By Les Johns

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A rain shower-induced microphone malfunction temporarily silenced U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, leading to dueling chants of “A-C-A” and “U-S-A.”

Later, tempers flared between the groups as a tea-party supporter pulled a pair of signs out of the hands of a protester, briefly standing on them until instructed to return them by the Kentucky State Police.

Paul and senior U.S. Senator from Kentucky Mitch McConnell were featured speakers Monday at a tea-party rally against Obamacare.

The Affordable Care Act still stirs the emotions of supporters and detractors more than two years after its passage.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the law was constitutional. Paul disagrees.

Paul said at the rally that his wife tells him he should start counting to 10 before publicly commenting on controversial topics.

“I have had plenty of time to count to 10, and I think the whole damn thing is unconstitutional,” Paul told the crowd.

McConnell, the current Senate minority leader, said it is imperative to elect Mitt Romney as president and provide him with a Republican majority in the Senate.

“Repealing Obamacare will be job 1,” McConnell said in his speech. “We need to make Obama a one-term president.”

Some UK students attended the rally.

“I like the cause against Obamacare, and I think it affects people my age more than people think,” said Alexis Cataldo, a history and political science senior. “I love events like this. It’s the beauty of this country.”

Many people attending the rally held signs in protest of the tea party and the Republican senators.

“This protest rally wasn’t representing one particular group,” Ben Norton, a UK junior, said.

“Individuals that have certain qualms with McConnell, Paul and the tea party came together.”

Cataldo said students could become more engaged by registering to vote or by joining the college Republicans or Democrats on campus.

“You should probably start paying attention to the issues,” Cataldo said. “Regardless of your position.”