Landslide Rand

Paul united his father's national army of libertarian followers, who became his avid fundraising base, with a much larger group of rank-and-file conservatives who were ready for someone who would fight for limited government. It was a union of Ron Paul Republicans and Rush Limbaugh Republicans. In April, an exit poll taken at the Tea Party protest at the National Mall showed the demonstrators' favorite politicians were Sarah Palin and Ron Paul. Rand Paul, with his focus on the size of government, unified both wings of the Tea Party movement. "Grayson wanted this primary to be about national security because that's where they thought they had the best opposition research," Louisville Republican strategist Scott Jennings told Politico. "But this race was about spending and fiscal issues from the beginning, and Grayson's lack of focus on that cost him early momentum which he never regained." Paul's enemies in the GOP still hope to count him out come November. The early polling data suggests they should pack a lunch. "I have a message, a message from the tea party, a message that is loud and clear and does not mince words: We have come to take our government back," he said in his victory speech. "What I say to Washington is, 'Watch out, here we come.'"...more