Jack Conway Leading Rand Paul In Latest Poll Following “Aqua Buddha” Ad

By Yashwanth Manjunath

According to a poll conducted on behalf of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Jack Conway is leading Rand Paul 49-47 in the race to determine the next United States Senator from Kentucky. This is the strongest showing by Conway since late June. The poll was conducted a day after Conway’s campaign released their controversial new “Aqua Buddha” ad. The ad is a reference to Paul’s membership in the”NoZe Brotherhood” during his college years at Baylor, a group that was banned at the school for their mockery and lack of respect for Christianity. Paul also allegedly kidnapped a woman in a marijuana-induced prank and forced her to “bow down and worship” their god, “Aqua Buddha.” Although the woman now claims she willingly took part in the prank, Paul’s worship of a false idol during his college years is not playing well in a socially conservative state like Kentucky. This latest attack clearly is hurting his credibility as a devout Christian committed to banning abortion and same-sex marriage.

I’m torn on this issue. In no way should Conway’s vicious, but accurate portrayal of Paul during his college years impact the perception Kentucky voters have of Paul as a Christian today. Not to mention that running brutal campaign ads trying to “out-Christian” your opponent is usually a Republican strategy. However, Conway is a strong progressive endorsed by the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC). His views on the issues are much more in line with mine (and the country’s), than the radical libertarian philosophy that Rand Paul espouses. I badly want Conway to win this race and this strategy appears to be working for him in the polls, just like it often does for Republicans. But do the ends justify the means?

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