Paul says he worried about people ‘throwing beer’ at Fancy Farm
The crowd at the 130th annual Fancy Farm Picnic held signs and yelled as politicians spoke. Photo by Tom Eblen.
By Roger Alford – The Associated Press
FRANKFORT — Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul angered a small-town Kentucky church on Tuesday by saying politicians who attended its fundraising picnic had to worry about having beer thrown on them, a claim parishioners say isn’t true.
Paul described his view of the picnic to conservative radio personality Sean Hannity while talking about how objects are sometimes hurled at politicians.
“We were in a place called Fancy Farm, which is just a wild picnic where they boo your entire speech,” Paul said at the end of the show. “And it’s a very partisan thing, and you do worry about people throwing beer on you and throwing things at you, so it is kind of wild thing to run for office.”
Though there was plenty of booing, nothing was thrown at politicians at the picnic on Saturday. It annually draws politicians who spend the day glad-handing with voters and delivering stump speeches. It has been a good fundraiser for the western Kentucky parish for 130 years and has evolved into the traditional kickoff of the fall campaign season in the state.
Parisher Mark Wilson, who helps organize the picnic, said the comment simply wasn’t true, that beer sales aren’t even legal in the tiny farming community served by the church. He wants Paul to take it back.
“We have never known of any objects being thrown, and especially we’ve never heard of any problems with beer being thrown,” Wilson said. “It’s the perception that we just have a bunch of rowdy, beer-drinking folks there, and that’s a perception we don’t want at St. Jerome.”
The picnic is one of Kentucky’s last vestiges of pre-television politics, a holdover from the time when candidates had to crisscross the state attending church picnics, county fairs and similar gatherings to reach the masses.
Church leaders frown on any sort of misbehavior, chiding Paul’s Democratic opponent, Jack Conway, last year for using salty language in a speech.
St. Jerome quickly implemented a new rule banning profanity, which had long been an unwritten edict.
Conway campaign spokeswoman Allison Haley said “this is just another example of Rand Paul misleading the people of Kentucky.”
While politics is always a major draw, the picnic actually is a fundraiser for the church. Wilson said the event attracts more than 10,000 people and generates about $250,000 for ministry, primarily from the sales of picnic food, a vehicle raffle and bingo games.
Wilson said Paul’s comments give “a bad perception for our church-sponsored picnic,” adding, “I just think that statement was way off base.”
The Paul campaign didn’t immediately respond to calls and e-mails seeking comment.
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
karen | Aug 10, 2010 | Reply
Rand Paul continues to deceive, and he continues to get caught. I hope the people of KY realize how reckless and callous he is. He’s not only the laughing stock of the political arena, but a serious liability to the good people of Kentucky.
pat | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
This is just another example of the self-absorbed spoiled brat from Texas looking down his entitled nose at the people of KY. His favorite past time is demeaning the people here. He calls our great Appalachia Mountains, unnecessary knobby hills. He has NO idea why E. Ky has a famous history. And no it’s not because of bunch of hillbillies driving around in an orange dodge. It is because big business colluded with local law to beat down and kill the hard working miners that fought for their rights to make a living wage in a safe environment. Hey Rand, two words for ya, Bloody Harlan. Look it up. So now he turns to smearing a long KY tradition that actually gave the state some positive press for a change. To make deceitful disparaging remarks about a charitable family church picnic is as low as you can go. Paul you need to go back to Texas where you belong!
Eric | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
LOL at Pat. Jack Conway, the millionaire trial lawyer who grew up with a huge silver spoon in his mouth is the only “spoiled brat” I’m seeing.
This right here is why Conway is LOSING. People can see the transparent straw grasping by the AP and the media. An entire story based on a benign comment about beer? Good Lord, can you losers in the media be any more tired and stale? I swear Conway could murder an entire family on video and the AP story would be about Rand Paul not obeying the speed limit.
Eric | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
“To make deceitful disparaging remarks about a charitable family church picnic”
As opposed to swearing at it, right?
