Posted on 04/10/2015 6:26:00 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
IOWA CITY, Iowa—Rand Paul kicked off his first public appearance in the Hawkeye State since launching his anti-establishment presidential campaign with a question that was meant as a rallying cry. “Do we have any liberty lovers here?” he asked a crowd composed mostly of University of Iowa students, who sported Rand stickers and responded with cheers and whistles. But if Paul’s going to have any chance of contending for his party’s nomination, he better hope their nonlibertarian-leaning parents feel the same way.
The Iowa caucus will, of course, be the first major test for the entire GOP field—but the first-in-the-nation nominating contest is particularly important for Paul. The Kentucky senator’s campaign is predicated on the idea that he’ll be able to hold onto the libertarian-leaning bloc of voters who helped his father carve out a corner of the national stage in 2012, while at the same time layering upon that base enough converts from the more traditionally Republican masses to put him over the top. The Hawkeye State would appear to be particularly fertile ground for that strategy to take root. If it fails here, Paul will have a difficult time convincing anyone that it will work anywhere else.
In 2012, Ron Paul had one of his best showings of his entire campaign in Iowa, and much of that political infrastructure remains in place today. The elder Paul won 21 percent of the GOP caucus vote, enough to earn the libertarian firebrand an unexpectedly close—if largely overshadowed—third-place finish behind Rick Santorum and eventual nominee Mitt Romney, both of whom bested the Texas congressman by only four points, or less than 4,000 votes apiece. It’s conceivable, then, that Rand Paul will find himself among the caucus favorites come February 2016 simply by picking up where his father left off...
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
I think he’ll easily outperform his dad.. much to some people’s chagrin.
You’ve been here ever since last August?
Wow.
For a Rand Paul supporter, that must be, like, wow, like, an eternity, man!
/sarc
I don’t recall for Jefferson Davis Either. What’s your point?
I love when you people create two accounts/screen names and then “talk” to each other. Too funny!
Our local talk hosts got a few minutes with Rand this am before he spoke to the students in Iowa City. I listened with interest but the back and forth wasn't smooth.
They did high 5 Rand for standing up to that woman who rudely interviewed him.
But I noticed Rand can be a man of few words. He's succinct, direct and to the point. Then he stops talking. Then there is a pause because the interviewer wants to be sure he is finished before moving on to the next point. It's just a little awkward.
There were two local interviewers on the local am show; one was ready with good questions; the other asked only the last one. As usual I don't remember details all that well.
I don't know who can transition interviews better with the back and forth; maybe it was because they didn't know him that well. I'll see how it goes with other candidates and Rand with other interviewers.
Huh? I only had one beer, so why don’t I understand your post?
He’s a re-tread of a current freeper, I think.
Uh-oh....they're abandoning ship before it even gets out of the harbor..
Yes, Dr. Rand is a leader , far more pragmatic than than Ron. But Ron brought real ideas to the table and many are now accepted by the vast majority of Americans. Rand loves his Dad and will never ever forsake him. But you Bush bots out there can’t pose a single issue of disagreement except you love planned parenthood’s attack on the Tea party conservative from Kentucky.
It’s time to call down the wrath of the Viking Kitties on that n00b !
Who?
Did you know that a GOP Presidential Nominee has only carried the
State of Iowa 1 election since 1984.
i.e. Iowa is a democrat leaning state.
No wonder they like Paul.
Sure he can.....just bus in more people who want pot.
We are still waiting on the Rand Paul supporters to answer a ligitimate question about Rand Paul’s statement in his annouchment speech and what he meant when he said that laws that disproportionatelly incarcerate people of color needs to be repealed....
Meh, Cruz is much better.
Rand is pretty far down the list. He’ll perform much like his Dad, strong in the caucus states and toast everywhere else.
Tone it down.
No, I am sorry you don’t know. We stay home if we get mush for candidates. Last time— 500,000 said — “ no difference” You people do bush— I’ll bet anyone 7 to 1 — Hillary wins Iowa. NO MORE BUSHES!!
We support Ted Cruz, do you have anything you want to criticize Ted Cruz about ?
You do now have your platform to say anything about Ted Cruz as you want, we are going to be fair and let the Rand Paul supporters say what you will about Ted Cruz..
Now is your chance..
Yes sir.
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