Rand Paul and the Hungry Press

The New York Times complains that Candidate for the GOP Nomination, Rand Paul, has become “testy” in interviews. Apparently, over the past several years, the press has been wearing a leash, and suddenly turned aggressive, when Paul took center stage. In a few interviews, the earnest journalist spluttered furiously at the Senator with a barrage of questions – and was surprised when he has the unmitigated gall to appear somewhat authoritarian..

Can one blame the press? After all, they haven’t had a real interview in years with a political figure of merit, so, they are somewhat unchained for what seems like the first time, and never being pushed back, are aghast that someone might do so. To the press: “welcome to the real world”.

In the instance where the media is full of tomes on the Senator’s sexist demeanor to two female reporters, they must have failed to listen to the painful manner in which they phrased (using that word politely) what should have been a question, but came across as a litany of nagging, shrill and senseless jargon. Regardless of the fact that they should have used the opportunity for a “gotcha moment”, they were either wasting both their time and the Senators for one of two reason, the first, being incompetence due to the inability to reign in a desire to get the man, and the second, by design, so that the mighty female demo might just buy into the “mean and cranky towards an idiot equals sexist angle.

Difficult to tell.

Either way, the words “unfair” have been uttered by those women who don’t normally follow Politics other than the evening news. This bodes well for Paul, as those who are furiously condemning him for having a “short temper” may be missing the bigger picture. Paul, who is no dummy, merely points to the press the majority either ignore or despise, with a few tolerating and fewer applauding the very same.

It would be refreshing to see this same journalist treating say, a political opposition candidate in the same manner. But that would endanger one or even both of the following: their ideology or their job.

As a feminist, it galls me to hear something that should be called out as ridiculous on the part of the screamer, what it is, she lost control, instead of pointing the “sexist” finger at the target, girls, get a grip. Had a man been in the same seat, and acted in the same manner, perhaps he’d get the same push back from the Senator. Merely look at the difference in the mannerisms of Sean Hannity, who in the Times article was said to receive a ‘testy” answer, but, apparently the author did not watch the interview, Hannity moved on and the interview was “cordial. Compare to Savannah Guthrie, who asked not one, but a never take a breath, barrage of questions – unprofessional, and sadly lacking. She deserved what was dished out.

They may call the Senator Cranky – but the base, and one might suggest the general public is not buying it. It appears, after watching years of a benign and shackled press, that they are the ones being the bully. Go figure.

As the next announcement is made, be in from a Democrat, or yet another GOP candidate (and there will be plenty) Savannah will have the opportunity to either barrage them both in a bi-partisan manner or make it extremely plain that she favors one party over the other, losing credibility. Perhaps when she has the next opportunity – she might review some tapes of Barbara Walter.

Rand Paul – the Truly Transformative Candidate

The announcement made by Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, was one of the most inspirational speeches and pre speech that one might witness in a lifetime. The entire ceremony is included on video at www.c-span.org/video/?325139-a/seantor-rand-paul-rky-presidential-campagin-annocement - it is well worth the watch – from those who came forward leading up to the speech, from every walk of life, race, creed, color, in support of this man, to the candidate himself, who brought sincere and inspiring light to this moment. It is what we might hope for in a President – one that is pragmatic, one who is concerned with the people, one who is not about to let us fear those who would harm us.

Those naysayers (or more nicely put, those how also seek this position on both sides of the aisle and a press that is not necessarily in-sync with Rand Paul’s messaging, will of course, make a clip here or there, but the truth will out. From this vantage point, in listening to stump speeches from JFK through the last election cycle, there has been much lacking in candidates – one votes and holds their nose, lacking enthusiasm. Finally a candidate who inspires, and demands that we, as a nation, stand up and be counted.

One might refer to historical figures by way of comparison, George Washington, Ronald Regan, or even JFk, when speaking of the makeup of Candidate Paul, but they would fall short. He is an inspirational, unapologetic, and brave man – one we should be grateful for. One that is taking his time and life to help the nation. Yes, this blogger has supported a slew of candidates in the past, but, honestly, not one of them has truly inspired. That changed yesterday. Watch the cspan video – uncut, it will belie the naysayers, and perhaps, just perhaps, make a believer out of you too.

