Republican U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul has broken his recent silence with a friendly interview on conservative talk radio, weeks after his negative comments about the U.S. Civil Rights Act set off a political firestorm.

Paul did not discuss that controversy with George Mason University economics professor Walter E. Williams, who served as guest host Monday on the Rush Limbaugh Show. They talked about the need to rein in Washington spending.

Paul had retreated from the national scene after his May 18 Kentucky GOP primary victory, when he suggested government should not require private businesses to serve minorities.

Campaign manager Jesse Benton said Paul has been preparing for a
tough general campaign and tending to his ophthalmology practice.

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