Perusing the news today, it appears that there is still a serious systemic problem unfolding in the EU that could make the 2008 financial panic look like a picnic. The FDIC informs us that there are more than 700 banks on the FDIC's problem list (compared with around 250 two years ago). Over at the Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement John Morton expressed reluctance to assist the State of Arizona in enforcing a recently passed State law that, in short, was a mirror of almost never enforced Federal law.
But the zeitgeist that consumes the minds of journalists and bloggers after Tuesday's elections centers on a heretofore unknown Kentucky politician named Rand Paul. Over at Memeorandum you would think he is Elvis found again given the twenty or so articles about him. And that's just today. Yesterday he owned the entire front page of the site because he shared some opinions about the 1964 Civil Rights Act that were nowhere to be found in the Emily Post guide to Politically Correct thought in Washington DC. Today he blundered into the Obama administration's demogoguing of the BP oil spill by making this monstrously unacceptable comment: "Accidents happen".
Tomorrow the news will be all about Rand Paul's decision to not go on the Meet The Press.
Rand Paul clearly has a lot of people on edge. The liberal media, the mental midgets in charge of Congress today and some suspects on the Right don't simply dislike Rand Paul but consider him the personification of the devil (his father, Ron Paul) himself. Funny thing, Rand Paul's political curriculum vitae is just slightly less extensive than Barrack Obama's was in 2006. Obama won some State Senate races and thereafter accomplished little other than voting "Present" during controversial legislation while Paul was practicing eye surgery and helping with his father's presidential aspirations.
As to their political philosophies Paul is much more unguarded. He's a libertarian. He questions conventional political wisdom. He embraces the Tea Parties. He's also considered a raving nutcase (in the minds of his some of his conservative critics) who desires to destroy Federalism and the tenets of Edmund Burke's Conservatism that have been carefully constructed since 1950's by the disciples of William Buckley. And that's just what his Republican critics have to say about him. Liberals simply believe he is a racist, illiterate and ignorant, Bircher loving, Confederate reprobate hoodlum that hangs around the Truthers his father refused to repudiate.
No other meme could get him the wall to wall attention he's received since Tuesday.
So how does a political weirdo like this hang 23 points on Trey Grayson, who was Mitch McConnell's handpicked replacement for the vacancy left by the retiring (only at McConnell's "Luca Brasi" type suggestion) Jim Bunning?
I'll tell you how (and Republicans should take note of this): Trey Grayson was unelectable. That he lost by 23 points to an outlier should demonstrate to anyone that Grayson was incapable of beating the ultimate Democratic nominee, Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway. But there is a back story here. Trey Grayson succumbed to some "mavericky" behavior several years ago when he openly attacked then Republican Governor Ernie Fletcher when the Governor was under a withering attack from Democratic Attorney General Greg Stumbo, who was accusing Fletcher of government hiring improprieties. (Most Kentuckians found that charge laughable since government jobs here are the very currency of Kentucky politics) But those charges were later dropped. However, the conservative Republican base never forgot Grayson's betrayal. A number of Republican heavyweights in the Kentucky Republican party, including former Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Forgy, warned McConnell and Grayson at the time that they would pay a price for their crippling attack on Fletcher, the first Republican Governor elected in decades. The rest, as they say, is history. Trey Grayson, the ostensible McConnell heir apparent was found to be unelectable at a most unfortunate time when incumbents and insiders came to be viewed as the problem. Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate Minority Leader and renowned Republican fundraiser, is now forewarned and hopefully somewhat wiser.
Rand Paul, like him or not, has demonstrated that the "old school" Republicans (especially the "mavericky" types in the Republican Party that occasionally suck up to the approval of Liberals) may find they have lost their base. That this has happened in McConnell's own state is a harbinger of things to come.
On the other hand, liberal Democrats are so alarmed by the Paul victory that they have singled him out for a very particular kind of treatment: front page, above the fold for as long as it takes. They have a long road ahead of them though. The first poll out after the Tuesday primary shows Paul leading Democrat Jack Conway by 25 points.
Hope and Change. You betcha.



Comments (22)
Well, you can say that Paul... (Below threshold)1. Posted by recovered liberal democrat | May 21, 2010 11:40 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Well, you can say that Paul's campaign learned real quick that the statist media is as much an enemy as the Obamalala regime. Unlike the flub the McCain campaign made with Sara Palin. Paul will refine and streamline his message. If he doesn't, I don't think the Tea Party will put up with just an "anybody but a liberal" campaign with out substance. Paul has a lot to learn and the first thing is take nothing for granted.
