Sen. McConnell taps Ron Paul aide to run campaign

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell's re-election bid in Kentucky is two years away, but he's sending a signal to the Tea Party and the GOP's Ron Paul wing with his new campaign manager.

McConnell has hired Jesse Benton, the national campaign chairman for Paul's presidential bid. Benton knows Kentucky from his days running the successful Senate race of Paul's son, Rand, in 2010.

"We're committed to running a presidential-level campaign in Kentucky, and that starts with a presidential campaign manager," McConnell said in a statement. "Jesse is literally the best in the business at building and organizing grassroots movements, and I'm thrilled he's chosen to return to Kentucky to lead my campaign."

McConnell's relationship with Rand Paul didn't start off well: Two years ago he backed Trey Grayson over Paul in the Senate GOP primary. Paul easily defeated Grayson, with the help of Tea Party supporters. In a Ron Paul tribute shown at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, McConnell's comments about the Texas congressman drew hearty applause.

The younger Paul told the Associated Press that McConnell should get support from anti-tax, small-government supporters in the Tea Party movement because of the Senate GOP leader's efforts opposing President Obama's health care law.