Kentucky’s Republican U.S. Senate hopeful Rand Paul’s opponent isn’t the only one who thinks Paul compromised his stance against business as usual in Washington, D.C., by taking campaign cash at a high-dollar fund-raiser there last month.

The National Tea Party is also reportedly furious over his decision to attend a fundraiser hosted by GOP lawmakers who voted for the 2008 Wall Street bailout.

The GOP primary was a battle for the direction of the party, and Paul won it with his platform of requiring balanced budgets and complete opposition to bailouts, said his campaign manager, Jesse Benton.

“Dr. Paul accepts financial support from anyone who wants to support his ideas of limited government, term limits, balanced budgets and real reform but makes it clear to them that money will not influence his votes or positions,” Benton said.

The Lexington Herald-Leader Reported:

“I am deeply disappointed that he did that,” said Warren Scoville of London, an attorney who served more than 20 years in various positions with the state Republican Party. “I voted for (Paul) because of where he was, and now he’s not where he was.”

Others, however, argued that Paul has not turned his back on his principles, but rather is doing what is necessary to win so he can put those principles to work in office.

Kentucky Senator Tom Jensen (R-London), and Senator Robert Stivers (R-Manchester) said the fund-raising event won’t cost Paul any support.

Kentucky’s Tea Party, led by the president of the anti-gay American Family Association of Kentucky, Dr. Frank G. Simon, has an anti-gay platform. (previous story)

Meanwhile, multimillionaire Steve Forbes is holding a fundraiser for Paul in New York City. Paul campaign manager Jesse Benton says the $1,000-per-person event is set for Monday.

Forbes is a wealthy publisher who ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 1996 and 2000. He campaigned on a platform that included a flat tax, medical savings accounts, parental choice of schools and term limits.

Paul raised $1.1 million in campaign cash during a three-month reporting period that ended June 30.