Paul taking Senate campaign to Christian radio
Rand Paul
By Roger Alford – Associated Press Writer
FRANKFORT — Republican Rand Paul is taking his Senate campaign to Christian radio in hopes of winning support from Kentucky’s most ardent social conservatives, many of whom choose political candidates based on their stand against abortion.
Paul, the son of U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas — a former Republican presidential candidate — calls abortion “an abomination” in a political ad that is scheduled to begin airing on Monday, and he says he will vote for any law or constitutional amendment to stop it.
“I’m 100 percent pro-life,” Paul says in the ad. “I believe abortion is an abomination and I will cast every vote in favor of protecting life.”
Campaign manager David Adams said the ad will run on Christian radio stations across Kentucky. It’s in line with a growing trend among Southern politicians who are increasingly tailoring messages to the GOP’s politically active churchgoers.
The ad comes on the heels of claims by Republican opponent Trey Grayson that Paul doesn’t oppose abortion. Grayson has made the accusations in stump speeches and debates in recent weeks.
The ad attempts to debunk Grayson’s contention.
“I will vote for a federal human life amendment to end abortion, as well as any law that will help end abortion and save the lives of innocent unborn children,” says Paul, a Bowling Green eye surgeon. “I believe it is the federal government’s primary duty to protect the lives of its citizens, born and unborn. Life is God’s to give. Not man’s to take.”
Federal, state and local candidates increasingly have aimed political ads at religious audiences in the Bible belt, said Gil Hammond, head of Falmouth-based Hammond Broadcasting that operates three Christian stations in Kentucky.
“I think there’s an increasing interest on the part of all politicians to reach out to select groups that are sizable enough to make a difference in the vote, and certainly the Christian vote has been proven in the recent past to be an important vote,” Hammond said.
Western Kentucky University political scientist Scott Lasley said Christian radio ads effectively target a key Republican constituency. Lasley said the messages from the Christian radio ads also spread by word of mouth into church congregations, providing a valuable secondary benefit.
Lasley said that makes Paul’s decision to take a stand against abortion on Christian radio especially important.
Grayson questioned Paul’s stand on abortion during a debate on Saturday, pointing to a comment Paul made to the Middlesboro Daily News about rape victims.
“In cases of rape, trying to prevent pregnancies is obviously the best thing,” Paul told the newspaper. “The morning-after pill works successfully most of the time.”
Grayson also points to an article in the Glasgow Daily Times that reported Paul saying he would vote to restrict or ban late-term or partial-birth abortions. The article reported that Paul didn’t specify how he might vote on other abortion questions.
“I don’t believe in any federal funding of abortion,” Paul told the newspaper. “But I think ideally a lot of these things should be done at the state level.”
Adams said ideally the issue should be dealt with at the state level, considering efforts to stop abortion at the federal level have been unsuccessful.
“Rand is in favor of stopping abortions any way we can,” Adams said.
On Wednesday, Grayson campaign manager Nate Hodson repeated the accusation that Paul has changed his position on abortion.
“Rand Paul advocated for the morning-after pill as an effective method of family planning, and, he wanted to let states decide whether or not to outlaw abortion,” Hodson said. “Rand Paul’s views are as inconsistent as they are misguided.”
Filed Under: Elections • Rand Paul • Republican Party • Trey Grayson • US Senate Race
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
These people are sick. Seriously, most people don’t agree with you, so stay Pro-Life, but understand that Life is one of the two choices, and Roe v. Wade will NEVER be repealed. I would recommend not wasting your $ on this brand of short-sided Idiots.
Didn’t Paul also adopt the line that “A child from Rape is a gift from God”, so therefor, no exceptions?
More conservative hypocrisy. Limited government for corporations to steal and more government for individuals personal choice. Abortion will always be available to the rich. It will be the poor that suffer as always. You either support personal responsiblity and choice or you are not a true conservative.
Why doesn’t the term pro-life extend to the death penalty and our attitudes about warfare?
Hailiebug, as usual, you’re right. This guy is merely pandering to the idiots to whom he needs to pander to get elected, and no more.
Onions, in the minds of some, it does. The Catholics, for example, are against both abortion and the death penalty. Conservative protestants generally like the option of killing someone after they’re born. We liberal protestants tend to be for choice, but against the death penalty.
David Adams is an idiot. these guys are liars and will say anything. They could care less about pro-life Don’t believe this bunch!
The morning after pill should never be given consideration for family planning. The mere thought of it is absurb. Giving the decision back to the states to decide will not resolve the issue of killing unborn citizen and is clearly infringing upon the un-born’s 14th amendment right that is to protect all “life.”
it remind me dumb guys like Bush, Palin. Dumb politicians can fool dumber poeple.
Why is it contraversial to be pro life? I mean, as soon as you say it people attack you for being pro war or something. Call the baby a choice and it makes some people feel better about killing it. How come Pro choice people are only pro choice about butchering babies? Everything else it is either you agree with them or else. It isnt easy to try to figure out how to deal with the laws about abortion, whether to let states handle it or the feds. Ultimately it comes down to people’s hearts though.
Well, it was just a matter of time before Paul showed himself to just to be another moronic neo-con. He started out a few weeks ago borrowing the Palin quip that health care reform results in killing grandma. Now he’s jumped in bed with the radical religious right who want to criminalize a legitimate medical procedure and lock women and doctors up in jail. I’ve crossed Paul off my list already.
After discussing Rand’s apparant lack of actually participating in organized religion, such as belonging to a congregation, I find this disconcerting.
He’s got more sides to him than you can shake a stick.
Will the real Rand Paul please stand up?
Bill Johnson’s family are members of the Elkton Baptist Church in Todd County.
“Paul,” I’m glad you find infanticide to be a legitimate medical procedure. Perhaps you’ll also be open minded enough to consider the execution of the most heinous criminals in our society, who commit their crimes knowing the possible punishment and thus forfeit their right to live in a civil society, to be likewise.
Rand Paul and Bill Johnson:
The Olympics remind me of what extremest conspiracy theorists like you two represent. Remember Eric Rudolph the Olympic Park bomber? Well he totally bought into Federal Reserve conspiracies, http://www.adl.org/extremism/rudolph_backgrounder.asp.
General what,
Please try to put two cogent ideas together in a manner in which you convey a complete thought.
We’ll understand your points better. Thanks, buddy.
Bill the Birther Johnson happens to be a pilot who wants to do away with the IRS. He fits the profile of a domestic terrorist not a Senator!
Vote Trey Grayson for Senate!
Rottweller,
Our campaign got in a little trouble for stalking Rand Paul at his church. He is a Presbyterian, so don’t kid yourself!
Trey never misses church! Even when he was at Harvard he flew home to attend church in Kentucky!
In the closet Natie,
Johnson promotes a Fair Tax and putting an end to federal income taxes. Abolish the IRS, D. of E., D. o f I., and the 16th Amendment.
That’s called “smaller government,” a cornerstone of Reagan conservatism.
He also believes that by producing the long form BC Obama will put the controversy to rest once and for all. It’s common sense.
Try and elevate your lingo to something above perjoritives and get your facts straight.
Google Blogs for Johnson. Trey has said, in no uncertain terms, that he worries we will scrutinize him as we have Paul.
You are the first from Grayson’s camp to call us out on behalf of Johnson.
Obviously someone from Grayson’s is beginning to get nervous about Johnson. Great!
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