There is one way to describe Rand Paul's latest trip to Iowa: Perfect

The Iowa Republican ^ | 2/12/2015 | Craig Robinson

[iowamark]

e is what you need to remember – Rand Paul is never going to get Andy Cable’s, Don Kass’, or Doug Gross’s vote. Spiker is tasked with organizing the people who he has a good rapport with. This is nothing new to politics. Campaigns of every shape and size target certain coalitions of voters, and Spiker is tasked to work with the libertarian leaning voters.

Besides all of that, Spiker proved that he was one of the better organizers in Iowa in 2012. People tend to overlook the fact that his candidate received more votes at the Ames Straw Poll in 2012 than Romney did in 2008.   Or that Ron Paul only received 3900 fewer votes in 2012 at the caucuses than Romney got in 2008, which is about the same margin Romney beat Paul by in 2012. Spiker may not understand how to run and manage a political party organization, but he knows what he’s doing with a caucus campaign. If you can’t see that, you are blinded by your personal disdain of the man.

Rand Paul’s approach to Iowa in 2012 was on display for all to see last weekend. On Friday in Des Moines, he held an Audit the Fed Rally targeted at the libertarian voters that supported his father in Iowa for the past couple of years. The next day, he campaigned for Congressman Rod Blum in Marshalltown, an event that is more open to people of all political persuasions. Later that day he attended a private event hosted by former State Representative and 2002 gubernatorial candidate Steve Sukup, who officially endorsed Paul.

The two were seen sitting courtside at the Iowa State men’s basketball game. Here’s the deal – Ron Paul would have never been able to get a guy like Sukup, who’s family owns a large rural agricultural manufacturing plant, four years ago. If Paul’s team only included his father’s old political team, I would highly doubt their ability to get a guy like Sukup on board. The Sukup endorsement was made possible because Paul has people like Steve Grubbs helping him in Iowa. Grubbs knows Sukup well. He played a major role in Sukup’s 2002 campaign for governor.

Paul’s trip to Iowa was perfect last weekend because we saw both arms of the campaign working. If they can continue to operate like this, watch out.

[iowamark]

I agree completely. Randy Paul has been running the best campaign. He flew to Des Moines Friday night and had an event at a winery near the airport. Wise move, people are looking for a drink Friday after work. On Saturday morning, he had an event for Congressman Rod Blum. Then he goes to the Iowa State-Texas Tech basketball game in Ames, goes to a watch party for Iowa State students next door, and has a private supper event for wealthier people.

In a 24 hour period, he had 5 well designed events!

Des Moines Register: Rand Paul shoots for some Hilton magic

[iowamark]

I am sorry that I inadvertently lopped off the beginning of the article:

""I know this won’t be popular on these pages, but the National Journal’s article calling former Republican Party of Iowa Chairman, A.J. Spiker, Rand’s “Iowa Albatross” was a bunch of crap.

It is true that many establishment Republicans and county party activists despise Spiker. Here is what you need to remember – Rand Paul is never going to get Andy Cable’s, Don Kass’, or Doug Gross’s vote. Spiker is tasked with organizing the people who he has a good rapport with. This is nothing new to politics. Campaigns of every shape and size target certain coalitions of voters, and Spiker is tasked to work with the libertarian leaning voters.""

[Beagle8U]

Then he met with some illegals at a gay bathhouse, and broke out his personal stash and giant bong he made in pottery class.

[Jim Robinson]

The comparison to loser Romney is nothing to brag about. FURP!! Amnesty pimps need not apply.

[PGR88]

Then he met with some illegals at a gay bathhouse, and broke out his personal stash and giant bong he made in pottery class.

If he can take down the Federal Reserve (which would officially end the Progressive Era and the Nanny-state that started 1 century ago). He could be having sex with Obama right now, and I wouldn't care.

[lormand]

Hat tip to SunkenCiv for compiling this list.

• Sec. of State Kerry: U.S. Not Responsible for Chaos in Iraq, Libya
• NANCY PELOSI: IRAQ IS NOT OUR RESPONSIBILITY
• Paul Blames Iraq Crisis on Bush Administration
• Rand Paul Defends Obama Against Dick Cheney

Rand Slams Congress for Funding Egypt’s Generals: ‘How Does Your Conscience Feel Now?’

Sen. Rand Paul is hammering his fellow senators for keeping billions in financial aid flowing to Egypt’s military — even as Cairo’s security forces massacre anti-government activists. [by “anti-government activists” is meant church-burning Christian-murdering jihadists]

[Posted on 08/15/2013 5:44:10 PM PDT by Hoodat]

• Paul: We probably can’t get rid of ‘Obamacare’
• Paul: We probably can’t get rid of ‘Obamacare’ - [Sep. 21, 2013 9:56 PM EDT ]
• Paul: ‘Difficult to turn the clock back’ on O-Care
• Rand Paul: GOP ‘probably can’t defeat’ Obamacare
• Rand Paul on abortion: “We’re not changing any of the laws until the country is persuaded otherwise”
• Sen. Paul: ‘We’re Not Changing Any’ Abortion ‘Laws Until the Country is Persuaded Otherwise’

Rand Paul On Shutdown: “Even Though It Appeared I Was Participating In It, It Was A Dumb Idea”

I said throughout the whole battle that shutting down the government was a dumb idea. Even though it did appear as if I was participating in it, I said it was a dumb idea. And the reason I voted for it, though, is that it’s a conundrum. Here’s the conundrum. We have a $17 trillion debt and people at home tell me you can’t give the president a blank check. We just can’t keep raising the debt ceiling without conditions. So unconditionally raising the debt ceiling, nobody at home wants me to vote for that and I can’t vote for that. But the conundrum is if I don’t we do approach these deadlines. So there is an impasse. In 2011, though, we had this impasse and the president did negotiate. We got the sequester. If we were to extend the sequester from discretionary spending to all the entitlements we would actually fix our problem within a few years.

