By Rebecca Feldhaus
Murray, KY – Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Rand Paul says he couldn't have won the GOP nomination in Kentucky without support from the tea party. The Bowling Green eye doctor says that he was the "right messenger at the right time" to emerge from political obscurity with the rise of the tea party. Appearing on Fox News Channel, Paul described the tea party as "equal parts chastisement" of Democrats and Republicans. Paul is running against Democratic Attorney General Jack Conway for the seat of retiring Republican Senator Jim Bunning.