Poll: Rand Paul Easily Leads in Senate Race

The Washington Independent ^ | 2-24-2010 | David Weigel

[Christian_Capitalist]

Poll: Rand Paul Easily Leads in Senate Race
By David Weigel 2/24/10 11:05 AM

For some reason, Kentucky U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul never gets called the "frontrunner" in that race. Secretary of State Trey Grayson, seen as the favorite of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), still receives that title. But it's another day and another poll -- this one from Magellan Strategies -- showing Paul crushing Grayson. He has a nearly 2-1 lead, 44 percent to Grayson's 23 percent, and a whopping 31-point net favorable rating to Grayson's 11-point net favorable rating.

The secret to Paul's success? He's not seen as a fringe candidate, but as an embodiment of the Tea Parties -- which have a 67 percent favorable rating among GOP primary voters. And he's aided by the endorsement of Sarah Palin. Twenty-eight percent of Kentucky Republicans favor Palin in a hypothetical 2012 primary to only 4 percent who favor Paul's father, Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas).

The younger Paul has been running a pitch-perfect campaign. One example: his rapid-fire response to an ad in which Grayson accused Paul of supporting "Obama's war on coal". Another example is this closing answer at a debate in Paducah. Watch how Paul trains his focus on the parts of hardcore libertarianism most popular with Republican voters.

[Christian_Capitalist]

On a recent CPAC thread, somebody suggested that a Paul/Palin ticket would be one that they could support in 2012.

To which my response is... um, ooooookay.

The truth is, I think that's putting a little too much emphasis on one non-binding straw poll. Yes, Ron Paul's support within the GOP is growing; but 2012 is still very much looking like Sarah Palin's year. Indeed, with her endorsement of Rand Paul in Kentucky, I think that we'll probably see more of the Paul People moving towards Sarah Palin's camp, rather than the other way around.

For myself, I think that's a very smart move on Governor Palin's part. And it looks like Kentucky's going to get a great Senator out of the deal, as well -- since both Rand Paul and Trey Grayson are currently out-polling their prospective Democrat opponents, with Rand Paul out-polling the Dems by a potential landslide.

[delapaz]

Rand Paul is Ron Paul with real actual electability. This is a very good thing for a GOP in desperate need of fresh blod.

[delapaz]

blod == blood even

[ModelBreaker]

Can’t understand a word Paul says. Audio on the clip is terrible.

[Christian_Capitalist]

More Sarah Palin/Rand Paul news.

[Christian_Capitalist]

Rand Paul is Ron Paul with real actual electability. This is a very good thing for a GOP in desperate need of fresh blood.

Well, I did say that I thought that Sarah Palin's endorsement of Rand Paul was a smart move on her part. :-)

[Christian_Capitalist]

Sorry, the link was from the original article. Beggars can’t be choosers. :-(

[Deagle]

Well, that assumes that Paul does not go off the deep end like his father. Hope that he remains sensible during the election. As to Palin’s endorsement, only good if Rand does not go off the deep end. Holding my breath and hoping...

[CPT Clay]

Looks like Palin has been justified.

[Christian_Capitalist]

Well, that assumes that Paul does not go off the deep end like his father. Hope that he remains sensible during the election. As to Palin’s endorsement, only good if Rand does not go off the deep end. Holding my breath and hoping...

So far, Rand's campaign seems to be steamrolling ahead.

So, we'll both keep hoping; but, presently, it looks like the Palin/Paul alliance will be scoring a big win in the Bluegrass State.

[Christian_Capitalist]

Looks like Palin has been justified.

Oh, I liked Sarah Palin pretty well even without her endorsement of Rand Paul. I think that this is just another good move on her part.

[ScottinVA]

I just checked out his campaign website for his positions on issues... seems like a strong conservative to me, but I do hear rumblings he’s flip-flopped on some stances. Any insights, anyone?

[fieldmarshaldj]

Go Trey Grayson ! No more Paulbots in Congress !

[Christian_Capitalist]

I just checked out his campaign website for his positions on issues... seems like a strong conservative to me, but I do hear rumblings he’s flip-flopped on some stances. Any insights, anyone?

Rand Paul has been accused of flip-flopping on Afghanistan and military tribunals for Terror suspects at Guantanamo, but I think that's less of a "flip-flop" on his part than the fact that Rand Paul has always been a little more hawkish on Afghanistan and Terror suspects than is his dad, Ron Paul.

Their positions are so identical on most other issues, that I think some people believed they were entirely identical -- and so believe that Rand Paul has "flip-flopped" on those issues. Me, I don't think he did flip-flop; I just think Rand Paul, as compared to Ron Paul, was a little more hawkish on Afghanistan and Terror suspects in the first place. But I'm open to correction on that.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Why is the last poll listed in RealClearPolitics for this race from december? Is the group that did this poll not a recognized polling company?

[Deagle]

Actually, I would like to see him elected. If he has half the gumption that his father has, it will keep him far from politicians. Hope is eternal (or in my case, maybe a few years...heh)...

[11th Commandment]

Rand Paul is a RINO..... how you ask? Sarah Palin supports McCain who is a RINO, thus making Palin a RINO. Palin supports Rand Paul, thus making Paul a RINO.....

[Christian_Capitalist]

Trey Grayson

Sarah Palin and Rand Paul!
Working together for Kentucky in 2010!

[Christian_Capitalist]

ROTFL!!

Thanks for the comedy spot...

[Christian_Capitalist]

I dunno. Maybe ‘cause it’s only a day old? The Magellan Strategies poll already shows up on other “Race for 2012” websites, concerning Palin’s lead amongst Kentucky’s Republicans.