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Keep Your Damned Hands Off My Social Security!

Listen up baby boomers!  YOU are going to bankrupt social security!  Lawmakers might begin looking at ways to cut your benefits to save money.  Save money for WHAT you might ask?  Well even though you paid the money in and thought of it as your retirement fund, you were just a fool.  It's THEIR money don't you know?

You see, the money paid out of your paycheck into social security is used to pay for a lot of other programs.  Yes, you are right, that was never the way it was supposed to be, but over time Congressmen were being hounded by special interests to hand out billions of dollars to pet projects in order to keep their lucrative jobs in DC, with all the perks and the applause that comes with it.  Knowing how hard it is to raise taxes they had to find a source of cash to pay to their big donors and power brokers and then they found it.

You see, there was this big bank account just sitting there, earning interest and it kept growing and growing as baby boomers became more and more productive.  Calculating that these people who were paying in wouldn't need the money for decades to come, Congress decided to raid the piggy bank and worry about retirees later, long after they had fluffed up their own retirement nests with pet projects, crooked deals and under the table perks.

Now the time is fast approaching when we who paid the money in, planning to use it in our "golden years" are starting to count pennies as our productive years are running out.  And guess what?  It ain't there!

Morning Funnies

Rand Paul Campaign Starting To Come Unraveled?

Hot off of a big weekend event with his father in Louisville Rand Paul followed that boost in the press with the announced endorsement of Sarah Palin.  Ahead in the polls, raising money in surprising amounts, Paul headed into February looking like he was about to once and for all cast off any doubts about the legitimacy of his candidacy.

But in an instant, it seems, he has become besieged with criticisms.  First, many of the TEA party organizers bristled at a national interview Paul gave in which he reportedly claimed to be that groups candidate.  One organizer of that movement very forcefully denounced Paul's claims and dismissed him from consideration for her vote.

Then Governor Palin's endorsement brought both her, and Paul under fire.  ABC News caught wind of Bill Kristol's concerns over Rand Paul's stance on various issues and put some heat on Sarah.  Alan Keyes who has endorsed long shot candidate Bill Johnson in the race, said that Palin's endorsement confirms that she's pro-choice.

While the Grayson camp has been quiet, they've gotten their message out through surrogates telling voters that Paul favors legalizing marijuana, favors closing Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility and favors releasing detainees back to the battlefields in Afghanistan.

Paul is now on the defensive.  And even though several days have gone by since the author of a book on Mitch McConnell, journalist John David Dyche, published a list of questions for Rand Paul to answer, so far they have not addressed these things directly, or fully, thus leaving an open wound in their campaign which has the very real potential to bleed away support.

Then today Joe Arnold, who has been writing very favorable accounts of Paul's success, as have I and many others, got Paul's campaign manager, David Adams to confirm that Paul was "not welcome" in republican rich Pulaski county for its annual Lincoln dinner this past weekend.  As it turns out, Paul had made some comments about how Congressmen behave which didn't sit too well with Hal Rogers, whose popularity in the 5th District makes his support virtually indispensable to anyone looking to win a GOP primary there.

This recent report by Joe puts Rand Paul at odds with any Kentucky congressman who might think Paul was talking about him when he railed against incumbent Congressmen who he described as "people (who) trade their votes to get pork barrel projects for their district.".

While Paul may very well have echoed a national sentiment brewing within the TEA party movement, Paul's words may have picked a fight with elected officials who generally enjoy high favorables in their own districts. 

Paul recently appeared on CNN and said that he doesn't need Kentucky's GOP establishment to win which might explain why he seems to be comfortable taking on Kentucky's entire Congressional delegation in this way. 

His confidence in this strategy of winning without the support of the "GOP establishment" fits perfectly into his self proclaimed "outsider" status and why he has been cultivating a connection with those who openly express discontent with the status quo.  Yet when it comes to examining those with whom he does stand, some in the new media have raised questions about that as well.

One blogger seems to have more than just opinions about Paul, he has gone to the trouble to link to Paul's own website, his appearances on Youtube and the radio to make the case that many of Paul's ideas might be out of step with the party whose nomination he seeks.

Debbie Schlussel, blogger, columnist and radio talk show host has joined the chorus of opinion writers who have started calling Rand Paul by unflattering names, questioning his policy positions and in particular his loyalty to our ally, Israel.

