Posted on 03/17/2026 1:47:09 AM PDT by RandFan
Kentucky senator says he wants to represent 'free-market wing' of Republican Party as alternative to Trump-Vance populism
Libertarian-minded Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is leaving the door wide open to a possible 2028 White House run.
"We’ll decide after 2026," Paul said in an interview that posted this weekend.
Paul ran for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, but dropped out after a distant fifth-place finish in Iowa's Republican caucuses. He won re-election later that year in the Senate, and was re-elected again in 2022.
The senator, who for years has been a leading voice inside the GOP for fiscal conservatism, civil liberties and a non-interventionist foreign policy for America, has lamented the declining number of Republicans embracing such an agenda in a party dominated by President Donald Trump. And he's pledged to try and bring such an agenda back.
...
Pointing to Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who is perceived as the GOP frontrunner in the race to succeed the term-limited Trump, Paul emphasized that "there needs to be a free-market wing of the Republican Party. And I want to be part of trying to ensure that still exists."
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
The CCP is smart enough to remember that America’s Arsenal of Democracy was its enormous industrial base.
Libertarians have zero interest in reviving it. You should try reading their childish ideas on national security in a dangerous world. In libertarian fantasyland it doesnt matter if America is no longer an industrial power.
Freedom to a Libertarian involves barnyard animals and narcotics.
Freedom to a Libertarian involves barnyard animals and narcotics.
A contested primary is a positive in the general election in many cases. I suppose it will depend on current events two years from now. I think Rand would be good to have in the arguments. Don’t give him much of a chance though.
Do you mean Rand will run for parliament in England so you can vote for Rand? Since you’re a British subject of the British monarchy.
Paul has positive value on some issues, and negative value on others. Running in this environment highlights that his negative values are deal breakers.
Rand, shut up or leave.
Forget about it little man.
Marco Rubio will run and likely Vivek Ramswamey maybe Tom Cotton.
If I had to vote right this second it would be Rubio.
I would never vote for Rand Paul under any circumstances.
Libertarian Party Platform:
National borders: Throw open the borders completely; only a rare individual (terrorist, disease carrier etc.) can be kept from freedom of movement through “political boundaries.” Eliminate the Border Patrol and ICE.
Homosexuals: total freedom in the military, gay marriage, adoption, child custody and everything else.
Abortion: zero restrictions. No impediments full 9 months.
Pornography: no restraints, no restrictions.
Drugs; Meth, Heroin, Crack, marijuana: zero restrictions. Vending machine availability.
Prostitution: legal and unrestricted.
Military Strength; minimal capabilities.
According to Venezuelan gov’mt RPaul is also on the payroll of Maduro.
If that, he is a CCP tool.
He was initially my top choice when he ran in 2016. He quicky made a buffoon of himself and had to exit the race.
I was shaking my head at some of his answers he gave. I am glad he quickly exposed himself so that I could move on to others that had a clue.
No way I could vote for that clown.
Rand Paul is “Rand Paul First!” Not America First.
What do you base this on?
Either way: A lead balloon...
I’m not so sure I think Rep. Massie would be interesting candidate if he wanted it (big if)... He’s a bit younger than Rand.
Rand has had a go and got nowhere sadly.
He’ll crash and burn faster than he did the last time.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.