The Senate Feud in Kentucky

Posted on | January 26, 2010 | 63 Comments

Lisa Graas, a Kentuckian who supports Bill Johnson in the GOP Senate primary, informs me that FreedomWorks is supporting Rand Paul. She also compiles a list of Kentucky conservative bloggers who are backing Johnson and says:

As a tea partier, a Reagan conservative and a Christian here in Kentucky, I’d like the folks at Freedom Works to know that I will be voting Democrat if Rand Paul wins the GOP primary here.

Lisa had told me about her feelings a few weeks ago and it troubled me. When I was in Kentucky to cover the Sparkman investigation, I talked to some staunch conservatives who are Paul supporters. My sympathy for them may prejudice my perspective on this fight, but I know there are good people on both sides, and I hate to see this kind of blood feud among conservatives.

We’re going to see lots of contested primaries this year. As one GOP operative told me, “If you’ve ever considered running for office as a Republican, this is the year to do it.” I’m not in a position to tell Kentuckians how to conduct their feuds, but if my advice were asked, I’d advise this:

In criticizing a rival primary candidate, avoid making public doomsaying declarations like, “If so-and-so wins the primary, he’ll lose in November” or “If so-and-so wins the primary, I’ll vote Democrat.” (Anyone who wants to call me a hypocrite here, given how savagely I went after Crazy Cousin John . . . Well, OK, but that turkey was doomed from Day One, no matter what I said. ”Don’t Blame Me, I Voted for Bob Barr.” )
Rand Paul needs to recognize he’s got a serious problem with a huge chunk of the GOP base in Kentucky, and his campaign needs to do whatever is necessary to fix that problem. If you’re a Republican and you’ve got pro-life Catholics like Lisa Graas swearing vows against you, you’ve got big trouble. Even if you can win the GOP primary, you’ll be badly wounded when the general election campaign begins.
Likewise, Bill Johnson’s campaign needs to recognize that they’re not doing themselves any favors by deliberately ostracizing libertarian-minded Republicans. It’s one thing to disagree with Rand Paul on specific issues. It’s another thing to make Paul’s supporters feel as if they are unwelcome inside the Big Tent, even if you think Paul’s supporters are dangerous kooks. Hey, kooks can vote, y’know.

Bad tactics are the small change that add up to bad strategy, and I think these primary fights escalate into blood feuds mainly because of the vicious negativity of some campaign operatives who are mentally accustomed to a win-at-any-cost rationale.

Personal friends of mine have been hurt by these tactics, and I know the damage done. Dishonorable politics attract dishonorable people, and vice is habit-forming. The path that led Jack Abramoff to federal prison began with a few “minor” ethical compromises.

I’ll close with some advice that is perhaps not strictly neutral, but which is of general application: If you can’t win a GOP primary without accusing your opponent of treason or sodomy, maybe you deserve to lose. And if your campaign staff can’t do better than that, maybe you need to get a new campaign staff.

UPDATE: Some heavy-duty stuff going on in the comments, where Dr. David Duncan links his own post relating his experiences dealing with Rand Paul’s supporters. I kind of knew I was kicking a hornet’s nest here. Like I said, I know good people who support Paul, and if Paul has supporters who are harming his cause by their tactics, that’s something he needs to deal with.