[Posted on 11/19/2013 12:16:51 PM by Third Person]

• Rand Paul: I think Republicans may have over-emphasized voter fraud
• Rand Paul: Republicans Need to Soften on Social Issues

Rand Paul: Time for GOP to soften war stance

...by softening its edge on some volatile social issues and altering its image as the party always seemingly “eager to go to war... We do need to expand the party and grow the party and that does mean that we don’t always all agree on every issue” ... the party needs to become more welcoming to individuals who disagree with basic Republican doctrine on emotional social issues such as gay marriage... “We’re going to have to be a little hands off on some of these issues ... and get people into the party,” Paul said.

[Posted on 01/31/2013 5:08:50 PM PST by xzins]

• Rand Paul Wants Bigger GOP: ‘You Go to a Republican Event and It’s All White People’
• (Rand) Paul: GOP Needs to ‘Look Like the Rest of America’ to Win Again (again)
• Rand Paul slams Cliven Bundy’s racist rant
• Rand Paul: Bundy’s racist remarks are ‘offensive’
• Rand Paul: I’m Open to Voting for Immigration Bill
• Paul: Still hope for immigration reform this year

Rand Paul’s immigration speech

...The Republican Party must embrace more legal immigration. Unfortunately, like many of the major debates in Washington, immigration has become a stalemate-where both sides are imprisoned by their own rhetoric or attachment to sacred cows that prevent the possibility of a balanced solution. Immigration Reform will not occur until Conservative Republicans, like myself, become part of the solution. I am here today to begin that conversation. Let’s start that conversation by acknowledging we aren’t going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants. If you wish to work, if you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you... This is where prudence, compassion and thrift all point us toward the same goal: bringing these workers out of the shadows and into being taxpaying members of society. Imagine 12 million people who are already here coming out of the shadows to become new taxpayers.12 million more people assimilating into society. 12 million more people being productive contributors.

[Posted on 03/19/2013 7:04:07 AM PDT by Perdogg]

---

Rand Paul calls on conservatives to embrace immigration reform

Latinos, should be a natural constituency for the party, Paul argued, but “Republicans have pushed them away with harsh rhetoric over immigration.” ...he would create a bipartisan panel to determine how many visas should be granted for workers already in the United States and those who might follow... [and the buried lead] “Imagine 12 million people who are already here coming out of the shadows to become new taxpayers...

[Posted on 04/21/2013 1:52:42 PM PDT by SoConPubbie]

---

[but he’s not in favor of amnesty, snicker, definition of is is]

• Rand Paul: End 'welfare' to Israel
• Rand Paul: Iran Wants Nukes Because It "Feels Threatened"
• Rand stands with Obama and Kerry on Iran
• Rand Paul: I don't think we should impose new Iran sanctions while negotiations are ongoing
• Rand Paul: Let's get this straight -- I'm not for containing Iran
• Rand Paul stands alone against Senate's 'preemptive war' resolution for Iran [Sept 2014]
• Rand Paul: It's America's Fault
• Rand Paul clarifies: No containment on Iran

[Mastador1]

Sorry I'm Conservative in more than My politics, what the hell is going on with Rands hair? I mean grow up and buy a comb, that look like you just got out of bed crap is ridiculous.

And yes I am that petty!

[2ndDivisionVet]

Winery? In Indianola?

[Ingtar]

... Rand Paul is never going to get Andy Cable’s, Don Kass’, or Doug Gross’s vote.

Or Ingtar's, or most of the Party's, or of America's vote either.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

If Rand is running for President then he needs to resign so someone else can represent KY instead of using the state like a cheap hooker.

[iowamark]

Jasper Winery in Des Moines:

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/picture-gallery/news/2015/02/06/12-photos-sen-rand-paul-at-jasper-winery-in-des-moines/23011665/

[Talisker]

Remember:

[Fledermaus]

Who cares about Iowa? Hasn’t the last 5 presidents all lose in the Iowa cacaus?

[Fledermaus]

I looked it up...Obama won it in 2008. But that was the only candidate who won the first time around running.

Reagan, HW Bush, Clinton, GW Bush and Obama all won it in their second run, mostly because they were unappossed as sitting presidents.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks for the post.

There was a time when I had some high hopes for Rand.

Rand is like his dad. I liked much of what I heard from him early on. Then as time passed, the shine came off the..., well...

At any rate, I wouldn’t support Rand or Ron.

Sad really...

[iowamark]

Obama narrowly won the Iowa Dem caucus in 2008, a must win for him. GW Bush won the Iowa Straw Poll in 1999 and the Iowa Caucus in 2000. Clinton and the other Dems skipped Iowa in 1992 because Tom Harkin was running. Bob Dole beat GHW Bush in 1988, no surprise. The surprise was Pat Robertson placing second. GHW Bush very narrowly edged Reagan in 1980, although some claimed shady counting. Reagan replaced his campaign manager John Sears and was a stronger candidate as a result.

Why is Iowa important? Because the candidates make an effort to campaign here where personal campaigning is key. Iowa weeds out the losers more than it picks the winners.

Note that I am not endorsing Randy Paul by posting this article. I am just admiring his campaign skills, which other candidates could learn from.

[rdb3]

*

[Impy]

No thanks.

[Beagle8U]

‘If he can take down the Federal Reserve...”

Well he can’t, and anyone with common sense knows that.

Rand Paul is a Libtardian gadfly, just like his old man.

[Plummz]

Have you called your Congressman and Senators about audting the Fed?