Bunning takes another shot at McConnell

Bunning calls McConnell a 'control freak'

The bizarre Kentucky Senate race took another wild turn today as GOP Sen. Jim Bunning once again blasted his fellow Kentucky Republican -- Mitch McConnell, the Senate's top Republican.

In a conference call with reporters, Bunning called McConnell a "control freak" and said McConnell's animus is an asset. "If Mitch McConnell doesn't endorse me, that may be the best thing that could happen to me in Kentucky."

Plus as a bonus a mention of Rand Paul.

But wait, it gets better: Also potentially running in the GOP primary is ... Ron Paul's son, Rand Paul, an ophthalmologist who lives in Bowling Green, KY. Rand Paul says he is weighing a Senate run, and would likely have the support of his father's network of donors. Ron Paul raised $35 million for his presidential run last year.

Rand Paul about last night message

From Rand Paul Facebook message:

My announcement last night -
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Today at 1:38pm
Last night on national TV I announced the formation of an Exploratory Committee to run for the US Senate. I did this only after waiting for Senator Bunning to publicly give his ok for candidates to do so. It is still my intention not to run against Senator Bunning. However, I don't think it is healthy for our party to have only one candidate organized if Senator Bunning decides not to run. Some will note that the announcement was on a network not always seen as friendly to Republicans. I would argue that bringing our message to those who do not yet align themselves as Republicans is precisely how we grow as party. I think we don't have to moderate our message but rather believe in and articulate our message clearly.

I can see his point but still do not understand why she got first shot for his announcement. Looking forward to seeing him on Glenn Beck so I don't have to take all those ranitidine to watch.

Rand Paul forms exploratory committee for 2010 U.S. Senate in Kentucky

Official website also launched tonight at http://www.randpaul2010.com/

Not sure why he chose her show but glad to see he is raising money. Bunning is obviously holding back to give Grayson a chance to fundraise. If Senator McConnell wants Grayson in the Senate so bad maybe he could retire as well. If anything Bunning has a better voting record than McConnell. Senator McConnell certainly did not mind deficit spending during the Bush administration but seems to have suddenly tried to convert to being a fiscal conservative. I'm not buying that and I doubt anyone else is either.

News from Rand Paul

Rand Paul is going to make a MAJOR announcement on Rachel Maddow's show Thursday night (5/14)! It will be worth watching as Rand has discussed a potential run for US Senate from Kentucky.


For the past fifteen years, Dr. Rand Paul, son of Congressman Dr. Ron Paul, has been the chairman of the Kentucky Taxpayers United, a group that monitors and rates the State Legislature. Dr. Paul has been traveling the state of Kentucky for the past several months meeting, talking, and gauging his support.

Sigh.....I just cannot stomach watching MSNBC so I suppose I will just wait for the press release saying he is either going to run or is forming a committee.

Rand Paul to speak in Bowling Green 5/7 and Paducah 5/8

Rand Paul, son of Congressman Ron Paul, gauges support for Senate run in Bowling Green & Paducah!

Some politicians feel the need to travel to Washington, DC to ask permission to run for office or to obtain some regal blessing. Rand Paul, this week, will travel to Teresa's Diner at 509 Gordon Ave Bowling Green to gauge support for a possible US Senate Run. Dr. Paul will be there for breakfast at 7AM Thursday May 7th.

May 8th, Dr. Paul will go to Paducah to speak to supporters. He will speak at the Gazebo (4PM) at 2nd and Broadway.

Wouldn't it be great if politicians spent more time getting the approval of Kentuckians, and less time being "anointed" in DC?

We'd love to see you there; some of us still believe in elections not coronations.

Speculation Bunning may announce retirement Saturday

Bunning skips Kentucky Derby

Grayson has said he would run only if Bunning retired, and many Republicans saw the move as a precursor for Bunning to announce his retirement — possibly as soon as Saturday, when the state Republican Party holds its annual dinner.

