Kentucky backers of Rand Paul's U.S. Senate campaign are expecting to haul in more than $100,000 from about 100 people at a single fundraiser Monday to be attended by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush.
The event at a private home in the wealthy Mockingbird Valley neighborhood in eastern Jefferson County has the traditional tiers of political fundraisers.
A group of Kentucky activists plan a protest outside the fundraiser in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which President George H.W. Bush, Jeb's father, signed into law twenty six years to to the date of the fundraiser. Paul has expressed reservations about some provisions in the ADA, such as compelling two-story businesses to install elevators. In a news release, the group says "Jeb Bush should be ashamed to support a politician that stands against his father's values and American values."
The support of Bush could be a double edged sword for Paul, who rode to a GOP primary victory by bucking the establishment, but has since cozied up to the establishment, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and now, Bush. At the same time, Bush's embrace could help Paul's credibility among traditional Republicans who might be unconvinced about the Bowling Green eye doctor.
It appears that Paul is benefiting from the fundraising prowess of GOP philanthropist Cathy Bailey. The former U.S. Ambassador to Latvia under President George W. Bush has not been formally named finance chair of the Paul campaign but is providing a critical link for Paul to more traditional Republicans. It will be interesting to see to what extent Bailey taps into her fundraising Rolodex for Paul.
Bailey is one of several Republicans whose names are being mentioned as possible gubernatorial candidates next year.
Meanwhile, Jeb Bush's name is increasingly mentioned in the 2012 presidential election as uniquely suited to reach out to both Hispanic voters and Tea Party followers. The former Florida governor is addressing the National Conference of State Legislators in Louisville on Tuesday morning, discussing education reform and Florida's success in reversing a generation of decline in public schools, particularly among Hispanic students.
What remains to be seen is if America, or even Republicans for that matter, is comfortable with the idea of a single family producing three presidents.
