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Offline mystery-ak

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In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« on: October 30, 2014, 10:18:38 pm »
http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/222353-in-gop-everybody-wants-rand

By Alexander Bolton - 10/30/14 01:34 PM EDT

LIVONIA, Mich. — Sen. Rand Paul has been the biggest draw for Republicans in the midterm election campaign, proving beyond a doubt that he’s a serious contender for the White House in 2016.

Paul has traveled to 32 states in the 2014 cycle so far, keeping a jam-packed campaign schedule that, last week, included stops in Illinois, Ohio, Iowa, New York and Georgia.

The senator noted his time on the road, as he stood Wednesday before a crowd of about 50 Republican volunteers in a suburban Detroit field office.

Apologizing for his raspy voice, the junior Republican senator from Kentucky noted his extensive travels to help candidates, such as Terri Lynn Land, who’s running for Senate in Michigan.
"As I've traveled around the country I think the wind is at our back. I've been to 32 different states. People do want a change," he told in the crowd in a voice made raw by dozens of stump speeches.

The day before the Michigan visit, Paul had spent the day campaigning in Kansas for Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), who’s locked in a tough reelection fight.

He plans to visit Pennsylvania on Friday before spending the weekend and early next week in Kentucky campaigning with the embattled incumbent who has needed his help the most: Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

The midterm push has allowed Paul to barnstorm the country, making connections along the way that could serve as a springboard to a presidential run in 2016.

Perhaps even more critically, Paul’s travels have demonstrated he has wide appeal in the GOP — something that was in doubt earlier this year, when some party strategists dismissed him as a fringe candidate in the mold of his father, former Texas Rep. Ron Paul (R).

"Everybody wants him. He’s in not just your conservative states; they want him in swing states. Everybody wants Rand there. He can go to Kansas and fire up the base, or he can go to New Hampshire and fire up the independents," said Doug Stafford, executive director of Paul’s RAND PAC.

Paul’s leadership PAC this week launched a six-figure TV buy in Kansas to support Roberts. It will also air spots in Kentucky, New Hampshire, Iowa and North Carolina.

Paul is campaigning hard for Republican candidates but clearly has his eye on 2016 as well.

Iowa and New Hampshire, where he’s focused a lot of attention this year, are the first two contests of the Republican presidential primary.

He has used his campaign appearances around the country to address concerns that the Dick Cheney wing of the Republican Party has with his foreign policy views. Like his father before him, Paul expresses strong skepticism about foreign military engagement, but he’s turned out to be more of a hawk than his dad.

Speaking at a Lincoln Day Dinner in Rochester, Mich., which local officials bill as the nation’s oldest, Paul declared he would support military strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, though he cautioned that the United States should proceed carefully.

The ad his PAC aired in Kansas promoted Paul’s foreign policy outlook by noting that he and Roberts — the former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee — agree on cutting off aid to countries such as Pakistan.

Critically for Paul, this election year has shown that his libertarian strain of Republicanism resonates with a broad swathe of the electorate, with campaigns using him to mobilize independents, libertarians and the conservative base.

The senator’s ability to bring more people into the Republican tent could help him convince party leaders and major donors to back a presidential bid, should he choose to launch one.

"His focus is on 2014, but will that help him should he choose to go nationally? The idea that so many people from different parts of the party want to have him out there when they're running for election should send a message. There's pretty broad appeal across the party and among independents," Stafford said.

The Chamber of Commerce has launched a round of ads in Iowa, New Hampshire, Alaska and North Carolina to reach out to swing voters. The added exposure in Iowa and New Hampshire is an especially nice bonus for Paul’s White House ambitions. 

“In a number of races, the Chamber is focused on the independent swing vote, and we think Sen. Paul is well positioned to deliver a message that appeals to them,” said Blair Latoff Holmes, a spokeswoman for the Chamber. “These ads also fit into our theme this year of using credible messengers in target races, particularly to help break through the clutter and carry the free enterprise message.”

The Senate race in Michigan has fallen off the map for Republicans, as Democratic candidate Gary Peters has built an 8-to-15-percentage-point lead over Land. But Michigan is an important early primary state in 2016, and if Paul can’t swing the outcome of next week’s election, he could still reap benefits in two years’ time.

Other Republican White House contenders, such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz have traveled to Michigan this year, according to Bobby Schostak, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party.

“Michigan is a bellwether state. When it comes to the primary season, it’s a state that all these guys got to stop in and check in with,” he said. “Our primary is going to be early in March, so we’re going to be a difference maker.”

Schostak predicted Paul would be a force in 2016.

“Rand Paul’s got a great conservative message, and the base of our party relates to it very well. He’ll be a very strong candidate if he’s on the ballot,” he said.

The biggest issues in Michigan are jobs, education and healthcare, and Paul addressed each of them during his visit to Detroit.     

At an informal discussion with voters in Sherwood Forest, a predominantly middle-class African-American enclave, Paul talked about the need to give charter schools more freedom to expand, making participation in ObamaCare voluntary and setting up personal health savings accounts. He also discussed turning all of Detroit into an economic enterprise zone with special tax breaks.