Category: Election, Kentucky, Republicans, Senate

Comments

63 Responses to “The Senate Feud in Kentucky”

Largebill
January 26th, 2010 @ 1:17 pm
So, you’re saying save the charges of treason or sodomy for the general election?
Seriously though, how strongly to fight in a primary contest is one both parties have to deal with from time to time. Obviously, with the wind of an angry electorate at the back of the GOP, winning the primary fights will be tantamount to winning the election in some states. We may prefer that the candidates stick to the issues and avoid the personal attacks, but the voters continue to show they are influenced by the personal as much or more than by the issues. I realize it is apples to oranges since it was a general election, but look at the Massachusetts senate race. Brown was an upbeat positive guy and Coakley did not connect to voters. Issues wise they are not as far apart as clowns like Olbermann would believe.
Mr.K
January 26th, 2010 @ 2:07 pm
I support neither. Trey Grayson all the way.
Joe
January 26th, 2010 @ 2:11 pm
William F. Buckley Jr. advised: always vote for the most conservative candidate who can win.
The “who can win” part is always a problem. However, if you are in Massachusetts, a candidate like Scott Brown is an excellent choice (a moderate-liberal on social issues and a fiscal conservative). He showed he could win. Obviously in other places you can and should go far more conservative.
I would guess that Kentucky (while it does have that stubborn streak of democrat union sensibilities) is a tad more conservative than Massachusetts. You know who is best for you. Pick the candidate who you think is the best one for your state and who is the best one to take on the Democrat challenger. And should your candidate lose–then support the other conservative over the Democrat challenger.
And by all means send us some more bourbon.
That's Right
January 26th, 2010 @ 2:32 pm
Hey…that Rahm Emanual Chap is Pretty Sharp…
Wel ……
Lisa Graas
January 26th, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
Thanks for your commentary, Stacy. I appreciate it. Your points are well taken. FYI: Bill Johnson is going to win this race because he is right on all the issues. I don’t know any tea party people who are comfortable with Rand Paul’s foreign policy. Every person I have met in the Johnson campaign is a tea party activist. Everywhere he goes, he gets big support. His only impediment is that the Campaign for Liberty (for Rand Paul, out of staters) and Washington (for Trey Grayson) injected lots of money into Kentucky before Johnson could get name recognition here. He is THE Reagan conservative in this race, plus he has operated a $1Billion budget as a businessman, has a background in nuclear energy. He has the “it factor” that Palin has. He’s going to win this race and the outside groups and pundits who endorsed prematurely a candidate Kentucky cannot swallow are, as we Kentuckians see it, part of the problem. It’s not Rand Paul who needs your advice. He’s can’t repair this. It’s all those who have endorsed him who need to understand what the people in a district actually want before they endorse a candidate. That is, after all, the conservative way. Thanks again. I appreciate you very much.
Crimefyter
January 26th, 2010 @ 2:53 pm
The only true conservative candidate in this race is Bill Johnson. I no longer trust career politicians or political machinery. When the “grassroot” movement started, I was ecstatic. What could be better than drafting a candidate from the very walk of life that you inhabit everyday. In this case, Bill Johnson volunteered to accept the challenge and forge forward as an underdog for the “average citizens” cause. I agree, for the most part, with your assessments, Stacy. However, the debate over the abortion issue, immigration and national security is too passionate at times and words are spoken that one wishes can be retracted. (Not speaking for Lisa here.) I definitely feel that there is room for any person who wants to claim conservative values and return this country to “we the people.” In the final stage of this contest, it’s going to boil down to the personality and views of the candidate and how they resonate with the voters of Kentucky. I like Bill’s cahnces here….voting history shows Kentucky doesn’t bode well for 3rd party candidates. Thank you for casting light on this very important issue.
serah
January 26th, 2010 @ 3:57 pm
Last summer I had a candidate to support, until I met Bill Johnson, handing out his gazettes. He was working the crowd at a Tea Party hand by hand. He took time to talk on a one-on-one basis, and he still does. May 18th I’ll be able to pull the handle for the candidate who stands for my value, Bill Johnson.
Kygal
January 26th, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
Excellent article Stacey! I think that there is much truth in this: “Bad tactics are the small change that add up to bad strategy, and I think these primary fights escalate into blood feuds mainly because of the vicious negativity of some campaign operatives who are mentally accustomed to a win-at-any-cost rationale.” ~ I am a Johnson supporter who has had some “debates” on line with Paul supporters. My experience has been for the most part the struggle to make my way past the ad hominem assaults, and the rabid “fast talkers” who spew a litany of talking points faster than I can type and answer. I make a concerted effort not to “go there” concerning a blood fued. But, I have to say that the Paul campaign using of the Freedom Works pick to announce Rand Paul the “Tea Party Candidate” was especially onerous in my opinion! Kentucky has a very large tea party movement throughout the state. And typical of the movement all across the country it is made up of folks from all walks of life and political parties. It is an organic blend of individuals, with no one particular “leader”. No one understands this better than David Adams, Rand Paul’s campaign manager, who was in on the “first fruits” of the movement in Kentucky and attended many such events, not as a Rand Paul representative. Then to take an obscure pick from a political action committee which does not by any means speak for the entire movement nation or state wide to imply that Rand had been nominated the official representative of the tea party was ‘dirty dog’ politics. Paul’s campaign is a big money machine, exactly what so many of the tea partiers have been protesting. Ironic then that the very person to be driving such a machine, has used it to block protests and then prints a sign saying…I represent the protestors! http://www.kentuckybill.com
Dr David
January 26th, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
Only after weeks of incidious disparaging Internet attacks by Rand Paul supporters against Bill Johnson, his campaign, and his principles, coupled with flagrant representations of Ron/Rand Paul, did they get challenged head on. The Libertarian Party of Kentucky has disavowed Paul. Only today, CM David Adams claims, “Tea Party Picks Rand Paul.” This is patently false and misleading. When the media refuses to fairly represent Johnson and Rand Paulers openly demean him we Johnson supporters will continue to fight the good fight for the best Semate representation of this state and this nation.
The Johnson and Grayson camps have an understanding to stay above politics of personal destruction and stay en pointe.
Ron/Rand Paul continues otherwise. The tent is big and open for all like minded conservatives. If they are libertarian then let them take pride in that and join the Libertarian Party. Don’t attempt to reform the GOP into a Ron/Rand libertarian morph though.
JD
January 26th, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
Well, I see the usual suspects have been here spamming the same screed for Johnson.
I have news for them, there is a fiscally conservative wing in the Republican Party, and to demonize it will not will elections. Moreover, the only possible result to an increase in Johnson’s numbers will be a plurality win for Trey Grayson in the primary. There simply are not enough tea partiers to split them two ways and still have a majority. The bottom line is, Johnson is a spoiler here, without a doubt, and he will not receive any money or backing. The tea parties are and were about FISCAL and MONETARY angst, not social conservatism, so it strikes me as odd for some of these malefactors to be out there spreading lies regarding the positions of other candidates instead of focusing on the substantive issues effecting Kentuckians today.
After weeks of vitriolic personal attacks from disgraced former professionals like Dr. David M. Duncan, he has the gall to suggest that the Grayson and Johnson campaign are staying above the fray of personal attacks? Ludicrous. By the way sir, as Reagan said, the best definition of a conservative is a principled libertarian. Just as the Democrats are attempting to drive a wedge between viable tea-party affiliated candidates and the GOP, so to are these unscrupulous Greyson backers flooding the internet for a backbencher with no chance of victory in either primary or general with the explicit intention of creating a Ross Perot.
JD
January 26th, 2010 @ 10:43 pm
KYGal, How did the evil Paul campaign “use Freedomworks”? Freedomworks is FAR bigger then the Paul campaign, with far more support. It is THEY who constructed that label, and guess what, it fits! The tea parties have been about fiscal conservatism, not social conservatism. You need to check yourself at the door.
Every Rand Paul supporter I have met is a tea partier, and an active one at that. I have no doubt that unless Johnson spoils the election, and draws off enough votes to ensure the RINO’s win, Paul will win in the primary and cruise through the general as polls indicate he will.
Again, Johnson campaign spokesmen have officially accused the Paul campaign of supporting parents murdering their children, aborting the unborn, lynching minorities, hating Jews, preparing the arm America’s enemies, and crowed about campaign members engaging in vandalism! Wow, they sound balanced and thoughtful to me.
Dr David
January 27th, 2010 @ 12:09 am
JD,
Why do you persist in the pesonal attacks?
Disgraced? How so? Try 100% Disabled American Veteran after a near fatal incident in the drug wars, NAVSPECWAR. 13 rib fractures, collapsed lung, broken collar bone, torn subclavian artery, 28 hours of surgery, 6 feet of scars, paralyzed left arm, inevitable amputation at the shoulder, honor untouched. I still work for USSOCOM an NSA.
You hide behind a monogram and dare to call me disgraced?
We’ve never met, blogged, or emailed each other. Wherever do you get your info? You got my name right off the bat. Pretty sharp, JD!
I’ll tell you where. Campaign for Liberty. Ya’ll have been dogging me since I published “The Ran/Ron Paul Schizophrenic Senate Campaign in Kentucky.”
http://nationalwriterssyndicate.com/content/view/1566/2/ .
