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| Rand Paul announces 2016 presidential bid: 'I am putting myself forward' – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.59pm ET17:59 | |
| The Pauls leave the stage. An emcee is asking everybody to stick around for a Rand Paul interview with Sean Hannity, to come on the same stage in short order. (But we don’t get to see that part, they’re saving it for Hannity’s show tonight.) | |
| Updated at 1.01pm ET | |
| 12.56pm ET17:56 | |
| That’s it. Paul made the announcement and dropped the mic. Now he’s shaking hands and that bass player is back. Sounds like Allman Brothers from here. | |
| 12.54pm ET17:54 | |
| Paul announces candidacy | |
| “Today I announce with God’s help, with the help of liberty lovers everywhere, that I am putting myself forward as a candidate for president of the United States of America.” | |
| President Paul! President Paul! | |
| 12.52pm ET17:52 | |
| Heh | |
| @Bencjacobs @RandPaul ok ben ok pic.twitter.com/clrFEu75pM | |
| 12.51pm ET17:51 | |
| Paul: 'phone records none of their damn business' | |
| Paul makes a big promise on government surveillance. | |
| “As president on day 1, I will immediately end this unconstitutional surveillance,” he says, referring to dragnet metadata collection under section 215 of the Patriot Act. | |
| “Warrantless searches of America’s phones and computer records are unAmerican and a threat to our civil liberties,” he said. “I say that the phone records of law-abiding citizens are none of their damn business.” | |
| 12.49pm ET17:49 | |
| Paul continues on Iran, seeking to distinguish his policy from that of the president, whose negotiations he has been accused of supporting. | |
| “I will oppose any deal that does not end Iran’s nuclear ambitions and have strong verification measures. And I will insist that the final version will be brought before Congress,” Paul says. | |
| The difference between me and Obama, Paul says, is that “he seems to think that you can negotiate from a position of weakness.” Paul says negotiation is important but “Our goal always should be, and always is, peace, not war.” | |
| 12.47pm ET17:47 | |
| Paul says he wants a national defense that is “unparalleled and unencumbered by overseas nation-building.” He invokes Reagan, and the notion of “peace through strength.” He’s immediately now onto Iran. | |
| “Any deal between the US and Iran must be approved by Congress,” he says. “Not only is that good policy, it’s the law.” | |
| 12.46pm ET17:46 | |
| Paul is skipping through policy priorities. He calls for school choice and again for a balanced budget. | |
| Then he unveils the latest incarnation of his foreign policy vision, which begins with a call for taking the fight to “radical Islam”: | |
| “Until we name the enemy we can’t win the war. The enemy is radical Islam, you can’t get around it. And not only will I win... I will do whatever it takes to protect the United States from these haters of mankind.” | |
| Big cheers for that one. | |
| 12.43pm ET17:43 | 12.43pm ET17:43 |
| Paul digs into tax policy, adopting a line with some overlap in both parties, on the question of what should be done to tax profits of US companies held overseas. Both parties favor a minimum tax to repatriate these profits; there is some disagreement on the number to use. | Paul digs into tax policy, adopting a line with some overlap in both parties, on the question of what should be done to tax profits of US companies held overseas. Both parties favor a minimum tax to repatriate these profits; there is some disagreement on the number to use. |
| Paul supports the move and says the proceeds should be used to rehabilitate America’s transportation infrastructure. | Paul supports the move and says the proceeds should be used to rehabilitate America’s transportation infrastructure. |
| 12.41pm ET17:41 | 12.41pm ET17:41 |
| Paul has just listed the jobs he had as a youth. “Work is not punishment, work is the reward,” he says. “Two of my sons work minimum-wage jobs as they go to college... I can see their self-esteem grow as they cash their paychecks.” | Paul has just listed the jobs he had as a youth. “Work is not punishment, work is the reward,” he says. “Two of my sons work minimum-wage jobs as they go to college... I can see their self-esteem grow as they cash their paychecks.” |