Paul said his visit in the final week to a state that is no longer in the thick of the battle for control of the Senate is all about showing “the Republican Party will compete for every vote, including every African-American vote, every vote in Detroit.”

“We want to win,” he said of his leadership PAC and its ambitions for the party.

“We have a unique perspective sometimes. In Kansas, that’s where we purchased most of our ads, We wanted to show that Pat Roberts and I were aligned on not wanting to send money to countries that are burning our flag and appear to hate us,” he said, adding that he and his colleagues want to tell voters they “realize there are needs here at home that need to be met.”
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Offline Atomic Cow

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2014, 10:46:24 pm »
Really?  I sure as heck don't.  He's as nutty as his father.
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Offline raml

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2014, 11:18:16 pm »
Love Rand Paul as do many many republicans this is being shown across the country. I could care less who you like probably some Rhino we don't need or want anymore.

Offline Atomic Cow

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2014, 11:19:45 pm »
Love Rand Paul as do many many republicans this is being shown across the country. I could care less who you like probably some Rhino we don't need or want anymore.

And do you have to be a jackass simply because I do not like him?

You have no clue who I like or would like to see run, so stop being a jerk.
"...And these atomic bombs which science burst upon the world that night were strange, even to the men who used them."  H. G. Wells, The World Set Free, 1914

"The one pervading evil of democracy is the tyranny of the majority, or rather of that party, not always the majority, that succeeds, by force or fraud, in carrying elections." -Lord Acton

Online Lando Lincoln

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2014, 12:13:40 am »
Love Rand Paul as do many many republicans this is being shown across the country. I could care less who you like probably some Rhino we don't need or want anymore.

What the heck was that?  Based on what I can see, AC did not deserve such a shot.
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Offline Bigun

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2014, 12:38:50 am »
Quote
In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'

I'm in the GOP and I sure as HELL do not want Rand!
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
- J. R. R. Tolkien

Online mountaineer

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2014, 12:39:42 am »
I think he's less nutty than his father, but he's far from being my first choice.
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Offline alicewonders

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #7 on: October 31, 2014, 12:51:27 am »
I would have no trouble at all voting for Rand Paul if he is the candidate.  He's on my top three list.


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« Last Edit: October 31, 2014, 01:46:16 am by alicewonders »
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Offline truth_seeker

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2014, 12:55:18 am »
I think Rand Paul is valuable, and useful. He can instruct the center-right coalition, to include varied points of view.

In Europe that is accomplished through the multi-party system, whereby coalitions are usually needed, to win, hold and use political power.

Since our system is essentially a two party system now, it takes coalitions inside the parties, to win, hold and use political power.

A sincere interest in giving voice to Paul's positions, will attract many libertarian oriented independents.

I have studied polls and have concluded that the small "l" orientation is very significant among independents; eg libertarian on social issues, but conservative on fiscal issues.

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Offline MACVSOG68

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2014, 01:01:51 am »
I think Rand Paul is valuable, and useful. He can instruct the center-right coalition, to include varied points of view.

In Europe that is accomplished through the multi-party system, whereby coalitions are usually needed, to win, hold and use political power.

Since our system is essentially a two party system now, it takes coalitions inside the parties, to win, hold and use political power.

A sincere interest in giving voice to Paul's positions, will attract many libertarian oriented independents.

I have studied polls and have concluded that the small "l" orientation is very significant among independents; eg libertarian on social issues, but conservative on fiscal issues.

You make some good points, but getting that intra-party coalition won't be easy, as this tiny thread reflects.
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Offline alicewonders

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #10 on: October 31, 2014, 01:05:26 am »
I think Rand Paul is valuable, and useful. He can instruct the center-right coalition, to include varied points of view.

In Europe that is accomplished through the multi-party system, whereby coalitions are usually needed, to win, hold and use political power.

Since our system is essentially a two party system now, it takes coalitions inside the parties, to win, hold and use political power.

A sincere interest in giving voice to Paul's positions, will attract many libertarian oriented independents.

I have studied polls and have concluded that the small "l" orientation is very significant among independents; eg libertarian on social issues, but conservative on fiscal issues.

You have described me TS, as I consider myself to be small "l" libertarian for the reasons you give. 

I agree with what you said about Rand Paul and coalitions.



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« Last Edit: October 31, 2014, 01:11:37 am by alicewonders »
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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #11 on: October 31, 2014, 01:10:57 am »
Wow!  And to think we're not even at the mid-terms yet...almost a year and a half BEFORE the GOP convention.

It's going to get ugly...given the desperation many of us are feeling.
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Offline alicewonders

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #12 on: October 31, 2014, 01:14:53 am »
Wow!  And to think we're not even at the mid-terms yet...almost a year and a half BEFORE the GOP convention.

It's going to get ugly...given the desperation many of us are feeling.

We're going to get so sick of it. 

 :2barf:


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« Last Edit: October 31, 2014, 01:43:16 am by alicewonders »
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Offline Bigun

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #13 on: October 31, 2014, 01:15:11 am »
Just to make sure no one misunderstands my earlier comment, let me say that there several other potential candidates I would like to see get the nomination before Rand and will work to help that happen but if Rand winds up the nominee he has my vote.
"I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.

