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Rand Paul

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Rand Paul
Born (1963-01-07) January 7, 1963 (age 61)
Pennsylvania
NationalityAmerican
OccupationOphthalmologist
Known forRepublican nominee for U.S. Senate in Kentucky
WebsiteRandPaul2010.com

Randal Howard "Rand" Paul (born January 7, 1963) is an American ophthalmologist and politician. He is the third child of Republican Congressman Ron Paul of Texas. Paul is the chairman and founder of Kentucky Taxpayers United.

Paul is a graduate of Baylor University and Duke University School of Medicine.

In August 2009, Paul officially announced his candidacy for the United States Senate seat currently held by retiring Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky. On May 18, 2010, in the Republican primary, Paul defeated Trey Grayson, the Kentucky Secretary of State. Paul defeated his opponent by 23.4%.[1][2]

Early life and education

Rand Paul was born in Pennsylvania, to Carol Wells Paul and Ron Paul, a US Air Force flight surgeon. Paul's parents married in 1957, and Paul was born six years later. He has four siblings: Ronnie, Lori, Robert, and Joy.[3][4] As a child, his family moved from Pittsburgh to San Antonio in 1965, eventually settling in Surfside Beach, Texas in 1968.

Paul attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and obtained an M.D. at his father's alma mater, Duke University School of Medicine.[5]

Medical career

Paul currently owns a private ophthalmology practice in Bowling Green, Kentucky. He first worked at the Graves-Gilbert Clinic in Kentucky, but eventually established his own clinic in December 2007.[6][7] Paul specializes in corneal transplants, glaucoma surgery, and LASIK,[7] and began offering sutureless DSEK corneal transplantation in 2007.[8]

As a member of the Bowling Green Noon Lions Club,[9] Paul founded the Southern Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic to help provide eye surgery and exams for those with no health insurance coverage, or who are living on a minimum wage.[10][9] He is a regular presenter at the annual Men's Health and Safety Day conference held by The Medical Center of Bowling Green since 1998.[11]

Activism

As founder and chairman of the antitax organization Kentucky Taxpayers United (KTU) since 1994, Paul regularly presents "taxpayers' friend" awards to state legislators. KTU regards itself as nonpartisan, but ideological and conservative,[12][13] and examines legislator records on taxation and spending to inform voters where their own lawmakers stand on the issues.[14] Paul's editorial commentary on behalf of KTU has been published and recognized in the Kentucky Post.[15]

KTU sponsors the Taxpayer's Pledge of Americans for Tax Reform, encouraging politicians to pledge publicly to vote uniformly against tax raises.[15] Nine of fifteen Northern Kentucky legislators signed the pledge,[16] such as Senator Dick Roeding[15] and Representative Royce Adams in 1996.[17] In 2000, these legislators considered a hotel room tax hike (favored by Governor Paul Patton for helping expand the Dr. Albert B. Sabin Convention Center in nearby Cincinnati), even though the increase might "incur the wrath of Paul's group," as two newspapers put it.[16][18]

Paul stated that Patton's argument for "revenue recovery" was merely a euphemism for taxes[19] and said that KTU would fight reelection of any pledge-breakers; Adams requested in writing that Paul's group release him from his pledge, stating that it only applied to his first term.[17] By the close of session in April, the tax increase had failed, although Patton had achieved most of his intended budget; Paul stated legislators were pressured to finalize the budget by deadline rather than to "face accusations of shutting down government".[20]

Paul often speaks on his father's behalf,[5][21] and he and his son William attended the third Republican presidential debate of 2007 in New Hampshire, as well as campaigned door-to-door in the state for his father.[22] At a New Hampshire rally with 250 in attendance (plus 30 members of his own family), Paul repeated a campaign meme by pretending to take a call from Rudy Giuliani during his remarks, and joking that Giuliani needed campaigners and wanted to borrow the Paul family.[23]

On December 16, 2007, the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, Rand spoke at Faneuil Hall in favor of small government principles,[24] calling for what CNN termed a "modern day revolution".[25] He continued campaigning across the country for his father in 2008,[6] traveling as far as Montana.[10]

2010 senatorial campaign

See also: United States Senate election in Kentucky, 2010
Rand Paul campaigning in Kentucky.