Have you read my reasons for supporting Bill? http://nationalwriterssyndicate.com/content/view/1516/2/ .
Perhaps you’ve read my story abut Bill as the only sworn Reagan conservative in the race http://nationalwriterssyndicate.com/content/view/1572/2/ .
Mr. McCain and Smitty: JD is one of multiple Campaign for Liberty mercenaries I referred to in my first post. Their nefarious tactics have just now been revealed to you. In one 16 hour marathon session last fall I was denegrated, Navy Hospital Corpsmen were assuaged, and Veterans were demeaned ON VETERAN’s DAY no less. Not once did these people provide a substantive conservative argument for supporting Rand Paul. This is the Rand Paul who told a group of us in May, at his exploratory meeting in Lexington that once elected as a Republican, although a libertarian at heart, his father and he would reform the GOP using libertarian principles.
Dishonest. Disengenuous. Dishonorable.
This is why I declined Rand Paul’s offer, through CM David Adams, to co-manage his campaign in July.
I met Bill at a Tea Party in Lexington. I’ve never seen Paul at three Tea Parties here. I was on board with Bill that night. Two former Naval officers with purpose. I’m a close friend, confidante, and supporter.
When Paul’s Communication Director Chris Hightower attacked me on Dec. 17 I realized that the out of control Rand campaign sees me as a threat to their campaign. Se la vie! Se la guerre! I’m still a steadfast Johnson supporter, albeit a well armed Johnson supporter.
One after another Rand Paul supporter converts to being a Johnson supporter once they meet him and hear him.
You can get that opportunity for 4 minutes here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnKJxZo2b_U&feature=related .
Please sit back and read the “Rand Rants” resulting from this post. Grab a coke and popcorn first though!
Semper Fi! (Former 2MAW Force Recon RESCUE HM3)
Dr. David M. Duncan
NAVSPECWAR
Lexington, KY
ChrisUSAguy
January 27th, 2010 @ 12:40 am
I endorse some of the positions both Ron and Rand hold as to certain domestic policies however, I had the chance to question Rand at an event this past summer regarding the use and application of our armed forces. While I was not specific I quickly concluded that Rand hadn’t much of a clue as to what I wanted to hear so he did a general song and dance verbally on the question. As the months past I noticed the Rand Paul’s campaign had Co-opted the Tea Party and 9/12er movements. Which he is anything but grass roots seeing he is using Dad’s political machine, flying to Texas to raise funds from private persons and corporate donors which in itself is ok in a national campaign. To do this and claim it is Grass roots is disingenuous to say the least. Let’s not forget the Wall Street big money guy Steve Forbes endorsing Rand. What’s wrong with that? Forbes is Wall Street special Interest. One of the exact things we in the Tea Party movement detest about our political system. When in fact Bill Johnson is truly the Republican here not hiding any other political trait. He freely meets with people giving of his time, hours on end day after day on his dime for the most part too. Rand Paul is clearly uncomfortable having to mingle with the average folks. Which is the Tea Party makeup. It is my opinion that the Tea Party crowd is falling in behind Bill Johnson as they hear him speak. I asked Bill Johnson the very same question about the use of the military I had asked Rand. Bill Johnson said “Give the military everything it needs to get the job done and then bring them home” That was the answer I was looking for in a conservative candidate. Without our great volenteers signing up for the services we would be attacked left and right. A strong kick butt military is top priority for this conservative. Everything is stacked behind that issue. My vote is for Bill Johnson!
Lisa Graas
January 27th, 2010 @ 1:06 am
Stacy, I was getting the worst kinds of attacks on my blog comments. My faith has been attacked many different ways. I’ve been accused on many blogs of being paid by the Grayson campaign…..and on and on. I’m just a mom who blogs although I have served on the legislative committee of our state Right to Life and am a former crisis pregnancy counselor. The attacks have been constant, tiring……….and from out of state IP addresses. I’ve been bombarded via email, too. It’s been like running a gauntlet. I make no apologies for my characterizations. It’s mild compared to what they do to me. As you can see from JD’s comments, they say there is no room for social conservatives. They would like us to be irrelevant. In fact, that’s the only reason I am even involved in politics. I don’t care so much about money. I do care about human dignity……….a great deal.
Kygal
January 27th, 2010 @ 2:13 am
JD…”Freedomworks is FAR bigger then the Paul campaign, with far more support. It is THEY who constructed that label, and guess what, it fits! The tea parties have been about fiscal conservatism, not social conservatism. You need to check yourself at the door.”
I would actually have to see the proof on paper before I would believe that Freedomworks is bigger than the gargantuan, world wide ‘elect Rand’ campaign. His coffers are being filled by donations from all around the country AND the world. I hardly think that Freedomworks can boast as big a following. Freedomworks says it has half a million members, I know the Paul’s have them beat!
Freedom works is just a PAC like so many others, except this particular one found a way hook it’s wagon to a segment of the tea party movement…just a segment ONLY. That is the Tea Party Express, which broke away from the original Tea Party Patriots over fiscal conflicts and poor choices made…part of the problem was that Freedom was allowed to get involved.
Here is the story that Adams sites: http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/01/25/tea-party-lists-enemies-of-liberty/?test=latestnews
The article states: “FreedomWorks, the conservative political action committee that is one of the major players with close ties to the Tea Party movement, released its list of 2010 target Senate races and congressional districts today. In the Florida Senatorial race, the group supports conservative Marco Rubio over current Republican Governor Charlie Crist, conservative Pat Toomey over Senator Arlen Specter (D) in Pennsylvania, Rand Paul (R), son of 2008 Presidential Candidate Ron Paul, for the open Senate seat in Kentucky”
Clearly, no where does this paragraph say that Freedomworks IS the Tea Party, or speaks FOR the Tea Party. It is a political action committee trying to take advantage of it’s contact with a segment of the Tea Party movement to enfluence votes. It does not say, as David Adams claims…”Tea Party picks Rand Paul” http://www.randpaul2010.com/2010/01/tea-party-picks-rand-paul/
Like I said, it’s ‘dirty dog’ politics and I predict that once real tea partiers learn that the Paul campaign has co-opted their passion, it’s gonna back lash on Paul.
“The tea parties have been about fiscal conservatism, not social conservatism.” Maybe on the piece of grass you were standing on bubba, but Bill Johnson supports both fiscal and social conservative values and if a poll were taken of all those in the tea party movement,I know the majority would favor conservatives like Bill.
Ron Jones
January 27th, 2010 @ 5:19 am
I’m a Tennessean, and have no dog in the KY fight. My hope though, is that whomever you elect will be as principled a conservative as Jim Bunning, rather than another Mitch McConnell.
After spending some time on Bill Johnson’s site, in the “issues” page, I would offer a suggestion or three:
2nd Amendment: instead of waving the 2A & NRA flag, point out that self-defense is a natural right, and no ancient scrap of paper can change it. Then, wave the http://jpfo.org flag as they are the only such organization working to repeal unconstitutional gun legislation.
Military: “I support preemtive action when our national interests are at stake. I support maintaining our forward deployed military bases.”
I too am a veteran (9-years, Marine Corps Infantry), and say to all detractors that Johnson purchased the right to his opinion with the blank check he made out to the US Government years ago. I will have to agree-to-disagre with him on this, as I believe we are deployed too much, stretched too thin, and are not policement, or “meals on wheels” to the world. (I recommend “A Century of War” by John V. Denson” to all former military men).
Economy: no bailouts, no stimulus, no welfare (corporate or individual). NO subsidies for any entity. Add to that a need for honest money (see http://www.mises.org for details).
Healthcare: a good, not a right. The government has no more business regulating, interfering in health care than it does in regulating the local mani/pedi shop.
Israel: “I will bless them that bless you, and curse them that curse you.” As God’s chosen people, Israel has managed to thrive, despite adversity. They need our prayers, not our money (see ‘Economy’ above). No subsidies also means no foreign aid, if they want to buy weapons, then I’m sure an enterprising corporation will be happy to supply.
Marriage: Marriage is a state issue, it is at the state level where we have the best chance of stopping any encroachment by progressives
Defending life (aka abortion): I am constantly amazed that folks who fancy themselves “conservatives” have the gall to vilify and demean Communist governments. According to “The Black Book of Communism,” that murderous ideology killed 100 Million people in the 20th century. Since 1973 and ‘Roe v Wade,’ America has murdered almost 50 Million innocent children. We’re sacrificing children at a faster clip than any nation in history, and there are hundreds of billions of dollars in, and behind the abortion industry….Yet ignorant conservatives think we can get legislation passed that will circumvent Roe v Wade (even with the progressives on the bench), or even less likely, get an Constitutional Amendment passed tht will overturn RvW and make Abortion illegal. Get a clue, Abortion is best fought at the state level if we want any chance at all of stopping it.
Legalization of Drugs: The “war on drugs” is an abject failure, it has ruined lives, and given police agencies far too much power. Now, the thug with a submachine gun and a ski mask is just as likely to be carrying a six-pointed-star talisman. Property seizure, mandatory minimums. etc…We can look back at the depression and see the folley of Hoover/Roosevelt…Yet, we can’t seem to look back at Prohibition and also see the murderous bloody folly that came from it?
Taxes: Eliminate the IRS first, then repeal the 16th Amendment, THEN pass a sales tax if you must…otherwise, we’ll have a sales tax, then within 10 years, the income tax will be back.
Trade: As long as “fair trade” does NOT involve protectionist tariffs, import restrictions, or “conditions,” it’s a good idea
