I agree with almost all of your post, except that I am not willing to give Rand the benefit of the doubt. At the age of 50, what he’s saying should be taken at face value, as he should have already formulated his convictions and values. Imho.
I am not known for being either naive or optimistic about things, and expect that you're probably right about Rand Paul.
However, people have been known to change once they actually get into office, and sometimes those changes are good. Experience and “time in the chair” does count. Most people do learn something in new jobs.
Ron Paul spent an entire career in the Congress accomplishing very little other than being a gadfly. Rand Paul may or may not want to repeat his father's career of being politically irrelevant.
We'll find out soon enough.