How Viable Is Rand Paul for 2016?

[Pressing-On]

Great article speaking of the various factions in the GOP.



http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes...paul-for-2016/


And great Roundtable discussion on Rand being GOP frontrunner.

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/seg...8c2a7d9300006b

[Dedicated Mind]

PO, I read the article and watched the video. I think right now Rand Paul and Marco Rubio are the strongest candidates. I think Rand Paul has a better defined policy than Rubio and might beat him in a primary, but I think Rubio would be a stronger general election candidate. I don't think either one could beat Hillary, if Hillary calls for a balanced approach to the debt and spending while Paul or Rubio call for dramatic cuts to both spending and taxes. I think I heard Rand Paul advocate a flat tax. To me that is a no winner. 2016 will be about economics and whether we have a balanced approach or a more alarmist, drastic, austerity, tax cutting approach. I am for Hillary or Elizabeth Warren on economics but I like both Rubio and Paul as being more authentic and pushing the republicans in a more progressive and anti establishment direction.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

PO, I read the article and watched the video. I think right now Rand Paul and Marco Rubio are the strongest candidates. I think Rand Paul has a better defined policy than Rubio and might beat him in a primary, but I think Rubio would be a stronger general election candidate. I don't think either one could beat Hillary, if Hillary calls for a balanced approach to the debt and spending while Paul or Rubio call for dramatic cuts to both spending and taxes. I think I heard Rand Paul advocate a flat tax. To me that is a no winner. 2016 will be about economics and whether we have a balanced approach or a more alarmist, drastic, austerity, tax cutting approach. I am for Hillary or Elizabeth Warren on economics but I like both Rubio and Paul as being more authentic and pushing the republicans in a more progressive and anti establishment direction.

I pretty much agree with you. I can see the GOP and Faux News already pushing against Rand. My only problem is that Rubio is more of an Establishment guy. You could see that when he walked on the floor at the filibuster. He didn't seem to even fit in.

And comparing the two Cubans - Ted Cruz stands miles above Rubio on presentation. Cruz is a bulldog. Rubio is a soft, pretty boy, which doesn't appeal to me.

Elizabeth Warren is just ugh! And Hillary, I had a dream about her when Clinton was in the WH. She was standing by a bookcase, next to a wing backed chair, looking out of a tall, draped window on a manicured lawn - very vivid dream. She was saying in her mind, "I have everything and I have nothing." I have prayed for her ever since. I think she is a liberal, but in her heart, I think she is caught and I think she is lonely. I could never hate that woman, not now.

I do like Rand's thoughts on the Flat Tax - "The church never asked for more than 10%."

With the economic condition of this country, I think just pushing the issue forward, you can finally bring about change. I'm just glad that Rand isn't afraid to talk about it.

Rubio would try to do the political thing - like he did at CPAC not mentioning immigration. I'm ready for something different than what the two parties have given us through the years.

But, like I said, if Rubio still has a good record, even though owned by Jeb Bush, and I can agree with him on 90% of the issues, I would more than likely vote for him.

Now, I wish Santorum would just go away. He is so annoying to me - just a side comment. We were talking about him earlier this morning. lol

Anyway, gotta run. Enjoyed the conversation, you Liberal Democrat!

[Dedicated Mind]

PO, I agree with your assessment, only one thing, Rubio did run against establishment Charlie Crist for senator. so he does have some anti establishment cred, but compared to Paul he is definitely establishment. I agree that Paul is more exciting and conservative than rubio, but would have a harder time in the general. we have about 2 years for these 2 to position themselves on the issues. we'll see what happens. I'm assuming you will be campaigning for Paul, you Libertarian anarchist! LOL!!!

[Jermyn Davidson]

Neither Rubio or Rand are Presidential material right now or in 2016. In fact, if they move too fast, they'll mess their brand up for a very long time.

There is really only one Republican who could possibly give Hillary Clinton a run for her money-- and that's Christie.

If Christie was smart, and if it were 2014 already, both Rubio and Rand would be on his short list of potential running mates. A Christie/Rubio team is very attractive to me and would be a very formidable team to compete with H. Clinton/X.


Rand appeal's is not national, not mainstream enough. Besides, Christie has a slight Libertarian "air" about him-- enough to not fit in the GOP completely and enough to balance Rubio who seems to be polishing his image as a "company man."

[Dedicated Mind]

Jermyn, I agree that Cristie is the toughest candidate for dems, but can he win the primary? not sure if the grass roots would vote for another moderate.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Neither Rubio or Rand are Presidential material right now or in 2016. In fact, if they move too fast, they'll mess their brand up for a very long time.

There is really only one Republican who could possibly give Hillary Clinton a run for her money-- and that's Christie.

If Christie was smart, and if it were 2014 already, both Rubio and Rand would be on his short list of potential running mates. A Christie/Rubio team is very attractive to me and would be a very formidable team to compete with H. Clinton/X.


Rand appeal's is not national, not mainstream enough. Besides, Christie has a slight Libertarian "air" about him-- enough to not fit in the GOP completely and enough to balance Rubio who seems to be polishing his image as a "company man."

Quote of the Day

"I'm not much different from Andrew Cuomo. I probably agree with him on 98% of the issues."

-- Chris Christie (R), quoted by the Glen Falls Chronicle, in a conversation with a union organizer.

Christie is pro-life and Cuomo isn't - there's your 2%.

Christie told the crowd of roughly 350 gathered in The Fairways at Lake Ridge clubhouse that he appointed a task force, which has been meeting across the state, to look at ways to address “violence control,” which could lead to additional gun control recommendations.
http://www.northjersey.com/news/Chri...h_seniors.html

Rand Paul to Chris Christie: Cool it With the Temper Tantrums & Grandstanding, Alright?

And if you’ve been waiting for a news story that involves both GOP heavyweights, well, you’re in luck: Sen. Paul on Friday publicly reprimanded Gov. Christie for “not standing up for Second Amendment rights in the ongoing gun control debate,” as CNN puts it.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013...trums-alright/

You are looking at the wrong candidate, Jermyn. If he is reaching for the Democrats and the liberal Republicans, let him have them.

You can't talk to Texans about gun control.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Dedicated Mind

PO, I agree with your assessment, only one thing, Rubio did run against establishment Charlie Crist for senator. so he does have some anti establishment cred, but compared to Paul he is definitely establishment. I agree that Paul is more exciting and conservative than rubio, but would have a harder time in the general. we have about 2 years for these 2 to position themselves on the issues. we'll see what happens. I'm assuming you will be campaigning for Paul, you Libertarian anarchist! LOL!!!

And you thought, at any time, that Charlie Crist was a good candidate and an actual Republican? He wasn't even a good Establishment candidate. Ran to the Democrats after he loses to Rubio. That's not even a good Establishment candidate. lol