Ron Paul

Ron Paul: I Would Not Have Voted For The 1964 Civil Rights Act (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro and Jillian Rayfield | May 13, 2011, 6:12PM

Another Paul family political announcement, another battle on MSNBC over the landmark law that helped end segregation in America.

Just about a year after his son Rand Paul stepped in it when he told Rachel Maddow he was opposed to provisions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) told Chris Matthews Friday he wouldn't have voted for the law in the first place had he been in Congress at the time.

Rand's statements on the law (which he later retracted) came during his first week as the Republican nominee for Senate in Kentucky in 2010. Ron's criticisms of the law came on the day he declared his third run for the presidency.

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KY-SEN

Conway Attacks Paul On Civil Rights In New Ad (VIDEO)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | October 27, 2010, 1:22PM

KY Sen. candidates Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D)

Months after Rand Paul met the nation with his epic gaffe/completely intentional/let's just pretend they never happened comments about the 1964 Civil Rights Act on the Rachel Maddow Show, Paul's Democratic opponent in the Kentucky Senate race is turning what he said into a campaign ad.

Jack Conway's latest TV ad -- coming in the midst of criticism over the stomping of a MoveOn.org activist by a former Paul county coordinator -- focuses on Conway's statement that "when I see a wrong, I try to right it."

The stomping incident is not directly mentioned in the ad, but Conway's camp has attempted to make political hay out of Paul's response to the controversy. Conway's campaign says Paul's initial response wasn't strong enough (in other words, when he saw a "wrong," he didn't "right it" immediately) and pressured Paul to say and do more in response. Paul has issued several statements on the incident, including one yesterday where his campaign said it was "extremely disappointed in, and condemns the actions of" the supporter who did the stomping.

The Maddow moment, however, is mentioned in this new ad, suggesting that the general election fight will end where it began -- with critics asking Paul to clarify just exactly what it is he thinks about Civil Rights.

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Tea Party

Top Six Established Laws That Tea Partiers Claim Are Unconstitutional

Brian Beutler | October 26, 2010, 8:59AM

Tea Party activists in Washington, D.C.

It seems as if we've heard more about the Constitution this election than we did in 2008, when questions of due process and cruel and unusual punishment were bona fide election issues. Two years in to Barack Obama's presidency, after turning a blind eye throughout the Bush years, a key goal for the Tea Party this election is to "return" to the Constitution. Minus certain parts of it. And only if you read other parts in a very specific way.

We know the Tea Party has a ... unique interpretation of the country's foundational text, but it's hard sometimes to keep track of all the things their favored candidates would like to see abolished or relegated as part of this "return."

Their convenient reading of various amendments -- particularly the 10th -- would radically transform the country as we know it. Here are a few major programs that would change or disappear.

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KY-SEN

PPP Poll: Rand Paul And Jack Conway Tied In Kentucky

Eric Kleefeld | July 6, 2010, 1:49PM

KY Sen. candidates Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D)

The new survey of the Kentucky Senate race by Public Policy Polling (D) shows a tied race in this red state, where Republican nominee Rand Paul and Democratic state Attorney General Jack Conway are competing for the seat of retiring GOP Sen. Jim Bunning. Furthermore, it's quite possible that the negative coverage of Paul's past opposition to the Civil Rights Act may have done him some damage.

The poll has Paul and Conway tied up at 43%-43%. The survey of registered voters has a ±3.9% margin of error. The previous poll from two months ago, when both candidates were competing for their respective parties' nominations, gave Paul a 41%-40% edge over Conway.

Other polls since the primary showed a possible bump for Paul after his primary win, with the race narrowing again somewhat. The TPM Poll Average gives Paul a lead of 48.8%-41.8%.

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KY-SEN

Poll: Rand Paul's Lead Shrinks

Eric Kleefeld | June 2, 2010, 10:15AM

KY Sen. candidates Rand Paul (R) and Jack Conway (D)

The new Rasmussen poll of Kentucky finds Republican nominee Rand Paul continuing to lead Democrat Jack Conway in the state's big Senate race -- but also suggests that the controversy surrounding Paul's statements against the Civil Rights Act of 1964 could potentially hurt him.

The numbers: Paul 49%, Conway 41%. The survey of likely voters has a ±4.5%. In a poll taken the day after the May 18 primary, which Paul won in a landslide, He had a much bigger lead over Conway of 59%-34%. The poll also says that 73% of voters have followed the news about Paul's comments somewhat closely or very closely. Forty-five percent say Paul's comments will be somewhat or very important to how they vote, with 47% saying it will be not very important or not all important to how they vote.

The TPM Poll Average gives Paul a lead of 48.4%-39.9%.

