Posted on 02/17/2013 11:35:25 AM PST by JohnPDuncan
Sen. Rand Paul says he'll wait until 2014 to decide whether to run for president, but he believes voters are ready for a Libertarian-minded Republican candidate.
"I would absolutely not run unless it were to win," the Kentucky Republican said on "Fox News Sunday." "Points have been made, and we we will continue to make points. But I think the country is really ready for the narrative coming the Libertarian Republican narrative."
Voters want a "different face," he said.
In order to expand the party's reach, Paul believes the GOP should embrace candidates who are willing to push a less aggressive foreign policy, comprehensive immigration reform and less punitive measures on first offenders of nonviolent drug possession.
"We're doing fine in congressional seats, but we're becoming less and less of a national party," Paul said.
Paul has been making it clear for months that he's leaning toward a presidential run, but he added he won't make a final decision before next year.
In the interim, he said, he'll continue to make his points in the Senate, including over immigration. On the same program, Paul said he'll offer an amendment to the forthcoming bipartisan immigration bill that would require the Government Accountability Office to report annually whether the border is secure and force Congress to vote on those reports. That would occur before the 11 million illegal immigrants can achieve permanent residency, under Paul's plan.
"I do support the concept of telling the 11 million people here that if you want to work and you don't want to be on welfare, we're wiling to find a place for you in America," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Just saw Rand Paul on Foxnews Sunday... I love this guy!
He’s got it together.
Forget the party label. Voters should be ready for a “righteous” candidate or it’s all over for America.
The difference? Millard was elected.
An anti-military candidate who is womewhat squishy on social issues.
The Reagan coalition used to stand for pro-defense, Judeo-Christianity vis a vis social issues, and fiscal conservatism.
Paul is fiscally conservative, and to the left of some blue dog Democrats on the others.
Elected as Vice President on Taylor’s ticket.
“Libertarian Republican” - isn’t that what Ron Paul called himself?
I saw a “Rand Paul 2016” bumper sticker yesterday. I’d vote for him.
Me too.
He makes some great points on every issue.
I think it was “libertarian Republican”.
“An anti-military candidate who is womewhat squishy on social issues.”
BS.
A smaller government Conservative? ABOUT G*DDAMN TIME!!!!
Bit early for bumper stickers, what state if you dont mind me asking?
We must run off this fat faced liberal rino Karl Rove. He ,makes me sick. He wants to block Tea Party candidates!! Because “They can’t win” tell that to Cruz-Paul and Rubio.
Get lost.
Yes, annoying that they capitalise the L in Libertarian (which is the party not the philosophy) they should keep it lower case when describing a libertarian who is working in the GOP
One has a comb?
I don't think a lot of people understand that Rand may be very conservative on the fiscal issues, but he is not with traditional conservatives on the social issues. This may be the direction the party is going, but social conservatives aren't going to throw in the towel so easily - and anyone running on the right needs the socon vote in order to win state and national elections.
Sorry Rand, the country isn't ready for a Liberaltarian.
What they are ready for is a conservative that supports everything in the Republican platform, and can articulate that in strong terms.
did you catch woodwar this AM on FNS saying that his next book would be titled ‘people that just won’t go away’ and he would dedicate at least one whole chapter to rove?? LOL
I about fell out of my seat.
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