McConnell On Rand Paul 2016 Run: Most ‘Creditable’ Since Henry Clay

Sen. Mitch McConnell gives a thumbs up as he arrives at the annual Fancy Farm picnic with Sen. Rand Paul, left, in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014. Nominally a fundraiser for a small Roman Catholic church in ... Sen. Mitch McConnell gives a thumbs up as he arrives at the annual Fancy Farm picnic with Sen. Rand Paul, left, in Fancy Farm, Ky., Saturday, Aug. 2, 2014. Nominally a fundraiser for a small Roman Catholic church in western Kentucky, the two-day picnic in the tiny town of Fancy Farm is a throwback to the days before television, when stump speeches were the candidates' main vehicle to reach voters. (AP Photo/Stephen Lance Dennee) MORE LESS
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Now that Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has thrown his support behind Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) during his re-election bid, McConnell is trying to return the favor.

During a speech at Fancy Farm, McConnell told the crowd that Paul would be a formidable candidate if he chose to run for president in 2016.

“If he chose to run, he would be the most creditable candidate for president since Henry Clay,” McConnell said, according to the Huffington Post.

Henry Clay, known for brokering multiple compromises during his time representing Kentucky in Congress, ran for president three times— in 1824, 1832, and 1844 — but never won.

McConnell and Paul were not always buddies. McConnell tried to prevent Paul from winning the Republican nomination in the 2010 Senate race, but the two have developed a supportive professional relationship since then.

Paul is popular in Kentucky, and his endorsement of McConnell could give the Minority Leader a real boost.

Paul, however, has struggled to explain why he’s supporting McConnell in 2014.

“Uhh, because he asked me,” Paul said when asked by Glenn Beck about the endorsement in February. “He asked me when there was nobody else in the race. And I said yes.”

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Notable Replies

  1. If Rand “Squirrel Head” Paul wants to run for president three times, only to lose each time and waste incredible amounts of wing-nut money – fine by me; fine by me.

  2. "If he chose to run, he would be the most creditable candidate for president since Henry Clay," McConnell said, according to the Huffington Post.

    Henry Clay, known for brokering multiple compromises during his time representing Kentucky in Congress, ran for president three times— in 1824, 1832, and 1844 — but never won.

    Was this supposed to be a compliment?

  3. Now that Beavis is gone, where else is Randy going to go?

  4. McConnell seems to be fond of losers, apparently

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