Rand Paul said this is why Democrats must be scared of him. Is he right?

[egbertowillies]

The media build up on Rand Paul's triangulation is in full vogue. Rand Paul shows sensitivity with minority concerns even as he keeps his base guiltless. Note how the narrator explains the triangulation in a manner that assists in what could become Rand Paul's peel off from different ends of the political spectrum. Rand Paul came out with concerns of the militarization of local law enforcement before President Obama.

Rand Paul's coup de grâce is his statement on Hillary Clinton that Democrats better take seriously. Rand Paul lines himself up with where America is on interventionist policies.
Rand Paul shown doing good humanitarian deeds which masks his Libertarian motif.

Yes Rand Paul, that’s why Democrats must be scared of you.

See the full blog post here.
http://egbertowillies.com/2014/08/24/yes-rand-paul-thats-democrats-must-scared/

[Faux pas]

1. I'm not scared. I pretty sure

the nut doesn't fall too far from the tree.

http://peoplesworld.org/ron-paul-s-neo-nazi-ties-romney-alliance-exposed/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/11/19/1256714/-Ron-Paul-More-Nazi-connections

http://www.care2.com/causes/anonymous-hacks-neo-nazis-finds-ron-paul.html

[anti partisan]

14. Some neo-Nazis donated to his dad, thus Rand isn't scary?

Not sure if I follow that one. I think we'd best be using different avenues to go after Rand, such as the tax policies and budget he has proposed.

[Faux pas]

18. I thought the original thread was

about how 'sensitive' he is about minority issues. My hypothesis is that he couldn't be, noting his father's record. Nazis and sensitivity? Not so much.

[anti partisan]

19. So now it's ok to judge someone based on their parents?

This reminds me of "Mitt Romney's family were racist polygamists".

Can we please leave this kind of crap to the right wing? I dislike Romney/Paul too, but for who they are and what they stand for, not what their family did.

[Faux pas]

20. OMFJCOAC

I was just stating my opinion, I thought that was allowed here. Didn't know I had to get involved in some kind of battle royale. SHEESH.

[BobbyBoring]

21. OMFJCOAC!

Much better than boring old OMG!

[Schema Thing]

2. We absolutely should be scared of him.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. The American electorate has done crazy things before.

Many times, in fact. Reagan…

However, I don't think the Big Money wants him, and that will be enough to do him in. He's not trustworthy with bankers, drug companies, and the MIC.

[Schema Thing]

4. there is no unified "big money"

Some Big Money will always be for a Republican who looks like they could possibly win.


In fact, the Biggest Money Kochheads in American politics are motivated by libertarian beliefs.

[Jackpine Radical]

7. Granted that "Big Money" is not monolithic;

However, there is a sort of "common core" that runs through them. As for libertarianism, there are aspects that not even the Kochs go along with.

By 1984, David had parted company with the Libertarian Party, because, he said, "they nominated a ticket I wasn't happy with" and "so many of the hard-core Libertarian ideas are unrealistic."

In general, a Republican candidate must be acceptable to Big Oil, Wall Street and the MIC to get the backing of Limbaugh, Fox, Rove, etc. Strict libertarians, who want to do away with government subsidies etc., generaly don't pass muster.

[OilemFirchen]

11. Hell, even Elizabeth Warreen peeled off from the Republicans,

when, thanks to the Looneytarians, she realized they were no longer good for the markets.

[bigdarryl]

10. I agree and another thing he might be right on by 2016 is

If Obama gets us dragged into another Iraq war with this new boggy man ISSA and Hillary is the nominee you know damn well she's going to support WAR where Paul will be on the opposite side.So I say democrats underestimate this guy at there own peril

[Thinkingabout]

5. Paul will change his speech to suit any crowd, what came out 10 years ago will not be the same again

this year, kinda like having zebra stripes, is it black on white or white on black.

[louis-t]

6. Rand "Five-Minute-Rule" Rand?

I predict he will NEVER be president.

[tazkcmo]

8. I'm scared

I'm very, very scared.

[Politicalboi]

9. Plagiarist, possible kidnapper

And runs away from question concerning immigration. I would bet my life there are A LOT of skeletons to be found.

[MoleyRusselsWart]

12. What we should fear is

...as I was just saying on another thread, is that there is a growing populace anger out there aimed at the status quo, the current system, the establishment. More and more people are ready for something different, even something drastic.

Its this kind of unrest coupled with apathetic, corrupt current leadership that has historically opened the door for men like Hitler to walk through.

Now obviously Paul is no Hitler, but we all know how catastrophically distructive his policies would be. Still, without a strong unified progressive message out there informing and educating and providing a specific blue print for how to return the country to its former greatness...Paul's simple minded "small govt, lower taxes, no job killing regs, welfare is bleeding us dry" message, coupled with his stated desire to reduce military spending and America's footprint abroad can and will resonate with many low information voters.

This message, supported by the corporate media and right wing echo chamber could easily sweep across the nation.

