Rand Paul: I'm Not My Dad

[DonViejo]

by David Catanese Jun 29, 2013 11:21 AM EDT

With 2016 in his sights, Rand Paul is distancing himself from some of his father's more extreme views. David Catanese on why the apple must fall just far enough from the tree.

Rand Paul is a pol who can read his audience.

Standing in front of more than 100 South Carolina GOP activists in West Columbia Friday night, the Kentucky senator largely steered clear of the week's two dominant, divisive issues that are tying his party in knots: Gay rights and immigration reform.

Instead, he diverted from his early presidential-primary-state speech script and went for the jugular on a topic that, while not necessarily timely, would surely please a military-friendly crowd: A full-throated defense of profiling.

“After 9-11 we had a special program for student visas . . . Why?" Paul asked. "Because 16 of the 19 hijackers were overstaying their students visas. Was it targeting? Was it profiling? Yes. Because only certain people are attacking us. Why don’t we use some brain sense to go after the people who are attacking us?"

The guests ate it up, rewarding Paul with sustained thunderclaps. It was one of his biggest applause lines of the night. But it was also a curious statement from a likely 2016 White House contender who built his brand on a libertarian approach to government. This, from the same guy who stood on the Senate floor for 14 hours to protest the potential use of drones to target Americans?

full article
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/06/29/rand-paul-i-m-not-my-dad.html

[Cirque du So-What]

1. He's quite the political chameleon

a real 'pander bear.'

[Thinkingabout]

2. K & R

He really needs to get his terrible statements under control, crazy like Cruz gets the wrong attention.

[Lithos]

3. Agreed

You are loonier - and I didn't think that even possible.

[nxylas]

4. That's a coincidence

I'm not my dad either

[awoke_in_2003]

10. I'm my own grandpa...

(let's see how many get that reference)

[MADem]

13. Heh, heh...

[GoCubsGo]

5. That's right, Randy. You are even worse.

You may or may not be "less extreme" than your father, but you are definitely more stupid. Stupid enough to make you more dangerous than dear, old Dad.

[Freddie]

6. You're worse

And dumb as a pile of rocks from what I hear.

[Major Hogwash]

7. Praying to Aqua Buddha isn't going to get him in to the White House.

He still needs to answer those questions that Rachel Maddow asked him this spring about his position for allowing businesses to discriminate who they will serve or sell products to based on the color of the customer's skin.

[Beacool]

8. No Randy, you're not your dad.

You're far worse.

[FSogol]

9. Rand is worse than his Dad. His Dad was a common grifter, Rand thinks he can be President.

Rand is much more dangerous and not as bright as his Dad.

[demwing]

11. Truth is truth

Rand, your dad was a nut, but he had a folksy crazy town doctor charm like some weird cross between Henry Fonda and a Keebler elf.

You? Not so much in the charms department.

Your dad?

balding gracefully...

You?

Not so much in the "gracefully" department, either.

[davidpdx]

24. I think that's offensive to Henry Fonda and the Keebler Elf

Both have more heart than Rand Paul.

[geek tragedy]

12. Fuck Rand Paul, and his dad. nt

[EdwardSmith74]

14. Rand Paul is not like his dad. His dad is an idiot and Rand only aspires to be that smart.

[livetohike]

17. LOL. Good one and Welcome to DU!

[EdwardSmith74]

18. Thank you.

[Hippo_Tron]

15. Dear Rand, the minute you start profiling is the minute they stop fitting the profile

All they have to do is find one white guy named Joe Smith who happens to have a thing for Jihad. Suddenly profiling becomes detrimental to stopping terrorism.

[Tseko]

16. It's funny because his dad argued against it using that example.

[video=o_6DtZ1kYVI]

[/video]

[Myrina]

19. It's a close race, Rand, but you're right. You're NUTTIER than your dad.

Just by a hair, though.

[dionysus]

20. correct, his dad doesnt wear a terrible toupee.

[WI_DEM]

21. He's right--he's even worse.

[Fire Walk With Me]

22. Close enough. n/t

[davidpdx]

23. They even have matching outfits

Ron Paul, David Duke, and Rand Paul discussing the 2016 Presidential Election


That reminds me of a good movie.....

[BlueDemKev]

25. No Rand, you're WORSE.

[JustAnotherGen]

26. Oh yes you are

[Dawson Leery]

27. Your dad has a few redeeming qualities.

You do not!

[tridim]

28. I'm pretty sure nobody is their own father. Thanks Rand!!!!11

[gcomeau]

29. Yeah we know Rand. You're worse. -eom

[mstinamotorcity2]

30. no he isn't

He's Worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!