It’s never too early in the world of politics for presidential election speculation. One name often thrown out by Republicans as a potential 2016 contender is Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky.
Political insiders have prognosticated that libertarian icon and retiring Rep. Ron Paul had recently toned down his fiery criticism of the Republican Party as part of an attempt to smooth the path for his son to run for President as a serious Republican Party candidate in 2016. If that was his plan though, it went completely out the window yesterday after the Congressman went into a lengthy attack on the Republican Party establishment, all but calling state party leaders liars and cheats.
But four years can heal a lot of wounds, and Rand Paul has become popular with conservatives and tea partiers in his own right, focusing on more relatable issues than his father, such as the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) unlawful and overly aggressive airport searches.
Would the Ron Paul Revolution get behind Rand Paul if he ran, though?
During the last legs of the 2012 GOP primary Paul supporters didn’t seem convinced, yet, that Rand Paul was the rightful heir to his father’s mass movement of young libertarians.
However, at a tribute to Ron Paul’s legacy Sunday after in Tampa, Ron Paul supporters made it known that Rand was their guy.
Just before Rand’s speech, the crowd began chanting in unison”Paul 16.”
Rand would certainly be a leading candidate in 2016 should Mitt Romney lose the 2012 election, but Rand would have stiff competition from a slate of equally qualified candidates, including Romney running mate Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ).
About Francesca Chambers
Great writing Francesca. Very balanced and informative. Refreshing to see this, thank you.
Mr.Rand Paul/ Ron Paul:::))))))))))((((((( MAN UP BAKE OUT YOU ARE MAKEING IT FALL RIGHT IN THE HANDS OH YOUR FAVERIT OBAMA ? ))))))))))) (((((( SHAME SHAME SHAME ))))))))))) I am glad I’m a troue American !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is this a joke? Your spelling is terrible. It is difficult to respect an opinion when there are so many errors.
Romney’s policies and actions are making it fall into the hands of Obama. Besides why worry about such a small “kooky fringe” group. Oh yeah we aren’t so small a group any more are we. Why else would the GOP include “Audit the Fed” in there party platform (which neither party follows anyway). Though they still refuse to vow to get rid of the warrant-less indefinite detainment of American citizens without trial (google Brandon Raub). This tyranny is of course is thanks to Obama’s NDAA which in a debate Romney stated that he also would have signed it as written.
I’m still voting for Ron Paul. I’m not that sure about Rand because it looks as if he abandoned his dad’s bid for President and thereby my vote.
Many people have told me “a vote for Ron Paul is a vote for Obama.” Frankly, I’m tired of hearing it. A vote for Ron Paul is a vote for the candidate I feel would do the best job.
Amen, I though am voting for Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party), only because I know write-ins aren’t counted and he is as close as I can get to Ron Paul. Several state GOP’s are trying to block a third party candidate (PA and Iowa). So if that happens in my state I write-in Paul because it is better then leaving the ballot blank.
I would likely support Rand Paul in 2016 but for 2012 after the criminal actions of the Republican National Committee against Ron Paul supporters I’m going fishing and hop the GOP loses big time. I would have expected these type of action from Hitler, Stalin but not the RNC. Shame on you all.
“What the Republican National Committee did to Ron Paul was the height of rudeness and stupidity for this reason: Why would you alienate an individual who has the ability to attract a new generation of voters, who are already skeptical of your institution but are willing to at least listen through the vehicle of this individual and the words that he is saying? Why would you alienate them, get on the floor and not let them speak? Not have his name go up on the board and see the number of electoral votes that he receives? This is crazy! … They are afraid of that which they cannot control.” – -Michael Steele, Former RNC Chairman
I will likely vote for Rand Paul in 2016 but shame on the RNC for their undemocratic, shameful actions at the GOP National Convention against Ron Paul supporters. In 2012 on election day, I’m going fishing for the first time in 40 years and I hope the GOP loses big time over this.