[nroman]

Not really. Any political consultant worth his salt could easily paint Rand Paul as a racist, given his comments on the Civil Rights Act. (http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/05/rand_paul...)

Just to be clear, I'm not saying I think Rand Paul is a racist. I'm just saying I don't think he has a chance in a national election.

[reedlaw]

It is clear from the context what Paul is saying and I don't think anyone who hears him speak for more than 2 minutes will believe he's a racist:

PAUL: Well, I think what you've done is you bring up something that really is not an issue, nothing I've ever spoken about or have any indication that I`m interested in any legislation concerning. So, what you bring up is sort of a red herring or something that you want to pit. It's a political ploy. I mean, it's brought up as an attack weapon from the other side, and that's the way it will be used.

But, you know, I think a lot of times these attacks fall back on themselves, and I don't think it will have any effect because the thing is, is that every fiber of my being doesn't believe in discrimination, doesn't believe that we should have that in our society. And to imply otherwise is just dishonest.

[kingkawn]

I suppose not caring at all about black people is not expressly racist, indifference and dislike are rather different, no?

[reedlaw]

Paul is neither indifferent nor racist. He is explicitly pro-civil rights and anti-racist.