National Review (Robert Costa): Rand Paul's stock is rising

[Cowlesy]

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/303605/rise-rand-paul-robert-costa

The Rise of Rand Paul

By Robert Costa
June 21, 2012 12:30 P.M.

In conversations with Romney sources about the VP stakes and related matters, I’m hearing the usual names: Portman, Pawlenty, and Ryan. All three are seen as top campaign surrogates. But one surprising name was added to the mix by a couple of Romney advisers: Senator Rand Paul. Inside Romney world, the Kentucky freshman’s stock is rising. He’s certainly not a leading veep contender — he has not been asked for paperwork — but he is a valued ally. Within weeks, Paul will hit the trail for Romney. Rallies and other public events are in the works.

More at the link here.

 

[specsaregood]

so he's getting a speaking spot at least.

 

[teacherone]

Yay! More drama queen bait.

 

[Cowlesy]

so he's getting a speaking spot at least.

He's doing what everyone wants him to do, but doesn't want him to do (ie play politics).

There is no chance in hell they'd make him VP. It'd be a master-stroke of brilliance if they did, but they won't. Too scared of perceived baggage and 'right-wingness.'

 

[Sola_Fide]

It kind of scares me. If they follow the McCain playbook, they could go after an "independent-minded" conservative to balance out Romney.

 

[specsaregood]

He's doing what everyone wants him to do, but doesn't want him to do (ie play politics).

Well I'm not them. I'm on board the Rand bus.

 

[Cowlesy]

Well I'm not them. I'm on board the Rand bus.

Oh sorry. I am a serial offender of quoting-to-reply, but then just writing my own tangent that has little to do with actually "replying" to what you wrote.

 

[tsai3904]

so he's getting a speaking spot at least.

Probably depends on how much campaigning he does for Romney. Every time he campaigns for Romney though, he's going to lose a lot of liberty supporters.

 

[Cowlesy]

It kind of scares me. If they follow the McCain playbook, they could go after an "independent-minded" conservative to balance out Romney.

My money is still split between Portman (to help in Ohio) and Ayotte (woman, articulate).

Portman actually seems halfway interesting (built his wife a chicken coop and keeps chickens in his backyard for fresh eggs).
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/15-genuinely-interesting-things-about-rob-portman

 

[trey4sports]

Ayotte or possibly Haley i would think.

 

[Sola_Fide]

My money is still split between Portman (to help in Ohio) and Ayotte (woman, articulate).

Portman actually seems halfway interesting (built his wife a chicken coop and keeps chickens in his backyard for fresh eggs).
http://www.buzzfeed.com/andrewkaczynski/15-genuinely-interesting-things-about-rob-portman

Well, it looks like he is meeting with our masters:

Potential Republican VP candidate meets Israel's top leaders
http://www.jewishjournal.com/tag/sen.%20rob%20portman/

 

[Sola_Fide]

Wait, wasn't Robert Costa the guy in 2010 who sent out the e-mail that said "RAND PAUL IS NOT ONE OF US" or something like that?

 

[jj-]

Wait, wasn't Robert Costa the guy in 2010 who sent out the e-mail that said "RAND PAUL IS NOT ONE OF US" or something like that?

I think his name was Cesar or something.

EDIT:

On foreign policy, [global war on terror], Gitmo, Afghanistan, Rand Paul is NOT one of us,” Cesar Conda wrote in an e-mail to figures such as ...

If I'm recalling it correctly, Cesar Conda is Marco Rubio's chief of staff.

 

[Sola_Fide]

I think his name was Cesar or something.

EDIT:

Yep. That's it. Thanks

 

[July]

Probably depends on how much campaigning he does for Romney. Every time he campaigns for Romney though, he's going to lose a lot of liberty supporters.

It's going to take a strong stomach that's for sure....

Still, they will be campaigning against Obama, so the tone should be different.

 

[AuH20]

Rand Paul is a future star. I forget the article but there was one high level political consultant who stated that within the GOP hierarchy there is a begrudging respect for his campaign skills. He did after all knock off Trey Greyson as a major underdog.

 

[sailingaway]

He's doing what everyone wants him to do, but doesn't want him to do (ie play politics).

There is no chance in hell they'd make him VP. It'd be a master-stroke of brilliance if they did, but they won't. Too scared of perceived baggage and 'right-wingness.'

and you don't see a problem with his crashing Ron's election year and getting a speaking slot by endorsing Romney while Ron is still in the race and his delegates are fighting to get him nominated from the floor? You know well part of Romney's reasoning would be the idea that he is buying support from Ron's supporters. So Rand would be taking a slot that otherwise would be one that might go to Ron?

I honestly see this as a loyalty issue here. Maybe it is the drama queen in me.

 

[GeorgiaAvenger]

Play the game Rand, surrogate, whatever, just keep voting the way you do.

 

[jj-]

Play the game Rand, surrogate, whatever, just keep voting the way you do.

Keep voting for sanctions?

 

[William R]

Wait, wasn't Robert Costa the guy in 2010 who sent out the e-mail that said "RAND PAUL IS NOT ONE OF US" or something like that?

Cesar Conda who used to work for Cheney and is now Marco Rubio's chief of staff.