The Republican primary in the Kentucky Senate race is shaping up to be a proxy fight between the neoconservative wing of the Republican party and the more libertarian strands. Key neocons are backing Secretary of State Trey Grayson over conservative activist Rand Paul -- and attacking Paul by criticizing his father Ron Paul's (R-TX) stances on Iraq, 9/11 and Guantanamo Bay. Rudy Giuliani endorsed Trey Grayson yesterday, boldly vilifying the opposition: "He [Grayson] is not part of the 'blame America first' crowd that wants to bestow the rights of U.S. citizens on terrorists and point fingers at America for somehow causing 9/11." Another big-name neoconservative endorsing Grayson is former Vice President Dick Cheney, who in his own endorsement spoke of Grayson's dedication to keeping Guantanamo open and upholding the surges in Iraq and Afghanistan.
TPMDC asked Rand Paul campaign manager David Adams for comment on efforts by Giuliani and others to tie Rand Paul to his father's foreign policy stances, and whether this might reflect an effort to stop a candidate with ties to Ron Paul. "I wouldn't speculate on what their motivations are," said Adams. "We'll put our endorsements up against anybody, and so far I think it's clear that Sarah Palin and Sen. Jim Bunning and the conservative pro-life groups that have endorsed Rand far outweigh what Secretary Grayson's been able to pull together."
Asked about what differences there might be between Rand Paul and his father Ron Paul, Adams declined to characterize the elder Paul's issue positions. But he was able to tell us about some of his own candidate's views.
On Gitmo: "Bottom line, Rand is not in favor of closing down Guantanamo Bay."
And on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars: "He is not for wholesale withdrawal. Rand has advocated better defining the mission, but now that we're there we have to win."
Ron Paul's campaign sent out an e-mail to its own supporter list, coming to Rand's defense in the wake of Giuliani's statement.
"The Neo-Con establishment is pulling out all the stops to beat Rand. First, Dick Cheney endorsed his opponent. Next, Rick Santorum. And today, Mr. Big Government Republican himself is slithering into the race," the e-mail said. "That's right. Rudy Giuliani has stuck his beak into Rand's race, endorsing his opponent and blaming Rand for being part of the "blame America" crowd. Disgusting."
The TPM Poll Average has Paul ahead of Grayson by 42.3%-25.3%. The Republican primary will be held on May 18.
