Scoring The Grayson/Paul Bout

With the end of the next campaign finance reporting period three weeks away, no doubt the fight for the title of "GOP Nominee" between Trey Grayson and Rand Paul will soon be entering round 5 of a 10 round championship bout.

So how would the judges score the fight so far?

First, Trey Grayson came into the ring as the champion.  Not only did he have a better trainer, a better record and money behind him, but his status as the champ meant the challenger had to take the fight to him and win decisively.  Those are some of the advantages of being the champ.

Round one was all about getting attention and no doubt Rand Paul landed far more blows in the media than Grayson.  For those familiar with "Google Alerts" the stories in the news on a daily basis about Paul eclipsed those about Grayson.  In fact, when Grayson's name popped up on an alert it was more often than not as a "mention" in a story about Paul.  Score round one for Paul.

Round two was all about raising money.  Grayson came out strong but then out of nowhere Paul stunned the political world by out raising Grayson and amassing enough dough to become highly competitive.  Not only did Paul's flurry of fund raising activity excite observers but his steady increase in numbers made it clear that at least in this one area, he was far from punched out. Round two also goes to Paul.

Round three was measured by the Survey USA poll which put Paul on top among likely GOP voters.  Paul himself said that he entered the race expecting to get about 10% of the vote.  Coming out ahead of Grayson in a statewide poll means Paul won the third round on all cards.

The fourth round was all about credibility.  At first it looked like Grayson had rocked Paul with a few well landed blows to his mid-section finding discrepancies between the words he spoke about Gitmo and the words he published on his web site.  Then came the head shot from the NRSC which questioned Paul's veracity when he reported that they had committed to him to not endorse in the race.  But Paul seemed to recover well and before long rocked Grayson with a skillful combination of punches.

First, he deftly brushed aside the criticism and effectively shook off the effects of the hit.  Then Paul began showing up again and again on national news programs and seemed to reach deep inside to gather the energy of the TEA party movement, getting the crowd behind him.  And then Paul executed a crushing right when he was the ONLY one of the two to get out front for state senate candidate Jimmy Higdon who defeated his better funded democratic opponent despite all of the predictions of a loss.

This latest punch was not a knock out, but clearly Paul took advantage of an opening and that politically smart move on his part was a solid hit.  It would be hard for anyone to suggest he is not a real contender.  Score round four for Paul.

Round five will be the fourth quarter finance reports.  If Paul out raises Grayson again, he will be ahead in the count with only five rounds to go.  Certainly he needs to continue to take the fight to Grayson, who is still seen as the champ, but if Paul wins the next two rounds, it will take a knock out punch to beat him.

While Grayson may very well be playing a bit of rope-a-dope and letting Paul punch himself out, Paul is showing little sign of tiring.  Grayson packs a helluva hard right hook, a lesson learned from his undefeated trainer Mitch McConnell.  But there is always the risk that Paul will go the distance and win in a close decision.

Grayson better answer the next bell on his feet and ready to fight.  It doesn't even look like Paul is breathing hard, yet.

Comments

[Susan Harkins]

Hey Guys,

Libertarian from Missisippi here! I donated to Rand Paul as well, and will do so again. Also donated my high-traffic website to the Libertarian cause, after telling my Republican Senators to go 'jump in a lake' and, that their 2010 contributions are now going to Libertarian candidates at the national level. Way I see it, if we can get enough Libertarians in place to at least say 'NO' when legislation is submitted, we can start killing off more and more expensive or unconstitutional bills until we finally take back our congress and senate. Thanks Guys! And we back you all the way, Rand, Ron, Peter, and others! Our ranks are growing.

[John McMenimon]

I think Rand Paul is sending a message to the Republican and Democratic establishment that we want to return to our core American values. No more big spending! No more business as usual! No more ignoring the will of the People! We want our country back before it is too late. I don't want war without end. I don't want our economy to be that of a 3rd world nation. I am tired of being lied to and ignored by the politicians. Boys, you're fired! Go, Rand, Go!

[mike ford]

greetings from san diego california! i will be sending MORE money to Rand Paul. and to Peter Schiff in Connecticut as well.

you guys are fortunate to have such candidate as choices and with our support your representatives will be the start of a new day for governance...men with integrity. guys we like and admire. men we would gladly have to our home for a meal or a beer. cheers all, and merry christmas!

[N Boy]

Beautiful.
For LIBERTY!

[tajitj]

Grayson was clearly handed the belt by Mitch "Don King" McConnell and the party elite. If you consider Rand Paul the Champ from the start, then this is a precision Ali beating by Paul.

The only way Grayson even has a chance is by pulling a Mike Tyson and chewing the ear off Paul in desperation, (dirty tricks and going on a smear offensive)

[Lover of freedom and responsible govt.]

Could it be that Rand Paul, like his father, has honesty, integrity, intelligence and a clear understanding of the American Constitution and how government should work. We need Rand Paul, Peter Schiff and 98 others like them. Vote only for Constitutional candidates. Nothing else will save this country from the mess the previous senators and congressmen have created.

[Jameson Landry]

As a member of the GOP for 35 yrs, I am sick and tired of the "Establishment" candidates and their way of voting along the same lines with the democrats and telling the people that they didn't. I now support Rand Paul and encourage all true republicans to do the same. May God Bless America Once Again!

[Tracy Saboe]

Thanks for this. Kentucky GOP strategist Scott Jennings also said as much.

Is it over for Trey Grayson if Rand Paul wins the Q4 Money race?

Tracy

[calvinist]

Dec 16th, tea party money bomb for Rand Paul.
Pledge your support here:
http://www.randsteaparty.com/

[Mike m]

Rand paul cares about the constitution. Mr. Greyson is another fake war-loving conservative who pays lip service to the constituion while supporting all the other fakes who pursue policies against it

[libertynow]

Rand Paul R3publican 3million befor3 GAM3 DAY !! D3C 16th! T3A PARTY !!

[JeremyW]

too many boxing analogies lol

[ronpaulkid]

Support Rand Paul and his money bomb on the 16th of December! The fourth punch is already half way there! follow through liberty lovers!

[Ron Paul Fan]

Rand Paul!

[PJ McFlur]

Woooohooooo!!!

Rand 2010

[Alan]

Another well written post here. Very descriptive of the campaign thus far. Let's hope we win this next round in fundraising.

[Taika]

God bless Rand for working so hard for our liberty! We are praying for him and spreading the word.