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- J. R. R. Tolkien

Offline MACVSOG68

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #14 on: October 31, 2014, 01:17:16 am »
Wow!  And to think we're not even at the mid-terms yet...almost a year and a half BEFORE the GOP convention.

It's going to get ugly...given the desperation many of us are feeling.

Scary ain't it.   *hmmmm*
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Offline MACVSOG68

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #15 on: October 31, 2014, 01:19:00 am »
Just to make sure no one misunderstands my earlier comment, let me say that there several other potential candidates I would like to see get the nomination before Rand and will work to help that happen but if Rand winds up the nominee he has my vote.

I'm with you on that one, though our short lists probably won't be real close, lol.
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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #16 on: October 31, 2014, 01:19:54 am »
Just to make sure no one misunderstands my earlier comment, let me say that there several other potential candidates I would like to see get the nomination before Rand and will work to help that happen but if Rand winds up the nominee he has my vote.

Understood you completely, Bigun!   No clarification needed here. :beer:
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Offline aligncare

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #17 on: October 31, 2014, 01:20:50 am »
I like Rand Paul a whole lot. But, I'm done with senator presidents.

Following Obama we need a tough manager, a fixer. Ideology will matter less than managing skills and competence — hell, just someone with a 9-to-5 work ethic would be a vast improvement.

They won't accomplish all, but they'll have eight years to at least begin undoing the damage.

Realistically, under the best of scenarios, and even with multiple libertarian conservative administrations and congresses, it will take generations of reform.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2014, 04:10:37 pm by aligncare »

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #18 on: October 31, 2014, 01:24:39 am »
You make some good points, but getting that intra-party coalition won't be easy, as this tiny thread reflects.
The inability/unwillingness to cooperate/compromise yields worse results for all of the center-right factions.

Reagan somehow managed it. Maybe the first step is to admit the loss of our (GOP's) institutional memory, and a recognition things will be better for relearning it.

There was a time when mention of Reagan's 11th Commandment brought positive remarks. But sometime through the months and years, it fell into question and then was discarded outright.

Got to get it back.

   

 
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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #19 on: October 31, 2014, 01:31:37 am »
The inability/unwillingness to cooperate/compromise yields worse results for all of the center-right factions.

Reagan somehow managed it. Maybe the first step is to admit the loss of our (GOP's) institutional memory, and a recognition things will be better for relearning it.

There was a time when mention of Reagan's 11th Commandment brought positive remarks. But sometime through the months and years, it fell into question and then was discarded outright.

Got to get it back.


truth_seeker....that's wishful thinking, IMO.

'That' country is long gone.
« Last Edit: October 31, 2014, 01:32:00 am by DCPatriot »
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Offline massadvj

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #20 on: October 31, 2014, 01:43:20 am »
I do not think the GOP can win in 2016 without Rand Paul in the veep spot.  For that reason, I am supporting him in the primaries.  I just don't think Paul can get on the ticket unless he shows a strong capability to garner votes in the primaries.  Ideally, I think a Walker/Paul ticket would be a nice blend of executive capability with ideological purity.  Walker can run on his record and Paul can educate the low info crowd as to the purpose of our constitution. 

Offline truth_seeker

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #21 on: October 31, 2014, 01:53:32 am »
I do not think the GOP can win in 2016 without Rand Paul in the veep spot.  For that reason, I am supporting him in the primaries.  I just don't think Paul can get on the ticket unless he shows a strong capability to garner votes in the primaries.  Ideally, I think a Walker/Paul ticket would be a nice blend of executive capability with ideological purity.  Walker can run on his record and Paul can educate the low info crowd as to the purpose of our constitution.
I wouldn't exactly call Dr. James Dobson "low info crowd" but he (and his type)  need schooling as to the origins of our nation, the proper place for faith and for civil laws, etc.
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Offline massadvj

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #22 on: October 31, 2014, 02:20:22 am »
I wouldn't exactly call Dr. James Dobson "low info crowd" but he (and his type)  need schooling as to the origins of our nation, the proper place for faith and for civil laws, etc.

The low info crowd I was referring to is young voters who have become very disenchanted with liberalism.

Offline Luis Gonzalez

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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #23 on: October 31, 2014, 02:47:35 am »
After everything that happened the last two Presidential cycles I'm taking a long hard look at anarchism.

« Last Edit: October 31, 2014, 03:29:22 am by Luis Gonzalez »
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Re: In GOP, 'everybody wants Rand'
« Reply #24 on: October 31, 2014, 03:06:03 am »
After everything that happened the last tow Presidential cycles I'm taking a long hard look at anarchism.

Me too....wish I was 30 years younger.
"It aint what you don't know that kills you.  It's what you know that aint so!" ...Theodore Sturgeon

"Journalism is about covering the news.  With a pillow.  Until it stops moving."    - David Burge (Iowahawk)

"It was only a sunny smile, and little it cost in the giving, but like morning light it scattered the night and made the day worth living" F. Scott Fitzgerald