Rand Paul one ups Harry Reid

LOL! It looks like Rand Paul must have caught old Harry Reid daydreaming about cowboy poets!

National Review: Washington — Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.), a Tea Party favorite, has boxed Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) into a corner. After a quiet day of quorum calls and speeches, Reid abruptly adjourned the upper chamber Thursday and postponed votes until Monday. According to numerous Hill staffers, Paul deserves some credit for the impasse.

Here’s the back story: On Wednesday, Paul, with little notice, attached an amendment to the small-business re-authorization bill. The amendment, which chastises President Obama for his actions in Libya, urges members to adopt the president’s own words as “the sense of the Senate.”

To make his point, Paul quoted, in the legislative language, from Obama’s 2007 remarks on the subject: “The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.” According to Paul’s office, “the measure aims to put the Senate on record affirming Congress as the body with constitutional authority on matters of war.”

GOP sources tell National Review Online that Paul’s proposal flummoxed Reid, who does not want his members to have to weigh in on Obama’s dusty quote about congressional authority, even if the vote is only to table the measure. [MORE]

I consider this principle trumping politics. Reid and most of the Senate Democrats would not have found themselves in this pickle if they were principled individuals rather than conniving party hacks. Even Obama's 2007 remarks was all about opposing everything George Bush did, than a principle stand on the limits of the Executive Branch.

It will be very interesting to see how Harry Reid digs himself out of this one on Monday.

Via: Memeorandum
Via: National Reivew

Video: Rand Paul on compromise

This was Senator Rand Paul's first speech on the Senate floor.  It is refreshing to hear an adult discussion from our lawmakers rather than the silly emotional diatribes that have become ever so popular.  


Senator Paul has the right idea on compromise. Compromise should only come after the correct course of action is determined.  In politics today all issues are treated like they are the correct course of action and that one should compromise one way or the other just for the sake of getting things done.  Just look at how all these bailouts were handled.  There was never really a determination as to whether or not all this bailing out anyone was the absolute correct course of action, instead it was quick compromises and hand out the money.


In the case of government's reckless spending, the correct course of action is staring us in the face ... cut, cut, cut till it hurts. If there is any room for compromise in this matter it can only be on where and how much to cut.


Republicans have their work cut out for them when it comes to getting America to understand just bad our financial situation is.  In a recent Gallup poll Americans opposed cuts in education, social security and defense.  We are far beyond the point of being able to afford such choices.  Republicans must get Americans to understand a simple three word message; "We Are Broke".  Fortunately, this is a message each and everyone of us can start to spread.


Video h/t: Hot Air
Via: Gallup

Video: Rand Paul – Jack Conway Debate

The full video to the very contentious Rand Paul – Jack Conway Debate can be found here.  Sorry I could not embed the video here, but CSPAN is being stingy

The first few minutes of this debate is really hot stuff.  I would love to know who told Jack Conway to go down this road with Rand Paul.  It seems like such a stupid idea to me.  Rand Paul is a strong libertarian, as such; it would be relatively easy to corner Paul in a hard right position and then try to make him look “extreme”.  Instead, Conway goes for these so called allegations from way back in the day.

Kudos to Rand Paul for making Conway look extremely stupid pursuing the issue and double kudos to Rand Paul for refusing to shake Conway’s hand. Conway stooped to the gutter and did not deserve to be treated with respect. We all claim to hate gutter politics, but we seldom punish those who practice it.  Rand Paul’s refusal of a handshake is a good start at punishing those who practice dirty politics.

Overall, I think Conway came off as a walking talking attack ad. Conway leveled an attack on Rand Paul with every question he answered. Paul chose only to attack Conway just a tiny amount of times. Throughout the debate I could not help but think of the theme old vs. new. On one hand you had Jack Conway, the old style politician and guardian of the status quo. In the case of Rand Paul we had a glimpse of the new style politician who is willing to challenge everything about the status quo.

Via: CSPAN

Video h/t: Gateway Pundit

Rand Paul and the Civil Rights Act question

Rand Paul needs to start doing some homework ASAP. Only one day after his landslide victory, Rand Paul is in a Catch 22. Today on NPR, Rand Paul was again presented with the Civil Rights question.  As a libertarian, Paul is extremely cautious against government’s ability to dictate to the private sector. Knowing this, Robert Sigel from NPR puts forth a hypothetical question about the Civil Rights Act:

Here is the Catch 22. If Paul says he fully supports how the feds forced the private sector to end segregation he loses libertarian street cred, but by only supporting the results of the Civil Rights Act and not the actual legislation, Paul gives the left room to paint him as a racist.

Rand Paul should have been better prepared to answer this question. This isn’t the first time he has encountered it. Here is an interview he did with the Courier Journal editorial board last month.

The left smells an opening here and will push this issue to the hilt. However, I would caution the left against thinking that the libertarian position has no merit here.

Do you remember that guy in Georgia who put up that racist anti Obama sign? I think it is safe to say there are no blacks spending their hard earned money in that establishment. As such, hasn’t this guy circumvented the Civil Rights Act and achieved segregation of his establishment by hiding behind his First Amendment rights? Should we allow government to curtail all our First Amendment rights to shut him down?  If yes, what do we do when he tries something else to keep blacks out? Do we then allow government to regulate all private businesses further? When do we draw a line with trading our liberties to right an obvious wrong?  Perhaps boycotts and the free market can play a role in shutting him down, something to think about.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Politico

Via: The Courier Journal

Randslide! Rand Paul easily defeats Trey Greyson

In the Kentucky primary, Rand Paul coasted to an easy victory over the establishment candidate Trey Grayson. Rand Paul is contributing his victory to the Tea Party.

