Talk about a tone-deaf joke. Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes used a reference to a brutal attack by a neighbor in an attempt at humor aimed at Senator Rand Paul (R-KY). The tasteless remark was made at an event traditionally attended by people with political ambitions.  She said of Senator Rand Paul (R-KY), “Just ask his neighbor. He can be beaten.” Yikes.

Alison Lundergan Grimes on Rand Paul: “Just ask his neighbor. He can be beaten.”

— Adam Beam (@adambeam) August 4, 2018

Perhaps Secretary Grimes thinks it is funny that Senator Paul was attacked by a mentally ill neighbor in his own yard while mowing the grass. Senator Paul was wearing earphones and was unaware of the angry man as he came up behind him. Paul ended up in the hospital in worse shape than he initially let on. You may remember the story.

Paul’s neighbor was convicted in June of attacking the senator outside his home and was sentenced to 30 days in prison. The attack left Paul with six broken ribs and his recovery was complicated by fluid and blood around the lungs and recurrent pneumonia.

The senator told police that the incident occurred when his “neighbor came onto his property and tackled him from behind, forcing him to the ground and causing pain.”

Apparently, the woman was on a roll because she went on to say that while Senator Paul is in Russia this week, he’s not really going to support President Trump’s engagement with countries around the world but is “looking for a campaign manager.”  Surely she isn’t paying someone to write this garbage for her.

Needless to say, when her performance was noted by an Associated Press reporter, Senator Paul’s chief strategist, Doug Stafford, responded.

Grimes’ remark sparked a response from Paul’s chief strategist Doug Stafford, who made a reference to Grimes’ failed 2014 Senate run, where she attempted to unseat Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.“That’s almost as sad and pathetic as her last campaign,” he said. “Mitch beat her so bad he almost got charged with a hate crime.”

Senator Paul was not at the event at a local Fancy Farm picnic. Political candidates use the event to kick off campaigns and Grimes is said to be considering a run for governor – no doubt on a platform of unifying Kentuckians and promoting civility among elected officials. (See, I can make bad jokes, too.)

Rand Paul’s neighbor was sentenced to 30 days in prison. The neighbor claimed he was angry toward the senator because leaves blew onto his property from Paul’s use of a lawnmower.

Sounds like Grimes is in need of a good joke writer.