Paul, Grayson, McConnell Attend Unity Rally

by Tony McVeigh, Kentucky Public RadioA Republican Party of Kentucky unity rally in Frankfort Saturday drew several hundred of the party faithful, and a small group of protestors.U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell - introducing the man of the hour, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Rand Paul. In brief comments, Paul warned the crowd – which spilled out onto the lawn - these are serious times in which we live and a day of reckoning is coming if the United States government continues to run up debt.“I will call for something in the fall that I’ve called for all throughout the last year," he said. "I will call for one simple thing. Let’s not spend more money than we take in.”Among those speaking before Paul, and calling for party unity, was the man he defeated in Tuesday’s Republican primary, Secretary of State Trey Grayson.“Dr. Paul and I gave each other our words during the campaign that we would be here, regardless of who won, we would endorse the other," said Grayson. "I gave the word to him. I gave the word to the Republican Party. And as I said, on deficit spending, on energy, on healthcare – he’s the right guy for folks who share those views and I think that’s the majority of Kentuckians, regardless of political party.”After the event, Paul met privately with Sen. McConnell and other party leaders, stepping outside only briefly to shake hands and sign autographs. He fielded no questions from the media. Across the street, about ten people protested against Rand Paul’s positions on immigration, civil rights and other issues.