Rand Paul set to Announce 2016 Candidacy today – Lurking in the Shadows – “Swift Boat” Group (Beltway 501C who benefited Bush in Kerry Contest)

Rand Paul will announce his 2016 candidacy today, in Louisville, KY(WBALTV). Meanwhile, back in the shadows (sort of) is the GOP Hawks (so called) set to ruin Rand Paul’s big day, according to Bloomberg. The gist:

The Foundation for a Secure and Prosperous America, a 501(c)(4) group led by veteran Republican operative Rick Reed, will go live with its campaign against Paul on Tuesday, while the senator is in Louisville, Kentucky, announcing his presidential candidacy. The group will begin airing ads on broadcast TV, cable and the Web in several early primary states accusing Paul of being weak on Iran and tying him to the Barack Obama administration’s Iran policy….

The scale of the campaign is remarkable this early on in a primary fight, and reflects not only the depth of the hostility toward Paul’s worldview among many conservatives but also the prominence of national security in the 2016 cycle.

This is not the first major campaign Reed has influenced from the outside. He was the architect of the 2004 “Swiftboat Veterans for Truth” campaign that attacked John Kerry’s national-security record and credentials. His new campaign against Paul will be bigger than even that effort, he said. “Foreign policy has the potential to be as big in this campaign as it was in 2004 or even greater,” Reed said. “To me, given the state of the world, that’s a good thing.”

Tuesday’s ad will hit airwaves in states that are part of Paul’s rollout, including Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina, Reed said. The millions committed to the early effort ensure that Paul’s deviation from the Republican field on foreign policy will be among the top issues used to illustrate his alleged divergence from the Republican voting public.

(Bloombergview.com)

Not requiring much of a hint as to where this is coming from – one might see this as the standard GOP doing their standard Beltway GOP’s favorite sons (i.e. Bush Family) a favor in trying to oust a threatening candidate before they get off the ground – so to speak. In any event, it is reminiscent of the attacks made on other candidates in the past to clear the way for say – Mitt Romney. This group would better serve their country by holding their fire for the big game letting chips fall where they may.

The ad is said to be a typical scare and terrorize – heavy toned piece with accusations against the Kentucky Senator which are, at best a stretch(Politico) – in truth, those types of ads, turn people off, rather than on to the party at all – O’Malley and Clinton are hoping for their success in this endeavor, because it will not do the GOP, and any of their candidates a whit of good.

Paul, however, is at his best when shown this type of garbage, so anticipate the Senator to stand up to these GOP bullies.

The Contender – Rand Paul to Announce 2016 Candidacy on Tuesday 4/7/15

Rand Paul, Senator from the State of Kentucky will be announcing his candidacy tomorrow. A preview of his announcement is now on YouTube - See below.



The Wall Street Journal article ”Rand Paul’s challenge, charting his own course”, suggests that as a candidate, Paul may find difficulty in straddling two factions of the GOP base – however, as a Libertarian leaning Republican who defies traditional stomping grounds, and courts a diverse electorate, one might suggest just the opposite – the man is being himself. (Tiring comparison to his father is just that).

From watching the contest take shape, he is nothing but original in his presentation, and his pragmatic approach to making decisions. One might find him more George Washington than say Reagan, which, to this mind, is most refreshing. As the two most interesting and outspoken candidates will be in the race as of Tuesday (Cruz and Paul), this 2016 primary and subsequently the general, will be treated to the best of debates, perhaps in history. Both men have exemplary oratory skills; however, Paul’s appeal is across many platforms, while Cruz appeals to that evangelical – right. Paul and Cruz both stress Liberty, however, for now, this Libertarian leaning blogger feels that Paul who best suits a nation that is in sore need of a pragmatist. One that will work within the framework of the constitution while deliberating (not at the speed of a turtle mind you), before committing to a decision. Refreshing! Although yet to formally announce; Perry, Rubio and a host of others, Paul is the one to watch, in my humble opinion