*** SCROLL DOWN -- VIDEO IS BELOW ***
As most of you know, Libertarian Eye Surgeon Dr. Rand Paul is in a heated race in Kentucky to replace retiring Senator and hall of fame pitcher, Jim Bunning. Paul, running as a Republican, is not well liked by the state GOP establishment who is supporting Trey Grayson instead.
In The Agora's Joshua Clayborne notes today that Paul has overtaken Grayson according to the most recent polling data, and has raised substantially more than Grayson to date.
- Paul’s insurgence is interesting not only because it demonstrates distrust of current GOP leadership, but also because Paul doesn’t fit nicely into one of the GOP’s three traditional bases: social conservatives, business interests, and small-government types. He is solidly libertarian, and while libertarianism is not necessarily hostile to the goals of traditional conservatism, there are certainly important distinctions.
- Rand Paul is a strong states’ rights advocate who wants the federal government out of people’s lives. He opposes federal drug laws and says the U.S. government should not outlaw gay marriage because only churches should be in the marriage business. He is skeptical of foreign interventionism and doggedly Constitutional about any engagement. But more than anything he likes talking about fiscal issues and the need to scale back government intrusion in economics and reform the nation’s fiscal policies. For better or worse, GOP leadership during the last ten years has often been on the other side of the coin.
- Libertarian intrusions into Republican primaries are nothing new. But what separates Rand Paul from most other libertarian candidates (including his father) is that Rand is not a novelty act. He is a known commodity as a long-time practicing ophthalmologist in western Kentucky. Along with tremendous intellectual heft, Rand is a polished public speaker with a professional presence. In short, he is an ideal candidate for the libertarian cause. Rand Paul can sell the libertarian platform in a way that doesn’t sound crazy to the traditional Kentucky voter. His early success should give us hope that the future of the GOP is not yet lost.
See also:
Rand Paul Officially Declares (Cavuto Interview)
**********
Watch (don't click unless you're coming from our email newsletter -- video is below)
Youtube Video: Dr. Rand Paul On MSNBC's Morning Joe -- September 17
**********
PLEASE email, facebook, re-tweet, share and take our stories with you when you leave. Our only weapon against the madness is GREATER AWARENESS. Thank you.