Illegal immigraion: Want to stop illegal immigration? ELIMINATE ENTITLEMENTS (see “no subsidies” above). Then the only immigrants we’ll have, are the ones that want to work for a living.
Education: No government involvement. Period.
Farm Subsidies: see “no subsidies” When commodity prices fall below a threshold needed to sustain the farm, see Joseph Shumpeter on “creative destruction.”
Aviation User Fees: meh
How about DE-federalize airport security. The TSA is yet another acrnym that should not exist.
Dr. David
January 27th, 2010 @ 6:54 am
Rand Paul’s position on illegal immigration (Exploratory meeting in Lexington, May, ‘09):
“Illegal immigration? I didn’t know there is a problem with illegal immigration. Ive treated them in my practice regardless of their ability to pay. I help (Bowling Green) employers to find jobs for them and churches to find housing for them…they’re good people just trying to find a better way of life.” When I declined to co-manage Paul’s campaign in July I told David Adams that these statements were a large part of my reasons. He told me he agreed that they were going to have to work on a stronger position to address illegal immigration. Right now Rand Paul’s solution seems to be Invisible Fencing and helicopter gunships.
Well, illegal immigration is a big problem in Kentucky, an $80-100 million prison, social services, and educational taxpayer expense problem driven by illegal employers in the horse, agricultural, construction, and service industries. Rand Paul’s home county is second only to Owensboro in its illegal alien population growth. While ignored by Gov. Beshear and many municipalities, illegal immigration contributes significantly to the near 11% unemployment rate. Both state and Lexington governments wrote responses to my Writ of Mandamus, filed in US District Cour,t declaring it’s not their responsibility to verify eligibility for social services obtained by illegal alien recipients http://nationalwriterssyndicate.com/content/view/678/2/ .
Aiding and abetting illegal immigration stimulates human trafficking which has shattered millions of nuclear families in Latin America via the exodus of the male labor force, reducing entire communities from subsistence level to survival level economies. The Juarez and Mexican Federation drug cartels, MS13, and Latin Kings are active in Kentucky due to non-enforcement of federal immigration law. Indentured servitude, prostitution, and domestic violence result from the failure to address illegal immigration.
Rand Paul on illegal immigration last May: “I didn’t know there is a problem with illegal immigration.”
That is a problem. A severe problem.
Erica Coyle
January 27th, 2010 @ 7:37 am
Stacy, good article! I too, have seen the malicious attacks coming from Paul supporters much like you see when you are debating a liberal and they suddenly resort to name calling and using vile language. A true sign they are loosing the debate. The outcome of this primary remains to be seen at the moment but I can tell you that support for Bill Johnson is gaining momentum, that is why we are seeing all of these attacks. Johnson remains true to form of being for the will of the people and not self serving as we see most of the people that end up going to Washington to represent us. It is his dedication to our constitution, his strong military experience and his background in energy that has got my attention. His stance on pro-life issues are very important to me both as a Catholic, nurse and as a woman in general. His appeal is greatly seen by the people of the “tea party” movements as we are tired of poor representation from our elected officials. Johnson will be getting my vote this May and I will continue to rally support and help spread his message via family, friendships and the general social media outlets that as we saw with Brown in Massachusetts can have a great impact.
Ron Jones
January 27th, 2010 @ 9:27 am
@Dr. David
“Rand Paul on illegal immigration last May: “I didn’t know there is a problem with illegal immigration.”
That is a problem. A severe problem.”
Paul’s got it half right, and you’ve got it half right. There is a problem, on that we can all agree. But the problem isn’t with the illegal immigration.
The problem [and the primary incentive] is theft by force, like H.L. Mencken once said “Every election is a sort of advance auction of stolen goods.”
We send our representatives to the state house with instructions to rob our friends, neighbors, family and acquaintances…all to pay for our kids compulsory government-sponsored “education,” our retirement, grandma’s health care, etc ad nauseum.
Parasites in this country and others will break the law to come in and bleed us dry. Laws against illegal immigration are like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound.
Want to stop illegal immigration? Stop giving away taxpayers money to subsidize parasitic behavior.
Kygal
January 27th, 2010 @ 10:40 am
Ron,You said…”I’m a Tennessean, and have no dog in the KY fight.” And yet, by your defense of Rand Paul and his positions, or rather the libertarian positions, you make it clear that you do indeed have a ‘dog in the fight’
http://www.kentuckybill.com
Rae
January 27th, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
I don’t know any tea party people who are comfortable with Rand Paul’s foreign policy.
Lots of Gore voters in the “Big Tent,” I see. Not for nothing but, Ron and Rand’s views are not the same.
As a pro-life (paleo)libertarian-(paleo)conservative Christian, I’m extremely “uncomfortable” with the GOP’s jettisoning of the Just War Theory in favor of ubercostly preemptive perpetual nation-building wars (those kill babies too, ya know), the advocating of torture (of which, if you might recall, our Lord was a victim), and its continued assaults on our Constitutional rights in the name of “national security.” You lost (Statist) sheep are in my prayers.
War, torture, sanctions, higher military budgets — are these the four pillars of modern conservatism?
Don’t kid yourselves, “conservatives.” Americans are sick of your perpetual nation-building wars and policing the world. There’s nothing conservative about the wars you CINO Bush GOPers continue to advocate.
Stacy linked to this last year. It’s worth repeating:
A Hypocrisy That Can Win Again
And? Stop your whining and grow some thicker skin already. You sure can dish it out though, can’t ya? Us “Paultards” have been called everything by our fellow GOPers but collect and late for supper. Trust me, you get used to it. So man up and stop embarrassing your hypocritical selves by pitching TTs when you’re given a taste of your own medicine.
May the best man win.
(Where’s the preview, Stacy?)
Dr David
January 27th, 2010 @ 1:55 pm
Libertarian GOP Presidential candidate Ron Paul received 13,000 votes in Kentucky. Now he claims we’re being taken over by the CIA so we must abolish it, an opinion Rand has not reputed.
Bill Johnson’s priorities are national security, economy, energy, illegal immigration, Pro-life, 2nd Amendment rights, and abolish the IRS (Fair Tax), Department of the Interior and the Department of Education, returning those responsibilities to the states.
Rae, did you have something supportive of a candidate’s platform to contribute?
Danielle See
January 27th, 2010 @ 8:06 pm
I would respectfully request that the poster JD check his facts regarding statements made by a Johnson Campaign spokesman.
There are only two official Johnson campaign spokespeople, myself the Deputy Campaign Manager and Mr. Bill Johnson. Unless the statement came from one of us it is not an offical campaign statement. We cannot be responsible for what a member of the general public publishes. NONE of the statements attributed to our campaign in JD’s post have been given by a Johnson Campaign spokesperson.
I am referencing his/her post here on January 26th, 2010 @ 10 43.
”
Again, Johnson campaign spokesmen have officially accused the Paul campaign of supporting parents murdering their children, aborting the unborn, lynching minorities, hating Jews, preparing the arm America’s enemies, and crowed about campaign members engaging in vandalism! Wow, they sound balanced and thoughtful to me.”
Angela Thorn
January 28th, 2010 @ 1:32 am
Heh! I read your stuff quite a bit – thanks for recognizing that not all Ron Paul primary voters are absolute heathens.
I really am amused at the comments here – there are more Johnson supporters reacting than Paul supporters?
The time, they are a changin’! I’ll bet you remember when the mere mention of Ron Paul would guarantee an easy 100 comments.
Finally, I respect Lisa’s opinion, and she certainly has a point, but I certainly don’t think she speaks for the Church. Rand Paul already got an endorsement from one of the biggest pro-life women’s groups in the country, so he must have a legitimate position in somebody’s opinion.
I honestly think don’t think that Grayson’s position on abortion is essentially any different than Paul’s. Both would support an pro-life amendment, and both would support Roe-V-Wade being overturned. Yet Lisa never mentions Grayson – that’s where the speculation of Johnson being a Grayson attack dog comes from.
Dr David
January 28th, 2010 @ 10:40 am
Angela, Please provide the names of the pro-life women’s group you reference. It’s not on Paul’s website. What is there is “Tea Party Picks Rand Paul.” Would you please provide the proper link to confirm that claim? Thank you.
Johnson does indeed have a lot of support on this blog. That’s due to the fact that Johnson has a lot of Kahn-tuk-kee (Cherokee). grassroots supporters. We are conducting an intensive Internet based operation whereby we survey the web, publications, radio interviews, press releases, blogs, and YouTube posts for personal disparagements and campaign misrepresentations, opponents or their supporters’ stated inaccuracies, inconsistencies or falsehoods, and historical context.
The times are, indeed a changin’. Once challenged on the above criterea those who are unable to debate substantive facts have stopped. Hence your observation that there USED to be 100 Paul comments. Just the facts, ma’am!
The world is watching as these are perilous times and this is a critical election.
We don’t speak for Bill. Bill speaks for Bill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RucOAl_MEY0 .
We do intend, however, to end the practice of Internet bullying by Campaign for Liberty or anyone else who tries to speak out of their ear in the name and representation of a candidate.
If the candidate did not say it, don’t write it. If he did, defend it.
We are many, in Kentucky, and our reputation is growing. We are Bill’s Special Forces Bloggers at http://www.save2010.com .
Ky Reagan Conservative
January 28th, 2010 @ 11:37 am
Great post Stacy.
