Rands really exceeded my expectations overall. Just go back to '09 when he was drafted and look how much trouble he's causing now. My donations were money very well spent IMHO.
There's an understatement . As much as I am trying to enjoy Rand's popularity right now it's always tempered with the knowing that "they" will soon unleash Cerberus the three-headed hellhound on Rand. Luckily most of us have been in political bootcamp for yrs now! This is what we have been training for! Release the Kraken!
Fortunately Rand is brilliant and built up his army of loyal followers and his brand, a million+ at last count on facebook. That legion could very well double or triple by time the Presidential race begins in earnest. They will interject critical thinking into the smears and won't fall for the BS. Rand is also a fighter so he'll stomp those attacks into the mud instead of leaving them out to fester like open wounds.
Ron allowed himself to be defined. Rand is having none of it. He's been busy building a legion of followers numbering in the millions to fight against the eventual smears when the time comes.
Rand is playing intergalactic three-dimensional-chess. Everyone else are just stumbling over themselves trying to keep up.