Already tongues are wagging over Paul’s close association to the Tea Parties. Look for the left to go after him hard. Unlike Rubio who is in a three-way race, a win by Paul in the general election will certainly confirm Tea Party strength.

When Sarah Palin endorsed Paul early, there was some grumbling on the right. Hopefully, all that will end and Grayson supporters will now get behind Paul so that we can defeat Democrat Jack Conway. Both Palin and Jim DeMint come out as winners for their early support of Paul. Mitch McConnell on the other hand is hopefully getting the message that things have changed.

McConnell has promised to back Paul now that Grayson is defeated. 

"Dr. Paul ran an outstanding campaign which clearly struck a chord with Kentucky voters and I congratulate him on his impressive victory," McConnell said in a statement. "Now Kentucky Republicans will unite in standing against the overreaching policies of the Obama administration. We are spiraling further into unsustainable debt and Kentucky needs Rand Paul in the U.S. Senate because he will work every day to stop this crippling agenda." 

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Politico

Via: ABC News

Via: Hot Air 

Rand Paul may not support Mitch McConnell for Minority Floor Leader

Ever wonder what an outsider’s voice might bring to the GOP in Washington?  Here is an example: 

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Front-runner Rand Paul said in a U.S. Senate debate Monday night that he may not support Kentucky's other senator, Mitch McConnell, for minority floor leader if he's elected.

"I'd have to know who the opponent is and make a decision at that time," Paul said in a sometimes testy televised debate, the final face off in what has become an increasing acrimonious race to replace Sen. Jim Bunning.

His chief Republican opponent, Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson, said he "proudly" would vote for McConnell. McConnell endorsed Grayson in the May 18 primary. South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, who endorsed Paul, has been mentioned as a potential McConnell opponent for minority leader, though DeMint has said he has no such intention.

Paul is considered an outsider to the Republican political establishment, which has supported Grayson. Paul, a Bowling Green eye surgeon, is leading in the polls. 

I agree with Rand Paul on this one. We should not automatically vote for McConnell without seeing who else might want the job. Quite frankly, I find McConnell to be a wee bit wishy washy and a good example of yesterday’s Republican.

I don’t see McConnell as fully understanding the gravity of America’s current situation. I think he still believes he is dealing with the Democrats of yesterday. I would like to see someone with a lot more bite and firmer principles, someone like Jim DeMint.

DeMint: "I feel a sense of urgency that some of my colleagues don't," he said in an interview. "The Republican Party, at least a segment of it within Washington, has increasingly joined the big-government, big-spending, earmarking ranks." 

See what I mean? Even on the House side, I would like to see someone else other than John Boenher. While more aggressive than McConnell, Boenher too seems a bit dated.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Associated Press

Via: The Washington Post

Sarah Palin endorses Rand Paul

This was out earlier today, but since I only saw Rand Paul announce it, I decided to wait until I heard from the Palin camp. Conservatives 4 Palin has confirmed it, so that is good enough for me. Here is what Rand Paul had on his website earlier today: 

National political icon and conservative leader Sarah Palin has endorsed Dr. Rand Paul in his bid for United States Senate from Kentucky. The Paul campaign has received a generous donation from Governor Palin’s PAC.

Sarah Palin has clearly seen that Rand Paul supports smaller, constitutional government and is taking the fight to the career politicians and will shake up the tax and spend crowd in Washington D.C.

“Governor Palin is providing tremendous leadership as the Tea Party movement and constitutional conservatives strive to take our country back,” Rand said.

“Sarah Palin is a giant in American politics. I am proud to receive her support.”

“I’m trying to go to Washington to fight to lower taxes and spending, and for term limits and balanced budgets. I will go to protect the lives of our unborn children,” Rand said.

“I will strive to capitalize on the support of Governor Palin and so many others to go to Washington and fight for liberty and limited government and put an end to the current climate of insider politics, runaway deficits and out-of-control growth of government.”

Sarah Palin’s endorsement is another major success in a long list of achievements for the Paul campaign. Dr. Paul was recently identified as one of the five most important candidates to support by Dick Armey, Freedom Works and the National Tea Party Movement. Dr. Paul has also received endorsements from Concerned Women for America, Gun Owners of America, Steve Forbes and RedState.com,

Recent independent polls show Rand holding a double digit lead in the Republican primary and large leads over either Democratic opponent. Rand Paul has raised over $1.8 million dollars, including over $650,000 in the fourth quarter of 2009.

It appears that some people were not happy with the Palin endorsement. They were pulling for the other guy Bill Johnson a true conservative.

I have to admit to some ignorance here. I knew nothing about Bill Johnson and only know of Rand Paul’s fiscal conservatism. As far as Rand Paul’s social or foreign policy views, I need to do a little more homework. If Rand’s foreign policy views mirror his dads, then I have to say, I not that much of a fan. Fiscally though, I line up pretty close to Rand Paul.

Any readers from Kentucky want to tell me about Paul, Johnson or Grayson?

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Rand Paul 2010

Via: Conservatives 4 Palin

Via: Texas For Sarah Palin