Rand Paul announces 2016 campaign

CNN ^

[Sub-Driver]

8 minutes ago Rand Paul announces 2016 campaign

Posted by CNN Political Unit

(CNN) - He's running.

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul announced Friday he will be on ballots in November 2016, but he told voters in his home state that they might be the only ones with a chance to vote for him.

The freshman Republican senator was returning to Kentucky from visits to a trio of states that hold sway in the presidential nominating process, visits which further stoked the speculation about his presidential interests. He indicated his intention to be on the ballot for re-election that year, but downplayed any White House ambitions.

"For now, (what) we know for sure is we're going to run for the U.S. Senate," he said, according to a report from The Independent. "The other decision can come later."

Paul posted online a link to a separate report on his appearance at the Woodford County Republican Dinner, one which did not include the quote. Both articles noted state law allows him to run simultaneously for the White House and re-election to his Senate seat.

Earlier this week he spoke at a GOP fundraising dinner in New Hampshire and before that appeared at events in Iowa and South Carolina.

He has been upfront with his interest in potentially running for the White House, but at the dinner in New Hampshire focused his attention on the party.

[Windflier]

"For now, (what) we know for sure is we're going to run for the U.S. Senate," he said...

Speaking of oneself in the plural is a real turn-off to me. He just got to Congress and his head is already growing.

[deport]

Those odds were from back in early 2012 so I’d put little faith in them. The newer articles don’t list Palin but then there weren’t any polls they were referencing in their articles just names chosen by the author. I personally don’t see Pain getting into the primary but things can change once we get closer to the actual commitment dates.

[Sirius Lee]

Cruz would be my first choice, but if he doesn’t run and Rand does vs what? Rubio? Jeb? KristiKreme? I’ll stand with Rand, absolutely.

[SSDecontrol]

In the vein of friendly discourse, let me show you how some of your notions toward Paul are incorrect.Rand Paul is personally against gay marriage but believes that it is hypocritical to advocate for smaller government and states rights while supporting a federal ban on gay marriage:

"If we were to say each state can decide, I think a good 25, 30 states still do believe in traditional marriage, and maybe we allow that debate to go on for another couple of decades and see if we can still win back the hearts and minds of people"

As for amnesty, Paul's against this. Paul doesn't believe that illegals should be given preference for U.S. citizenship and that they are not entitled to one cent of federal or state money. Paul doesn't believe its viable for the federal government to round up all illegals (look at how the feds run the postal service, DMV.. you honestly expect them to be able to round up and deport all illegals?) Paul believes that by denying illegals the perks they are receiving right now through the federal government, a lot of illegal immigration will cease. I think if he pared this belief with e-verify, he will be solid on this issue. Also, Rand Paul want the border protected and defended, just like any other conservative Republican.

Drugs? Rand is for legalizing hemp. I don't have an issue with this since tobacco and alcohol are legal right now and worse for a persons health and mental well being than a little pot. Theres a nice little graph that shows drug use in the U.S. vs spending on the war on drugs:

This is what Rand is against as far as drugs go. We have created this huge government entity but its effectiveness is non-existent.

Anyway, Freep on.

[CatherineofAragon]

"I have a hard time believing that you were ever a Rand fan in the first place,"

Gasp! Can you imagine someone who wouldn't be? /s

"which is OK."

I appreciate your generous permission.

" As far as immigration reform goes, Rand has got to be smart and play to suppress Hispanic turnout in the general. If you read my post a few posts earlier on here, you will see that Rand is not some open borders, amnesty guy."

Sure he is:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3010596/posts

" Yes, he doesn’t think that rounding up and deporting all illegals is viable... neither do I, many conservatives and many fellow FReepers. Rand Paul does not believe that illegals are entitled to one cent of federal or state funds, I think we all agree on that here."

Better read the linked L.A Times article. "Some form of legal status to illegal immigrants".....The GOP is anti-immigrant, must retool its image to attract illegals, has pushed immigrants away with harsh rhetoric....

"Why I like Rand?"

"Rand Paul is 100% strong against abortion. National Journal ranks him as near the top of the GOP as far as social policy goes, which is awesome for a politician who is liberty leaning. Here’s something, you dont like Rand right? Go look at his record as Senator and see if there is one thing that you disagree with? You may be surprised how much you like him afterall."

You really are a textbook campaign commercial. You Paulites are nothing if not tenacious true-believers, as we've seen all along.

Look, you can save pushing this guy at me. I'll have no part of him.

[CatherineofAragon]

working link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/3010596/posts

[novemberslady]

What a surprise!

[Dagnabitt]

No se puede.

Go away Amnesty Paul.

[Will88]

Barring the unforseen, conservatives should quickly coalesce around Cruz. Then it's his race to lose.

I hope that's what will happen. I think the others who'll claim to be conservative will have many skeptics after some of their issue positions of recent years.

Of course, the MSM will try to make Cruz look like a crazed and dangerous right-wing nut. Some are already trying, but everyone will have to work against that.

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

His libertarianism will be as much of a turn-off to middle America as Romney’s squishiness. I prefer Rand to Mitt, but I don’t think he can compete with Sarah or Ted for the non-GOPe Republican vote. And I don’t see Sarah running.

[1010RD]

We need to act in two directions.

1. coalesce around a conservative candidate - I like governors better than legislators. Cruz would be fine, but I’d like to see the field first.

2. We have to wound Democrats and liberals potential candidates. eg stop calling the ACA Obamacare and call it what it really is: DemocratCare.

[LADY J]

I pick Dr Benjamin Carson- who is not on your list.

He blew the doors off the Obama train at the National Prayer Breakfast.

He's smart & a dedicated Conservative!!

[Lera]

There is absolutely no way Sarah Palin could stand up to a debate with Ted Cruz. None.

There would be no debate between them , ever. As much as I like Ted Cruz he will never and can never run for president . Cruz was born in Canada.

[Lera]

Barring the unforseen, conservatives should quickly coalesce around Cruz. Then it's his race to lose.

Ummm no . Cruz place of birth =Calgary, Canada

[Carry_Okie]

Cruz was born in Canada.

By your standard, if the child was born in the US to American parents but they moved, renounced their citizenship, and educated the child abroad, that child would be eligible.

The point was obviously about debating skills. Sarah Palin is very good at grandstanding while mouthing empty platitudes, but not much more. Her administration of both Wasilla and Alaska were nowhere near as conservative as touted. Ted Cruz on the other hand has shown himself to have a far more complete grasp on the application of interaction of legal, economic, and Constitutional principles with the historical knowledge to back them up. In a debate, he would crush her.

[Lera]

By your standard, if the child was born in the US to American parents but they moved, renounced their citizenship, and educated the child abroad, that child would be eligible.

Stop projecting . You are beginning to sound like one of the lefties.

[Carry_Okie]

Stop projecting . You are beginning to sound like one of the lefties.

Best you check to whom you are speaking before impaling your foot ankle deep betwixt your molars.

[Lera]

Best you check to whom you are speaking before impaling your foot ankle deep betwixt your molars.

Geeeeeeeee I am soooooooooo scared /s

[tnwalker]

How about Mr. West from the sunshine state.

[tnwalker]

Re your #37, How about Maj. West?