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Let me say this very simply -

Here you finally have a prominent conservative trying to get ahead of an issue, preparing for 2014 and 2016 at the same time, and laying the foundation for the possibility of a workable solution to an incredible problem.

Without the Latino vote, conservatives are just a few election cycles away from being priced out of the game.

This immigration reform was supposed to be Obama and the Democrats big win this year. Paul has jumped out in front of them and is working to focus the conversation away from entitlement and pure amnesty towards a secure border and a reasonable pathway to at least being a documented, tax paying worker.

I think that it is genius plan that controls the conversation, engages the media and gets out in front of a major issue early in the next election cycle. At the same time, it steals thunder from Democrats and Obama.

I for one think that listening to and supporting what is agreeable is critical, not just thread after thread of bailing on a good person who shows leadership promise that can grow into the future. Of course, healthy opposition to the parts that are disagreeable is important, but completely dumping a good candidate, Senator and person without hearing out the plan, considering the alternatives and coming together in strength is a guaranteed pathway to failure. Again...

Without the Latino vote, conservatives are just a few election cycles away from being priced out of the game.

There is truth in this. The Hispanic vote is growing rapidly and going more and more against us. Heck, we are even losing the Asian vote now - a demographic Republicans used to win just a decade or so ago. The truth is this country is becoming more and more minority, and most of those minorities don't see the Republican party as welcoming or a voting option. Yes, the media and Democrats are mostly behind this, but it is what it is. So yes, we have to do a better job of reaching minorities.

Saying that, what evidence is there that amnesty (aka: path to citizenship) helps us win that vote? Hispanics want free stuff. That is what they are voting - a bigger, more expansive government. The Mexicans here are largely the same demographic that has been voting socialist (PRI) in Mexico for generations. What evidence is there that making them citizens will cause them to like conservatism better?

Paul is wrong about this. This is typical libertarian gibberish. We're going to find out that Rand is really not much different than Ron. He is more libertarian than conservative. Amnesty is not going to help us win Hispanics.