BarryNBG | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Wonder why the Herald Leader is not reporting about fellow newspaper columnist posing as a racist Rand Paul supporter at Fancy Farm:
http://www.therightsphere.com/2010/08/fancy-farms-lying-tyler-im-rand-fan-ellis-exposed-again-bashes-tea-party/
BarryNBG | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
FYI, the mad member of the church…. is a democrat donor.
jimbo | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Rand Paul is an arrogant prima donna who cares nothing about the people of Kentucky. He can’t go one day without crying to his New York media sponsors about how awful it is down here.
Chris | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Rand Paul & Sarah Palin…….2 names that get the Dems/Lefties foaming at the mouth in mere moments! I just love it.
William | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Do you think, just maybe, that Rand was just trying to convey the atmosphere of Fancy Farm (which I have attended myself on more than one occasion) to a national TV audience that, for the most part, has no clue what Fancy Farm is? He may have gone a bit overboard in his description, but I’m certain he wasn’t trying to malign Fancy Farm. Then again, maybe there was beer that was snuck in, that’s not really inconceivable, now is it? This is not a surprise, given that the complainant here is a loyal Democrat. He’s just trying to stir the pot.
I’m sure Dr. Paul’s exhausted of having to answer stupid questions such as these, that have nothing to do with the issues facing these candidates.
This is the media you liberals so revere? This is journalism? Honest-to-God seriously? How can you defend it? Will anybody even try? It gets more absurd every single day? I honestly, not exaggerating, have never seen anything like this in all my years of following campaigns.
Marion County | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Another day, more proof that Rand Paul is not a Kentuckian. Has Paul ever heard of dry counties? Do we really have to give Rand Paul a lesson on Kentucky?
I totally understand why Rand Paul is endorsed by the Governor who quit in Alaska. Both are losers.
William | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
And Rand moved here 13 years ago. He chose to move to Kentucky, to live in Kentucky. Not “elitist” Texas (who knew liberals thought so highly of the Lone Star State?). He made a life here, made his own way. Has been involved in the civic life of his community through charitable work and through founding a tax-policy organization. I certainly cannot say the same for myself.
Yeah, he must really despise Kentucky.
I’m also sick of those saying “Rand never talks about Kentucky,” “What is Rand going to do for Kentuckians, to improve the lives of Kentuckians?” Improve your own life. Do you think the problems that Kentuckians have with our federal government are so different from those of every other state? Or do you just want somebody to go up there and vote for pork-barrel projects that will bring you free money (at the expense of our nation as a whole…including your fellow Kentuckian taxpayers you claim to care so much about)? If so, you’re right…you should vote for Jack Conway.
James R. | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
St Jerome Catholic Church should be concerned about these statements by Rand Paul that beer was at their picnic. If beer was at their picnic they could potentially lose their tax exempt status which helps them raise over $200,000 for their parish. This is not a partisan issue. It is a local church community issue.
Rand Paul was very irresponsible and totally dishonest with these comments. He knew that beer was not at Fancy Farm. I am sure there is a reason he made them to out of state reporters and not reporters in side the Commonwealth who would have known the difference.
Kentuckians should not put up with this type of lying to tha national media about this Catholic Church in Western Kentucky.
If Paul wants to say something negative about Kentucky, its time he has the guts to say it IN Kentucky. Be a man Rand.
BarryNBG | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Graves county is not completely dry and I’ve seen beer at fancy farm. But, let’s not focus on the man complaining being a democrat donor. He has no skin in smearing.
KathyB | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
Maybe Mr. Paul is a little nervous in West Kentucky. Noise is just noise, Rand. And at Fancy Farm it is a tradition.
The political speeches are such a small part of the church festival, but they do boost the donations and the crowd.
How many times has he attended the picnic?
Hank | Aug 11, 2010 | Reply
The man from Texas would be well served to spend his time talking to the media here in Kentucky than on the national talk shows and Fox News. Is he running for senate in Kentucky for President?
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