Senator Rand Paul reading his poem at Fancy Farm Picnic 2014.

There once was a Senator from Kentucky
Who thought with a poem he’d be lucky
But trying for rhymes
With Lundergan Grimes
Left half of the crowd feeling yucky.

(Fancy Farm, KY- August 2, 2014) – Junior Senator Rand Paul spent his six minutes of time reciting a poem about candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes. The Duke University educated ophthalmologist is a smart man, but he is no poet.

His effort has been met with derision by the national media. Sadly, because we personally like the Senator, we must agree. The "speech" was an opportunity lost in an effort to be cute.

Paul wasted an opportunity to show that he could be the one national candidate on either side of the aisle capable of breaking the logjam in Washington D. C.

He missed the chance to show he is beholdin’ to no one, not even the Senior Senator from Kentucky. Senator Paul came across on Saturday as just another hack for the Party.

That’s tragic because Paul’s best speeches have been when he spoke of issues like drones, security and privacy. His shining moment was his 12 hour filibuster against confirmation of CIA Director John Brennan. Paul's opposition has turned out to be prescient with the recent revelation that the CIA was hacking Senate computers.

Paul has co-sponsored bills with Democrats. He has advocated for restoration of voting rights, having the courage to go where few Republicans venture – meetings of the NAACP. A recent appearance on national television with Democratic New Jersey Senator Corey Booker confused media talking heads into speechlessness.

But we got none of that Rand Paul on Saturday. This Rand Paul gave us the anti-Hollywood, anti-Obama, anti-liberal, anti-progressive rhetoric that sells to those predisposed to purchase. The only rationale for his performance is a need to appeal to the voters Paul needs to get through a Republican primary – the rabid Party faithful.

We cannot believe that this is the kind of rhetoric that will put him behind the desk in the Oval Office. Americans are increasingly expressing displeasure with the business as usual gridlock in Washington. Americans are looking for a leader – someone who can and will break with the herd.

Rand Paul was not that leader on Saturday. It’s an opportunity that the old Rand Paul would have seized. We fear that Rand Paul is gone forever in his quest to climb the ladder of partisan approval.

 Related:Washington Post story "DREAMers confront Steve King, Rand Paul walks away"