While the likelihood that Grayson will ever take this approach is next to nil, the way things look he won't have to.  While quietly sitting back and waiting patiently he is allowing an entire universe of bad press to rain down on Rand Paul, much of it unanswered.

Rand Paul has had an phenomenal run in the media.  He has had the midas touch when it comes to attracting attention.  But, as they say, live by the press, die by the press.  If you jump up and down shouting "look at me, look at me" when you are doing what you want people to see, don't be surprised if the media delights in tearing you to shreds when the opportunity lands in their laps.  It's part of playing in the big leagues.

There's time to fix these problems but it appears that Rand Paul's campaign has started out this week looking a little frayed around the edges.

Repairs are needed quickly before the whole thing starts to come unraveled.

Grayson and Conway "Kindred" Spirits

In the race to become Kentucky's junior senator the differences between democrat Jack Conway and republican Trey Grayson have been hard for some to discern.  One left leaning blogger had this to say:

Trey shouldn’t run for Senate this go-round because he isn’t as experienced as Jack Conway and just can’t beat him in a general election. If he runs against him, Grayson risks splitting his own support base in half and cutting his fundraising by nearly 50%. Because both he and Conway share support and financial bases. Politically, they’re on the same side of nearly every issue.

And with Grayson in the beginning of his political career, is it wise to put himself up against such a machine that consists of some of his own people? Is he willing to throw everything away if he loses? We don’t think it’s a good idea.

Now the differences have become even more blurred.  Take for example this examination of the Grayson/Conway special interests donor bases which seemingly confirms the speculation made back in January a year ago in the above blog post excerpt.  The article is entitled "Influence Donating":

It isn’t uncommon to have companies wanting to have influence over politicians. While direct donations from companies to presidential and congressional political campaigns are illegal in the US, individuals within companies can still donate money to politicians. In many cases, these donors want to support a particular candidate and the issues they stand for.

Thus, you’ll see some people donating to people on both sides of a race, so that they’re on the winning side regardless of who wins and have the influence that comes with the donation to the winner.

In some cases, companies have seen multiple employees giving to two candidates on both sides of a Senate race.

Another case of apparent influence-donations is the Louisville-based Kindred Healthcare, a nursing-home and rehab company. Seven Kindred spirits donated to a pair of Kentucky Senate candidates, Democratic state Attorney General Jack Conway and Republican state Secretary of State Trey Grayson; overall, 15 donors showed up on both Grayson and Conway’s FEC logs, while there was no common donors between Conway and Rand Paul, Grayson’s main foe in the Kentucky GOP primary. [Gouverneurtimes.com]

Influence donating?  Buying access? The republican and the democrat politically on the same side of nearly every issue?  They both share the same support and financial base?

The more we focus, the clearer the picture becomes.

It's Palin vs. McConnell Says "The Hill"

Sarah Palin's decision to endorse Rand Paul took many by surprise.  Chris Wallace, on FoxNews Sunday put it this way:

You recently stirred up some controversy, as you often do, even your — when you endorsed Rand Paul as the Senate — he's running in the Senate primary for — in Kentucky, the GOP Senate primary. And Bill Kristol, your longtime supporter, was upset with you because one of the things he pointed out — Paul wants to close Guantanamo. He wants to send the detainees back to Afghanistan. He wants to repeal the Patriot Act. He wants to do away with any federal role in either gay marriage or drug laws, leave it to the states.

Why would you support a guy like that?

Alexander Bolton, writing for "The Hill" offered his own answer:

The Senate Republican primary in Kentucky has emerged as a proxy battle between two leaders of the factionalized Republican Party, Sarah Palin and Mitch McConnell.

Since being tapped as the GOP’s vice-presidential nominee in 2008, Palin has emerged a leader of independent and social conservatives.
 
McConnell (Ky.), the Senate Republican leader, has cemented his leadership of the party establishment in Washington over the past year by unifying Senate Republicans against President Barack Obama’s agenda.

But McConnell and other veteran Republican lawmakers have a delicate relationship with many conservatives now lining up behind Palin and the Tea Party because of how federal spending swelled under GOP rule.
 
The growing activism of conservatives around the country, including many longtime members of the Republican grassroots, has helped energize the Republican Party, such as in Massachusetts. But the indifference or opposition of Tea Party activists to candidates favored by Republican leaders threatens to upset the GOP’s carefully crafted political strategy.

