Joseph Gerth | Rand Paul creates mistrust by refusing to answer questions about ophthalmology certification

By Joseph Gerth • jgerth@courier-journal.com •
Louisville Courier-Journal
June 13, 2010

When will politicians realize that not answering
questions is a bad idea because it leaves the
impression that they are hiding something?

And because it makes that story hang around for
days and weeks, rather than end after one news
cycle.

I ask this because when I tried to query Rand
Paul, the eye surgeon turned Republican U.S.
Senate nominee, about the medical certification
board he incorporated, owns and runs (the board
that has certified him) he said he didn't want to
answer such questions -- ever.

Moreover, he said, he didn't understand what it
had to do with his Senate race.

(Continued here.)

Here's another version of the story, and not so generous:

Rand Paul Not Board Certified: Kentucky Senate Hopeful Faces Challenge From Medical Panel

BRUCE SCHREINER and BRETT BARROUQUERE | 06/14/10 04:20 PM | AP

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Rand Paul, who touts his career as a Kentucky eye doctor as part of his outsider credentials in his campaign for U.S. Senate, isn't certified by his profession's leading group.

He tried Monday to bat away questions about it by calling it an attack on his livelihood, saying the scrutiny stems from his challenge of a powerful medical group over a certification policy he thought was unfair.

The libertarian-leaning Republican helped create a rival certification group more than a decade ago. He said the group has since recertified several hundred ophthalmologists, despite not being recognized the American Board of Medical Specialties – the governing group for two dozen medical specialty boards.

(Continued here.)