"Democrats think Tea Party favorite could hurt GOP chances"

[Clio the Leo]

Or why we should all be rooting for a Rand Paul win tonight.....

Democrats think Tea Party favorite could hurt GOP chances
Posted: May 18th, 2010 08:27 AM ET

From CNN Political Producer Peter Hamby

Bowling Green, Kentucky (CNN) - A win by Rand Paul in Kentucky's Republican Senate primary on Tuesday, a likely prospect according to most polling, would give the Tea Party movement its biggest triumph of the 2010 election season.

But it will also be a win for Democrats who would prefer to run against Paul - a libertarian-leaning ophthalmologist and son of former presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul of Texas - instead of the other leading GOP contender and establishment favorite, Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

Democrats are confident that Paul's uncompromising small-government views - he would like to shutter the departments of Education and Agriculture, for example - will alienate moderate voters in a general election contest against the eventual Democratic nominee, either Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo or Attorney General Jack Conway. Their primary is considered too close to call as the race enters its final hours.


With a campaign message focused on national fiscal issues, Paul has been propelled to the front of the polls almost entirely on the strength of Tea Party activists and opponents of government spending. He's also been able to leverage his father's nationwide network of supporters - a key fundraising base for the Republican.

But his rapid rise has resulted in nothing but headaches for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the most powerful Republican in Kentucky.

McConnell recruited Grayson into the race last year and lent his political operation to the cause, only to see his candidate falter against a political novice who talks fluently about marijuana policy and favors corduroy pants over suits and ties.

The scenario has GOP leaders fretting about their chances in Kentucky come November.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/18/democrats-think-tea-party-favorite-could-hurt-gop-chances-in-november/?fbid=FIK4gPKmci8

Rand Paul makes Mitch VERY sad....

[BeyondGeography]

1. Better yet, make him a national issue; make the Republicans the Party of Rand Paul

Force them to repudiate his views and alienate their teabase.

[NJmaverick]

2. Radical played well with a nation when they were at rock bottom

but it will not play well with a nation that is on the road to recovery.

[Cha]

3. It shouldn't anyway..if there's

enough sanity involved.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

4. For some reason, I will no emphathy for these people. They created the tea bag monster.

And now they are forced to deal with it.

John McCain went around the country lying about health care, denouncing the stimulus and his own immigration reform efforts. And now, he may very well be beaten by a corrupt, former congressman--turned Tea Bagger--who should be in jail. I don't feel sorry for Grandpappy. He should have stayed true to his "maverick" principles. And now the irony bites.

How's that Sarah Palin-thingy working out for ya?

[RollWithIt]

5. Honestly, be careful what you wish for.... sort of....

While a LOT of what Paul has to say is absolutely crazy a lot of his libertarian philosophy could garner support from more moderates than you think. Particular his opposition to the drug war and foreign wars in general.

[Arkana]

6. How many of those people exist in Kentucky?

[hollowdweller]

7. I tend to agree with your view.

There are a lot of people in that area that are pro gun ownership anti war and imperialistic US foreign policy and think the drug war is BS. Ky was a big tobacco state and the idea of a second legal cash crop would put people into Pauls camp as well.

Of course there are a lot of people on SS and public assistance too but most probably figure him being one person would not be able to stop those programs.

I think he has a decent chance.

[Phx_Dem]

8. Couldn't agree more! Big Teabagger wins tonight will strike fear in the

heart of the GOP and independents. The GOP, because the teabaggers are taking over their party and kicking them to the curb. The indendents because they know the teabaggers are batshit crazy.

These lunatics will drive voters to the Democrats, particularly, in the next election if they happen to win seats in November. At minimum they'll split the Republican vote