In the beginning of 2009, Paul was the focus of an online grassroots movement to draft him in a bid to replace beleaguered Republican Kentucky senator Jim Bunning. The news of his potential candidacy became a topic of national interest and was discussed in the L.A. Times,[citation needed] on Fox News,[citation needed] and locally in the Kentucky press.[26] Commenting on Paul's possible candidacy, Congressman Ron Paul noted that "Should Senator Bunning decide not to run, I think Rand would make a great U.S. Senator."[27]

On May 1, 2009, Paul officially confirmed that if Senator Bunning, whose fundraising in 2009 has matched his poor numbers in opinion polling for the 2010 election,[28] declined to seek a third term, he would almost certainly stand in the Republican Party primary to succeed him,[29] and formed an exploratory committee soon after, while still promising to stay out of the race if Bunning had ultimately decided to run for re-election. Paul made this announcement on MSNBC's The Rachel Maddow Show, though the news was first broken by a local Kentucky news site.[30] In celebration of the announcement, a group of Paul's supporters launched a spontaneous grassroots mini-moneybomb for the date of June 1, 2009, specifically citing it as the anniversary of Kentucky's admission to the Union.[31] Over $25,000 was raised in the one-day event.[32]

On July 28, 2009, Senator Bunning announced that he would not run for re-election, after facing insufficient fundraising.[33] This announcement left only Paul and Secretary of State Trey Grayson as the remaining candidates for the seat in the Republican primary,[34] with Rand announcing on August 5, 2009 that he would officially run for the U.S. Senate as a Republican. The announcement was made through a series of national TV events, radio, and other programs, as well as through newspapers in Kentucky.[35][36][37]

Rand Paul campaigning in Frankfort.

On August 20, 2009, Rand Paul's grassroots planned a moneybomb to kick off his campaign for United States Senate. The official campaign took in $433,509 in 24 hours.[38] According to Paul,[39] this set a new record in Kentucky's political fundraising history in a 24 hour period.

A second moneybomb was held on September 23, 2009, to counter a D.C. fundraiser being held for primary opponent Trey Grayson, by 23 Republican United States Senators, 17 of whom voted for the bailout.[40] The theme was a UFC "fight" between Rand Paul and "We the People" vs. Trey Grayson and the "D.C. Insiders."[41] The money bomb ended up raising $186,276 for Rand Paul in 24 hours on September 23rd;[42] bringing Paul's Senate campaign's total raised since its start to over one million. On December 16, 2009, Rand Paul's grassroots held their third major money bomb for Rand Paul, with the theme reflecting the 236th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.[43] The money bomb raised more than $240,000 for Rand Paul in 24 hours.[44] According to Paul, at that time, this was the second biggest fundraising day for a Kentucky primary candidate in a 24 hour period; with the first being the over $433,000 Paul raised on August 20th.[45] This has since been surpassed by another money bomb for Rand Paul on March 23rd.

On March 23, 2010, Rand Paul's grassroots held a first fiscal quarter money bomb and their fourth major one for Rand Paul to date. The theme was the anniversary of the "Give me Liberty, or give me Death!" speech by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775.[46] The money bomb ended up raising over $261,000 for Rand Paul's campaign in 24 hours on March 23rd,[47] making it the second largest online fundraising day in Kentucky political history for a candidate in a primary. On April 19, 2010, a final primary money bomb was held, that raised over $100,000 in 24 hours bringing the four primary money bomb totals to just over 1,000,000 dollars 1/3 of Paul's total fund raising contributions.

Paul has secured endorsements from several public figures and political organizations. They include the Downsize DC Foundation,[48] Concerned Women for America,[49] Gun Owners of America,[50] Steve Forbes,[51] FreedomWorks,[52] Sarah Palin[53] and Jim Bunning.[54]

Political views

Paul is a critic of the Federal Reserve,[55] the USA PATRIOT Act,[23] the federal government's bailout of Wall Street, and the erosion of civil liberties[citation needed]. He supports significantly smaller government and balanced budgets, and opposes the Department of Education, the war in Iraq,[22] and the federal income tax.[24] He encourages legislators to pledge not to raise taxes,[15] and fought the plan to raise hotel taxes in Kentucky in 2000.[17][20] He is also supportive of term limits for politicians, a balanced budget amendment, and establishing the Read the Bills Act.[26]

Paul is also involved in health care reform.[10] In a 2007 Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, he wrote that "true reform would require an infusion of ethics, something that can't be taught or purchased".[56]

Paul is against parts of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and is against the Americans with Disabilities Act, believing that both infringe on personal liberty. [57]

Paul supports a constitutional amendment to ban abortion.[58]

Personal life

In Atlanta, Paul met Kelley Ashby, a Rhodes College English major. Paul and Ashby were married in 1991, and moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, less than 30 miles (48 km) from her hometown of Russellville, Kentucky, in 1993.[7]

