The question Rand needs to consider moving forward

[TaftFan]

Rand Paul is not connecting. It's sadly apparent. He is the most intellectual person in the room (and on the debate stage). People confuse intellectualism with being boring. Voters are emotional.

As I surf Twitter and Facebook after these debates, the most common response to Rand I see is "Why is he still there?"

Putting that another way, the GOP voters are asking themselves "Why would I vote for Rand Paul?" and more specifically, "Why would I vote for Rand Paul over the other candidates?"

We know why he is the best choice. That doesn't matter though. Rand needs more voters, not just us libertarians.

The grassroots cannot turn Rand's campaign around. Only he can, because he cultivates the image and he is most responsible for crafting the narrative. He has to answer the question of why people should vote for him.

If I'm the standard conservative voter, I probably like Rand but prefer Cruz or Trump or Rubio because they are more exciting. Or I prefer Ben Carson because he is so so likable. Rand is not exciting or likable. And the moderate/establishment voters sneer at Rand or perhaps admire his temperament, but there is no room for improvement there. He needs the standard conservative voter.

Why should the standard conservative voter support Rand?

Remember, if the answer requires being an intellectual, the question has already been forfeited.

 

[TaftFan]

And no, I do not have an answer. But people are being paid to provide answers.

 

[Cleaner44]

As you said, voters are emotional. Rand can't win this with ideas alone. He can't win with a superior argument. Policies and positions are secondary to inspiring people. Most people don't make don't make well thought out and rational decisions. This is why Trump is polling at 26.8% while Rand is at 3.4%.

 

[Matt Collins]

Very solid analysis... unfortunately.

 

[timosman]

Why should the standard conservative voter support Rand?

Because he is the One? I suspect he might have been duped during today's debate. Let's hope he wakes up. Wake up Neo and follow the white rabbit.

 

[CPUd]

Rand is the type of candidate who benefits from a small field, and there could be several drop out before the next debate, which can only help him.

 

[danda]

I was just having this conversation with family tonight.

Let's imagine if Rand Paul had taken a different approach in the debates and TV appearances from day 1.

Think if Rand had come out of the gate at every opportunity saying that he has a vision and concrete plan for making this country great again. That we as a people can thrive. That we can once again be the free'est, safest, best educated, strongest economy, healthiest people on the planet. An example for all the world. That these things are possible. That if together we dream it, together we can achieve it. ( and so on, and so forth of that theme. think: "I have a dream" )

Imagine if he started out every appearance with a variation on this positive message. When pressed for details, he could go into the benefits of freedom and liberty, sound money, international peace, trade, and neutrality, the free market, individual choice, entrepreneurship, etc, and why these things lead to better outcomes. He would have a personal story/anecdote to illustrate every point. Only when *really* pressed for details is it necessary to discuss failings of the present system or matters of the day.

But the key thing is to tell the voter over and over that he will make things better. That he is the man with the vision, enthusiasm, and the plan. That he is a leader that thinks outside the box and can fix the mess we are in. That it is time we give liberty a chance to thrive.

I think that *this* is a hopeful candidate that could attract mainstream voters with a freedom message. Instead what we have is a candidate and a movement that comes across as whiny naysayers -- always critical without proposing anything positive of our own.

Ronald Reagan had a shining city on the hill. Even George Bush had a thousand points of light. What is Rand Paul's message of hope?

Honestly, I am a freedom lover pretty much since birth, and his message hasn't even inspired me. Why would it possibly inspire anyone else?

Rand I hope you read this and take it to heart.

 

[acptulsa]

Why should the standard conservative voter support Rand?

1. Because they're tired of losing the general election.

2. Because they're tired of RINOs helping Democrats make the federal government bigger and our lives more miserable.

Now all we have to do is find some--or insert some--conservatives in the Republican Party. Are there any left?

 

[klamath]

Unfortunately it is what it is. Neither Ron or Rand could connect. Rand can't attack and be forceful as he found out in the first debate as he comes off as a yappy little dog. And he faces an electorate with ISIS on their minds. Rand made his name with fighting NSA and people do not care about that anymore. They are scared of a muslim behind every tree. The poll that shows the republicans view Rand as a dove says it all.

 

[EBounding]

Primary voters may like "exciting" candidates before an actual election, but in the end, the rank and file and grassroots just want someone who can win. Was Romney really all that "connecting" and "exciting"? I don't think so. Rand does have a lot of work to do though. He needs to demonstrate how he is the most electable and how everyone else isn't.

 

[pmbug]

I've said it before in this forum. Rand's problem isn't the message. It's the delivery.

Televised "debates" are not real debates. They are not designed to elucidate strengths and weaknesses of ideas. They are not intellectual exercises. Yes, there is a subset of the electorate that is interested in chasing down the policy wonk rabbit hole and intellectual fencing over solutions, but it's a small minority.

The masses (and I'm referring to primary voters here, supposedly a step above the disinterested "rabble" that don't follow politics until 2 days before the general election) are looking for someone they can identify with. Someone likable with leadership qualities.

It's not enough to know the best path forward. You have to be able to rally a team around you to travel that path.

 

[William R]

Rand Paul is not connecting. It's sadly apparent. He is the most intellectual person in the room (and on the debate stage). People confuse intellectualism with being boring. Voters are emotional.

As I surf Twitter and Facebook after these debates, the most common response to Rand I see is "Why is he still there?"

Putting that another way, the GOP voters are asking themselves "Why would I vote for Rand Paul?" and more specifically, "Why would I vote for Rand Paul over the other candidates?"

We know why he is the best choice. That doesn't matter though. Rand needs more voters, not just us libertarians.