1. Posted by recovered liberal democrat | May 21, 2010 11:40 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2010 23:40
2. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | May 21, 2010 11:50 PM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Paul needs to stop talking about this issue now. His original explanation of his views stands as the best one, and was perfectly articulate. More talking just provides hate fodder for the leftist propagandists.
2. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | May 21, 2010 11:50 PM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on May 21, 2010 23:50
3. Posted by Adrian Browne | May 22, 2010 12:06 AM | Score: -12 (14 votes cast)
Leaving before Katie Couric even got to find out what newspapers or magazines he likes to read? So sad :(
Hint: Someone needs to upgrade his Hair Club For Men plan)
3. Posted by Adrian Browne | May 22, 2010 12:06 AM |
Score: -12 (14 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 00:06
4. Posted by Jim Addison | May 22, 2010 12:12 AM | Score: -3 (11 votes cast)
Paul will likely win in November anyway, but this is the tip of the iceberg of nutty views from him. He's been on conspiracy nut Alex Jones' radio show a number of times, opponents must be going through tapes and transcripts now and will have a treasure trove of stupidity to choose amongst.
Worse yet, wait until he's elected and votes against our national security interests because of his idiotic Libertine philosophy.
If Grayson sucked, why didn't another real conservative Republican enter the race instead of leaving it to a lunatic fringe nut?
4. Posted by Jim Addison | May 22, 2010 12:12 AM |
Score: -3 (11 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 00:12
5. Posted by Rich K | May 22, 2010 12:17 AM | Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Gee,Does this mean they are gonna pull a 'Full Palin' on the guy? Most likely I suspect.Thank God hes not from Alaska so the MFM can save all that flight time looking for dirt.
5. Posted by Rich K | May 22, 2010 12:17 AM |
Score: 8 (8 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 00:17
6. Posted by Pete | May 22, 2010 12:22 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
There is a difference between an accident and gross negligence. And walruses don't live in the Gulf of Mexico.
6. Posted by Pete | May 22, 2010 12:22 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 00:22
7. Posted by GarandFan | May 22, 2010 12:35 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
How dare the people elect a misfit!
President Obama aside.
The MFM is going to dissect Paul to the atomic level. Funny, they never got around to scrutinizing Obama that heavily. Or as Brian Williams said "Who is Barack Obama?" They only had two freaking years to find out!
7. Posted by GarandFan | May 22, 2010 12:35 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 00:35
8. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2010 1:40 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
I think its safe to say Barry and crue are so yesterday! Now we gotta clean up the stinkin mess! Jobz!?? Anybody want an Obama job?
8. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2010 1:40 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 01:40
9. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2010 1:45 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
If your name is adrian browne, do not apply!
9. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2010 1:45 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 01:45
10. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2010 1:49 AM | Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
"Hint: Someone needs to upgrade his Hair Club For Men plan)"
Hint: Someone needs to get a life"""
10. Posted by 914 | May 22, 2010 1:49 AM |
Score: 4 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 01:49
11. Posted by Lee Ward | May 22, 2010 4:22 AM | Score: -14 (16 votes cast)
Put enough string on those teabags and look what happens.
Paul exhibits Palin-syndrome. The more he opens his mouth the more that raw stupidity just pours out. He should shut up and say nothing if he wants any chance of being elected.
Claiming businesses should not be burdened by civil rights concerns is a racist position ad I'm sorry, I truly am, but I have to say it. racism stems from stupidity, plain and simple. There are no rational, intelligent reasons to be a racist.
I have never met an intelligent racist and I've met quite a few racists. They're all just plain stupid - and some of them fit the stereotype by being full-blown 'trailer trash' stupid.
Claiming the Obama administration was just too rough on BP and should cut them some slack -- another stupid gesture of political hyperbole (Palin-style) aimed at (act surprised now) that black man in the White House.
HughS: "Today [Rand Paul] blundered into the Obama administration's demogoguing of the BP oil spill by making this monstrously unacceptable comment: "Accidents happen"."
DING! Pegged the bullshit meter on that one, Hugh.
Actually, here's what Rand Paul said that got everyone yacking....
He's as "Tea Party Loony" as the Wizbang Headline writers - over the top and bat-shit CrAzY. Boot heel on poor ol' BP, indeed.
I can see why you guys like this guy. And I hope you see why us Democrats like folks like Rand Paul and Sarah Palin. Like I said... put enough string on those teabags and look what happens.
