When I asked if Rand Paul was well known before he was elected, I was referring to your comment that Kentucky people don’t vote for unknowns. Do you live in Kentucky? Was Rand Paul well known before his election, other than being the son of Ron Paul? If he wasn’t, that bodes well for Bevin, since the people would have learned about Paul quickly, took to him and elected him.
On 2016, I actually think Paul would be competitive. He has a certain quiet, yet brilliant way of speaking and he answers questions directly, lacking that slimy politician run the clock out type of answering style.
I don’t live in KY now, but I did in 1984 and voted for McC. KY got McC and TN got Gore in that election. IN stuck with Lugar.