Paul says he will now prioritize stopping Trump?

[PCKY]

So what has Rand been prioritizing the last 6 months?

Attacking Trump was stupid for the reasons already stated, we needed those votes and by attacking Trump it made them resistant to ever considering Rand, Rand should of been conciliatory and understanding of the anger propelling Trump's candidacy instead he carried water for the establishment. Bitch all you want but the two candidates that have risen since Trump exploded on to the scene have been Ted Cruz and Ben Carson who have made a point of not seriously criticizing Trump, Carson and Cruz have gained the soft anti-establishment support that would go to Trump but are turned off by his shtick which could of went to Rand had he taken the same strategy.

The cozying up to the establishment was just a huge mistake, Rand should of been a balls out libertarian the last 5 years like his dad and not worry about reelection or becoming president which has always been the problem since it seems like it has been planned since before Rand even held elected office.

There is more than just becoming president, education + winning the hearts and minds changes the narrative so hopefully we haven't lost sight of that. I miss Ron.

Hopefully this wacky precinct captain ground game works in Iowa, it sort of sounds like people when they thought Ron was going to win first ballot at the RNC in 2012. Wishful thinking probably, better than expected finish hopefully.

Then you would have three candidates competing for the same block of votes. How's that a winner?

 

[PCKY]

Did it ever occur to anyone that since Trump highjacked Rand's positions only adding his crude rhetoric for effect, that perhaps Rand is prioritizing taking Trump out because he is the original anti-establishment candidate? I think his goal is to provide voters with the reasonable, focused alternative that actually has a plan. Rand's version of support is likely nothing more than pulling the lever for the Republican when he personally votes. He has never committed any effort beyond saying he would support the candidate.
This whole conversation is making absurd unfair assumptions.

 

[derek4ever]

Did it ever occur to anyone that since Trump highjacked Rand's positions only added his crude rhetoric for effect, that perhaps Rand is prioritizing taking Trump out because he is the original anti-establishment candidate? I think his goal is to provide voters with the reasonable, focused alternative that actually has a plan. Rand's version of support is likely nothing more than pulling the lever for the Republican when he personally vote. He has never committed any effort beyond saying he would support the candidate.
This whole conversation is making absurd unfair assumptions.

Yes, but I think there's a way to prioritize. For example, highlight the points of agreement with Trump and point out the differences with Trump. Rand has the exact tone that's need to make a candidate sound "Presidential". His goal seems to be this, not going after Trump personally and only showing how his positions are more constitutional than what Trump's proposing. And that's why I think Rand not being in the undercard debate is paying off.

 

[Dianne]

Paul needs to take out Bush before he hits Trump. I'm telling ya, Bush has the money and the organization to come from behind as the others take each other out. Get BUSH out of the f'king race, before you go with the A team plan.

 

[rich34]

Paul needs to take out Bush before he hits Trump. I'm telling ya, Bush has the money and the organization to come from behind as the others take each other out. Get BUSH out of the f'king race, before you go with the A team plan.

I would agree for the most part but I'm suspecting the reason the party is considering a brokered convention is to try and elect Bush at the last second. Without Bush in the race the establishment may have an easier time throwing their support behind one candidate. This is another reason I don't think Trump will win Iowa. If he does the race could be over, if not they live to fight another day. I would venture to say that the establishment could throw "some " support behind Rand just to prevent Trump from winning. They have to know if Rand has as much support as he's claiming then he might just be the best positioned candidate to deny Trump a victory.

I also think Cruz has hit his ceiling and that ceiling is starting to fall.

 

[derek4ever]

Paul needs to take out Bush before he hits Trump. I'm telling ya, Bush has the money and the organization to come from behind as the others take each other out. Get BUSH out of the f'king race, before you go with the A team plan.

Makes sense to me! Plus Jeb just got endorsed by Lindsay Graham, so don't put it past them to try and make sure Jeb wins SC!

 

[fr33]

He'd prefer Cruz or Rubio? How's that going to be better?

You think Trump is better than Cruz? You probably voted for Dewhurst and just lied to us about supporting Cruz. You are such a shill.

 

[NoOneButPaul]

I really do not get this at all. Like at all... there's a good chance he'll be the nominee and what's the alternative to Trump? Cruz? - Who the Dems could claim is not fit to hold office? Besides Rand who is the best? From where I'm sitting I don't see how the answer isn't Trump and if Rand doesn't pull a comeback then who is the other guy in Rand's mind that should get it instead? Trump's not perfect by any stretch but he's self financed and has the appeal of not owing anyone anything for that reason - even Rand can't claim this. I think the argument that Trump can't win in the general is a BS claim by Rand when the facts do not support this at all (RCP has Trump -1.8 to Clinton and Rand -4 to Clinton). Why is Rand spreading this stuff when there's really no basis for the argument and the polls say Trump stands a better chance than him? Why is he starting to recycle an argument that people were making 6 months ago when Trump was polling at half of what he is now?

I again, really do not understand what Rand's purpose is here... I know everyone wants to think this is some grand plan but i'm starting to see a lot of the same nonsense I saw in the spring and summer of 2012. This, to me, is obviously desperate and all these ideas about how attacking Trump is going to win us Iowa when we can't even make a debate cut is as loony as Ron winning the convention with some stealth delegate strategy in 2012.

There's still time to make something happen here but going after Trump is a dumb way to go about it. It hasn't worked for Rand yet, there's no reason to think it will work for him now.

