'Grimes’ real pledge is to Obama,' Paul said. Poetic Paul rhymes at Grimes

For Saturday’s Fancy Farm picnic in Kentucky, Sen. Rand Paul wrote a rhyming poem mocking Democratic Senate candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes.

“There once was a woman from Kentucky, who thought in politics she’d be lucky,” Paul said.


“So she flew to L.A. for a Hollywood bash. She came home in a flash with buckets of cash.

“To liberals, she whispers: coal makes you sick. In Kentucky, she claims coal makes us tick.

“To the liberals, she sells her soul — the same ones who hate Kentucky coal.

“One thing we know is true, one thing we know is guaranteed, she’d cast her first vote for Harry Reid.

“Grimes’ real pledge is to Obama; her first vote is to Reid; as for Kentucky, if that happens, it’s too bad indeed.”

( Also on POLITICO: McConnell, Grimes face off at Fancy Farm)

The junior senator devoted all of his six-minute speech at the annual church fundraiser in rural western Kentucky — the hottest event on the Bluegrass State’s political calendar — to helping his senior senator, Mitch McConnell, win a race that polls show is neck and neck.

“If, God forbid, Ms. Grimes were elected, her first vote would be for Harry Reid,” Paul told a crowd of thousands, with the Democratic side clad in blue “Alison” shirts and the Republican side in red “Team Mitch” shirts. “A vote for Grimes is essentially a vote for the Obama-Reid agenda.”

What a difference five years makes.

Paul, now a formidable and all-but-declared 2016 presidential candidate, won a major upset in the 2010 GOP Senate primary over then-Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who had the full backing of McConnell and his machine.

( Also on POLITICO: The Do-Little Congress heads home)

In his speech at the Fancy Farm picnic in 2009, Paul — then a practicing ophthalmologist from Bowling Green running a long-shot campaign — ripped “career politicians on both sides of the aisle” for their “hypocrisy.” Without naming McConnell, he attacked Republicans for failing to balance the budget when they had the Senate majority.

“Ask yourself the question: Why does Congress have a 20 percent approval rating?” Paul said five years ago. “Because we keep doing the same thing! We elect the same old people, year after year. I say you need new leadership in Kentucky. I say you need an outsider.”

McConnell, who built the modern Republican Party in this once solidly Democratic Southern state, quickly forged an alliance with Paul. He sent valued advisers to help Paul’s campaign once he won that GOP primary, and he helped elevate his profile and status in the Senate once he arrived.

( Also on POLITICO: Paul: Fire Brennan)

As McConnell geared up for reelection, he hired Paul confidant Jesse Benton to manage his own campaign. The two senators now frequently appear at events together.

Paul’s endorsement gave McConnell vital cover during a contentious GOP primary challenge from businessman Matt Bevin.

And McConnell is looking for ways to return the favor.

“I can say this without fear of contradiction: He is the most credible candidate for president of the United States since Henry Clay,” the minority leader reportedly told a county GOP breakfast earlier Saturday, a reference to the Kentucky senator who ran unsuccessfully for president in 1824, 1832 and 1844.

Paul’s speech reflected just how much he’s grown as a politician since 2009. There was no criticism of other Republicans. He’s now much more a team player and crisper on the stump.

He even hewed closely to the McConnell campaign’s messaging in trying to nationalize the race as much as possible.

“Barack Obama needs Grimes,” Paul said. “To stop Barack Obama, Kentucky needs McConnell.”

“To implement Obamacare, Obama needs Grimes. To repeal and replace it, Kentucky needs McConnell,” Paul added. “To continue waging war on coal, Obama needs Grimes. To fight back and defend coal, Kentucky needs McConnell. To spend every last dime of our money, Obama needs Grimes. To balance the budget … Kentucky needs McConnell.”

Paul pronounced himself “truly worried” that Grimes could win, and he threw plenty of red meat to the crowd.

“Does anyone want Hollywood to pick our next senator?” he said. “Environmental extremists who are trying to kill Kentucky jobs are bankrolling the Grimes campaign. Imagine the nightmare if Grimes were elected!”

Fancy Farm has been held on the grounds of St. Jerome Catholic Church every year since 1880. It’s a rare event where a politician addresses a throng of screaming partisans from across the ideological spectrum, where cheers run even with jeers. Both campaigns bused in supporters.

This year the parish built a new pavilion for all the speeches. “My objective was to portray a brick front porch that looked relaxing and inviting,” said organizer Mark Wilson.

When Paul finished his speech, Elaine Chao — McConnell’s wife and the former secretary of labor — jumped up to give him a hug. Then she and the two senators left the stage, skipping the tail end of the two-hour program.

The subsequent Democratic speakers pointed this out.

Attorney General Jack Conway, who lost to Paul in the 2010 general election as the Democratic nominee, accused the two senators of wanting D.C. to be dysfunctional.

“The junior is Senator Out of Town,” said Conway, who is running for governor next year. “The senior is Senator Out of Touch and Out of Time. One is a self-certified ophthalmologist. The other one, on the ballot this fall, is a self-certified obstructionist.”

State Auditor Adam Edelen joked about Paul’s ambitions for higher office — saying he acts “like he was born in a manger.” Then he noted that the two senators left together.

“It kind of makes you wish Rand Paul was on the ballot this year,” the Democrat said, “so they could leave the Senate together.”