Sue Lowden

Lowden Dodges Questions About Her Civil Rights Act Stance (VIDEO)

Jillian Rayfield | May 27, 2010, 9:22AM

Nevada Senate candidate Sue Lowden (R)

Nevada Senate candidate Sue Lowden (R) refused to respond to questions yesterday about whether she thinks the Civil Rights Act of 1964 should apply to private businesses, a question that has gotten Rand Paul into some trouble recently.

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KY-SEN

Jack Conway To TPMDC: Paul Civil Rights Comments 'Relevant' To General Election Campaign

Christina Bellantoni | May 21, 2010, 6:35PM

KY-SEN candidate Jack Conway (D)

Kentucky Attorney General Jack Conway (D) said in an interview Rand Paul's comments about the Civil Rights Act this week are fair game for campaign attacks, calling his GOP rival in the Senate race "outside of the mainstream." Conway and Paul each won their party's nomination Tuesday night, and it's been a tough week for Paul since the victory. Conway told me this afternoon he will make sure voters know about Paul's remarks, especially about his views on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"What does that say to our disabled veterans coming back from two wars," Conway said.

At the same time, Conway said his own campaign would focus on the distinctions between the candidates on the economy and the need for "robust" financial reform, and I asked him how the Civil Rights Act comments come into those policy issues. "It's certainly relevant," Conway said. "People fought and bled for the ability to be served in a non-discriminatory fashion. It's problematic and abhorrent that he'd say in 2010 the government would not have a role ... I'm happy to have that discussion."

He also took a whack at Paul's "accidents happen" comments about the oil spill in the Gulf Coast, saying they were "callous."

Rand Paul

Rand Paul: A Primer

Zachary Roth | May 21, 2010, 1:51PM

KY-SEN candidate Rand Paul (R)

So we all know that Rand Paul, at least until recently, had some serious concerns about the part of the Civil Rights Act that banned racial discrimination by private businesses. But people may not know much else about the GOP's new Senate nominee from Kentucky.

Here's a quick primer:

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Rand Paul

NRSC Calls Dem Condemnation Of Paul Civil Rights Act Statements 'Ironic'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 21, 2010, 9:01AM

KY-SEN candidate Rand Paul

The GOP went there. In an email sent to reporters in the height of the Rand Paul firestorm yesterday, the NRSC defended its Senate nominee in Kentucky by pointing out that it wasn't Republicans who were the most vocal opponents of the 1964 Civil Rights Act when it was in Congress.

"As a side note, I would point out the irony - which seems to have been lost in some of the news coverage -- that the same party seeking to manufacture this issue today, is in fact the same political party which led the filibuster against the Civil Rights Act in 1964," NRSC spokesperson Brian Walsh wrote.

The true history of the Civil Rights act, according to Princeton university Sean Wilentz, is not exactly worthy of glib emails from the GOP.

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KY-SEN

Ron Paul: Controversy Around Rand 'Contrived' And 'The Left Has To Knock Him Down'

Eric Kleefeld | May 20, 2010, 6:57PM

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX)

Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) has come to the defense of his son, Senate candidate Rand Paul (R-KY), who has come under fire for his statements in opposition to portions of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

"I think it's contrived because he's done so well and the left has to knock him down," said the elder Paul, CQ reports.

Asked whether Rand could "recover" from his comments -- from which he has backtracked, now saying he supports laws against discrimination -- Ron Paul responded strongly. "What does he have to recover from?" said Ron Paul. "Go to Kentucky and talk to the people. He's just had a referendum; gets 59 percent of the vote and you are talking about recovering? That's an insult."

Civil Rights Act

Paul: I Would Have Voted For Civil Rights Act -- Federal Intervention Was Needed (VIDEO)

Ben Frumin | May 20, 2010, 6:08PM

Rand Paul

Rand Paul just can't make up his mind.

The Republican nominee for Senate in Kentucky, fresh off a much-discussed appearance on the Rachel Maddow Show last night in which he defended his past criticism of the Civil Rights Act, continued his walkback-turned-runback on CNN this afternoon by declaring that not only does he not favor a repeal of the Civil Rights Act, but that he would have voted for the landmark legislation had he been around at the time.

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Jack Conway

Conway: Rand Paul's 'Ideology Has Dangerous Consequences'

Eric Lach | May 20, 2010, 2:34PM

KY-SEN candidate Jack Conway (D)

Rand Paul's Democratic opponent in the Kentucky Senate race has come out with a statement attacking Paul for criticizing part of the Civil Rights Act.

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Rand Paul

McConnell 'Glad' Paul Supports Civil Rights Act

Eric Lach | May 20, 2010, 1:46PM

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) considers the passing of the Civil Rights Act one of the most important and "formative" events in his career. And that's why, a McConnell spokesperson said in a statement obtained by Ben Smith, the senator is "glad to hear" Rand Paul supports it too.

