http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/11/12/qa-with-rand-paul-shaking-...

Rand Paul spent much of 2007 campaigning for his father, Ron Paul, the iconoclastic Republican thorn-in-the-side.

Republican Rand Paul speaks on Aug. 1 at the 129th annual Fancy Farm Picnic in Fancy Farm, Ky. (AP Photo/ Daniel R. Patmore, File)

But now the younger Paul, an ophthalmologist, is making his own bid for office, and he is doing so in the family tradition: Making Republicans uncomfortable.

Paul is running in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, his home state since 1993. He is leading in the most recent poll and raising buckets of money. He is outperforming Secretary of State Trey Grayson, who has the support of Kentucky’s most powerful pol, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Like his father who became an Internet phenomenon during his presidential run, Rand Paul also seems to be somewhat of an Internet sensation. But whether he can actually win is an open question.

The Kentucky race is featured in a Wall Street Journal story today looking at efforts by underdog Republicans to catch the wave of anti-establishment fervor in their party.

Here are excerpts of our conversation with Rand Paul:

Washington Wire: Are there any areas where you disagree with your father’s views on issues?
Paul: There are some minor areas where we disagree. One is on taking the pledge not to put earmarks in bills. He’s probably the most fiscally conservative member of the House, but he’s just taken the position that when his constituents ask for a particular road or museum, he puts them through. I think the whole system is broken down, and it’s my opinion that we shouldn’t put earmarks on bills.

Washington Wire: So do you think drugs should be legalized?
Paul: It’s a state issue. All issues of crime are better addressed at the state level.

Washington Wire: Your father opposed the war in Iraq.
Paul: I would have voted no on the Iraq war and yes to Afghanistan. The main thing I say on war is that we need to obey the law and formally declare war.

Washington Wire: What should happen in Afghanistan?
Paul: I support a declaration of war in Afghanistan. We have to now determine what our mission is. It’s become somewhat murky.

Washington Wire: Do you consider yourself a libertarian?
Paul: I call myself a constitutional conservative. I see myself as sort of, part of this insurgency that’s out there, the way [former Florida state legislator Marco] Rubio is a conservative and fighting against an established moderate like [Gov. Charlie] Crist. Our race in Kentucky is going to shape up to be very similar.

Washington Wire: How much of your campaign is built on the Ron Paul base?
Paul: Probably 75% of people at the “tea parties” I go to didn’t support Ron Paul. It opened the door [for my candidacy] that 25% who did were big supporters of mine and my dad.

Washington Wire: How do you talk about the economy on the campaign trail?
Paul: I see us in the latter stages of the Roman empire, when you have bread and circuses to placate the mob. But in our current society, we have Cash for Clunkers and the stimulus package. And the mantra we get from Washington is this soothing George Carlin voice that says, ‘You just need to go to the mall and spend your checks.’ But nobody believes that.

Washington Wire: I see.
Paul: I think there’s a danger that we could destroy our currency and be like 1923 in Germany, with the Weimar currency, with money in wheelbarrows. Germany was a civilized country in Europe, and they destroyed their currency and then elected Hitler, so things have happened before and they could happen again.

Washington Wire: Do you want Sarah Palin to campaign for you?
Paul: We’d love to have her come. We’ve made some overtures to her.

Washington Wire: What about Tim Pawlenty or Mitt Romney?
Paul: I don’t know much about Tim Pawlenty. Romney, there’s a mixture of beliefs there.