Sarah Palin, who gave her handlers headaches during the 2008 presidential campaign, isn’t making things any easier.
 
She has thrown her support behind Rand Paul, a favorite of anti-establishment conservatives such as RedState.com and Gun Owners of America, who is running for Senate in Kentucky.
 
Palin waded into the race despite it being widely known among political insiders that McConnell backs Rand’s opponent, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson.

Palin’s not-so-subtle challenge to McConnell’s political authority shows the overall difficulty GOP leaders have in taming the resurgent conservative base, which has made Palin and the Tea Party newly powerful political forces.

Has this race now taken on a dimension much larger than anyone at first thought?  Is Kentucky going to be the battleground for the heart and soul of the republican party?

While the magnitude of such a battle being waged here in the "Dark and Bloody Ground" might ultimately shock republicans across the nation, there is another story lurking within this one that has the potential to capture national attention.

Yesterday I interviewed Bill Johnson.  I hope you take the time to listen.  He is very clear thinking, articulate and doubtlessly a conservative. His primary endorsement came from Dr. Alan Keyes, who Barack Obama defeated in Illinois to become US Senator.

America loves an underdog, and with his limited funds and lack of media attention, Johnson is surely that.  But today's national attention seems drawn to the come from behind, nobody gave him a chance, independent spirited "everyman" who suddenly rises to the top and wins against all odds.

I'm not saying Johnson will enjoy this success, but he has all of the raw ingredients to make a great story, and sometimes on the battlefield luck belongs to the one no body is shooting at.

Does Scott Kimmich Decision Have Bearing On Other Races?

Kenton County Deputy Judge Executive Scott Kimmich resigned his position in order to continue his campaign for the top spot to replace the retiring Ralph Drees.  Kimmich wrote for and obtained a legal opinion regarding whether "The Hatch Act" applied to him.  When told that it does, Kimmich stepped down.

"The Hatch Act" makes it illegal for anyone employed by a state or local executive agency who works in connection with programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans or grants to run for a partisan office.

According to Rick Robinson, Kimmich's attorney, the Office of Special Counsel is likely to take a very broad approach when it comes to interpreting "The Hatch Act" in rendering advisory opinions.  When an employee is covered by the act he/she has only three choices: resign the job, quit the race or fight the decision before a merit board.  According to the opinion Kimmich got, he did exactly the right thing.

But what about other candidates on this year's ballot?  Who else seems to be in the same predicament as Kimmich?

For one, Michael Steward, the Florence police officer who has filed to run against Boone County Sheriff Mike Helmig.  Since much of the funding for police equipment, special details and interdiction programs comes in part from the federal government, it is highly likely that Steward works directly in connection with several programs funded in part by those loans or grants and, as Kimmich, is prevented from running for a partisan office while so employed.

In fact, Steward's dilemma is now quite clear.  He must either resign from the department, drop out of the race or face serious legal consequences.  Of course he could seek an opinion, as did Kimmich, but in light of Kimmich's opinion and the narrow window of time in which Steward is operating, this would seem to only prolong the inevitable.

The same problem exists for the Kenton County police officers running against Jailer Terry Carl and Sheriff Chuck Korzenborn.

Kimmich made the right decision for him and his family.  Whether the others will do the same, or drop out of the race, remains to be seen.

Morning Funnies

The Marcus Carey Perspective 2-07-2010 My Interview With Bill Johnson

Today I interviewed Bill Johnson, Kentucky GOP candidate for the US Senate.  Johnson has recently polled ahead of Rand Paul for the nomination.

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Today I Interview US Senate Candidate Bill Johnson On RFC Radio

Today I will bring you my interview with Bill Johnson, republican candidate for the US Senate   A recent poll has him ahead of Rand Paul among likely GOP voters and recent reports are that he was the stand out speaker at several republican gatherings, taking many by surprise.

Don't miss it. 6 pm Eastern Time at "The Marcus Carey Perspective" on RFC Radio, The New Voice Of Conservatism. (And don't forget, you can log in to chat during our broadcast with only a screen name. No password required)

Bill Johnson Says New Poll Has Him Ahead Of Rand Paul

Bill Johnson, candidate for U.S. Senate has announced that a new poll now has him finishing ahead of Rand Paul in the race for the GOP nomination.

