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Why Rand Paul is Marco Rubio's Biggest Political Threat
National Journal ^ | Michael Catalini

Posted on 02/12/2013 7:56:48 AM PST by JohnPDuncan

David Adams, a Kentucky tea-party activist and former campaign manager for Sen. Rand Paul, remembers a conference call from the 2010 Senate race when the conversation turned to talk of their favorite presidents. Some said George Washington, others Abraham Lincoln. Adams's pick? "Rand Paul in 2016," he recalled.

Three years later, Paul is acting like he’s already preparing a future presidential campaign, courting activists from early-primary states, smoothing out his positions on foreign policy, and delivering a high-profile national address, competing against a potential future GOP rival, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.

Last week the Kentucky Republican spoke at the Heritage Foundation, seeking to dispel the perception that he's an isolationist and embracing George Kennan's containment philosophy. The speech comes after a high-profile visit to Israel where Paul, a vocal opponent of foreign aid, met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and called the country America's "most vital ally in the Middle East." Accompanying Paul on the visit were evangelical activists from the early-primary states of Iowa and South Carolina, a sign the senator wanted to shore up his relationship with devout Protestants, a key part of the Republican voting bloc.

On Inauguration Day, when his colleagues packed onto the West Front of the Capitol for the president's address, Paul traveled to South Carolina, an early presidential primary state, to speak at a conservative event.

And Tuesday, he will be giving the Tea Party Express’s official response to President Obama's State of the Union, sharing airtime with Rubio, another potential 2016 contender, who is delivering the GOP's official response.

(Excerpt) Read more at nationaljournal.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 2016; gop; randpaul; rubio
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To: Howie66

I am of the mind that any Senator that wants to be president should be immediately removed from office and taken to a mental institution until that point that the feeling subsides!

Being a U.S. Senator is the BEST job ever invented in the entire World. There are only 100 of them. Most are completely anonymous yet wield enormous power. It is almost impossible to lose the job, you only stand for reelection every six years and enjoy an unlimited supply of money to fight off any adversary. You get massive benefits and all the money that you can steel with virtually no chance of ever getting held responsible for your transgressions.

Why would ANY U.S. Senator EVER want to be POTUS?


21 posted on 02/12/2013 8:44:20 AM PST by Jim from C-Town (The government is rarely benevolent, often malevolent and never benign!)
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To: chuckles

Ted was born in Canada, but his mother was a U.S. citizen by birth. I believe that his father had already become a U.S. citizen by the time Ted was born.


22 posted on 02/12/2013 8:44:26 AM PST by Howie66 (Molon Labe, Traitors!)
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To: Eric in the Ozarks

But Cruz lacks that bridge to the ultra-conservative, and monitarily consious wing of the libertarians. He may have some comonality with them on firearms, but that’s the limit of it.


23 posted on 02/12/2013 8:44:37 AM PST by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: justice14

Rubio is GOPe in light cammo; are you too?


24 posted on 02/12/2013 8:48:07 AM PST by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: Jim from C-Town

Why Potus?

> Free accomodations in a magnificent mansion
> Air Force One for travel & vacations
> Many chefs to prepare any food and it is all free
> Free travel to foreign countries
> Throw as many parties as one wishes in the White House, paid for by tax payers
> Unlimited Free golf at private courses around DC
> Secret Service to protect 24-7
> Gets to appoint 100 Czars at tax payer expense
> Gets to nominate SCOTUS candidates
> Gets to Nominate cabinet
> Bullet proof Limo to drive around in

and a whole bunch more which the senators do not get.


25 posted on 02/12/2013 8:51:42 AM PST by entropy12 (The republic is doomed when people figure out they can get free stuff by voting democrats)
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To: Howie66

>> “Doesn’t that bother you at all?” <<

.
Read my tagline.


26 posted on 02/12/2013 8:51:47 AM PST by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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To: Howie66

Of course it bothers me. Kerry was being nominated whether He voted for Him or not.