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Civil Rights Act

Clyburn: I'm 'Absolutely Appalled' By Paul's Civil Rights Act Criticism And Country Club Party (VIDEO)

Ben Frumin | May 20, 2010, 1:46PM

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC)

House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) appeared on MSNBC this afternoon and really laid into Kentucky Republican Senate nominee Rand Paul over his criticism of the Civil Rights Act -- and the fact that Paul held his victory party Tuesday at a country club.

"I was absolutely appalled," Clyburn said.

"I could not believe that he was holding his victory party in a private members-only club where the vast majority of the people who just finished voting for him would not even be welcome," Clyburn said. "I couldn't believe that."

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Rand Paul

KY Rep: Rand Paul Has 'Embarrassed Kentuckians In The Eyes Of The World'

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 20, 2010, 12:52PM

Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY)

Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) has some strong words for fellow Bluegrass State politician Rand Paul (R). Just a day after Paul handily won the Republican Senate nomination, Yarmuth said the tea party favorite has tarnished Kentucky's image with his highly publicized comments about the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

"Rand Paul has already embarrassed Kentuckians in the eyes of the world," Yarmouth said in a statement. "The Commonwealth deserves better because we are better - and I call on Mitch McConnell and my other colleagues in the Kentucky Congressional Delegation to join me in condemning his despicable views."

Yarmouth called Paul's libertarian take on the landmark 1964 law -- Paul takes issue with portions of the legislation banning discrimination in private businesses -- "simply appalling."

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Civil Rights Act

Rand Who? Cornyn Silent On Paul's Extreme Civil Rights Act Views

Brian Beutler | May 20, 2010, 12:51PM

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)

Sometimes a "no comment" tells you all you need to know. Such is the case with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) who, as chairman of the NRSC, is responsible for getting Rand Paul--critic of the Civil Right's Act--a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Just off the Senate floor this afternoon, I asked Cornyn for his response to Paul's lengthy comments on MSNBC last night. He demurred: "I haven't heard it, so I'm really not in a position to comment."

I explained Paul's stated view that, while morally wrong, private businesses should be permitted by law to discriminate based on race, sexual orientation, or disability. Once again, no comment.

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Rand Paul

Rand Paul: 'I Will Not Support Any Efforts To Repeal The Civil Rights Act'

Justin Elliott | May 20, 2010, 12:08PM

KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R)

Following intense media scrutiny on his views on the landmark civil rights legislation of the 1960s, Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul released a statement today "unequivocally" asserting that "I will not support any efforts to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964."

Paul says he supports the Civil Rights Act "because I overwhelmingly agree with the intent of the legislation." He stops short of saying he supports the law's mechanisms to force desegregation. And he concludes the statement this way, citing health care reform: "This much is clear: The federal government has far overreached in its power grabs."

Here it is in full, via Time:

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Rand Paul

Rand Paul: 'Loony Left' Unleashed By Civil Rights Act Discussion (Audio)

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 20, 2010, 12:03PM

KY Sen. candidate Rand Paul (R)

Swapping the Rachel Maddow Show set for perhaps more accepting digs this morning, Rand Paul told listeners of the Laura Ingraham radio show that the controversy surrounding his criticism of parts of the 1964 Civil Rights Act is political theater dreamed up by the "loony left."

Ben Smith tuned in to Ingraham's right wing radio show and reports on the host's interview with Paul:

"I've never really favored any change in the Civil Rights Act," Paul said, according to Smth. "They seem to have unleashed some of the loony left on me."

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KY-SEN

What Did Rand Paul Really Say On Maddow Last Night?

Evan McMorris-Santoro | May 20, 2010, 11:25AM

KY-SEN candidate Rand Paul on the Rachel Maddow show

It didn't take long for Kentucky Republican Rand Paul to stumble into trouble. Steeped in libertarianism and partly in the conservative anti-establishment tea party movement, his views -- particularly those on the Civil Rights Act -- have been the subject of much scrutiny and debate since he won the GOP Senate nomination Tuesday night. Last night, Paul's views burst into the national debate after an interview Paul gave to Rachel Maddow set the Internet alight.

In a nutshell, here's what he said:

"Well, there's 10 -- there's 10 different -- there's 10 different titles, you know, to the Civil Rights Act, and nine out of 10 deal with public institutions and I'm absolutely in favor of," he told Maddow deep in their 15-minute interview. "One deals with private institutions, and had I been around, I would have tried to modify that."

Got that? Rand Paul agrees with most of the Civil Rights Act, but not the part that deals with private businesses. And he won't say whether or not that one part of the bill would have been a deal-breaker if he had been in Congress when the bill was up for a vote.

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