Kelley Paul is a freelance writer, and she manages payroll and marketing communications for Paul's surgical practice.[6] The couple have three sons: William, Duncan, and Robert.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Paul wins Republican Senate nod in Ky". AP via MSNBC.com. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 18 May 2010.
  2. ^ David Catanese & Kenneth P. Vogel (2010-05-17). "Full 2010 Election Coverage and Political News". Politico.Com. Retrieved 2010-05-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ Caldwell, Christopher (2007-07-22). "The Antiwar, Anti-Abortion, Anti-Drug-Enforcement-Administration, Anti-Medicare Candidacy of Dr. Ron Paul". New York Times Magazine. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  4. ^ Paul, Ron (2007-09-20). "Message from Ron Paul". Ron Paul 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
  5. ^ a b c Pyeatt, Matt (2007-05-24). "The First Family???". Daily Paul. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  6. ^ a b c Paul, Carol and Ron (December 2008). Happy Holidays from Congressman Ron Paul and Family.
  7. ^ a b c Cassady, Pam (2007). "Local tie to Paul; RHS grad a daughter-in-law to Republican president hopeful". News Democrat & Leader. Russellville, Kentucky. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  8. ^ Paul, Rand (May 2007). "New Corneal Transplant available at Medical Center: New Technique Requires No Sutures — For Faster Recovery and Better Results". Physician Newsletter. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  9. ^ a b Carmichael, Alicia (2006-06-18). "Lions Club marks 75th anniversary". Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved 2009-04-04. A few years ago, the club financed operations for two Guatemalan boys who came to this country blind and left seeing, thanks to the surgeries by Noon Lions Club member Dr. Rand Paul, who heads the Southern Kentucky Eye Clinic, Nahm said.
  10. ^ a b c "Son of long-shot presidential hopeful to visit Montana". Billings, Montana: KULR-TV. Associated Press. 2008-01-21. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  11. ^ "Men focus of fair - Men's Health and Safety Day is designed to help men help themselves". Bowling Green Daily News. 2002-05-29. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  12. ^ "56 Honored by Taxpayers Group". Lexington Herald-Leader. 1996-04-16. p. C4. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  13. ^ "Legislators Honored as Anti-Tax 'Heroes' But Several Honorees Recently Voted for Tax". Lexington Herald-Leader. 2000-04-13. p. A12. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  14. ^ Collins, Michael (1996-04-16). "8 Legislators Named Friends of Taxpayers". Kentucky Post. Covington, Kentucky. Retrieved 2009-04-04. Recognized by Kentucky Taxpayers United were Sens. Gex 'Jay' Williams and Dick Roeding and Reps. Charlie Walton, Paul Marcotte, Katie Stine, Tom Kerr, Dick Murgatroyd and Jon David Reinhardt .... Rand Paul, the group's chairman, said the organization did the ranking so voters could see where their lawmakers stand on the issues.
  15. ^ a b c d Paul, Rand (2000-03-29). "Not One Cent More". Kentucky Post. Covington, Kentucky. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  16. ^ a b Collins, Michael (2000-01-21). "Pledge May Kill Hotel Tax". Cincinnati Post. Cincinnati, Ohio. Retrieved 2009-04-04. Any legislator who breaks the pledge can expect to incur the wrath of Paul's group.
  17. ^ a b c "No-Tax Pledges May Fall Adams: Promise Covered First Term". Kentucky Post. Covington, Kentucky. 2000-02-07. Retrieved 2009-04-04. 'I have no qualms at calling for the removal of any legislator who would break his pledge,' Paul said. 'We would expend every amount of energy on that person in their next legislative race. This is someone's word of honor. If they break the pledge, I say shame on them, and they should suffer the repercussions.'
  18. ^ "No-Tax Pledge Binds Lawmakers". Kentucky Post. Covington, Kentucky. 2000-01-21. Retrieved 2009-04-04. Raising the hotel surcharge by 1 cent would amount to a small increase in an existing tax that is really just a user fee. It would not constitute a new tax, they argue. But Kentucky Taxpayers United, the statewide group behind the no-new-taxes pledge, scoffs at that logic. 'Any raise in the tax will break a pledge,' said Rand Paul, a Bowling Green eye doctor who is chairman of the anti-tax group.