11. Posted by Lee Ward | May 22, 2010 4:22 AM |
Score: -14 (16 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 04:22
12. Posted by Jay Tea | May 22, 2010 6:03 AM | Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
It's getting too easy to mock Lee for most of his blather, so I'll only mention the new element in his crazy:
He's as "Tea Party Loony" as the Wizbang Headline writers - over the top and bat-shit CrAzY.
Who the hell are the "Wizbang Headline writers?" We don't have a "headlines" section, authors come up with their own headlines...
Sigh.
Lee Ward's world is a scary, scary place. I'm glad he's the only one who lives there.
J.
12. Posted by Jay Tea | May 22, 2010 6:03 AM |
Score: 9 (11 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 06:03
13. Posted by Brian Richard Allen | May 22, 2010 7:34 AM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Poor ol' Lee Ward and every other hater's gunna need every minute of the couple of years he gets to roll "congresscritter Paul" around his gums to get used to dropping "Elect" from "United States President and Armed-Forces Commander-In-Chief-Elect Sarah Louise Ronald Wilson Reagan Heath Palin!"
PALIN/BOLTON/2012!
13. Posted by Brian Richard Allen | May 22, 2010 7:34 AM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 07:34
14. Posted by HughS | May 22, 2010 8:05 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Jim Addison
"If Grayson sucked, why didn't another real conservative Republican enter the race instead of leaving it to a lunatic fringe nut?"
That's a good question. The reason is that Mitch McConnell runs the Republican Party in this State and Grayson was his choice. No other contender had a chance without Mitch's blessing.
14. Posted by HughS | May 22, 2010 8:05 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 08:05
15. Posted by ak4mc | May 22, 2010 8:07 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
15. Posted by ak4mc | May 22, 2010 8:07 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 08:07
16. Posted by Jeff Medcalf | May 22, 2010 8:28 AM | Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
So what you are saying is that you are opposed to freedom of association and free markets, and you think that the Jim Crow Laws passed by state governments do not reflect poorly on governments, but that the companies that complied with those laws reflects poorly on those companies?
Truly, you possess a dizzying intellect.
16. Posted by Jeff Medcalf | May 22, 2010 8:28 AM |
Score: 6 (6 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 08:28
17. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | May 22, 2010 8:42 AM | Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
I've never met a smart communist and I've encountered quite a few.
17. Posted by Jeff Blogworthy | May 22, 2010 8:42 AM |
Score: 7 (7 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 08:42
18. Posted by Sky Captain | May 22, 2010 10:07 AM | Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
"racism stems from stupidity, plain and simple. There are no rational, intelligent reasons to be a racist."
So now we know just WHY Lee Ward is ALWAYS the first to mention raaaaacism in a thread.
Stupidity, plain and simple. :-)
18. Posted by Sky Captain | May 22, 2010 10:07 AM |
Score: 5 (5 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 10:07
19. Posted by GarandFan | May 22, 2010 10:56 AM | Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Lee Ward, BULLSHIT ARTIST!(TM)
"I'll put my boot heel on the throat of BP"
Sounds real "presidential", doesn't it? But then, it does come from a 'community organizer'. You know, a "uniter". The guy who tells us each week what new group of individuals to "hate".
Hey Lee! You attend that SEIU "protest" in front of the banker's house in Maryland? Sound just like your type of gig.
19. Posted by GarandFan | May 22, 2010 10:56 AM |
Score: 4 (4 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 10:56
20. Posted by Maddox | May 22, 2010 1:36 PM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
The November panic is going to be fun.
20. Posted by Maddox | May 22, 2010 1:36 PM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 13:36
21. Posted by Marc | May 22, 2010 6:53 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Jay Tea - "Lee Ward's world is a scary, scary place. I'm glad he's the only one who lives there."
Normally I laud your accuracy but.. really.
It's patently obvious s green, bryanD and the crickmore creep all reside in ward's basement, or is it outhouse.
21. Posted by Marc | May 22, 2010 6:53 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on May 22, 2010 18:53
22. Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2010 2:27 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It cannot be understated how awful racist laws really are. Racist states facilitate and promote racism through their very existence. It is with zero hesitation that I say they are no small matter and ought to be eliminated.
Economic freedom does not result in widespread racism. A lot of the comments being levied against Paul lately are immature and fairly reactionary. It\'s time we grew up and stop being so afraid of ourselves. The overwhelming majority of Americans know that racism is foolish and objectionable. That\'s all we need in this regard. We do not need Washington\'s economic micromanagement.
22. Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2010 2:27 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 23, 2010 02:27