Michigan11
10-16-2009, 04:35 PM
http://www.westkentuckystar.com/News/State/Kentucky/2010--The-Year-of-the-Outsider
2010: The Year of the Outsider
By Caleb Smith
PADUCAH, KY -
2010: The Year of the Outsider
“I believe 2010 is the year of the outsider,” proclaimed Senate Republican candidate Rand Paul, fresh off a high from dominating his competition in 3rd quarter fundraising. “Everyone in our campaign is smiling today,” says Paul.
And why shouldn’t they be? With a donor base of 14,000 individuals and an average donation last quarter of around $75, the campaign’s capacity for financial growth is practically unlimited. Just the same, when asked by KYWordsmith.com what sort of fundraising numbers he was shooting for during the final quarter of 2009, Paul seemed content to celebrate his most recent financial victory, ultimately declining to put a hard dollar figure for the future. Still, he did acknowledge that raising $1 million again would be challenging, and he revealed his goal of increasing the campaign’s donor pool to 20,000 contributors - practically double what Mitch McConnell had for his re-election bid last year.
Yet while Paul is certainly enjoying the limelight (he’s scheduled for yet another national media appearance Friday afternoon), he admits that he’s a bit wary of becoming the front runner just yet: “There’s a possibility; I don’t think we’re there yet, but perhaps some time this spring…” In fact, he admits point blank, “We like being the underdog.”
Paul is not the only one banking on 2010 being the year of the outsider. Andy Barr, an attorney and adjunct professor at UK, has thrown his name into the hat to challenge Congressman Ben Chandler of Lexington.
Barr, who has been involved in Kentucky politics for years, collected an impressive $185 grand within just two weeks of announcing his exploratory campaign committee. In terms of donations from individuals, that surpasses the incumbent Chandler’s contributions by several thousand dollars. Granted, Chandler raised an additional $166,000 from PACs and special interest groups (not including the $10k he's refusing to return to a Congressman under an ethics investigation). Nonetheles, it looks like KY’s 6th district may be in for a real race next November.
Who knows? Maybe 2010 really IS the year for the outsider.
Fun Fact:
Rand Paul was born in January of 1963, which according to Chinese astrology, means he was born in the year of the tiger. Trey Grayson was born in April of 1972 – the year of the rat. So guess which animal gets to claim 2010?
You got it…2010 is the year of the tiger.
2010: The Year of the Outsider
By Caleb Smith
PADUCAH, KY -
2010: The Year of the Outsider
“I believe 2010 is the year of the outsider,” proclaimed Senate Republican candidate Rand Paul, fresh off a high from dominating his competition in 3rd quarter fundraising. “Everyone in our campaign is smiling today,” says Paul.
And why shouldn’t they be? With a donor base of 14,000 individuals and an average donation last quarter of around $75, the campaign’s capacity for financial growth is practically unlimited. Just the same, when asked by KYWordsmith.com what sort of fundraising numbers he was shooting for during the final quarter of 2009, Paul seemed content to celebrate his most recent financial victory, ultimately declining to put a hard dollar figure for the future. Still, he did acknowledge that raising $1 million again would be challenging, and he revealed his goal of increasing the campaign’s donor pool to 20,000 contributors - practically double what Mitch McConnell had for his re-election bid last year.
Yet while Paul is certainly enjoying the limelight (he’s scheduled for yet another national media appearance Friday afternoon), he admits that he’s a bit wary of becoming the front runner just yet: “There’s a possibility; I don’t think we’re there yet, but perhaps some time this spring…” In fact, he admits point blank, “We like being the underdog.”
Paul is not the only one banking on 2010 being the year of the outsider. Andy Barr, an attorney and adjunct professor at UK, has thrown his name into the hat to challenge Congressman Ben Chandler of Lexington.
Barr, who has been involved in Kentucky politics for years, collected an impressive $185 grand within just two weeks of announcing his exploratory campaign committee. In terms of donations from individuals, that surpasses the incumbent Chandler’s contributions by several thousand dollars. Granted, Chandler raised an additional $166,000 from PACs and special interest groups (not including the $10k he's refusing to return to a Congressman under an ethics investigation). Nonetheles, it looks like KY’s 6th district may be in for a real race next November.
Who knows? Maybe 2010 really IS the year for the outsider.
Fun Fact:
Rand Paul was born in January of 1963, which according to Chinese astrology, means he was born in the year of the tiger. Trey Grayson was born in April of 1972 – the year of the rat. So guess which animal gets to claim 2010?
You got it…2010 is the year of the tiger.