Johnson released the poll on Facebook and on his website.

The Bill Johnson for U.S. Senate campaign received the following poll results. Shamrock Polling conducted the statewide poll for an undisclosed client.  Questions regarding the poll can be directed to Persistence Consulting (persistenceconsulting@gmail.com).  The Johnson for U.S. Senate campaign did not pay for or participate in this poll.  The results are consistent with internal polling done by the campaign.

We asked 1,257 likely republican voters the following questions:

“Who are you planning on voting for US Senate in the republican primary on May 18th?”

Trey Grayson        27%
Bill Johnson          23%
Rand Paul            21%
Undecided           29%

We then asked are you strongly, moderately, or leaning towards your candidate?
 
Rand Paul               7%    27%    66%
Bill Johnson           72%    21%      7%
Trey Grayson          52%    14%   34%
            
Margin of Error  4.5%

Sarah Palin Says Rush Limbaugh "Crude And Demeaning"

Few in the GOP are willing to be so bold when it comes to discussing Rush Limbaugh as Sarah Palin.  Afterall, Limbaugh speaks to the large audience on a daily basis and while it used to be hard to fight newspapers who bought ink by the barrel, nowadays its hard to fight talkers who blow air by the lung full.

But Sarah Palin doesn't seem the least bit intimidated by any one.  If she believes something, she says it.  Take for example her call for Rahm Emanuel to step down as Obama's chief of staff for referring to democrats as a bunch of "fu**ing retards".  Palin's objection is being heard far and wide.

Yesterday Rush Limbaugh said this:

“Our political correct society is acting like some giant insult’s taken place by calling a bunch of people who are retards, retards,...adding that Rahm’s meeting yesterday with advocates for the mentally handicapped was a “retard summit at the White House.” [The Plum Line]

In response Sarah Palin had this to say:

“Governor Palin believes crude and demeaning name calling at the expense of others is disrespectful.”

Right-On Guvnuh!  It's one thing to make a point using satire, quite another to perpetuate disrespect in the ongoing discourse about being disrespectful.

Say what you want, but Governor Palin certainly isn't afraid of the big boys, uh, no disrepectful pun regarding Limbaugh's weight intended.

A New Message For America: Hope Is Lost

Lech Walesa is a modern hero.  He stood up against the communists in his own country and the Soviet Union on behalf of his beloved Poland and presided over its transformation from a Communist to a Post-Communist state.  He has been hailed for his courage in support of liberty.

Walesa spoke recently at a republican campaign event in Chicago, the political birthplace of Barack Obama.  Here is part of what he said:

The United States is only one superpower. Today they lead the world. Nobody has doubts about it. Militarily.  They also lead economically but they're getting weak. But they don't lead morally and politically anymore.  The world has no leadership.  The United States was always the last resort and hope for all other nations.  There was the hope, whenever something was going wrong, one could count on the United States.  Today, we lost that hope.

Restoring our place in the world is not about rhetoric, but about the kind of principled leadership which values liberty and justice above all things, because they are gifts from God.  When our allies begin to notice us growing weaker, it is time to take stock of ourselves and recognize from whence we came. 

As any good football coach will tell his team when they seem to be in a slump, it's time to get back to the basics.

***THE ARMED CITIZEN*** An Every Friday Feature

Four days after the Deadmon family experienced a home invasion, the robbers returned. Police say two of the suspects confronted the son, John-Ross, in the garage. They told him they were after his father and dragged him inside the home. John-Ross broke free as his father, Randy, arrived with a gun. "They told my husband they had come back to kill him because we had reported [the robbery]," Sherry Deadmon said. John-Ross grabbed a shotgun the family kept ready since the first invasion. Father and son fired several shots, wounding one of the suspects. The intruders fled the home and were arrested by police. "This time they were ready for them," said Detective Chad Moose of the local sheriff's office. (Salisbury Post, Salisbury, NC, 10/31/09)

Reprinted with the encouragement of the NRA

Morning Funnies

Obama Denigrates Black Americans And Our History

Justice Clarence Thomas made it clear, in Barack Obama's criticism of the Supreme Court Decision regarding campaign finance America's first Black President elevated to a place of honor "one of the most vile enemies of African Americans to ever serve in the U.S. Senate

who owed his election to public office to his participation in an armed assault upon a body of black soldiers during Reconstruction and the lynching of several of these soldiers, and a dangerous demagogue who was censured for his physical assault of another Senator on the floor of the US Senate and barred from the White House over the incident. [Gateway Pundit]

In remarks to students at a law school in Florida, Justice Thomas talked about Obama 's open criticism of the "Citizens United" case.