27 posted on 02/12/2013 8:52:16 AM PST by justice14 ("Christ is Victorious" / @rjustice21)
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To: editor-surveyor

Nope. I like Ted Cruz more, but He’s not going to be trying for President. If so, He would most likely get my support.


28 posted on 02/12/2013 8:53:39 AM PST by justice14 ("Christ is Victorious" / @rjustice21)
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To: Howie66
I am really of the mind that we do not need a former Senator sitting in our White House ever again.

Well, I've posted several times here my desire that someone with executive experience such as Scott Walker or Sarah run.

29 posted on 02/12/2013 8:59:51 AM PST by Sirius Lee (All that is required for evil to advance is for government to do "something")
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To: JohnPDuncan

Seems to be more and more “plant” stories about Paul vs Rubio......not sure anything is for real.

I do know Id NEVER vote for Paul.


30 posted on 02/12/2013 9:08:34 AM PST by rrrod (at home in Medellin Colombia)
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To: rrrod
"I do know Id NEVER vote for Paul."

Fool

31 posted on 02/12/2013 9:15:52 AM PST by jpsb
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To: Sirius Lee

Agreed. Fully.


32 posted on 02/12/2013 9:16:47 AM PST by Howie66 (Molon Labe, Traitors!)
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To: JohnPDuncan
When the rubber meets the road, the GOPe is going to nominate whomever they want.

Sure, they'll allow the usual dog-and-pony shows long enough to make the rank and file think they've got a voice, but in the end it's always the same.

All those that want this country back need to stop playing ‘footsie’ with the Republican Party and move on to a third. Unless and until the heavy hitters join forces with the conservative rank and file via a third party, we'll never turn this thing around.

I think Paul, Palin, Bachmann, West, et al, are tremendous, but if they stay in the GOP, regardless of the alleged reason, it's all just talk.

33 posted on 02/12/2013 10:02:57 AM PST by MichaelCorleone (A return to Jesus and prayer in the schools is the only way.)
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To: Howie66

Rand Paul/Ted Cruz


34 posted on 02/12/2013 10:21:27 AM PST by Hammerhead
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To: vmivol00

“Rubio will deliver the pro-amnesty capitulation and sellout of US citizens for the Republican Party.”

Isn’t it absolutely amazing that so many members of this forum simply refuse to see or understand this?


35 posted on 02/12/2013 10:24:49 AM PST by Road Glide
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To: Sirius Lee

Rumor has it that Karl Rove & Ann Coulter are courting “Conservative” Joe Scarborough for 2016 in case Chris Christie doesn’t live that long.


36 posted on 02/12/2013 10:25:53 AM PST by TexasCajun
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To: Howie66

“Ted was born in Canada, but his mother was a U.S. citizen by birth. I believe that his father had already become a U.S. citizen by the time Ted was born.”

Are there not “timely measures” that have to be undertaken after the circumstances of such a birth, to comply with U.S. Laws regarding “natural-born” citizenship?

Were those measures undertaken after Cruz’ birth?
Or….?

Better ask these questions NOW.
They will certainly be raised by the ‘rats and media at the appropriate time….


37 posted on 02/12/2013 10:27:23 AM PST by Road Glide
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To: Hammerhead

Rand Paul has certainly been impressing me same as Ted Cruz.

Rubio has been tripping warning bells, though.


38 posted on 02/12/2013 10:27:56 AM PST by Howie66 (Molon Labe, Traitors!)
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To: JohnPDuncan

Both are Senators. Neither one is a threat.


39 posted on 02/12/2013 10:29:59 AM PST by upsdriver ( Palin/West '16)
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To: Road Glide

I stand by my opinion that I would love to see Ted Cruz become Senate Majority Leader, so those questions are a moot point.

I honestly believe that he can be much more effective there or becoming a member of the Supreme Court.


40 posted on 02/12/2013 10:31:45 AM PST by Howie66 (Molon Labe, Traitors!)
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