| Pop quiz: which of these jobs did Paul not hold down as a youth, by his own description? | Pop quiz: which of these jobs did Paul not hold down as a youth, by his own description? |
| a) taught swimming lessons | a) taught swimming lessons |
| b) mowed lawns | b) mowed lawns |
| c) flipped burgers | c) flipped burgers |
| d) did landscaping | d) did landscaping |
| e) painted houses | e) painted houses |
| f) put roofs on houses | f) put roofs on houses |
| We’ll supply the answer in a future post! | We’ll supply the answer in a future post! |
| 12.37pm ET17:37 | 12.37pm ET17:37 |
| Paul calls for a constitutional amendment to balance the budget and for congressional term limits. | Paul calls for a constitutional amendment to balance the budget and for congressional term limits. |
| “I want to reform Washington. I want common-sense rules that will break the logjam in Congress,” he says. He brags about legislation he sponsored to require legislators to “read the bills, every page.” The crowd is very excited about all this reading. | “I want to reform Washington. I want common-sense rules that will break the logjam in Congress,” he says. He brags about legislation he sponsored to require legislators to “read the bills, every page.” The crowd is very excited about all this reading. |
| "Love of liberty pulses in my veins." -- Rand. Sort of a gross image, to be honest. | "Love of liberty pulses in my veins." -- Rand. Sort of a gross image, to be honest. |
| Updated at 12.38pm ET | Updated at 12.38pm ET |
| 12.35pm ET17:35 | 12.35pm ET17:35 |
| “If we nominate a candidate who is simply Democrat-lite, what’s the point? WHy bother?” Paul says. | “If we nominate a candidate who is simply Democrat-lite, what’s the point? WHy bother?” Paul says. |
| Then he delivers by far the biggest applause line of the morning, and for good reason – this line is awesome: | Then he delivers by far the biggest applause line of the morning, and for good reason – this line is awesome: |
| “WE need to go boldly forth under the banner of liberty, that clutches the Constitution in one hand, and the Bill of Rights in the other. | “WE need to go boldly forth under the banner of liberty, that clutches the Constitution in one hand, and the Bill of Rights in the other. |
| “We the people must rise up and demand action.” | “We the people must rise up and demand action.” |
| 12.33pm ET17:33 | 12.33pm ET17:33 |
| Paul is talking about his grandmother losing her eyesight, and how it motivated him to become a surgeon. He was glad to have opportunity. | Paul is talking about his grandmother losing her eyesight, and how it motivated him to become a surgeon. He was glad to have opportunity. |
| Speaking of opportunity, he pivots – there isn’t enough left in the USA. | Speaking of opportunity, he pivots – there isn’t enough left in the USA. |
| “Both parties, and the entire political system, are to blame!” he says. “Big government and debt doubled under a REpublican administration, and it’s now tripling under Barack Obama’s watch!” | |
| Updated at 1.11pm ET | |
| 12.30pm ET17:30 | 12.30pm ET17:30 |
| Early on, Paul sets up two opponents: “Special interests” and “the Washington machine.” “That’s not who I am,” he says. | Early on, Paul sets up two opponents: “Special interests” and “the Washington machine.” “That’s not who I am,” he says. |
| Then he introduces his parents, and thanks them for being there. Big cheers for Dr. Ron. | Then he introduces his parents, and thanks them for being there. Big cheers for Dr. Ron. |
| 12.29pm ET17:29 | 12.29pm ET17:29 |
| “I have a message. A message that is loud and clear and does not mince words. We have come to take our country back!” | “I have a message. A message that is loud and clear and does not mince words. We have come to take our country back!” |
| Paul begins. The crowd is, as advertised, capital-p Pumped. | Paul begins. The crowd is, as advertised, capital-p Pumped. |