I have been supporting Bill Johnson since late August and personally have been on the receiving end of the actions preformed by Paul supporters. One follows me around to different forums all around the net trying to convert me to a Paul supporter its been going on for months now. It is nearing stalking proportion. One event in-particular was the Boone county Republican Christmas party. The whole Paul crowd were rude,disrespectful and belligerently DRUNK. The crowd consisted of about 40 Paul supporters. Now, I have nothing against drinking as I myself had a couple glasses of wine. Paul’s 5 minute speech consisted of berating others and jokes that were in very bad taste. While congressman Geoff Davis spoke, both tables made it a point to try to talk him down with their loud and rude talking, laughter and in general, noise making. People at other tables all looked towards them in disgust. Maybe they were upset because Bill Johnson was the only one that received a standing ovation after his speech. Every time I encounter a Paul supporter on or off line they are consist to show their lack of respect for America , Americans and humans that might disagree with them in general about Ron or Rand Paul. So you see it was not the Johnson supporters that started this feud but the Paulians. As for Paul’s so called endorsements those are only an extension of his dear Ole Libertarian daddy’s influence. Connect the dots and you find they make one big circle right back to Ron! No surprise. As for the endorsements of the pro-life group most of them are more worried about their fat paychecks than trying to stop abortion or we would not still be killing babies WHOLESALE in America after 40 years, now would we!!!!
http://www.kentuckybill.com
Dr David
January 28th, 2010 @ 11:42 am
Asking Angela to provide documentation of the reference endorsement and substantiation of Rand Paul’s claim on his website as being the Tea Party pick seems reasonable.
I would like to pass that qualified and confirmed information for accuracy purposes to Bill’s Special Forces Bloggers at http://blogsforjohnson.blogspot.com/ . You can join Bill’s Special Forces at http://www.save2010.com
Crimefyter
January 28th, 2010 @ 1:49 pm
I sent this off to Freedom Works and hopefully I’ll get a response. Not to worry, I won’t be holding my breath.
Is the Tea Party Movement Truly Relevant?
Lately I’ve been wondering more and more if there is an expiration date on the Tea Party Movement. It’s always been my understanding that the movement was about finding and cultivating everyday average American citizens to run for office and replace the corrupt office holders in Washington, D.C. Have I been naïve or sadly mistaken in assuming this to be its main function?
I raise the question because it’s becoming apparent that the Rand Paul Campaign is doing all it can to co-opt the Tea Party Movement. Case in point:
Freedom Works recently issued a “candidates to watch” list which included the likes of Rand Paul. In typical fashion, the Paul Campaign took what I consider poetic license and claimed this mention as an endorsement. What is it that makes Rand Paul think he is the chosen one of the Tea Party Movement?
Let’s take a look at Rand Paul’s endorsements. He recently obtained one from Gun Owners of America. We learned that GOA gave the endorsement because Paul’s campaign is financially healthy and because of the long lasting relationship between the organization and Ron Paul. Rand Paul also obtained the endorsement of Steve Forbes. No big surprise there. Can anyone say daddy’s influence?
There’s a lot of commentary about Bill Johnson polling poorly. Most polls allude to him polling barely over 2%. This poll was over 5 months old. I find this laughable because I have personal knowledge of the fact that several polls were taken without Bill Johnson even being mentioned as a candidate. The drawback for Bill in this regard is that he is basically ignored when it comes to public debates and other speaking engagements. The other better-known and better-connected candidates never fail to get an invite and are treated like royalty.
Fundraising is another factor where people chastise Bill Johnson. It seems that he can’t be considered as a viable candidate because he financed $250,000.00 of his own money. “Fiscally Irresponsible” is the term they use to disparage him. Those of us who know Bill could not disagree more. It is rather attributes such as character and integrity that best describe him. If Bill had an endorsement from some big name politico such as Palin or DeMint, don’t you think that everyone would instantly hop on the proverbial band wagon? I tend to think so.
While some campaigns are out following the same old play book that’s been utilized forever, Bill Johnson is out campaigning the hard old-fashioned way, or as some may say, the right way. This includes one on one talks with citizens of Kentucky, while walking through various neighborhoods. Bill Johnson does meet and greets wherever the road takes him. With the highest of spirits and nary a complaint, Bill plugs along more confident than one would normally expect. It’s this type of attitude and drive that attract the people of Kentucky to his campaign. We like to call it the drip, drip, dripping of one voter at a time. Nearly every day we who volunteer, partake in Bill’s contagious, upbeat attitude when he sends us an email that simply reads:
Great job this past week everyone.
80,000 papers were distributed
Commercials are running in Louisville, Lexington, NKY
Amazing blog impact on many articles
We got listed on the NRSC website
Press Issued a great release on global warming that generated comments
Several new events were scheduled
We are invited to the Senate debates
Bill’s special forces is growing
I received several calls from new volunteers
We are now mentioned in AP releases with the other candidates
TV in Lexington acknowledged our campaign.
We are doing fantastic as a team. Lets remain on the offensive.
Thank you for the hard work. We are winning!
Best Regards,
Twitter @BillJohnson2010
Mobile 270-847-6511
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?
In closing my point is simple, the real grassroot candidate is trampled upon by the very politician and political machinery that the grassroots movement was meant to defeat. I pray that the voters of Kentucky are paying very close attention. We will continue to support and fight for Bill Johnson.
John
January 28th, 2010 @ 11:45 pm
The vehement rage coming from Johnson supporters is difficult to comprehend. By smearing supporters and candidate alike with all sorts of wild accusations, and refusing to even concede that there are principled, conscientious conservatives who see things differently, you guys are not going to build a winning coalition. The Republican party consists of social and fiscal conservatives. This year is the year of the fiscal conservative, not the social conservative. Johnson is a social conservative without any credentials or leadership in advocating the free-market. Dr. Paul has been a Kentucky State leader for 20 years in this fight.
Dr. David, you asked what major pro-life group endorsed Rand Paul, try Concerned Women For America, the LARGEST conservative pro-life group in the country.
JD
January 29th, 2010 @ 12:02 am
Johnson is just plain WRONG on the 14th Amendment. it means what it says, and only restricts the States. I found this posted as a comment on Bill’s site:
http://supreme.justia.com/us/529/598/index.html
The principle is firmly embedded in our constitutional law that the action inhibited by the Fourteenth Amendment is only such action as may fairly be said to be that of the States. That Amendment erects NO SHIELD against merely private conduct, however discriminatory or wrongful.”
“The Fourteenth Amendment prohibits a State from depriving any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law, but this adds nothing to the rights of one citizen as against another. It simply furnishes an additional guarantee against any encroachment by the States upon the fundamental rights which belong to every citizen as a member of society.”
That coming from the 5 conservative justices on the U.S. Supreme Court…
KYGAL, you are alleging that Rand Paul is breaking federal laws by accepting donations from foreigners? That’s a pretty tough claim, what evidence do you have to back that up?
Dr. David, your service to this country does not entitle you to be a boor.
Freedomworks is not “the tea party” but it, and the IDEAS it represents, surely are a massive portion of it.
Lisa, no one ever suggested that there is no room for social conservatives in the Republican Party, I merely suggested that this year, the tea party movement has brought FISCAL conservatism to the forefront.
Erica, it’s odd to me that you do not condemn Dr. David for smearing Rand Paul supporters, calling them: “grossly detached and delusional supporters who eschew their own psychotic delusions”.
You say we smear people? Wow, that’s fresh.
Danielle See: You are indeed responsible for some of the utterly reprehensible vitriol coming out of venomous people like Lisa Graas, you have linked to her screeds accusing Paul of advocating infanticide.
You folks need to find peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. I will pray for you, and will vote for Rand Paul. Btw, I convinced 5 people to support Rand in the primary today.
Cherrio, keep up your chat-room bash-sessions!
Dr David
January 29th, 2010 @ 2:07 am
OK, JD, that about wraps things up. We can all go home since you have cast the definitive answers before us. Obama himself isn’t that capable!
You could have saved us a lot of time if you’d have simply stated your not-to-ever-be-challenged-or-questioned assessments earlier. Heck, why waste all The Peple’s time and money with a foolish election? Let’s give Prince Randi his coronation TODAY!
In the morning would also you please reconcile, once and for all time and for all humanity, the Theory of Gravity, the Theory of Evolution, the Theory of Relativity, and the Theory of Campaign for Liberty: Might makes right?
Write your unchallengeable solutions here, OK? I don’t Twitter.
The gall you have! Your presumptuous “opinion” of the 14th, the Supremes’ mindsets, the Constitution, Paul’s thoughts, and Johnson’s positions are simply astounding!
Call me names. Sticks and stones…You know that one, right (Campaign for Liberty bullies v. DAV, et al, 2010). Which branch did you serve in, by the way? I don’t recall reading that on Southworth’s or Adams FB pages.
Don’t hide, JD. You’re the Campaign for Liberty’s heavy hitter. Be a respectable gentleman and let us know who you are and where you live. Not in KY, eh? That dog don’t hunt!
Freedomworks is a pass through 501(c)3, 501(c)4, 527, PAC for which the term “astroturf” was first applied.
FreedomWorks is primarily funded by individual donations. According to the self-proclaimed progressive media watchdog group Media Matters for America information center, FreedomWorks has also received funding from Verizon and SBC (now AT&T). [9]Other FreedomWorks funders have included Philip Morris and foundations controlled by the conservative Scaife family, according to tax filings and other records. [10] [11]It also receives funding through the sale of insurance policies through which policyholders automatically become members of FreedomWorks. [12]