 

[CPUd]

I really do not get this at all. Like at all... there's a good chance he'll be the nominee and what's the alternative to Trump? Cruz? - Who the Dems could claim is not fit to hold office? Besides Rand who is the best? From where I'm sitting I don't see how the answer isn't Trump and if Rand doesn't pull a comeback then who is the other guy in Rand's mind that should get it instead? Trump's not perfect by any stretch but he's self financed and has the appeal of not owing anyone anything for that reason - even Rand can't claim this. I think the argument that Trump can't win in the general is a BS claim by Rand when the facts do not support this at all (RCP has Trump -1.8 to Clinton and Rand -4 to Clinton). Why is Rand spreading this stuff when there's really no basis for the argument and the polls say Trump stands a better chance than him? Why is he starting to recycle an argument that people were making 6 months ago when Trump was polling at half of what he is now?

I again, really do not understand what Rand's purpose is here... I know everyone wants to think this is some grand plan but i'm starting to see a lot of the same nonsense I saw in the spring and summer of 2012. This, to me, is obviously desperate and all these ideas about how attacking Trump is going to win us Iowa when we can't even make a debate cut is as loony as Ron winning the convention with some stealth delegate strategy in 2012.

There's still time to make something happen here but going after Trump is a dumb way to go about it. It hasn't worked for Rand yet, there's no reason to think it will work for him now.

Rand is not currently attacking Trump any more than other candidates he disagrees with. And he is doing it in the context of promoting his own candidacy, "there is no one else who will tell you the war on drugs failed, ..."

Also, Trump will get crushed in a general election against Clinton or even Sanders. He gets nominated and the Democrats will have record turnout.

 

[Chester Copperpot]

Time to make the Grand Old Party, gRands Own Party

 

[rich34]

I really do not get this at all. Like at all... there's a good chance he'll be the nominee and what's the alternative to Trump? Cruz? - Who the Dems could claim is not fit to hold office? Besides Rand who is the best? From where I'm sitting I don't see how the answer isn't Trump and if Rand doesn't pull a comeback then who is the other guy in Rand's mind that should get it instead? Trump's not perfect by any stretch but he's self financed and has the appeal of not owing anyone anything for that reason - even Rand can't claim this. I think the argument that Trump can't win in the general is a BS claim by Rand when the facts do not support this at all (RCP has Trump -1.8 to Clinton and Rand -4 to Clinton). Why is Rand spreading this stuff when there's really no basis for the argument and the polls say Trump stands a better chance than him? Why is he starting to recycle an argument that people were making 6 months ago when Trump was polling at half of what he is now?

I again, really do not understand what Rand's purpose is here... I know everyone wants to think this is some grand plan but i'm starting to see a lot of the same nonsense I saw in the spring and summer of 2012. This, to me, is obviously desperate and all these ideas about how attacking Trump is going to win us Iowa when we can't even make a debate cut is as loony as Ron winning the convention with some stealth delegate strategy in 2012.

There's still time to make something happen here but going after Trump is a dumb way to go about it. It hasn't worked for Rand yet, there's no reason to think it will work for him now.

That may or may not be true in regards to "national" polling however there's no way anyone else on the republican side puts more states into play than Rand. Hell I'd say Rand could make California a close race forcing the dems to spend money where they traditionally don't have to and that takes away money firm else where causing even more states to be competitive. We need to spread that
ewvideo of his far and wide and as fast as possible. That video is a game changer in itself.

 

[PCKY]

Yes, but I think there's a way to prioritize. For example, highlight the points of agreement with Trump and point out the differences with Trump. Rand has the exact tone that's need to make a candidate sound "Presidential". His goal seems to be this, not going after Trump personally and only showing how his positions are more constitutional than what Trump's proposing. And that's why I think Rand not being in the undercard debate is paying off.

He's done that with eminent domain, but Trump high jacked so many of his positions that's it makes it difficult to juxtapose as you outlined, or I would agree. So, he's left with attacking Trump's credibility and style. His one comment about Trump's theory about how we haven't used nukes enough is getting some traction with his Town Halls, though. I was thinking through some of the post debate articlcles (from both sides of the pro v con Cruzers) that (as usual) Rand has led the way now and can focus on his own message and how it is different than the messages on policy of others. I do not, and will never believe, that Rand is attacking Trump on behalf of the Establishment and truly feels that Trump would be a disaster and that as bad as Trump is, Hillary/Bernie is worse. I also read that the Establisment hates Cruz more than Trump...so there you go.

 

[PCKY]

That may or may not be true in regards to "national" polling however there's no way anyone else on the republican side puts more states into play than Rand. Hell I'd say Rand could make California a close race forcing the dems to spend money where they traditionally don't have to and that takes away money firm else where causing even more states to be competitive. We need to spread that
ewvideo of his far and wide and as fast as possible. That video is a game changer in itself.

I also heard that Clinton's financing is getting a little shaky. Bush's have outright asked to be released from their obligation to support in view of Bush's failures thus far. Their second list does include Hilary--they seek someone they can influence.

 

[economics102]

Idunno, I seem to recall the RP 2012 campaign focusing all its resources on Newt Gingrich. That didn't work out well at all! I guess at least this time they're going after the front-runner (as opposed to 2012 when they refused to go after Romney)

 

[CPUd]

Idunno, I seem to recall the RP 2012 campaign focusing all its resources on Newt Gingrich. That didn't work out well at all! I guess at least this time they're going after the front-runner (as opposed to 2012 when they refused to go after Romney)

Rand is not going after Trump any more than he is going after Cruz, Christie, Rubio, Clinton, Sanders.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

Most people that like Trump also like Cruz to a certain degree and vice versa. Trump going after Cruz in his current ways have angered certain of his overlap w/ Cruz and some are going back to Cruz. Perhaps, Rand is thinking that helping nix Trump will drift some of the Cruz folks his way in some secondary way. We'll see.