| Then he reveals that the intro is the same as he used for his senate run. “I have a vision for America. I want to be part of a return to prosperity,” he says. “A return to a government restrained by the constitution.” | Then he reveals that the intro is the same as he used for his senate run. “I have a vision for America. I want to be part of a return to prosperity,” he says. “A return to a government restrained by the constitution.” |
| 12.27pm ET17:27 | 12.27pm ET17:27 |
| Paul takes the stage | Paul takes the stage |
| “Please join me in welcoming my husband, and your awesome US senator, Rand Paul!” | “Please join me in welcoming my husband, and your awesome US senator, Rand Paul!” |
| The crowd chants: “President Paul! President Paul! President Paul!” Somebody in the background is punishing a bass guitar. | The crowd chants: “President Paul! President Paul! President Paul!” Somebody in the background is punishing a bass guitar. |
| 12.25pm ET17:25 | 12.25pm ET17:25 |
| Kelley Paul describes discussing with her husband his decision to run for Senate. | Kelley Paul describes discussing with her husband his decision to run for Senate. |
| “I’ll be honest, I was not exactly thrilled,” she says. “I think my first words were, ‘How can you do this to me?’” | “I’ll be honest, I was not exactly thrilled,” she says. “I think my first words were, ‘How can you do this to me?’” |
| Rand noted that he probably wouldn’t make it out of the primary, but Kelley did not believe him. | Rand noted that he probably wouldn’t make it out of the primary, but Kelley did not believe him. |
| “I knew with a sudden certainty and clarity that you sometimes have in life, I just knew. I looked him in the eye and I said, you know, if you do this, we’re going to win.” | “I knew with a sudden certainty and clarity that you sometimes have in life, I just knew. I looked him in the eye and I said, you know, if you do this, we’re going to win.” |
| Cheers. | Cheers. |
| 12.21pm ET17:21 | 12.21pm ET17:21 |
| Here’s Kelley Paul. The lectern she’s speaking behind says, “Defeat the Washington machine. Unleash the American dream.” | Here’s Kelley Paul. The lectern she’s speaking behind says, “Defeat the Washington machine. Unleash the American dream.” |
| Updated at 12.22pm ET | Updated at 12.22pm ET |
| 12.20pm ET17:20 | 12.20pm ET17:20 |
| Now they’re playing the testimony video by Kelley Ashby Paul, the candidate’s wife. We’ll post it here again for your convenience. Turns out he’s a numismatist. | Now they’re playing the testimony video by Kelley Ashby Paul, the candidate’s wife. We’ll post it here again for your convenience. Turns out he’s a numismatist. |
| Among other chapters in her husband’s life, Kelley Paul describes Paul’s volunteer work as an eye surgeon in Guatemala, where he has returned repeatedly: | Among other chapters in her husband’s life, Kelley Paul describes Paul’s volunteer work as an eye surgeon in Guatemala, where he has returned repeatedly: |
| 12.17pm ET17:17 | 12.17pm ET17:17 |
| The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs sees the Paul event so far making a play for the middle – in contrast with the Cruz event last month. | The Guardian’s Ben Jacobs sees the Paul event so far making a play for the middle – in contrast with the Cruz event last month. |
| Pretty explicit pitch for Democrats and Independents right now at Rand's announcement. | Pretty explicit pitch for Democrats and Independents right now at Rand's announcement. |
| Pew on 39 PERCENT: "This is the highest percentage of independents in more than 75 years of public opinion polling" http://t.co/7Z5wxA4HQu | Pew on 39 PERCENT: "This is the highest percentage of independents in more than 75 years of public opinion polling" http://t.co/7Z5wxA4HQu |
| 12.14pm ET17:14 | 12.14pm ET17:14 |
| On the heels of Stephenson we get another Paul video. “Education is the great equalizer,” he says. He supports school vouchers that would give families greater flexibility about where to send children to school – while potentially subverting, critics say, the tax-based public schools system. | On the heels of Stephenson we get another Paul video. “Education is the great equalizer,” he says. He supports school vouchers that would give families greater flexibility about where to send children to school – while potentially subverting, critics say, the tax-based public schools system. |
| Now he’s on to drug laws. Don’t forget to hit “play” up top. | Now he’s on to drug laws. Don’t forget to hit “play” up top. |