FreedomWorks is closely tied to its founder, corporate lobbyist and former Republican Congressman Dick Armey, whose former lobbying firm DLA Piper that he resigned in August 2009, represents Bristol Myers Squibb, among other pharmaceutical companies. [13][14] (Wikipedia)
Gentlemen do not beat up on ladies, JD. I guess that rules you out! (Campaign for Liberty Bullies v. Johnson for Senate 2010 women supporters ). You’ve lost the substantive arguments so now you choose to resort to cyber-intimidation.
Not if I have anything to say about it, buckaroo! Your FB picture with Justice O’Conner is sweet. You must be proud. Your words and false logic betray whatever trust and respect she may have had for you a long time ago. She would never have appreciated your lack of manners.
The final insult of yours is to invoke JC at the end of your deleterious diatribe. I don’t always know WWJD but I certainly know it wouldn’t be that.
Now, JD, my wanna-be-lawyer. Read this closely. I am a doctor. As such I make diagnosis. Since it’s been my history to work with large population groups I learned that the clarifyer “mass” when added to a diagnosis implies shared disorders. Since I was PTSD trained in the VA and was once adjudicated as an Expert Witness in Forensic Emergency Psychiatry I am qualified to assess not only the Paulers’ mental illnesses but your’s, too.
You fit. “Grossly detached and delusional supporters who eschew their own psychotic delusions.” Your’s, in particular, are grandiosity and megalomania.
Be sure to read my assessment of the Campaign for Liberty/Rand/Ron Paul crowd sometime http://nationalwriterssyndicate.com/content/view/1566/2/
I always enjoy sharing this with the nation and the world. It sheds light on your crowds’ pathologies and Rand/Ron Paul’s campaign structure.
P.S. – The Brits stopped using “Cheerio” 40 years ago. Catch up, dude!
Kygal
January 29th, 2010 @ 2:56 am
JD wrote: “KYGAL, you are alleging that Rand Paul is breaking federal laws by accepting donations from foreigners? That’s a pretty tough claim, what evidence do you have to back that up.”
I never said anything close to that JD. Which is a good example of your exagerations all throughout your posts.
You whine about the “vehement” posts by Johnson supporters, and I can fill the page with links to denegrating remarks lobbed by Paul supporters.
I know this much…we are a hodge podge of tea party activists, who have found the real Conservative candidate in this race. Bill Johnson is a fiscal AND social conservative and that suits us fine. He most closely reflects the high hopes we all had when we held our home made signs at tea parties and rallies last year. Bill Johnson is an “everyday guy” just like so many that have had enough with BIG POLITICS, as usual.
I know from personal experience that Rand Paul is an ungrateful opportunist, who moves from speaking engagement to photo op, like so many of the “better than you”, “I’m not listening” politicians which already pack Washington!
Lisa Graas
January 29th, 2010 @ 3:27 am
Benjamin (a.k.a. “J.D.”) wrote:
Again, Johnson campaign spokesmen have officially accused the Paul campaign of supporting parents murdering their children, aborting the unborn, lynching minorities, hating Jews, preparing the arm America’s enemies, and crowed about campaign members engaging in vandalism!
Benjamin, I am not a “Johnson campaign spokesman”. I am a mom who blogs. You are the person who wrote that states have Constitutional authority to allow parents to kill their toddlers. You wrote that. Further, you’ve again made the same ostensibly Constitutional argument here in this thread. I posted the screen shot from David Adams’ Facebook page where you wrote it. I have a question for you. Are you “the Paul campaign”?
I have never accused the Paul campaign of “aborting the unborn”. I did share with my readers that National Right to Life’s Dave Andrusko told me, through both NRLC’s legislation committee and its PAC, that if abortion is turned over to the states (Rand Paul’s preference) then it would nullify the federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act “among other things”. I also shared American Life League president Judie Brown’s quote (which I got from her personally when I inquired) that the abortion bill Paul supports is properly termed to be “proabortion” not even merely “prochoice”.
I’ve never accused the Paul campaign of “lynching minorities”. I reported on the fact that Paul’s campaign coordinator had a photo of a lynched black man on his MySpace page for over a year along with the caption “Happy “N****r Day” (though the word was spelled out on his page. I also shared information about the conversation I had with him in which he told me that the 14th amendment was “just to free the slaves” and that it doesn’t apply to the rest of us. (Actually, the 13th amendment freed the slaves.)
I’ve never said the Paul campaign “hates Jews”. I reported that the White Power movement loves him (providing many quotes) and are emboldened by his views regarding Israel.
I never said that the Paul campaign is “preparing to arm America’s enemies”. I played the video of Rand Paul saying that Gitmo detainees should be sent “back to their country of origin” including specifically “Afghanistan” and further “it would take them a while to get back over here.”
I did not “crow about campaign members engaging in vandalism”. I did a satirical piece entitled “Sunday Funnies” where I poked fun at both the Paul and Grayson campaigns. It was a JOKE.
DaleOIFVet
January 29th, 2010 @ 5:50 am
Wow.. just joining you folks.. Work is keeping me very busy… but just scanning over some of the posts.. “The Rand Klan” is really upset. The Maturity Level is extremely low for people who claim the are trying to Change the nation. That kind of Change is what got Obama in Office.. That kind of Change I can do with out.
It is real obvious that the “Rand Klan” are not business professionals- they are not people with Military Careers and real practical experience in life.. it seems the Majority are college frat kids who toke on a little weed now and then and want State’s Rights so they could have their socially liberal candidate in office.
You’ll have to excuse me – I have a hard time being Polite sometimes, my BS detector goes off and the Law Enforcement Officer in me goes off and I feel I need to pull a Joe Wilson and say “YOU LIE!”
When will these Juveniles Learn?
CindyLou
January 29th, 2010 @ 6:24 am
What an interesting collection of political rhetoric. I recognise many of the names as well as stated positions in these comments from surfing the many sites on the net. I can attest to Lisa’s plight above as being a frequent reader of her blogs. Many of my church group friends also ascribe to her views and we were equally put off by the bashing she recieved by the cyber bully Benjamin. I see he claims he converted 5 voters for Rand. He failed to mentioned he lost at least 15 due to his prior postings on Lisa’s blog. A small group representing our church is traveling to Lexington to see and hear Bill Johnson and Dr. Keyes at the Republican Rally. We are excited to get to meet them both. We have been impressed with Mr. Johnson’s views on issues important to us. His little newspaper caught my eye some time ago and I’ve been a supporter since. Everybody needs to just get with Jesus as there is too much evil in the world.
Erica Coyle
January 29th, 2010 @ 8:58 am
J.D. My position remains unchanged! However, I would like to point out to you as I stated in my post above that I am a Catholic, nurse and a woman. No where in my post did I claim to be on any social morality police force! That being said, Dr. David has every right as you do to speak your mind, given that at this point in our history our 1st amendment rights remain intact. With that being said, I do think Dr.David to be well versed and have not read anything to which I took offense or disagreed. You stated, “You folks need to find peace through our Lord Jesus Christ. I will pray for you.” I would like to thank you for the prayers, I strongly believe they are the most powerful against everything evil and vile in this world. I would like to remind you however that whenever you invoke the name of our Lord that you do so with a pure heart and with the purest intentions for Our Father knows all and can see, feel and hear our most inner thoughts. So JD it doesn’t matter to me how many people you get to vote for Rand Paul, be it 5, 15, or 20. This is not a game, this is about our future and about who can serve us best in these dire times we face and it appears they are only going to get worse before they get better. That sir, is why I am supporting Bill Johnson because I feel that he is the man that can serve our state best. When it all comes down to it, it truly is about DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY…..
J.W. Kingsley
January 29th, 2010 @ 10:02 am
I like Bill Johnson’s stance on education, family values and pro-life, taxes and energy. I am adamantly against the murder of the innocent unborn. His answers to my questions were unequivocal, not the typical “beat around the bush” answers of the typical politician. Bill Johnson is even putting up his own money as a candidate. That speaks volumes to me. As a mom of three children, I have to worry about their future and how I’m going to provide for them. I’m confident that Mr. Johnson will be reperesenting the people of Kentucky while serving in the U.S. Senate.
Chris Thiele
January 29th, 2010 @ 11:39 am
JD or Ben?
I have to laugh at you and your spastic reactions in your support for Rand Paul. I once supported the man myself and I have the fortitude to admit I made a uninformed decision at the time. Sounds like you are perfect in mind and spirit. Just not willing to admit you too made a mistake?
Ron Paul rec’vd 13k votes in the Presidential run? Lol sounds like you have hitched your wagon to a set of dead horses?
John Clark
January 30th, 2010 @ 12:40 pm
I am happy to see so many positive comments about the upcoming Primary. Back in the Summer of ‘09 I too was looking to Rand Paul as my choice for U.S. Senate.
Then on 9-11-09 I attended a 9-11 Pork Raost and met Bill Johnson, after listening to his Message, watching his responses, and researching each of the Campaigns over the next months, my choice has changed.
Bill’s slogan “Duty, Honor, Country” bespeaks the Beliefs and Honesty of the Man who I trust to uphold the Constitution and Integrity of both Kentucky and The United States of America.
No matter which “official” Party or “no affiliation” you may hold true that Bill Johnson will equally represent “We The People”.
Dr. David
January 30th, 2010 @ 3:52 pm