Rand Paul poised to run for U.S. Senate

Rand Paul poised to run for U.S. Senate

FRANKFORT, Ky. - Republican Rand Paul, son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul, said Friday he is poised to enter the race for U.S. Sen. Jim Bunning's seat if the 77-year-old sports icon decides to retire.

"I've been traveling the state and giving speeches as if there is going to be a race," he told The Associated Press. "Every bone in my body says there is going to be a race."

But the Bowling Green physician said he won't rush into the campaign just because another potential GOP challenger has stepped forward.

Republican Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced Thursday that he had formed an exploratory committee, a move that allows him to raise and spend campaign money before actually entering the race for the GOP nomination. Grayson also has hired a political pollster.

Nonetheless, Grayson said he won't run for the Senate seat unless Bunning retires. Paul said that holds true for him, too.

"Out of respect for Sen. Bunning, I'm not doing anything formally," Paul said. "I'm not forming any committees, I'm waiting for him to have a graceful way saying what he's going to do."

Rand Paul now on Twitter

Follow Rand Paul on Twitter

Rand Paul at UK on 4/30/2009

Blog post draws Ron Paul’s son to UK

If a speech Thursday is any indication, getting the son of a former presidential candidate to campus is as easy as blogging about it.

The speech by Rand Paul, son of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, was planned after the vice president of the UK group Students for Liberty wrote a blog post about how badly he wished Rand Paul would come to the university. The next day, Rand Paul contacted Students for Liberty about visiting, group president Michael Otis said.

Students for Liberty will sponsor Rand Paul’s speech on freedom and what it means to be a Republican, 7 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall. Otis expects about 200 to 300 people to attend.

Rand Paul is the founder and president of the anti-tax organization Kentucky Taxpayers United. He is a rising star in Kentucky politics and may run for the U.S. Senate next year, Otis said.

Otis said Rand Paul and his father represent a movement that suggests the size of government should be reduced.

Senator Bunning to retire?

Bunning poised to retire

Kentucky Sen. Jim Bunning, the most endangered Republican up for reelection in 2010, appears headed for retirement after giving his leading GOP rival the blessing to prepare to run for his seat next year.

Bunning’s retirement would be a huge victory for national Republicans who have grown increasingly nervous that the 77-year-old two-term senator would lose a critical race as the party tries to cling to its diminished minority in the Senate.

On Thursday afternoon, Kentucky GOP Secretary of State Trey Grayson announced that he would form an exploratory committee to run for Bunning’s seat — a move that Kentucky GOP operatives say is a precursor to Bunning's retirement. Grayson's entry will come as a relief to Kentucky Republicans and Senate GOP leaders, who may now have reason to believe their party could hold on to this seat.

“He told Trey to do this,” one senior congressional official said of Bunning. “Why else would he tell his main rival to prepare for a run?”

Added one senior Senate GOP aide: “For the first time, we now know who the Republican nominee will be next November and that’s Trey Grayson. He’s by far the best-positioned Republican to be competitive and hopefully win in the fall. It’s not even close.”

I find it laughable that the Kentucky Democrats still think they can win this seat in a state that gave McCain 58% of the vote. Obama and Congress hasve done nothing but piss people off with their out of control spending.

As for the GOP heir to Bunnings seat maybe we should just let the people decide for themselves as I think Rand Paul may have a surprise for them.

Dr. Rand Paul at Bowling Green KY Tea Party

Related media coverage: Bowling Green Tea Party Draws Hundreds

Dr. Rand Paul on Foreign Policy

Dr. Rand Paul speaks at the 2009 Knob Creek Kentucky Machine Gun Shoot.

Rand Paul to speak in Lexington 3/19/09

Kentucky Progress: Possible Senate candidate coming to Lexington

Hopefully we will learn more at that time.

Rand Paul thinking about running for Sen Bunnings seat?

From Kentucky Progress

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