Paul launches first TV ad in U.S. Senate race

By Jack Brammer – jbrammer@herald-leader.com

FRANKFORT — Republican Rand Paul has launched the first TV ad in Kentucky’s U.S. Senate race, a contest that promises to blanket the Bluegrass State’s airwaves with political commercials through May 18.

Paul’s opening salvo focuses on national security, an issue that key GOP opponent Trey Grayson has used against the Bowling Green eye surgeon in recent weeks. The ad began airing Tuesday on Fox News.

The 30-second spot starts by showing military helicopters, jets, tanks and soldiers. “A strong national defense begins with a strong leadership,” a voice says. “Rand Paul will stop travel visas from terrorist nations and keep prisoners off U.S. soil.”

Paul, the son of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, then says, “I think prisoners of war, enemy combatants and terrorists captured on the battlefield should be tried in military court and not brought to the U.S. I do not believe they should be tried in civilian court.”

Grayson campaign manager Nate Hodson said the ad is an attempt by Paul “to trick Republican primary voters into believing he is a conservative who is strong on national security.”

Grayson, who is Kentucky’s Secretary of State, “is the only candidate in this race who has consistently promised to fight to keep Guantanamo open to detain, interrogate and try terrorists in military tribunals outside our borders,” Hodson said.

He cited previous remarks by Paul in which Paul appears to advocate returning detainees at the terrorist detention facility in Guantanamo to the battlefield.

Hodson referred to a YouTube video of Paul from last May in Paducah. “I think they should mostly be sent back to their country of origin or to tell you the truth I’d drop them back off into battle … drop ‘em off back into Afghanistan,” Paul says in the video. “It’d take them a while to get back over here.”

Paul’s campaign manager, David Adams, said Grayson’s campaign is misrepresenting Paul’s views. “They take snippets of Rand Paul’s comments and try to mislead with them,” he said.

Adams said the Paul campaign looks forward to “pinning down Trey Grayson on what he really believes.”

Campaigns usually start with biographical ads about the candidate.

Adams said there is a bio ad on Paul “ready to go,” but the campaign decided to “start with an issue that’s on everyone’s mind.”

Adams did not know how long the national security ad will run.

Filed Under: Elections • Rand Paul • Trey Grayson • US Senate Race