Had enough, Ben, JD, Recent College Grad w/o a Job, Wanna be Atty, or whomever you decide to post as? Your style, substance, content, crap, cut & paste abilities, and sordid character attacks are easily recognized all over the net. Say what you want about whatever or whomever you wish but if you or your Campaign for Liberty bloggers go after Johnson over anything but factual respresentations of his campaign or of him as a man then expect Bill’s Special Forces Bloggers to challnge you.
(Internet Truth Surveillance and Rapid Response Teams)
Undecided Voter
January 30th, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
I have not yet decided who I will be supporting in the KY Senate primary, but a few things are starting to sway my vote. By the way, Grayson is out of the question – I’m deciding between Paul and Johnson. First, I follow the Facebook pages and comments regarding Paul and Johnson. I have taken the time to ask questions to get more information on each candidate. My overall impression is that Johnson supporters have been willing to answer my questions, while Paul supporters have come across as very condescending. That in itself does not necessarily sway my vote, but please do not say that Johnson’s supporters have been the negative ones. Second, I have seen and spoken to Paul’s CM, David Adams, several times. I understand that Mr. Adams will not be the one going to Washington, but Dr. Paul could have chosen a much better representative for his campaign. I have been to events that Dr. Paul did not bother to attend, and I have found Mr. Adams to be uninspiring, sarcastic, apathetic, and even downright rude at times. I am afraid, as you mention, that Johnson and Paul will split the TEA party votes and give the primary victory to Grayson. I’m not sure that Mr. Johnson can compete with the name recognition that will help Dr. Paul. However, I felt the need to “weigh in” and argue with the apparent assumption that Johnson supporters are so much more negative than Paul supporters.
STEVE HAMLIN
January 30th, 2010 @ 9:43 pm
WOW!!!!! Debate is fun isnt it!
Okay I will just say this again. Take a look at each of the canidates resumes’ real close. Then try to look at it as if you were going to hire them to be in charge of the most valuable things in your life ie…. FAMILY,FRIENDS,WEALTH,PROPERTY,FREEDOM,HEALTH,ETC….
Look at their past performance, their beliefs, their qualifications and who they surround themselves with! I have research all three canidates.
Trey was the easiest because he has been in the public eye the longest in Kentucky politics.Trey can talk a good talk but who does he walk for?
Rand follows as far as exposure being that his father is a career politician. Rand is a well respected surgeon who has been involved in Kentucky for a while but has nothing substantial to show for his efforts. He has run a small business and created some jobs.
Bill went to war and was Decorated multiple times for his service in a time of war. He also served honorably with the US Coast Guard in the war on drugs and protecting out boarders.
Since leaving the service Bill has continued to distinguish himself in the business world working all over the world. He has over seen multi million dollar budgets and proven to be a strong business leader in the international community.
We live on a very small planet where decisions about our National Security and Economic Security require the most experienced minds possible! We also must have people of character who we can look at their past and have to see where they are going.
Trey clearly has proven that he will go where the political winds blow and for that is not even a consideration.
Rand has some good ideas on some things but we must look only to his father career to see the apple does not fall far from the tree. Now his father is sending more and more people into our state to try and have an effect on our election. He is as I type in Louisville at a $500.00 event here to raise money to influence our Kentucky election.
When you look at the men in this race and their past their is only one canidate for the Conservative people of Kentucky!
KentuckyBill.com
Kim Hamlin
January 30th, 2010 @ 9:46 pm
I met Bill Johnson a few months ago and after answering my questions, I was sure that he would be the candidate I would vote for because: 1) he didn’t have to stop and think about what he was going to say before he said it to ensure he told me what he thought I wanted to hear, he answered from his gut, not caring if he got the answer “wrong”, 2) Rand Paul has no other experience besides opthamology and 3) Trey Grayson is just another politician in the establishment causing all the problems. Bill Johnson stood beside me, he didn’t talk over me and more than anything else, he listened. I first became interested in politics because of Bill Clinton, but I changed my party affiliation to be able to vote for Bill Johnson.
Alvin Ambers
January 30th, 2010 @ 11:45 pm
I am strongly inclined to support Bill Johnson as he is more in line with Conservative values, and I hope he wins the Republican nomination. However, if Rand Paul did win the nomination, I consider it tantamount to shooting oneself in the foot to vote for a Democrat who is entirely less desirable and less likely to serve Conservative ends than is a Libertarian/Republican. Were Trey Grayson a Zell Miller-type Democrat, I could understand preferring him over some Republicans, but he is not. Rand Paul has to be a better bet for Conservatives than Grayson, si I’m somewhat mystified that someone would vote for the one least likely to serve Conservative principles. Because the most Conservative candidate didn’t win the nomination one would give their support to the “enemy”? Those who dislike Paul enough not to vote for him would serve Conservatisim better if they simply didn’t vote. It doesn’t make any sense to help someone get elected to the seat who is more contrary to our values.
This is reminiscent of the sentimentally understandable but none-the-less pragmatically ludicrous notion of voting out all the incumbents. You CAN’T vote anyone out. There is no facility on the ticket for voting someone out. If you vote, you have to vote for SOMEone. If we in Kentucly aren’t totally happy with Mitch McConnell, and Michael Moore could somehow win the Democratic nomination to run against him, would we vote for Moore just to get McConnell out?
If we decry Liberalism for it’s feel-good, Utopianistic ideology, then shouldn’t we advance Conservatism as being predicated on level-headed, well-considered observations? If Obama and the Liberal Democrats are flailing on the ropes in bewilderment from not having gotten the whole pie (and actually settled for relatibe crumbs) when by the numbers it was their’s, then we need to take good measure of the opportunity.
Lisa Graas
January 31st, 2010 @ 1:54 am
As a Catholic I am obligated to vote. I can’t just stay home on election day. It is my duty to vote. As a Republican, I cannot vote for any candidate who sayst things like this:
http://genuinegopmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/rand-paul-on-guantanamo-bay.html
The Democrats are not more extreme than Paul is on Gitmo detainees. Further, Paul is more extreme than the Democrats on abortion. American Life League president is right when she says Paul’s abortion legislation is properly termed “proabortion” and not merely “prochoice”. I’m rather vote for a man who doesn’t understand personhood and believes he is voting for choice than to vote for a man who agrees the unborn are persons but states can allow abortion ANYWAY.
This is really a no-brainer, folks. Many conservatives here in Kentucky have told me that they will have to vote for the Democrat if Paul wins because of one or both of these things. Rand Paul is not a conservative. He is the benefactor of political nepotism backed by an out of state machine who has extreme positions that conservatives in Kentucky cannot stomach. The sooner conservatives outside Kentucky understand this and start speaking out against it, the better. I’m sick of seeing endorsements come in for a candidate who does not represent Kentucky conservatives. Look at this report regarding the Ron/Rand Paul rally in Louisville today.
http://genuinegopmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/ron-and-rand-paul-draw-crowd-of-300-in.html
Those who have endorsed Rand Paul have done so prematurely. Johnson is within ten points of Paul and Grayson who are tied, with a large percentage undecided. The more people find out about Johnson, the more they jump on the Johnson campaign bandwagon with fire in their bellies. That is the reality here in the Bluegrass State. Reagan Rally in Lexington tomorrow (January 31), btw. Stay tuned.
http://genuinegopmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/reagan-rally-for-conservatives-to-be.html
DaleOIFVet
January 31st, 2010 @ 7:13 am
I have always voted – I have never missed a vote ever. BUT this time whenI go if Bill Johnson’s name is not on the ballot I will skip that office vote – I will vote on the other offices. I cannot support a man like Rand.
I promised in the Last election with McCain- I will NEVER vote for a person Just because of their party. This is the first election since that time and I promise you – I will Never Vote For Someone Just Because They Are Running As A Republican.
I was thinking about voting for Rand – before I got to know Bill Johnson. I was turned Off by Rand and His Cult.
Lisa Graas
January 31st, 2010 @ 9:25 am
Dale is right. I feel the same way. We are not “supporting the party” by voting for candidates who have positions that are SERIOUSLY opposed to the platform. That is why it was right for so many to support Hoffman in NY23 who was not running as a Republican. You can’t expect me to vote for Rand Paul any more than you could expect me to vote for Scozzafava if I were in NY23.
Erica Coyle
January 31st, 2010 @ 9:32 am
Dale, I too am turned off. Recently I asked to be taken off the mailing list of Campaign 4 Liberty, I had gone to one meeting after meeting them at a tea party in Louisville. Instead a polite thank you and bidding my request I was repeatedly attcked by a Rand Paul supporter who said I needed to study the constittution with one breath and then in another email made the erroneous statement that our Constitution is for “all the people of the world” and that they [terrorist] should be given a fair trial as they are children of God! Makes you wonder how they came to that conclusion as our constitution is an American Document founded by the very forefathers that left Europe too seek freedom from the oppression, oppression much like we have now! Bill Johnson is truly a man of HONOR-DUTY-COUNTRY. He will get my vote and I will continue to rally around his cause and see that he brings it home not only for KY but for America! http://www.bill@kentuckybill.com
Lisa Graas
January 31st, 2010 @ 11:45 am
