Conway Slams Rand Paul's 'Empathy Gap,' 'Cold And Callous' World View

First Posted: 05-21-10 03:48 PM | Updated: 05-21-10 04:02 PM


Seizing on a series of politically eccentric statements from his opponent Rand Paul, Kentucky Democratic Senate candidate Jack Conway charged the Tea Party darling with having an "empathy gap" and promoting a world view that is "cold and callous."

"I think Rand Paul would be bad for the country," the Kentucky Attorney General said in an interview with the Huffington Post. "Rand Paul would be bad for Kentucky. I consider myself to be a fiscally responsible Democrat and I want a government we can afford. But Kentucky can't afford Rand Paul."

Conway was handed a gift of sorts from the political gods this week as the first stories to emerge from Kentucky's dual primaries on Tuesday all centered around Paul's libertarian interpretations of the role of the federal government. On Wednesday, the Republican candidate said he was skeptical about the necessity or reach of portions of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. On Friday morning, Paul criticized the Obama administration for being too tough on BP in the wake of that company's oil spill in the Gulf. "Accidents happen," he offered with respect to the Gulf tragedy and the deaths that took place in the West Virginia mines.

The dual comments have had the effect of placing Paul under a glaring and uncomfortable political spotlight as even national Republicans acknowledge that he needs more grooming. And Conway isn't about to throw his opponent a rope to let him out of the hole he has dug for himself.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/21/conway-slams-rand-pauls-e_n_585328.html