He told them:

[T]he history of Congressional regulation of corporate involvement in politics had a dark side, pointing to the Tillman Act, which banned corporate contributions to federal candidates in 1907.

“Go back and read why Tillman introduced that legislation,” Justice Thomas said, referring to Senator Benjamin Tillman. “Tillman was from South Carolina, and as I hear the story he was concerned that the corporations, Republican corporations, were favorable toward blacks and he felt that there was a need to regulate them.”

It is thus a mistake, the justice said, to applaud the regulation of corporate speech as “some sort of beatific action.”[New York Times]

Tsk, Tsk.  And Obama is supposed to have been a "Senior Lecturer" on the Constitution.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. 

Drilling Down Into The Campaign Finance Numbers

Jake over at PageOne popped this up on the radar screen today:

In the wake of the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has been quick to denounce a bid by Democrats to stop foreign corporations from pouring money into U.S. elections, claiming current law already bars such spending. As we've reported before, it's not nearly as simple as that -- but McConnell should know: The GOP Senate leader has raked in campaign cash from a subsidiary of a major foreign defense contractor that's currently being investigated by the Justice Department for bribery.

The corrupting influence of special interest group money continues to be of great concern to many Americans.  One of the central themes in the TEA party movement is a call for the election of men and women without significant financial connections to those seeking to profit from government.

So, in an effort to help spell out the differences between the candidates seeking the GOP nomination to join Mitch McConnell in the US Senate this year, I took a look at their latest year end financial reports.  Here is what I found.

Trey Grayson is being funded in a big way by special interests.  For a list of the nearly $140,000 they have poured into his campaign, you can CLICK HERE.  In stark comparison, the list of Rand Paul's PAC contributors contains only one, RightMarch.com.  Of course since that report he has gotten another PAC contribution, this one from Sarah Palin.

Additionally, drilling down into the reports even further, I found another interesting bit of information.  According to recent reports, Trey Grayson was out raised by Rand Paul last year by about $100,000 but ended up with a $106,339 "cash on hand" advantage.  But the details tell a slightly different story.

It seems that listed among Grayson's contributions to date are about $61,000 in donations earmarked for the general election, which means that they are not available to be spent before the primary.  And what was very surprising were the number of very large donations Grayson received compared to the much more modest ones received by Rand Paul.  Nevertheless, Paul may have about $13,000 in the bank which is not available for the primary.

But perhaps more telling is how much more difficult it might be for Grayson to raise significant dollars in the next few months compared to Paul.  Since many of Grayson's donors are "maxed out" he can't hit them for more primary cash.  Paul on the other hand, having received many more smaller donations,  is not limited in this manner as is Grayson.

Grayson's donor base contains the names of many "old guard" max GOP donors who have supported McConnell and the "party line" in the past. CLICK HERE  While some may argue that times have changed, nevertheless Grayson's list includes the names of people who enjoy a reputation of high integrity and whose judgment is trusted by many GOP voters.  Their financial stake in Grayson's campaign is the kind of endorsement which will produce many more votes than the uninitiated might at first suspect.

The bottom line is that Grayson is playing the same old game, while Paul has tapped into the energy of those who are tired of the same old game.  Because neither currently enjoys a significant money advantage, it's all going to come down to who can get his voters to the polls on primary election day. 

Grayson Picks Apart Paul's First Ad

In an article by Joe Arnold published at WHAS11.com Trey Grayson's campaign fired right back at Rand Paul's first television ad claiming that Paul is trying to "trick" Kentucky voters by changing his tune about national security issues.

Grayson claims that Paul is on record contradicting the impression his new TV ad paints regarding  Paul's stance on Guantanamo detainees.

Paul's ad doesn't directly address this issue though Paul does speak into the camera and says that "prisoners of war, enemy combatants and terrorists captured on the battlefield should be tried in military courts and not be brought to the U.S....[or] tried in civilian court".

