Rand Paul ends ban on support from pro-TARP senators

During the GOP primary for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, way back in August 2009, Rand Paul pledged to take no money from senators who backed the Troubled Asset Relief Program. It was tough for his opponent, Trey Grayson, to meet him on that pledge, because Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) backed TARP and supported Grayson. But Paul's Democratic opponent, Attorney General Jack Conway, is accusing him of breaking the pledge with an upcoming June 24 D.C. fundraiser. Evidence for the breaking-the-pledge claim (via the muckraking blog Barefoot and Progressive): the error you get when searching for it.

Paul campaign manager Jesse Benton confirmed that the pledge is no longer operative, and explained that it was meant for the primary, when Paul was drawing a bright line between himself and Trey Grayson.

"That contest is won," said Benton. "He won the primary and he didn't take money from senators who backed the bailout. Now they're coming to support him, and he's not going to turn down support from Republicans. They're not looking for a seat at his table. They're supporting him because of his positions, and because of his steadfast commitment to principle."