Here is the video of Paul's announcement speech for those who are interested in watching it.
Paul has tried pretty hard to convince those outside of his party that he is a different sort of Republican by reaching out to young people (Like his father did before him.), women, and African Americans.
I his speech Paul talked about fighting the "Washington Machine," doing away with domestic spying, and refusing to give one more dollar to countries with anti-American sentiments.
However though some of his anti-war and anti-spying viewpoints might line up with progressive voters, there are many of Paul's viewpoints that will leave them cold, and more than a little confused.
During debates Paul may come off as less of a lunatic than some of the other GOP hopefuls, but once the media starts doing a little digging they will discover a treasure trove of bizarre statements and half baked conspiracy theories that will inevitably signal the end of this campaign.
Right now Paul is trailing behind several of his potential GOP rivals, and ultimately I really doubt he will do a whole lot better than his father before him.
When I engage with a Rand Paul booster there are several things we agree on (domestic spying must stop, fewer wars, TSA) and then they go off the rails about the gold standard, Agenda 21, Terry Shiavo,the basic John Birch, Glenn Beck nut job ranting begins. There is some serious disconnect from reality going on. And when you bring up the inconsistencies in the libertarian agenda they foam at the mouth. Very uncomfortable social encounters.
ReplyDeleteRand Paul is a libertarian opportunist. If he hates government so much, he should not be taking his paycheck and benefits from it.
DeleteBeaglemom
Don't fret, a couple of lines of coke in a dorm room turns everyone into a conservative
DeleteNot to mention women's reproductive rights. So-called libertarian Rand would give the state full control over those.
DeletePaul Rand will say whatever he thinks people want to hear. Any time he discovers that he isn't, he'll walk it back to make him seem less creepy. He conveniently forgets there's something called video which keeps his craziness alive forever.
DeleteHe's also got a bit of a temper - back when he got caught plagiarizing MULTIPLE times, he called those who caught him haters and fantasized about calling them out in a duel.
Then there's the little shushing of a journalist while being interviewed for the TeeVee machine.
Let's face it, Paul 2.0 needs to back into development.
Youtube has already blocked Rand Paul's presidential campaign announcement due to copyright infringement.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/04/07/youtubes-copyright-system-has-taken-rand-pauls-presidential-announcement-offline/
I was just going to post this link! He's following in a proud tradition of conservative candidates getting their wrists slapped for copyright infringement and/or appropriating songs from artists who want nothing to do with them (Michele Bachmann and Tom Petty, Paul Ryan and Rage Against the Machine...the list goes on). They need to just stick to the Nuge and Meat Loaf, and they'll be fine.
DeleteHere's another big screwup:
DeleteRand Paul's Campaign Website Misspelled 'Education'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/07/rand-paul-education-eductation_n_7018592.html?utm_hp_ref=politics
Not ready for prime time:
Jon Stewart Shows How Weird Rand Paul's Presidential Announcement Was
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/08/jon-stewart-rand-paul_n_7022916.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics
What is it with Republicans and copyright? Well, I guess we know which part of big government they are going to roll back first.
DeleteSo we have a candidate that committed voter fraud and now one that wants to get rid of the Department of Eductation.
DeleteOh, and the Canadian.
What else has the Republican Party got?
A bunch of hyperbole about a man that will never be selected to run for POTUS! I can hardly wait until they start digging into his past and tear him apart!
ReplyDeleteThe media is building him up and already tearing Hillary Clinton down (and she still hasn't announced she is running!) Friggin' amazing to watch and listen!
He and Cruz will get into the White House the day they hold the Winter Olympics in He'll.
ReplyDeleteM
Stupid prissy auto correct: not he'll but Hell.
ReplyDeleteM
Actually, the autocorrect was logical.
Delete"He'll" (he will) would really BE hell!
His pins should be priced as costing One Wooden Nickel.
ReplyDeleteTOP DEFINITION for a Wooden Nickel;
-This term is used when a person is being manipulated or lied to.