The grassroots cannot turn Rand's campaign around. Only he can, because he cultivates the image and he is most responsible for crafting the narrative. He has to answer the question of why people should vote for him.

If I'm the standard conservative voter, I probably like Rand but prefer Cruz or Trump or Rubio because they are more exciting. Or I prefer Ben Carson because he is so so likable. Rand is not exciting or likable. And the moderate/establishment voters sneer at Rand or perhaps admire his temperament, but there is no room for improvement there. He needs the standard conservative voter.

Why should the standard conservative voter support Rand?

Remember, if the answer requires being an inte llectual, the question has already been forfeited.

He knows it's over. Not being able to raise money is a sure sign the game is up. He made some very critical mistakes along the way.

During 2013-2014 he was seen as being one to the front runners. That's when he started to blow it. The Republican brand sucks. We need to make the party bigger. Etc Etc. All fine and good but in order to get the nomination you need the base of the party. Flip flopping on amnesty, Voter ID, meeting with Al Sharpton, and going to Ferguson Missouri hurt him with the base. Rand started running a General Election campaign before he had the nomination. Now the base of the party is either with Trump or Cruz. Rand is left with College Kids and people like me. Not enough to win the nomination.

Cruz stole the show last night with his speech about how bad the media is. Rand had the best reply when he said the FED is responsible for much of the income inequality. But he had no passion. All signs the gig is up!! Ohhh well!! I honesty like Trump over Cruz. Cruz is oily sleazy.

 

[erowe1]

It seems odd that this OP would be posted right after a debate where Rand did so well giving conservatives reasons to vote for him.

He was great. I hope he keeps it up. It will pay off.

And the fact that he's doing this in the face of opposition from the establishment and not flinching will win him respect.

 

[CaptUSA]

Rand just doesn't look comfortable to me.

I think he cares a little too much about what people think of him. It makes him guard his mouth. But it also slows his delivery.

Ron Paul was very strong standing up to the GOP to tell them they were wrong. Rand seems like he's apologizing to them that he has a different opinion of things. It's painful to watch. I think he'd benefit from a smaller field, but it might not happen in time.

 

[LatinsforPaul]

He knows it's over. Not being able to raise money is a sure sign the game is up. He made some very critical mistakes along the way.

During 2013-2014 he was seen as being one to the front runners. That's when he started to blow it. The Republican brand sucks. We need to make the party bigger. Etc Etc. All fine and good but in order to get the nomination you need the base of the party. Flip flopping on amnesty, Voter ID, meeting with Al Sharpton, and going to Ferguson Missouri hurt him with the base. Rand started running a General Election campaign before he had the nomination. Now the base of the party is either with Trump or Cruz. Rand is left with College Kids and people like me. Not enough to win the nomination.

Cruz stole the show last night with his speech about how bad the media is. Rand had the best reply when he said the FED is responsible for much of the income inequality. But he had no passion. All signs the gig is up!! Ohhh well!! I honesty like Trump over Cruz. Cruz is oily sleazy.

Remember your words on February 1.

 

[erowe1]

I don't know where this negativity is coming from.

Like 99.9% of the rest of the country, I didn't watch the debate. But I saw the video with all of Rand's answers, and he looked great to me.

 

[brandon]

After watching the last few debates I think he's a much better fit in the Senate. He's great at policy and legislation. However he's not really a very good public speaker and doesn't display leadership qualities. Without those traits one really can't and probably shouldn't be president.

 

[CaptUSA]

I don't know where this negativity is coming from.

Like 99.9% of the rest of the country, I didn't watch the debate. But I saw the video with all of Rand's answers, and he looked great to me.

You missed the context, then. The whole debate was a disaster, but Rand's part was entirely forgettable.

I try not to be negative - I think he didn't really harm himself. But I've been expecting Rand to be epic in these debates, leaving no doubt as to who would win, not only the nomination, but the Presidency. Perhaps my expectations were too high?

 

[TaftFan]

He knows it's over. Not being able to raise money is a sure sign the game is up. He made some very critical mistakes along the way.

During 2013-2014 he was seen as being one to the front runners. That's when he started to blow it. The Republican brand sucks. We need to make the party bigger. Etc Etc. All fine and good but in order to get the nomination you need the base of the party. Flip flopping on amnesty, Voter ID, meeting with Al Sharpton, and going to Ferguson Missouri hurt him with the base. Rand started running a General Election campaign before he had the nomination. Now the base of the party is either with Trump or Cruz. Rand is left with College Kids and people like me. Not enough to win the nomination.

Cruz stole the show last night with his speech about how bad the media is. Rand had the best reply when he said the FED is responsible for much of the income inequality. But he had no passion. All signs the gig is up!! Ohhh well!! I honesty like Trump over Cruz. Cruz is oily sleazy.

I think more than all the issues you mentioned is the fact that he endorsed McConnell and has stuck with him. Rand might be better on the issues, but if McConnell is the main problem why trust Rand?

1. Because they're tired of losing the general election.

2. Because they're tired of RINOs helping Democrats make the federal government bigger and our lives more miserable.

Now all we have to do is find some--or insert some--conservatives in the Republican Party. Are there any left?

Devils advocate:
1. If Rand is doing so poorly in the primary, why would I expect him to win the general election? Besides, that is why Romney and McCain were chosen-electability-and look how they turned out.
2. Rand endorsed McConnell, so he can't talk. This is the response I get from talking to conservatives about Rand all the time.

 

[EBounding]

You missed the context, then. The whole debate was a disaster, but Rand's part was entirely forgettable.

I bet very few people watched the debate though--I didn't watch it either. The only thing people are going to see are highlights from the candidates.