| 12.09pm ET17:09 | 12.09pm ET17:09 |
| If you haven’t hit “play” in that video box atop the blog, now is the time. They’re playing a Rand sizzle reel now. “Liberty is infectious,” Paul says in the video. | If you haven’t hit “play” in that video box atop the blog, now is the time. They’re playing a Rand sizzle reel now. “Liberty is infectious,” Paul says in the video. |
| Speaking now is Pastor Jerry Stephenson, a longtime Paul ally who runs an inner-city support ministry in Louisville. Paul faithfully visits the ministry each year, Stephenson says. | Speaking now is Pastor Jerry Stephenson, a longtime Paul ally who runs an inner-city support ministry in Louisville. Paul faithfully visits the ministry each year, Stephenson says. |
| “Most politicians when they get to Washington, they forget about the people they represent,” he says. “I’ve come to tell you, Rand Paul does not forget.” | “Most politicians when they get to Washington, they forget about the people they represent,” he says. “I’ve come to tell you, Rand Paul does not forget.” |
| 12.03pm ET17:03 | 12.03pm ET17:03 |
| Senator Ted Cruz released a statement Tuesday welcoming Senator Paul to the presidential race. “I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul into the 2016 GOP primary,” the statement begins. | Senator Ted Cruz released a statement Tuesday welcoming Senator Paul to the presidential race. “I am glad to welcome my friend Rand Paul into the 2016 GOP primary,” the statement begins. |
| Rand is a good friend, and we have worked side by side on many issues. I respect his talent, his passion, and the work he has done for Kentuckians and Americans in the U.S. Senate. His entry into the race will no doubt raise the bar of competition, help make us all stronger, and ultimately ensure that the GOP nominee is equipped to beat Hillary Clinton and to take back the White House for Republicans in 2016.” | Rand is a good friend, and we have worked side by side on many issues. I respect his talent, his passion, and the work he has done for Kentuckians and Americans in the U.S. Senate. His entry into the race will no doubt raise the bar of competition, help make us all stronger, and ultimately ensure that the GOP nominee is equipped to beat Hillary Clinton and to take back the White House for Republicans in 2016.” |
| 11.57am ET16:57 | 11.57am ET16:57 |
| About a year ago, Rand Paul said he was “not sure anybody exactly knows why” the climate is changing and called the science on climate change “not conclusive.” | About a year ago, Rand Paul said he was “not sure anybody exactly knows why” the climate is changing and called the science on climate change “not conclusive.” |
| Whether and how Paul defends – or amplifies – those kinds of statements as his campaign progresses may determine how much crowds like this one – of climate protesters outside his rally today – multiply: | Whether and how Paul defends – or amplifies – those kinds of statements as his campaign progresses may determine how much crowds like this one – of climate protesters outside his rally today – multiply: |
| Across the street from Rand Paul's 2016 announcement protesters drape sheets calling him out RE: climate change: pic.twitter.com/46Br45Cs0e | Across the street from Rand Paul's 2016 announcement protesters drape sheets calling him out RE: climate change: pic.twitter.com/46Br45Cs0e |
| (h/t: @kaylaepstein) | (h/t: @kaylaepstein) |
| Updated at 11.57am ET | Updated at 11.57am ET |
| 11.38am ET16:38 | 11.38am ET16:38 |
| Following today’s announcement, Paul is scheduled to barnstorm through four early voting states: New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa and Nevada. | Following today’s announcement, Paul is scheduled to barnstorm through four early voting states: New Hampshire, South Carolina, Iowa and Nevada. |
| The first voting is in early January, about nine months away. | The first voting is in early January, about nine months away. |
| 11.35am ET16:35 | 11.35am ET16:35 |
| In the house: Dr Ron Paul. | In the house: Dr Ron Paul. |
| Ron Paul and his wife Carol take their seats as their son prepares to take the stage. pic.twitter.com/fHvTJqoYy0 | Ron Paul and his wife Carol take their seats as their son prepares to take the stage. pic.twitter.com/fHvTJqoYy0 |
