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

2016 Primaries – Ted Cruz at $2 Million First Quarter, O’Malley comes out Swinging

Ted Cruz (R-TX), the first to officially announce his candidacy for the republican nomination, has reached a $2 Million fundraising first quarter goal according to USA Today. Cruz did this, in the main, through social media. One would anticipate this will give him good standing going into the primary.

On the other slide, O’Malley, the first from the Democrat side to actively campaign for the DNC nomination has finally spoke out against the dynastic option of a Bush-Clinton rematch in 2016. The former Governor from Maryland is in a good spot to go forward with his campaign to lead the Democrats. (New York Times)

Not yet announced: Rand Paul, Scott Walker and Rick Perry, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders.

Although one might think that it may be late to announce a candidacy – there is, historically a 1 year out November rule which was established in the 20th century – Both Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton announced in October and November the year before. That said, Barrack Obama announced in 2007. In light of the trend towered earlier announcement, which appear to give an edge of sort, especially when there is no sitting president running, to those with the earliest ground games established.