Grayson cites earlier statements by Paul saying "The fact remains that Rand Paul, like President Obama, has advocated closing the terrorist detention facility at Guantanamo and releasing terrorists back into battle against our troops." 

Well, that's not exactly what the quotes say, but obviously Paul's tactic is working.  Grayson is now in a tough position.  He either let's Paul run the table early with TV, or goes up himself.  And in responding to Paul's ad, Grayson is the first to go negative, accusing Paul of "trickery", which, according to the rules of engagement, gives Paul the right to respond in kind.

David Adams, Paul's campaign manager, when asked about Grayson's criticism said this:

"The Grayson campaign continues to draw attention to its own immaturity and lack of either seriousness or thoughtfulness on this issue by using quotes which Rand either didn't make or that were in answer to different questions.

If Trey Grayson really wants Barack Obama to be able to detain people indefinitely after they have been found to not be terrorists, he should just go ahead and say it.

Trey Grayson continues to disappoint a lot of people with the way he handled himself during this race.

His reckless disregard for truth on important issues like national defense isn't playing very well even with those who want him to have a long and lucrative career as a professional politician."

If this race dissolves into a game of character assassination, look for a come from behind surprise by Bill Johnson to spoil somebody's count at the polling place.

Morning Funnies

Doubting Thomas Trey Gets The Proof He Denied

When Governor Sarah Palin endorsed Rand Paul earlier today Trey Grayson just couldn't seem to believe it.  In fact he let his doubt hang out.

Well despite Grayson's desperate pressure on the press today scrambling to have them publish stories "wondering" where the "statement" was, let the gasping end.

In a statement, Palin says she's proud to support grass roots candidates like Paul. She also says that while there are issues they disagree on, they both agree "it's time to shake up the status quo in Washington and stand up for commonsense ideas."

Paul is running to replace retiring Sen. Jim Bunning. He faces Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson in the May primary election. [LA Times]

Geez.

No Sooner Does Grayson Announce Support It Begins To Crumble

Moments ago I received an announcement from Trey Grayson touting the names of legislators endorsing him. Within minutes I received confirmation that the first person named on Grayson's list, Senate Majority Caucus Chairman Dan Seum of Jefferson County has withdrawn his name Grayson's list of supportersand will soon announce his support for Rand Paul.

Seum was among the hundreds attending Paul's "Rally For Republicans" this past Saturday in Louisville.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

EXCLUSIVE: Palin Endorses Rand Paul CONFIRMED

David Adams, Rand Paul's campaign manager has confirmed this morning that SarahPAC has sent them financial support and authorized the release of that information as an endorsement of Rand Paul for the GOP candidate to replace retiring baseball hall of fame pitcher and two term incumbent Jim Bunning.



"This is a huge boost to the Paul campaign and will open the way for more endorsements to follow", said one local GOP insider.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Major News at 10:45 Today

I am tending to a family member today. Check back for a MAJOR exclusive @ 10:45 today. BIG news.

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Rand Rocks The House: Over 800 Brave Snow Storm To Attend His "Rally For Republicans"

I wanted to get a first hand look at the Rand Paul campaign after all the press releases I get and the attention focused on this race, so I drove to Louisville this morning to bring you a first hand report.

I arrived just as Rand and about 20 volunteers had finished going door to door in the snowstorm asking for votes in Louisville in January.  Now for anyone ever involved in a political campaign this is notable for several reasons.  January door to door work is rare.  Doing it in a snowstorm is dedication and getting 20 volunteers to do almost anything this early in a campaign is remarkable.

I then covered the event at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center billed as the "Rally for Republicans".  I didn't know what to expect.  I was surprised.  For a first time candidate this had the look and feel of the best run republican events I've ever witnessed.  Plenty of signage, plenty of volunteers, plenty of registration tables, sign in sheets, name badges, campaign gear (bumper stickers, signs, sweatshirts etc.) to rival anything I've seen, and in 40 plus years, three national conventions and countless campaign events, I've a lot of things to compare it to.  The only thing I wondered about was would there be a crowd. 

At the early event where WHAS Joe Arnold was conducting an interview with Rand and his father Ron Paul, the place was packed.  By the time the news crew wrapped up and the supporters filed in, about 150 people crowded the room and more were outside waiting for some to leave so they could get through the door.

