“Once Rand Paul has won the US Senate seat in Kentucky, I expect he’ll become the de facto leader of the Paul faction.
If so, that probably works in Sarah Palin’s favor, since she and Rand Paul are pretty much arm-in-arm, politically. “
Isn’t Rand more of a Conservative, as is Palin, and Ron more of a straight up libertarian?
I'm not sure exactly where you would draw the dividing line which would label Ron Paul "not a conservative", or which conversely label Rand Paul "not a libertarian". Certainly, on domestic policy, their positions are almost identical: On economic issues, both are pure libertarian capitalists. On social issues, both could be described as "pro-life libertarian" in general principle (anti-abortion, but leave other "victimless" social issues up to the individual) and "pro-life federalist" in general practice (anti-abortion, but leave other "victimless" social issues up to the States). And of course, both are libertarian purists on individual Gun Rights.
Even on National Defense, both Ron and Rand Paul would agree with the statement, "National Defense begins with Border Security"; and both agree with the statement "when we must fight, we declare war as the Constitution mandates" (that's directly from Rand Paul's website). The biggest differences are that Rand Paul supports the war in Afghanistan, and favors military tribunals in Guantanamo (for those suspects against whom we have any actual evidence, with deportation back to their native country for those whom we don't). So, while they have the same "Border Security first" governing philosophy on National Defense -- Rand Paul is a little more hawkish on Afghanistan, and Terror suspects.
That's breaking down the issues "point by point" for you as honestly as I can, from everything that I have read about both. I'm certainly open to correction.
Incidentally, my referense to Sarah Palin and Rand Paul being “arm in arm, politically” referred to their mutual support; not to them being agreed on every issue. Sarah Palin herself has said that her main reason for supporting Paul as staunchly as she does — is that she thinks that Paul is, overall, as strong a States’ Rights federalist as she is; not that she completely agrees with him on every single issue.