How can Trey Grayson say he’s not the establishment candidate when there are, oh, things like this?

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) is making his candidate preferences known in two Republican primaries — hosting a fundraiser in New York City on Dec. 7 to benefit former New Hampshire attorney general Kelly Ayotte and Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, according to a copy of the invite obtained by the Fix. Ayotte will face at least two candidates in the GOP primary — businessmen Ovide Lamontagne and Bill Binnie — while Grayson is being challenged by Rand Paul, the son of Texas Rep. Ron Paul. The National Republican Senatorial Committee made news last week when it made clear it would not involve itself financially in contested primaries. But, McConnell’s involvement for Grayson and Ayotte make clear where the “smart money” is in these primary fights.

Dear Nate Hodson & Trey Grayson’s Campaign: You can’t pretend Trey isn’t the establishment candidate when the NRSC is holding fundraisers for him and when your own campaign tells me that Mitch McConnell and the “Republican establishment” (verbatim) are supporting him.

You need to run a real campaign and quit complaining if you want to beat the crazy teabaggers.