  19. ^ "'Revenue Recovery' or 'User Fee' Sure Sound Like Taxes". Kentucky Post. Covington, Kentucky. 2000-03-23. Retrieved 2009-04-04. Rand Paul, chairman of Kentucky Taxpayers United, said it is a tax increase, pure and simple. 'Nobody seems to be paying much attention to their pledge.'
  20. ^ a b "Session Spins to a Close in Frankfort". Lexington Herald-Leader. 2000-04-16. p. A1. Retrieved 2009-04-04. They knew they would face accusations of shutting down government, much as congressional Republicans did five years ago, said Rand Paul.
  21. ^ "Dr. Rand Paul: Upcoming Events". Ron Paul 2008. Retrieved 2007-12-20.
  22. ^ a b Gaines, Jim (2007-06-06). "Bowling Green opthamologist says father, Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, stands a good chance in N.H. primary election". Bowling Green Daily News. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  23. ^ a b Pindell, James W. (2007-09-29). "Paul shows that Romney is not the only one with a big family". Primary Source. Boston Globe. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  24. ^ a b Santora, Mark (2007-12-16). "Reinventing the Revolution". Caucus. New York Times. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  25. ^ Collins, Heidi; Snow, Mary (2007-12-17). "Wintry Weather Hits U.S.; Saudis Pardon Rape Victim". Transcripts. CNN. Retrieved 2009-04-04.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ a b "Rand Paul Set To Launch", www.kywordsmith.com. 2009-05-09
  27. ^ Martin, T. (2009-03-21). "Congressman Paul's Statement on His Son Rand Paul". Pediatrics Week. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  28. ^ Silver, Nate (May 1, 2009). "Bunning Retirement Might Not Save GOP in Kentucky". FiveThirtyEight.com.
  29. ^ "Dr. Rand Paul Ready To Enter Primary For Bunning's Seat". WBKO. May 1, 2009.
  30. ^ "Rand Paul To Form Exploratory Committee For U.S. Senate Bid...", www.kywordsmith.com. 2009-05-14
  31. ^ "June 1st Rand Paul Money Bomb", The Humble Libertarian. 2009-05-23.
  32. ^ "Rand Paul “Mini” Donation Bomb brings in $25,000", RandPaul2010.com 2009-08-02
  33. ^ "Bunning says he will not seek re-election". USA Today. Retrieved 2009-07-29.
  34. ^ Memoli, Mike (2009-06-15). "Politics Nation - KY Sen: Potential Bunning Challenger Passes On Race". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  35. ^ Gerth, Jospeph (August 5, 2009) "Paul says he will run for Senate", Courier-Joural. Retrieved on August 5, 2009.
  36. ^ Giroux, Greg (August 5, 2009) "Rand Paul Declares Candidacy For Kentucky Senate Seat", CQ Politics. Retrieved on August 7, 2009.
  37. ^ Keck, Kristi (August 6, 2009)"Ron Paul's son following in father's footsteps", CNN.com Retrieved on August 7, 2009.
  38. ^ "RandPaulGraphs.com - Donation meter for August 20, 2009", www.randpaulgraphs.com 2009-08-21
  39. ^ Rand Bomb Breaks Record
  40. ^ "Lexington Herald-Leader - Web site promotes ‘fight’ to raise money for Paul", http://bluegrasspolitics.bloginky.com 2009-09-01
  41. ^ "Kentucky Fight - Rand vs. Trey", http://www.kentuckyfight.com/ 2009-09-01
  42. ^ "Rand Paul Graphs - September 23, 2009", http://www.randpaulgraphs.com 2009-09-24
  43. ^ "Rand Paul's Tea Party - December 16, 2009", http://www.randsteaparty.com/ 2009-11-09
  44. ^ "Rand Paul Graphs - December 16, 2009", http://www.randsteaparty.com/ 2009-12-17
  45. ^ "Rand Paul Thanks Supporters for Tea Party Money Bomb" 2009-12-19
  46. ^ "Rand Paul for US Senate Kentucky March 23rd Money Bomb!", 2010-02-13.
  47. ^ "RandPaulGraphs.com - Donation meter for March 23, 2010", www.randpaulgraphs.com 2010-03-24
  48. ^ "Rand Paul & DownsizeDC.org", 2009-12-07.
  49. ^ "Women 4 Rand", 2009-12-22
  50. ^ "Gun Owners of America endorse", 2010-01-06
  51. ^ "Steve Forbes endorses", 2010-01-07.
  52. ^ "A Tea-Party Target List? FreedomWorks Releases Its Races For 2010", 2010-01-25.
  53. ^ "Sarah Palin endorses", 2010-02-01.
  54. ^ "Bunning endorses Paul in U.S. Senate race", 2010-04-14.
  55. ^ Burton, Danielle (2007-03-23). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Ron Paul". U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  56. ^ Paul, Rand (2007-03-22). "Kickback scheme". Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons. Retrieved 2009-04-04.
  57. ^ [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126985068 Rand Paul Says He Has A Tea Party 'Mandate']
  58. ^ http://www.randpaul2010.com/issues/a-g/abortion-2/
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