KY-SEN

GQ: Mitch McConnell Demanded Rand Paul's Support During Primary

Evan McMorris-Santoro | September 22, 2010, 12:59PM

KY-SEN candidate Rand Paul

In the midst of the contentious Kentucky Republican primary for Senate that challenged -- and ultimately humiliated -- Mitch McConnell, the GOP leader in the Senate demanded Rand Paul promise to kiss his ring if he ever made it to Washington, according to a new story in GQ. Paul refused, and then won the nomination, setting up a dynamic that has left McConnell guessing about what Paul might do next.

From Jason Zengerle's massive profile of Paul in the October issue of GQ:

During the primary, McConnell's only meeting with Paul took place in a hangar at the Louisville airport. According to a person familiar with the conversation, McConnell pressed Paul to pledge to vote for him for Republican leader--something Paul refused to do. (Billy Piper, McConnell's chief of staff, denies that his boss sought Paul's commitment.) All these months later, Paul still won't make a firm pledge.

According to Zengerle, Paul's public ambivalence over backing McConnell for leader is all part of a plan. "The whole question of 'Will Rand vote for McConnell for leader?' is a power play," one "Paul ally" tells GQ. "If Mitch is a little bit on edge, so much the better. He should be."

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