Rand Paul Is the GOP's Early Presidential Front-Runner

[jct74]

Rand Paul Is the GOP's Early Presidential Front-Runner
While the establishment hopes for a governor to emerge, he is quietly putting together a formidable operation.

By Josh Kraushaar
February 25, 2014

Republican strategists like to say the party's next nominee needs to hail from the GOP's gubernatorial ranks. It's a response to how unpopular Washington is—particularly the party's congressional wing—and a reflection of the party's strength in holding a majority of governorships. But another reason for the gubernatorial focus is to sidestep the one formidable candidate that gives the establishment heartburn: Sen. Rand Paul.

Make no mistake: The Kentuckian scares the living daylights out of many Republicans looking for an electable nominee capable of challenging Hillary Clinton. At the same time, he's working overtime to broaden the party's image outside its traditional avenues of support. The 2016 Republican nominating fight will go a long way toward determining whether Paul is the modern version of Barry Goldwater or at the leading edge of a new, more libertarian brand of Republicanism.

"That's the big challenge—is America ready? I think that Rand and his small-L libertarian Republicanism can break through," said Paul's longtime adviser Jesse Benton. "He's a fundamentally better messenger than Barry Goldwater—[Goldwater's 1964 campaign slogan] 'In your heart you know he's right' is not very compelling. Rand is a wonderful communicator, and I think a message of individual liberty can build wide support."

Either way, Paul's brand of politics is a distinct departure from the party's traditional moorings. His occasional sympathy for Edward Snowden puts him on an island within the party. His critique of the National Security Agency's domestic surveillance techniques and noninterventionist views on foreign policy are gaining some conservative followers, but are still outside the party mainstream. Many conservative foreign policy hawks could sooner support Clinton than Paul in a 2016 matchup.

...

read more:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/agai...op-s-early-presidential-front-runner-20140225

 

[Crashland]

It's pretty amazing...Paul is in the middle of the pack in most polling and yet he's still the one the talking heads point to most often as frontrunner. Because they can sense he's got something about him that the rest of the field doesn't have.

 

[Origanalist]

Many conservative foreign policy hawks could sooner support Clinton than Paul in a 2016 matchup.

I would say most. The rest of the presidential hopefuls on the repub side are less than inspiring to outright frightening (to me).

 

[philipped]

 

[Bergie Bergeron]

I bet a few people here are going to puke all night after reading the name in the third paragraph

 

[Henry Rogue]

I bet a few people here are going to puke all night after reading the name in the third paragraph

I just got Carol's cook book in the mail a couple of days ago, Jesse is pictured with family on page 7.

 

[Peace&Freedom]

At this point in time, of the talked about candidates, Rand is the most personable and telegenic. That will play a bigger role than is spoken of openly. Many in TPTB are likely worried that in a 2016 one-on-one match up visually between Rand and Hillary, Rand will come off on TV looking like "new hotness," while 68-year-old Hillary will look like a hag in comparison.

 

[philipped]

At this point in time, of the talked about candidates, Rand is the most personable and telegenic. That will play a bigger role than is spoken of openly. Many in TPTB are likely worried that in a 2016 one-on-one match up visually between Rand and Hillary, Rand will come off on TV looking like "new hotness," while 68-year-old Hillary will look like a hag in comparison.

It will literally be a switch for the parties from 2008 to 2016, GOP with the young relatable guy, and the Dems forcing the old statist pick from their party playing it super safe. I hope Rand actually does go against Hillary just to look young, fresh and new accompanied with the coalition he will build of his dad's people, Tea Party conservatives, SoCons, Moderates, Independents, millennials and some Dems. DAMN I got hype just going down that list of people who he's gonna try to have on his team.

 

[RecoveringNeoCon]

Front page, dead smack front page on drudge! With a great photo.

 

[TER]

Front page, dead smack front page on drudge! With a great photo.

Nice!!!! RP2016!!!! ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cajuncocoa]

Many conservative foreign policy hawks could sooner support Clinton than Paul in a 2016 matchup

To paraphrase Mrs. Clinton, what difference would it make (to them)? Clinton, Cruz, Rubio, Allen West....all give foreign policy hawks what they're looking for.

 

[jct74]

http://www.drudgereport.com/

 

[Inkblots]

This is what we like to see

Edit: I got scooped xD (Removed image)

 

[FSP-Rebel]

http://www.drudgereport.com/

 

[Working Poor]

I bet a few people here are going to puke all night after reading the name in the third paragraph

Yep I am not happy about it

 

[Brett85]

Rand will be a great candidate and very electable in a general election as long as he quits with all the Bill Clinton stuff. That is just a serious blunder, because we live in an immoral society that doesn't care about things like adultery, and talking about an event that happened 20 years ago is going to turn off moderate Republicans, independents, and Democrats.

 

[69360]

Rand will be a great candidate and very electable in a general election as long as he quits with all the Bill Clinton stuff. That is just a serious blunder, because we live in an immoral society that doesn't care about things like adultery, and talking about an event that happened 20 years ago is going to turn off moderate Republicans, independents, and Democrats.

I think you know the real reasons for that. First to stop the Clinton money machine so Hillary doesn't have a huge warchest and secondly stop Bill from being able to help Grimes over McConnell and other midterms. The truth is Bill did it and more, so it's not really going to blow back on Rand. Taking the Senate and McConnell as majority leader is a big plus to Rand's presidential ambitions.

Wonder if Drudge is onboard with Rand? This is rather prominent.

 

[tennman]

I came here right after I saw Rand front and center on Drudge! Great positioning and visibility for Rand and liberty! We've got to keep fighting and compounding our numbers or else we're going to end up being just another socialist country.

 

[tennman]

Yep I am not happy about it

It's not like Rand asked them to do that. Besides, I think they mean more the connection Goldwater had. The difference is, Rand is going to win!

 

[Uriah]

Of course he is.