| 11.31am ET16:31 | 11.31am ET16:31 |
| These candidates are on fire. | These candidates are on fire. |
| Flame logos are *so* hot right now. Both @tedcruz and @RandPaul are using them. pic.twitter.com/JzRejlu0Zm | Flame logos are *so* hot right now. Both @tedcruz and @RandPaul are using them. pic.twitter.com/JzRejlu0Zm |
| Updated at 12.01pm ET | Updated at 12.01pm ET |
| 11.27am ET16:27 | 11.27am ET16:27 |
| Want to donate to Rand Paul, but happen to have sunk all your dough in a global shadow currency whose un-traceability makes it ideal for purchasing drugs, illegal pets and other contraband? | Want to donate to Rand Paul, but happen to have sunk all your dough in a global shadow currency whose un-traceability makes it ideal for purchasing drugs, illegal pets and other contraband? |
| No problem! The Paul 2016 campaign takes Bitcoin: | No problem! The Paul 2016 campaign takes Bitcoin: |
| It’s not clear how Bitcoin donations would be regulated by the Federal Elections Commission, or what exchange rate would govern the maximum individual donation of $5,400 per cycle (primary + general) for FEC purposes, or why anyone cagey enough to use Bitcoin would want to sacrifice their anonymity to make an election donation... but we’ll see how this works. Somebody else go first. | It’s not clear how Bitcoin donations would be regulated by the Federal Elections Commission, or what exchange rate would govern the maximum individual donation of $5,400 per cycle (primary + general) for FEC purposes, or why anyone cagey enough to use Bitcoin would want to sacrifice their anonymity to make an election donation... but we’ll see how this works. Somebody else go first. |
| Updated at 11.32am ET | Updated at 11.32am ET |
| 11.15am ET16:15 | 11.15am ET16:15 |
| We’ve added a video window to the top of the blog so that you can watch Paul’s big announcement live, starting in about 15 minutes. | We’ve added a video window to the top of the blog so that you can watch Paul’s big announcement live, starting in about 15 minutes. |
| 11.12am ET16:12 | 11.12am ET16:12 |
| Political swag – caps, tees, koozies, key fobs – makes people happy even when it’s not that good. Die-hard supporters of some candidate are happy because they can cover their body with their opinion. Candidates are happy because you have to enter your address to buy that stuff, right in the campaign database. Detached onlookers are happy because, miserable saps, they get to make fun of people who wear campaign swag. | Political swag – caps, tees, koozies, key fobs – makes people happy even when it’s not that good. Die-hard supporters of some candidate are happy because they can cover their body with their opinion. Candidates are happy because you have to enter your address to buy that stuff, right in the campaign database. Detached onlookers are happy because, miserable saps, they get to make fun of people who wear campaign swag. |
| Today is an especially happy day for campaign junk, in any case, as Rand Paul, even before his big announcement, has set up a shop that blows the field out of the water. Paul’s new campaign website includes an online store that will have fellow Republicans resorting to bumper stickers to stifle their screams of jealousy. | Today is an especially happy day for campaign junk, in any case, as Rand Paul, even before his big announcement, has set up a shop that blows the field out of the water. Paul’s new campaign website includes an online store that will have fellow Republicans resorting to bumper stickers to stifle their screams of jealousy. |
| Paul’s line of campaign swag exhibits unprecedented creativity, breadth and taste. Here’s the Ladies Constitution Burnout Tee, with the Constitution right there on it: | Paul’s line of campaign swag exhibits unprecedented creativity, breadth and taste. Here’s the Ladies Constitution Burnout Tee, with the Constitution right there on it: |
| But why wear that when you can express your opposition to President Barack Obama’s drone wars with this T-shirt: | But why wear that when you can express your opposition to President Barack Obama’s drone wars with this T-shirt: |