A little bit surprisingly to me, (with all the rumors about Grayson having the "party vote" locked up) I spotted and talked with many long time, reliable republican stalwarts, big donors and those I knew to have been elected party officials who were in attendance.  They were more enthusiastic than I have seen them in years.  Quite frankly what I observed  I can only describe as a rejuvenation of that spirit many Kentucky republicans seemed to have lost over the last three years.

And then I went down the hall and took a peek inside the big event, the main rally.  I wondered if the weather would keep a lot of people home.  As it was in spite of bad weather on a cold January day Rand Paul drew a crowd of over 800 cheering and energetic fans who drove to Louisville, paid to park, walked through the icy wind and gathered to show their support.*

I had a brief chance to talk with Paul who seemed to be taking it all in with a friendly smile.  As one supporter who observed my interview said to me, "Don't make it sound too good, we're fine if they keep underestimating us, but look around.  Does this guy look un-electable to you?"

This time I'll let you be the judge.  Without embellishment, these are the facts.  But with eight hundred people in the room jamming to the sounds of singer Aimee Allen (I left before she performed) I think it's at least fair to say that today Rand Rocked the house. 

*Crowd estimate provided by others who remained for entire event

Prosecutor's Disappointment: Where Did It Come From?

After a federal jury handed lead prosecutor, assistant US attorney Ken Taylor, a rejection of his allegations against Bill Nighbert, Ernie Fletcher's former Transportation Secretary, Taylor commented to the press that he was "disappointed".  This comment raises a few questions. Out of what was Taylor's disappointment born and should Taylor's decisions in this "political prosecution" themselves be subject to a close examination now that ordinary citizens have rejected his call for conviction?

Nighbert's lawyer, Howard Mann, says that the prosecution's case was full of holes, particularly the testimony of their main witness, James Rumage, upon whom Ken Taylor built this costly prosecution.  But Taylor chose to push ahead anyway, dragging Nighbert through the gauntlet of negative press where so many reputations have been destroyed by a thousand cuts.

Should Taylor's political affiliations raise any concerns?  Taylor attended Fancy Farm in 2005, the year of the governor's tribulations.  Though he was the chief elections fraud prosecutor in the Eastern District of Kentucky, he was observed to be keeping company with the very democrats who were trying to bring down the Fletcher administration.

It should be remembered that democrat Greg Stumbo, a candidate for governor himself earlier that year, had targeted Governor Fletcher primarily focusing on people in Nighbert's transportation cabinet.  The phrase "The damage is in the indictment" has become known as "The Stumbo Way."

In 2008 Taylor began the prosecution of former Transportation Secretary Nighbert primarily on the now discredited testimony of James Rummage.  Isn't it fair to ask, "Was there an element of partisanship in his decision"? 

Taylor took an oath as an assistant United States Attorney.  Yet to date there has been no indictment of Stumbo despite the very disturbing allegation that Greg Stumbo attempted to thwart a federal criminal investigation into former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Steve Henry.  "Stumbo and his cronies" were directly accused of pressuring a Kentucky blogger to "destroy evidence" and "shred documents".  And if memory serves correctly, more than one person has at least raised the specter that Greg Stumbo was implicated in significant wrongdoing, while in office, without any word of an indictment by Taylor. 

In the past Stumbo has been accused of ignoring a woman's claims that her civil rights were violated by a county prosecutor for purely political reasons, and some even recall a former Stumbo assistant bringing allegations of drug trafficking to Taylor's attention which might have implicated Stumbo himself, without an indictment.

Was Taylor hanging with the democrats hoping for an appointment to become the US Attorney under a democratic administration?  Was his weak prosecution of Nighbert done with proper motives?  Was his reliance upon Rummage any different than the reliance he might have placed upon others who complained about alleged criminal conduct by democratic officials, but whom Taylor might have ignored?

And while prosecutors deserve the same benefit of the doubt given to their accused, when political prosecutions are rejected by ordinary citizens serving as impartial jurors, the motives of the government prosecutors themselves require close scrutiny. 

As in the recent case involving the now infamous prosecutor Mike Nifong and the Duke LaCrosse players, history teaches us that unless and until the public is satisfied that the tremendous power possessed the government is managed with fairness to all, an uneasy feeling will continue to grow in this nation until it reaches critical mass, resulting in civil unrest.

The mainstream media has the resources to fully explore these things.  Will they?

Just asking.