Did Rand Paul Step In It, Or Land It?

Late last week Rand Paul's campaign manager posted a snippet on Facebook in essence accusing Trey Grayson of using intimidation to get or keep the support of GOP officials.  He even used the words "Big Government Strong-arming.  Although the topic attracted several comments on the social networking site, not much more has been said about it in the media.

But the question which arises from this comment by the Paul campaign is why, if the allegation is not true, have we not heard a denial from the Grayson camp?  After all, when Grayson accused Paul of not being a Kentuckian, Paul immediately responded by reminding folks that he has been a Kentuckian longer than Grayson has been a republican.  That allegation and the reply both appeared in several places over the next few days.

The Paul campaign has so far refused to provide any details in support of this, their latest shot at Grayson, but more disturbing is why Grayson has not denied what could be interpreted as an allegation of illegal conduct.

If David Adams is wrong, he might have "stepped in it"?  If he is right, he might just have landed the knock out punch.

Comments

[Eddie]

"The Paul campaign only said they would not accept funds from senators that voted for the bailouts."

And I guess it's okay for them to accept money from people who personally benefit from the bank bailout? Especially when their bank didn't NEED a bailout?

Okay...How about this...Are they going to refund money from those who benefitted from Cash for Clunkers? Especially since that cost an average of $24,000 per vehicle sold.

[Tracy Saboe]

I didn't see that.
It does bother me that County GOP officials are allowed to take sides in a primary though. In most other states, it's against GOP bylaws, and can get you deposed from your county chair position.

[oldguardgop]

The Boone GOP officials, at the behest of Grayson, are trying to strong arm the Rand Paul reception clear out of the Airport Marriott.

[Hmmm]

The Paul campaign only said they would not accept funds from senators that voted for the bailouts.

[Eddie]

By the way, although Rand's campaign professes not to accept donations from banks, senators, etc. who voted for the bailout, they accepted a contribution from the Chairman of a bank that received $87.6 million in bailout money. I know, I know, it was an "individual" donation, but come on, do you really think the Chairman of a bank won't attempt to get some influence on behalf of his bank for making a donation?

Here is the source, direct from the FEC's website, and a snippet from a Texas newspaper about it..

HUFFINES, JAMES MR AUSTIN
TX 78703 08/31/2009 500.00 PLAINS CAPITAL BANK/CHAIRMAN 29020371342

"But not some of the monied interests that are part of Perry's team. One of Perry's biggest political backers - Austin banker James Huffines - got nearly $88 million in the payout to save banks and Wall Street. Huffines is president of Plains National Bank Financial and executive vice president of the bank's holding company, Plains Capital Corp."

Will the Paul campaign refund that donation? My point is simply, they shouldn't throw stones at Trey for accepting campaign contributions from bankers, senators, etc. who were obviously beneficiaries or supporters of the bailout if they are going to do so themselves. This bank didn't even need the money.

[Dan]

"I'd say the Grayson campaign is just refusing to dignify the accusation with a reply."

Weak.

Fess up Trey.

[Eddie]

I'd say the Grayson campaign is just refusing to dignify the accusation with a reply. The Paul campaign makes a lot of smarmy remarks on their Facebook page... Someone needs to tell them the old adage "It is better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt". David and gang on his merry followers SOMETIMES fit that to a "T".