| Maybe better to steer clear of the apparel. Who needs a new bag toss? | Maybe better to steer clear of the apparel. Who needs a new bag toss? |
| You can start shopping here. | You can start shopping here. |
| 10.41am ET15:41 | 10.41am ET15:41 |
| Here’s another Rand Paul title: Guardian op-ed contributor. | Here’s another Rand Paul title: Guardian op-ed contributor. |
| Paul wrote an editorial for the Guardian in February 2014 attacking director of national intelligence James Clapper as a liar and calling dragnet government surveillance programs “blatantly unconstitutional.” Here’s a taste: | Paul wrote an editorial for the Guardian in February 2014 attacking director of national intelligence James Clapper as a liar and calling dragnet government surveillance programs “blatantly unconstitutional.” Here’s a taste: |
| Part of the reason our government does some things behind Americans’ backs is not for security, but because certain activities, if known, would outrage the public. | Part of the reason our government does some things behind Americans’ backs is not for security, but because certain activities, if known, would outrage the public. |
| Spying on every American certainly falls into this category. I also believe it is blatantly unconstitutional, and bringing these activities to light would immediately spark debates the NSA would rather not hear. | Spying on every American certainly falls into this category. I also believe it is blatantly unconstitutional, and bringing these activities to light would immediately spark debates the NSA would rather not hear. |
| For the record, Paul’s Comment Is Free bio reads: “Rand Paul is the US senator for Kentucky, representing the Republican party. Follow him on Twitter @SenRandPaul.” | For the record, Paul’s Comment Is Free bio reads: “Rand Paul is the US senator for Kentucky, representing the Republican party. Follow him on Twitter @SenRandPaul.” |
| We’re alerting production to that dead link. Embarrassing! (h/t: @kaylaepstein) | We’re alerting production to that dead link. Embarrassing! (h/t: @kaylaepstein) |
| 10.31am ET15:31 | 10.31am ET15:31 |
| In a bid for a new job, he’s taken his old job back. | In a bid for a new job, he’s taken his old job back. |
| Rand Paul has removed some references to himself as “senator” from his web sites and official Twitter account and replaced the honorific with “doctor”, in an apparent rebranding meant to increase his appeal as a presidential candidate. | Rand Paul has removed some references to himself as “senator” from his web sites and official Twitter account and replaced the honorific with “doctor”, in an apparent rebranding meant to increase his appeal as a presidential candidate. |
| Paul, who was a practicing ophthalmologist for two decades before running for the Senate in 2010, may be on to something. | Paul, who was a practicing ophthalmologist for two decades before running for the Senate in 2010, may be on to something. |
| In a 2009 Gallup poll, 73% of respondents said they were confident in their doctors’ recommendations for health care reform, while less than half that many, 34%, expressed confidence in Republicans in Congress. | In a 2009 Gallup poll, 73% of respondents said they were confident in their doctors’ recommendations for health care reform, while less than half that many, 34%, expressed confidence in Republicans in Congress. |
| Paul is both a doctor and a Republican in Congress. But on Twitter, apparently as of today, he is only the former. His erstwhile handle, @senrandpaul, has been retired, although its archived tweets now surface in the @randpaul account. To wit: | Paul is both a doctor and a Republican in Congress. But on Twitter, apparently as of today, he is only the former. His erstwhile handle, @senrandpaul, has been retired, although its archived tweets now surface in the @randpaul account. To wit: |
| . @BarackObama to @Pontifex: Forgive me father for I have spied. #NSA | . @BarackObama to @Pontifex: Forgive me father for I have spied. #NSA |
| Paul is also running for the Senate again in 2016 – call it a backup plan – but even his official Senate campaign site appears to prefer the doctor moniker: | Paul is also running for the Senate again in 2016 – call it a backup plan – but even his official Senate campaign site appears to prefer the doctor moniker: |