Erica, we could never have won WWII if America were run by these people. These people behind the Pauls are fringe and do not represent Kentucky values. Unfortunately, right now, most Kentuckians are in a bit of a shock because of the immediate dangers of rampant spending that is destroying our economy……and the only candidates getting good coverage are one supported by the NRSC and one supported by fringe Paulites from around the country who can’t even vote here. When Kentuckians hear about Johnson, they have moments of “epiphany”, get excited and jump on board the Johnson campaign train headed for D.C.
I was being bombarded with commenters for Rand Paul until I started monitoring IP addresses and denying those not commenting from within the state. It cut them all off. Every single one. Not one was in Kentucky. So, I’ve lightened up to let a couple of them through as long as they are respectful. For a couple of weeks we’ve had ONE Paul supporter because he can manage to be respectful, and he is commenting from Memphis, TN. This morning we got one from Indiana. Sigh.
Kelley Matthews
January 31st, 2010 @ 12:26 pm
This might not make much sense to many of you but I’m a retired law-enforcement officer from Chicago. Gut “instinct” was the one major attribute that allowed me to survive the 24 years I worked in Violent Crimes. Now as then my gut “instinct”, after investigating the postions of all five candidates that were interested in running for this office, has me supporting Bill Johnson for the U.S. Senate in Kentucky. He’s not only the right choice for Kentucky but also the right choice for the Country.
Angela Thorn
January 31st, 2010 @ 6:09 pm
Dr. D, Sorry so late with my reply! You can reach me at the blog I link to if you want…I didn’t think to read these comments again! The group I was referring to was the Concerned Women Of America, who claim to be “the nation’s largest public policy women’s organization, with a rich 30-year history of helping our members across the country bring Biblical principles into all levels of public policy.”
Dr. David
February 1st, 2010 @ 12:50 am
That must not be the same as the two national groups who say that Paul’s states rights position would overturn the federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban and would defacto be a pro-abortion position, would it?
That’s even more extreme than Pro-choice, isn’t it?
Eric
February 1st, 2010 @ 8:33 am
“That must not be the same as the two national groups who say that Paul’s states rights position would overturn the federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban and would defacto be a pro-abortion position, would it?”
So what you are saying is that the federal government should continue to supersede its constitutional authority with a democratic majority? Do conservatives embrace constitutional liberty anymore? I could see if you were in favor of a constitutional amendment banning abortion. If you are in favor of constitutional governance and reducing the size of the federal govenrment, then federal laws should be restricted to those areas allowed in the Constitution. Everything else is reserved to the states.
If conservatives simply want to centrally run things their way, then it is no different than the liberals and just as socialist. I think it would be refreshing to have a libertarian-leaning republican in office. Maybe he would actually try to do reduce government and protect my liberties instead of just giving lip service to the idea during election time and then offering all kinds of excuses why we must grow government once elected.
Lisa Graas
February 1st, 2010 @ 8:58 am
The Paul rally 01/30 drew 300 people.
http://genuinegopmom.blogspot.com/2010/01/ron-and-rand-paul-draw-crowd-of-300-in.html
The Reagan Rally where Johnson spoke 01/31 reportedly drew the same number. The campaign has promised me video. I will post it when I have it.
Stacy, the Tea Party movement here is naturally splitting between Libertarians and Reaganites. There are more Reaganites than Libertarians in Kentucky, and there are certainly more Reaganites registered as Republicans in Kentucky than there are Libertarians registered as Republicans. The only reason Rand Paul has been leading Johnson in the polls is that he is backed by a machine made up of out of state supporters of his father, Ron Paul. There is no other reason. We still have until May 18. I’m confident that these poll numbers are correct. Also, Oerther announced yesterday that he is pulling out and supporting Johnson. And I am confident that as word gets out about Johnson, he will pull as many (or more) votes away from Grayson as he will from Paul.
Below is the latest internal poll. Statewide, Sample Size 1,097 Likely Republican Voters. Margin of Error 4.5%.
Paul 26%
Grayson 26%
Johnson 18%
Thoney 1%
Oerther .5%
Martin .5%
Und 28%
———————
(First week of Jan, 1830 responders, likely Republican voters)
The poll was a simple statewide poll Conducted by Persistence Consulting (California, engaged to advise campaign but NOT paid for by Johnson campaign).
We asked likely republican primary voters: Who are you planning on voting for in the Republican Primary next year?
Candidate Statewide
Grayson 29
Paul 25
Johnson 14
Thoney 2
Oerther 1
Martin 1
Und 28
Lisa Graas
February 1st, 2010 @ 9:08 am
Dr. David and Angela.
I called National Right to Life about Rand Paul’s abortion legislation. Dave Andrusko, editor of Nat’ RTL News, told me in a message that passed through their legislative committee and PAC that sending the issue back to the states (Paul’s position) would overturn the federal Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act “among other things”. Judie Brown of American Life League told me that the legislation Rand Paul supports is properly termed “proabortion” not even merely “pro-choice” because it says the unborn are “persons” but states can allow abortion ANYWAY. It’s not because Paul is “proabortion” himself that he supports the legislation but that he doesn’t consider the 14th amendments protections to be valid. His campaign coordinator told me, when I inquired about this, that the 14th amendment only covers “freed slaves” and not the rest of us. This is incompetence to the highest degree. I will not rest until May 18, election day, to make sure Rand Paul does not become my Senator. I am supporting Bill Johnson http://save2010.com
Angela Thorn
February 1st, 2010 @ 9:11 am
Dr David, I am of the mindset that both Johnson or Paul would be a better choice than Grayson. If Paul dropped out tomorrow, I’d jump on the Johnson bandwagon in a minute.
Angela Thorn
February 1st, 2010 @ 9:12 am
Lisa,
So you don’t support overturning Roe V Wade?
You Betcha: Palin Endorses Rand Paul in Kentucky GOP Senate Primary : The Other McCain
February 1st, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
[...] has received a generous donation from Governor Palin’s PAC.Palinistas + Paulistas = Wow. The Kentucky primary is extremely bitter (53 comments on that thread) and the last thing I expect was for Palin to get herself involved in [...]
Scott
February 1st, 2010 @ 3:16 pm
Enough vitriol. I have never understood how one can be pro-liberty on the Economic side, yet be so Pro-Tyranny on the social and foreign side.
If one is so gung-ho on the Drug War, one must logically be pro-criminalization of alcohol and tobacco. Alcohol and Tobacco kill and addict more people each year than all the other drugs combined. This is a fact. I find it telling that you support the legality of these, and yet lament those who wish to make legal other substances. Besides, as a wholly moral point is it not my body? Is it not my choice? Why is it your choice to tell me what I can put in my body?
Follow from there, if you believe in this, how come you do not believe that you can tell me what I can or cannot spend my money on? Why can’t you tell me who I have to give my money to? Why are you against Welfarism on one hand (Which is increase of State power), yet on the other are Pro-Police State (Increase of State power)? It seems logically contradictory.
Was it not Ronald Reagan himself who said “the heart and soul of conservatism is libertarianism.” Why yes, it was. I also find it telling that the so-called religious shun the Christian Just War Theory in fear of some mythical security apparatus which is none other than a large and powerful Police and Nanny State with omnipotent power to detain, torture, and arrest anyone without warrant. See: Military Commissions Act and Patriot Act.
Indeed, the GOP used to be libertarian. The Old Right were libertarians. The Howard Buffets, Robert Tafts, and Charles A. Lindberghs. They were conservatives. They fought Imperialism, Welfare, Prohibition, and the rest of the State apparatus gamut.
I am staunchly libertarian and much more so than Rand. I can tell you right now, Rand is not that much of a libertarian. He takes lukewarm positions on our Foreign Policy, and on Immigration his policy is anti-liberty.
I think a lot of Neo-Cons don’t understand that our Foreign Policy is a direct corollary of our Fiscal Policy. Our Foreign Policy costs us trillions a year. If you are indeed a Fiscal Conservative then you must be Anti-Imperialism. You must shun these Un-Constitutional expenditures and expeditions. It was Benjamin Harrison our 23rd President who said:
“We Americans have no commission from God to police the world”
I also find it telling those who wear their military badges on their sleeves as a point of authority. I am AD USCG and I find that those who do so espouse Military-Junta-esque views. It is a dangerous and perilous view.
It is also concerting to me that conservatives have yet to wake up to the fact that “War is the health of the State.”. If you are a limited-Government conservative (Re: Not a Neo-Con), you must be Anti-War for War gives rise to the largest expansions of the Government– always. And as you and I know, once something is enacted in DC it doesn’t go away.
I’m sorry, but what your social conservatism gotten us? A rabid Police State which annihilated the 4th, 5th, and 9th Amendment. Congratulations.
Sarah Palin Endorses Paul!
February 1st, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
[...] + Paulistas = Wow. The Kentucky primary is extremely bitter (53 comments on that thread) and the last thing I expect was for Palin to get herself involved in [...]
Something tells me the Classic Liberal is happy about this « The Daley Gator
February 1st, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
[...] + Paulistas = Wow. The Kentucky primary is extremely bitter (53 comments on that thread) and the last thing I expect was for Palin to get herself involved in [...]
Dr. David
February 6th, 2010 @ 4:16 pm
(Released today)
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%
Fallout From Sarah Palin’s Kentucky Senate Endorsement of Rand Paul : The Other McCain
February 8th, 2010 @ 2:40 am
[...] with her. Be warned. Like Sarah Palin, I won’t pull any punches.Read rest of that. Having blogged about the bitterness of the Kentucky Senate primary, I was surprised that Palin made an endorsement in that race. She defended the endorsement in her [...]

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