The Rand Paul filibuster did two major things:
1. It called out Obama and, due to it resonating in Twitterville and social media, it forced the WH/AG Holder to issue a response.
Paul kept the topic of the filibuster simple: Does the president have the authority to loose a drone strike on an American citizen on American soil without a warrant/court authorization?
The morning after, Holder responded: No.
2. It called out the old (emphasis on ‘old’) guard of the Grand OLD Party, a dozen of whom, by the way, were having dinner that evening with President Obama.
Paul shook them to their core. How dare he upset their comfy apple cart and cushy seats in the Senate? How dare he challenge Obama? How dare he — it wasn’t even a ‘legal’ filibuster, according to an early McCain comment.
Hours passed, as Paul slowly, methodically, coherently, talked, sans teleprompter, about the rights of Americans, about The Constitution, about the over-reach in presidential authority. Eventually, some fellow Senators joined in to ‘ask’ questions, thus giving Paul brief breaks.
It wasn’t until late in the evening that others, some from the House and some fellow Senators, realized this had turned into a BIG event in Twitterville. They got off their comfy seats and went to the Senate chamber, and joined in. [How many of them are up for reelection in 2014? That would be an interesting survey.]
Paul’s filibuster resonated. If he continues to make such headlines, he could become a real contender for 2016. That is what is shaking up the old guard GOPe and their ‘it’s his turn’ guy — who seems at the present to be Jeb Bush.
Yep, Paul had 13 hours to trash the administration (quite politely), and unanswered. Idiot obama was having a date with reach across the aisle Repub’s.
The media has blacklisted Paul (IMO) and insists on focussing on obama’s “Outreach” dinner.
They couldn’t be more obvious with their propoganda.
Paul’s filibuster resonated. If he continues to make such headlines, he could become a real contender for 2016. That is what is shaking up the old guard GOPe and their ‘it’s his turn’ guy — who seems at the present to be Jeb Bush.
Rand Paul has as much chance of “winning” the Republican nomination as his father did. (And slim just left town.)
And neither Senator from AL came forward to help:o(
I would add a 3rd to your list of the Rand Paul filibuster, a presence of the US Constitution and why it is relevant.
They worked very hard to destroy Bush 43 and basically with little opposition form us it worked.IT gave them obamba. Problem for Jeb is that he has the same last name. They won't have to work nearly has hard to destroy him. This fact alone will probably sink any candidacy ideas he has or will have.
Ironic,the fact that George W.Bush 43 never fought back and allowed the left to tear him apart may well be his brothers undoing. Very similar to what may happen to Rand Paul. You gotta remember voters are stupid.