Paul withdraws from Louisville forum, claims it is not impartial
Rand Paul (left) and Trey Grayson
FRANKFORT – Republican Rand Paul has withdrawn from a March 17 public forum in Louisville for GOP U.S. Senate candidates because he does not consider it “an impartial venue,” Paul’s campaign manager said Tuesday night.
David Adams said Julie Hinson, president of the Metropolitan Republican Women’s Club, which is sponsoring the forum, is a $1,000 contributor to the campaign of Trey Grayson, a Paul opponent.
He also said the club, which is an affiliate member of the Kentucky Federation of Republican Women, changed the forum’s format. He did not elaborate.
Efforts to reach Hinson and Willee Cooper, president of the federation, for comment were not successful.
Adams said Paul has agreed to debates at the University of Louisville and a Tea Party movement debate this Saturday in Louisville which Grayson has declined.
Adams also said Paul wants to participate in debates with Grayson to discuss the issues, “but in fair venues.”
Nate Hodson, Grayson’s campaign manager, said Grayson “has agreed to every debate that he is able to attend. He has kept his commitments. If he said he could attend, then he has. Otherwise, he has declined. Paul accepted and is now pulling out. That’s very different than a scheduling conflict.”
Hodson also said Grayson attended a debate in Paducah that was organized by known Paul supporters.
–Jack Brammer
Filed Under: Elections • Rand Paul • Republican Party • Trey Grayson • US Senate Race
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Republicans in Louisville? Who knew.
Rand Paul is a WATB!
God, please make Rand Paul disappear. I’m thinking back to Texas with his dad and Billy Gillispie would be a great place for him to go and stay.
Paul is a crybaby who can’t take criticism. NOT the kind of personality we want representing us in the Senate.
I wish Paul and crazy kooky conspiracy theory spouting friend Bill Johnson would go away.
OK, enough of the Paul bashing on here. You guys sound like you would sniff Trey Grayson’s armpits if you had the chance.
Eyeswideopen, I think about as much of Grayson as I do of Paul. That is to say, very little indeed.
Isn’t this the debate that was going to be moderated by that Dyche guy who slammed Paul in an op-ed earlier this year? Sounds like it was going to be biased from the get-go. Paul should just go out and speak to more voters than let team Grayson smack him around in a debate. In fact, he should have another senate candidate, like Gurley L. Martin, take his place.
I’d pretty much decided to back Bill Johnson as I like the way he thinks on his feet. If THIS how Dr. Paul would behave in D.C., I’ve definitely decided to support Bill!
I don’t blame Paul for pulling out. Years ago when I was a member of the MRWC it was clear that the group was “establishment GOP.” Paul is definitely not establishment material – he’s more of a Goldwater Conservative which is why he’s polling so far ahead of Grayson right now.