[Hoppy]

13. When Aquabudism becomes the state religion, you'll be sorry. Mark my words on this.....

[Jamaal510]

15. I'm not scared of HIM;

I'm scared of all the voters who don't do their homework beforehand and would vote for him based on just 1 or 2 issues. But if people find out all about his platform and ideology (especially his economic agenda), 2016 should be a cinch for the D's if he were to be the R's nominee.

[JoePhilly]

16. He won't be able to maintain the apperance of sanity long enough.

[DFW]

17. Be aware, not scared

Yesterday, I was talking to a friend who is a former member of the House, and still very dialed in there. He said that of all the Republicans out there that seem like unelectable nut cases, Rand Paul is the only one with a ghost of a chance of creeping up on us to bite us in the ass.

Don't be scared, but vigilant (remember 1980).

[apnu]

22. Rand Paul is a credible threat

Because he's stealing Democratic talking points (or what should be Democratic talking points, like the ever growing police state) as his own.

The Democratic Party for too long has sat back and let the Republicans hang themselves time and again. 2006, 2008, 2012... the party's strategy has been to give the Republicans all the room they need to be fools and let the electorate punish them for their antics.

But the Democratic Party, itself, has little to bark about. Are they boldly standing up for Immigration reform? No. Will Rand Paul boldly state a socially liberal stance on Immigration reform? Yup. Will the Dems boldly stand up on African American issues? No. Rand Paul will talk all day about the police state and win votes. Drones? Dems are silent, Rand Paul loud. Pot legalization? Dems silent, Paul loud.

Americans like bold and loud. Obama as a President is unusual because he isn't bold and loud as President, but on the campaign trail he is. Reagan, Clinton, and W. Bush all we bold and loud 24x7... its what we Americans prefer.

Combine that with the growing discontent of the millennial's who haven't staked out a party yet, and Rand Paul, with a thick application of social liberalism and strong fiscal conservatism (Let's reduce college bills!) will lure this voting block to the Rs. Meanwhile the Dems won't commit fully to social liberalism or minority group issues or gender issues.

If the Dems come out, loudly, in favor of immigration reform and path to citizenship and damn whomever bitches about it, they will collect most of the Latino vote. Again on African American civil rights issues and police abuses and economic issues. Stand up and be counted on those things and the AA's will be Dem. voters forever. Rinse and repeat on gender issues, and win the female vote now and forever. GLBT too, rinse and repeat.

Bundle all these groups up under a banner of civil (equal) rights for all and the R's will be mitigated for generations.

But the Democratic Party is doing one of those things. Rand Paul is smart enough to recognize it and he's taking that thunder right now. He knows the Dems are good at dithering, they're dithering now. He's exploiting the Dems skillfully. He's young and vigorous, unlike his father and he can be charismatic too.

Rand Paul is a credible threat. He can still hang himself, but can we afford to sit on our hands and wait for him to do so or should we be proactive and get out on the issues now?

I say we should be proactive.

[CTyankee]

23. Oh, I don't know about "credible threat"...

Ask him some pretty sharp questions on a woman's right to choose and other reproductive rights issues. Ask him about pay equity for women. I mean REALLY ask him. Nail the guy! Then let's see how "credible" he looks to the women voters out there!

Hell, you could even throw in a query on an increase in the minimum wage. What is it buddy, yes or no?

[apnu]

24. He's a politician, he won't let himself get nailed like that.

Yes the GOP has a huge gender gap. They also have a huge African American gap and a Latino gap. In fact, pretty much their whole constituency is white men.

Rand Paul is a credible threat because white men, especially middle-age or older white men, go to the polls. The other groups, not so much.

Also, note, he's a credible threat, that doesn't mean he's unbeatable or inevitable. He is very beatable, as is the whole GOP, provided the Dems can figure out how to get everybody to the polls.

I say he's credible, because he's not a total clown like McCain, Romney, Bachman, Cain, Ron Paul, Gingrich and the rest. Rand Paul is only half a clown, and half savvy politician.

[CTyankee]

25. I'm skeptical that anyone in the public spotlight is immune from getting nailed on any

question. The only issue is who will ask it and will it be on tape. IOW, no denyability.

Also, I really don't see any gravitas in the guy, if he's supposed to be so smart. Once he's exposed as a suit 99% full of hot air, he'll deflate like the Hindenburg.

[JustAnotherGen]

26. And he comes across as very very cold

Part of Bush II's 'glamour' to some people was his folksy nature.

Rand Paul 'plays' at it - he doesn't get right into it. And - he lacks the ability to make fun of himself . . . totally takes himself too seriously.

A lot of those middle aged and older white male voters just want a guy they can throw back a beer with - or one they can look up to. That guy isn't Rand. I think Huntsman in a debate - if he had the weight of his party behind him/money machine - would flatten Paul. Mr. "We weren't always millionaires" is someone they would look up to over Paul.

[whistler162]

27. Since Marvel is making a biopic of his life

maybe we should.

http://www.enstarz.com/articles/44998/20140828/doctor-strange-movie-news-joaquin-phoenix-in-final-talks-to-lead-the-supernatural-film-no-idea-yet-on-length-video.htm

[Corey_Baker08]

28. While Rand Paul May Warm Up To Democrats, He Will Turn Republicans Off!