bobbyw24
11-26-2009, 02:19 PM
November 26, 2009
In Kentucky, a Senate Candidate With a Pedigree for Agitation
By IAN URBINA
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Representative Ron Paul proved to be a surprising presence in the presidential race in 2008. Now his son, Dr. Rand Paul, has become an unexpected contender in the 2010 Senate race in Kentucky.
Dr. Paul — an ophthalmologist and a son of the congressman, a Texas Republican and former presidential candidate — has become a serious challenger in the race to succeed Senator Jim Bunning.
Capitalizing on a hearty distrust of government and an anti-Republican-establishment fervor among conservatives, he has used the Internet to raise more than $1.3 million since he began his campaign in August.
“This primary is really about the future of our party,” said Dr. Paul, 46, who has lived in Kentucky since 1993 and has never run for public office before.
“The Republican platform specifically says we don’t believe in bailing out private business, and yet we did,” Dr. Paul said in a break between cataract operations. “The Republican platform also specifically says we don’t believe in government ownership of private businesses, and yet a lot of Republicans voted for that.”
Dr. Paul has seen a surge in popularity and fund-raising in the last several months, setting the stage for what pundits here say could be one of the most expensive and competitive primary contests in state history.
Much like his father, who used the Internet to raise more than $35 million for his long-shot presidential bid, Dr. Paul has tapped the enthusiasm of fiscal conservatives, libertarians and young Republicans on college campuses. In the process, he has dashed his party’s hopes that its preferred candidate, Secretary of State Trey Grayson, might cruise through the May primary unscathed.
A fervent opponent of big government, Dr. Paul believes that federal authorities should stay out of drug enforcement, and that same-sex marriage, which he opposes, should be a decision left to the states. He supports gun rights and thinks abortions should be illegal, even in cases of rape, incest or where the life of the pregnant woman is at stake. Unlike his father, Dr. Paul opposes all legislative earmarks, even those that might benefit his constituents.
“I consider myself a constitutional conservative and a part of the insurgency that’s going on out there,” he said.
Continue to see what Grayson has to say
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/us/politics/26kentucky.html
In Kentucky, a Senate Candidate With a Pedigree for Agitation
By IAN URBINA
FRANKFORT, Ky. — Representative Ron Paul proved to be a surprising presence in the presidential race in 2008. Now his son, Dr. Rand Paul, has become an unexpected contender in the 2010 Senate race in Kentucky.
Dr. Paul — an ophthalmologist and a son of the congressman, a Texas Republican and former presidential candidate — has become a serious challenger in the race to succeed Senator Jim Bunning.
Capitalizing on a hearty distrust of government and an anti-Republican-establishment fervor among conservatives, he has used the Internet to raise more than $1.3 million since he began his campaign in August.
“This primary is really about the future of our party,” said Dr. Paul, 46, who has lived in Kentucky since 1993 and has never run for public office before.
“The Republican platform specifically says we don’t believe in bailing out private business, and yet we did,” Dr. Paul said in a break between cataract operations. “The Republican platform also specifically says we don’t believe in government ownership of private businesses, and yet a lot of Republicans voted for that.”
Dr. Paul has seen a surge in popularity and fund-raising in the last several months, setting the stage for what pundits here say could be one of the most expensive and competitive primary contests in state history.
Much like his father, who used the Internet to raise more than $35 million for his long-shot presidential bid, Dr. Paul has tapped the enthusiasm of fiscal conservatives, libertarians and young Republicans on college campuses. In the process, he has dashed his party’s hopes that its preferred candidate, Secretary of State Trey Grayson, might cruise through the May primary unscathed.
A fervent opponent of big government, Dr. Paul believes that federal authorities should stay out of drug enforcement, and that same-sex marriage, which he opposes, should be a decision left to the states. He supports gun rights and thinks abortions should be illegal, even in cases of rape, incest or where the life of the pregnant woman is at stake. Unlike his father, Dr. Paul opposes all legislative earmarks, even those that might benefit his constituents.
“I consider myself a constitutional conservative and a part of the insurgency that’s going on out there,” he said.
Continue to see what Grayson has to say
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/26/us/politics/26kentucky.html