Of course Rand Paul's father has been a Washington insider for decades, ever since he decided that GOP politics was a more lucrative career than medicine. And obviously, sonny boy Rand agreed when he chucked his not so impressive career as an ophthalmologist for a job as a career GOP senator. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
Don't forget he's a self certified specialist. Made up a whole board just so he didn't have to stand the real medical board.
Delete4:19 Exactly, he promoted himself!! Started a club of his own for less qualified doctors. Like Cruz, he is strangely attached to his crazy Daddy. Delusions of grandeur. His wife claims she does not want to be Firsrt Lady. I think she will get her wish, once her smarmy husband is exposed for the fraud that he is. What a distateful group of candidates the gop/tp has. All rolled together, they do not equal ONE Barak Obama.
DeleteWith Libertarians, you must remember the 5 Minute Rule. They'll make sense for about 5 minutes, then they'll say something that's so off the wall that it makes you wonder what planet they're from.
ReplyDeleteAs for Rand himself, he's apparently selling swap online as part of his fundraising. Considering his frequent changes on policy positions, does he *really* want to be putting "Stand with Rand" on freakin' FLIP FLOPS????
https://store.randpaul.com/index.php/fun-stuff/rand-paul-flip-flops.html
Hey, come on people , his curls, piled up above his forehead,
ReplyDeleteare so cute , (gag) and not greasy, dirty road kill that Palin
struts around in. A silly man is he! "Bland Rand"
Gryphen, am I the only visitor to your defunct blog who sincerely believes that Randolph "Ayn Rand" Paul would make an AWESOME president? Of course, I don't mean president of the United States because... well, just look at him. But, seriously, isn't there SOMETHING harmless he could be president of?
ReplyDeleteHey, I know! How about a new professional ophthalmology certification organization designed to celebrate and support individuals unable to acquire the prerequisites of other, more established professional organization?
b
Defunct? Seriously? How about president of the local 'boot lickers' club that you yourself might be a member of. How is that brown nose of yours these days????
Delete@2:22 The post you're replying to is snark. You're welcome.
DeleteHe could fight Trump for "President of the Road Kill Hairpiece Association"
DeleteI agree with some of what he says, the right agrees with other things he says. But as with his father the twain shall never meet.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm. So I guess that's not a toupee.
ReplyDelete2. His wife has so much filler in her face, she looks like a plastic doll. I guess in some ways she is. But not in a good way. It was very distracting.
R in NC
Look at those horse veneers!! Only the lower part of her face moves, the upper part is frozen by Botox. She claims she does not want to be First Lady. Married to Randy I think she will be granted her wish.
DeleteAyn he great? Put June Cleever on to gloat about building forts and starting fires, because coming from his mouth would seem like bragging. Sounds like Arson 101, qualities rarely seen in Washington. What a wonderful time to be a republican!
ReplyDeleteRand Paul in this speech sounds just like Barney Fife from the Andy Griffith show.
ReplyDeleteI've been trying hard to figure out who does Rand remind me of, you are right, it's the character, Barney Fife in the perfect republican world of Mayberry NC.
DeleteThanks!
dowl
Well if nothing else, his wife is a cut above that Romney woman who was paraded around a few years back. Rand Paul will lose on his own accord rather than be doomed by being married to Queenzilla.
ReplyDeleteSo does my 5 y o. (Forts and grandma love.)
ReplyDeletePoor Rand -- he sure is off to a rough start with his campaign.
ReplyDeleteRand Paul Gets Testy In Interview About His Shifting Positions: 'You're Editorializing'
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/08/rand-paul-interview_n_7024746.html
Ron Paul always struck me as sincere. Misguided but at least he seemed to believe what he said and didn't shift with the wind.
ReplyDeleteHis son, on the other hand, is an opportunist. He strikes me as a failure in his chosen profession, so decided to ride on daddy's coattails and cash in on the current political opportunities arising from our lax and corrupt political funding system.
This guy probably knows he can't win and won't be nominated. But it doesn't matter. It's a way to generate plenty of cash for SuperPacs.
Stephen Colbert and Sarah Palin have taught us all how politicians can live off SuperPacs.