| Note that some of Paul’s campaign materials retain references to his current day job; see for example the screen shot in the previous post, which captures one reference each to the man’s two titles. | Note that some of Paul’s campaign materials retain references to his current day job; see for example the screen shot in the previous post, which captures one reference each to the man’s two titles. |
| Updated at 10.34am ET | Updated at 10.34am ET |
| 9.53am ET14:53 | 9.53am ET14:53 |
| Rand Paul: 'I am running for president' | Rand Paul: 'I am running for president' |
| Paul appears to have scooped himself on his new campaign website, randpaul.com. | Paul appears to have scooped himself on his new campaign website, randpaul.com. |
| “I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government,” the site quotes the senator as saying. | “I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government,” the site quotes the senator as saying. |
| The site hosts a testimonial video by Paul’s wife, Kelley Ashby Paul. “We started talking, and during our conversation I realized that he was not a teen, he was 26,” she says. | The site hosts a testimonial video by Paul’s wife, Kelley Ashby Paul. “We started talking, and during our conversation I realized that he was not a teen, he was 26,” she says. |
| Updated at 10.03am ET | Updated at 10.03am ET |
| 9.49am ET14:49 | 9.49am ET14:49 |
| Summary | Summary |
| Rand Paul is set to become the second Republican to enter the 2016 presidential race on Tuesday with an announcement at a midday event at a hotel in Louisville called the Galt House, a 1970s monstrosity on the banks of the Ohio. | Rand Paul is set to become the second Republican to enter the 2016 presidential race on Tuesday with an announcement at a midday event at a hotel in Louisville called the Galt House, a 1970s monstrosity on the banks of the Ohio. |
| The Kentucky senator was preceded into the race Senate colleague Ted Cruz, who got in almost two weeks ago. The Republican field was expected to grow to as many as 20 candidates. | The Kentucky senator was preceded into the race Senate colleague Ted Cruz, who got in almost two weeks ago. The Republican field was expected to grow to as many as 20 candidates. |
| Paul is an eye surgeon who grew up in Texas and made it to the Senate in 2010 in his first-ever run for elected office, carried to victory by a wave of Tea Party activism and by his own long experience on the campaign trail alongside his father, Ron Paul, who made a surprisingly robust run at the presidency in 2008 (of three runs). | Paul is an eye surgeon who grew up in Texas and made it to the Senate in 2010 in his first-ever run for elected office, carried to victory by a wave of Tea Party activism and by his own long experience on the campaign trail alongside his father, Ron Paul, who made a surprisingly robust run at the presidency in 2008 (of three runs). |
| The younger Paul has inherited his father’s knack for lighting up the grassroots – especially young voters – and, if you like your politics with a little rah-rah, hey-hey, today’s for you. The chant to remember is Stand! With! Rand! | The younger Paul has inherited his father’s knack for lighting up the grassroots – especially young voters – and, if you like your politics with a little rah-rah, hey-hey, today’s for you. The chant to remember is Stand! With! Rand! |
| Paul scares the establishment a little bit for seeming quite serious in the past about creating a new libertarian heaven on American earth, whether by mothballing federal agencies, abolishing the IRS or ending all foreign aid to Israel. | Paul scares the establishment a little bit for seeming quite serious in the past about creating a new libertarian heaven on American earth, whether by mothballing federal agencies, abolishing the IRS or ending all foreign aid to Israel. |
| Candidate Paul has begun to ameliorate some of those views. But where, exactly, does this Rand who wants people to stand with him stand? Join us! Today! To find out. | Candidate Paul has begun to ameliorate some of those views. But where, exactly, does this Rand who wants people to stand with him stand? Join us! Today! To find out. |