to influence votes.  But which way he moves them is still up in the air.

In 2007 his support of Ann Northup over Ernie Fletcher left Ann in a terribly embarrassing position.  Did Kentucky's GOP primary voters have an adverse reaction to Mitch's remedy?  Considering his own narrow victory the next year against Bruce Lunsford McConnell's ability to guarantee election results seems to be a bet not without some risk.

Grayson's relative silence compared to the nearly over-exposed Paul might give the impression that Paul continues to gain votes, when in reality it might just be that Grayson is checking on every bet, keeping a very straight poker face and counting on McConnell as his ace in the hole.

CQ politics caught the "tell".  Now it all comes down to who is holding the cards and who will have enough chips to see the bet and then raise it beyond what the other candidate can match.

As Scott Jennings has was quoted as saying in the CQ article, “I truly believe the tale of the tape on this race will be on Jan. [31] when the [fourth-quarter] fundraising reports come out.”

No doubt Scott. The guy with the most chips will always have an advantage.

What Does This Rand Paul Photo Say?

Rand Paul was a featured guest at a fundraising event for GOP candidate Jimmy Higdon in Bardstown last night.  This photo of him being introduced by Senate Floor leader Robert Stivers, flanked by Senator Dan Seum and Congressman Brett Guthrie says alot.

First, his status as a featured guest shows that he has been taken seriously by the mainstream GOP.  Second, it shows that he and at least one other federal candidate, Brett Guthrie, know the importance of keeping a balance of power in Frankfort as the legislature takes up the important duty of re-drawing Congressional Districts and state senate and representative districts following the 2010 census.

And third it raises this question: Where was Trey Grayson in time of GOP need?

While Grayson may be executing well from the McConnell playbook and keeping his powder dry until the very last minute, nevertheless Rand Paul is clearly out and about developing loyalties and friendships, an investment which could pay big dividends come May.

Subscribe To "The Marcus Carey Perspective":

Email Campaign Takes Trey Grayson To Task

Trey Grayson started out the summer as the presumptive republican nominee for the U.S. Senate.  Then Rand Paul emerged just as the "TEA party" movement and the "anti-incumbent" sentiment in America began catching fire.  Now Grayson is behind in the polls and Paul is raising money at a surprising pace.

Last week Grayson shot back, accusing Paul of taking inconsistent positions on closing Guantanamo prison.  Up until that point Paul had been able to turn most of Grayson's criticisms back on Trey without breaking a sweat.  But this criticism took hold and was reported around the Commonwealth forcing Paul to get off of his regular message and respond, repeatedly.  Now his supporters are firing back.

An email and blog campaign has been circulated in an effort to make the case that Grayson is a liberal in disguise, pointing to Grayson's background, and his recent listing as a speaker at a Global Climate Change Seminar at Eastern Kentucky University.  Here is the email:

Now that Charles Merwin Grayson III (aka Trey) is behind in the polls, his rhetoric is "moving towards the right." But is Trey really a conservative...or is he a RINO (Republican In Name Only) Kentucky conservatives would do well to keep these UNDENIABLE FACTS in mind.

1. Grayson graduated from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government (where free enterprise is laughed at but socialism is praised).

2. Grayson voted for Bill Clinton in 1992, then opportunistically switched parties after the anti-Clinton backlash and GOP landslide of 1994. Allegations that Grayson was actually a delegate for Clinton have yet to be confimed nor denied.

3. Grayson's rich banker daddy was a long time donor to liberal Democrat candidates. Daddy Grayson's bank was also a recipient of TARP bailout money.

4. Greyson teamed up with ultra liberal Democrat State Treasurer, and now Democrat State Chairman, Jonathan Miller to co-found Kentucky's "Cradle-to-College" commission. Cradle-to-College is a socialist scheme that sets up college funds for newborns at birth, and then would require them to perform community service when they grow up. This is exactly the type of statism that Clinton and Obama favor!!!

5. Grayson is affiliated with the George Soros/Rockefeller funded, ultra left wing, pro-Globalist, Aspen Instutute. He completed an Aspen-Rodel fellowship program. Aspen was founded as the Aspen Institute for Humanistic Studies. Aspen recruits young ambitious politicians with "bipartsian" leanings, and then grooms them for higher office. (Notice how rapidly Grayson's career has risen???) Aspen's CEO is the notorious left wing media mogul, Walter Isaacson (former CEO of CNN and managing editor of TIME)Why does Grayson boast his Aspen affiliation on his own website? No true conservative would have anything to do with Aspen - an organization that welcomes radicals like the self admitted communist Van Jones.


By the way Kentucky's Democrat Party Chairman Miller - the same Miller who teamed up with Grayson on the "Cradle-To-College" sceme....was a classmate of Grayson's at Aspen. It pays to join Aspen!

6. Grayson believes in the hoax of Global Warming and even gave a keynote speech on the subject at Eastern Kentucky University.

Harvard elitist - Kennedy School - "Cradle-to-Grave advocate" - Wealthy Democrat banking family - Clinton backer - "Bi-Partisan" dealmaker - Globalist Aspen Institute - ally of Jonathan Miller - -Global Warming hoaxer.

Lord Grayson III expected to be annointed by the DC Establishment. But now that his coronation is in doubt, he's talking like a conservative. But Kentucky conservatives and common folk shouldn't buy what this elitist liberal RINO is selling.

For many Kentucky republicans Grayson's conservative credentials are not in doubt.  He has worked very hard for republicans and the party since he switched from being a democrat and ran for office. 

His problem now seems to be that his continued affiliations with liberal leaning groups, ideologies and issues may raise some doubts about his core principles.  And in this political climate where distrust of politicians is becoming pandemic, this could be a much more troubling problem for Grayson which this new email campaign is obviously designed to exploit.