"Rand Paul’s shape-shifting"

[applegrove]

Rand Paul’s shape-shifting

By Jennifer Rubin at the Washington Post

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2014/03/21/rand-pauls-shape-shifting/

"SNIP..........

Unlike Paul, Kemp talked mainly about the promise of free market conservatism, the dignity of work and the blessings of private property ownership. He went to the core of conservatism, defended it and explained why students and the whole society should embrace it.

Unlike Paul, Kemp did not revel in students’ anti-government, paranoid visions. He was sunny and optimistic, as he almost invariably was.

Unlike Paul, Kemp did not select questions gathered in advance. He took all comers.

In short, when Jack Kemp went to Berkeley 30 years ago, he did not promote himself at the expense of conservatism or his party, nor did he talk about only the issues about which he knew students already agreed with him. True intellectual integrity comes in telling audiences what you believe in order to enlighten and persuade, not to try to ingratiate oneself by concealing the views that might turn off a particular audience. It’s hard to talk to kids about pot legalization one day and Christian conservatives about opposition to gay marriage the next without both audiences sensing you are hiding the ball


...........SNIP"

[Savannahmann]

1. Unlike Paul

Kemp never became President. Rand Paul has a much better chance.

Before you say I am rooting for the Rethugs, not at all, I am merely watching the way the winds blow.

Rand Paul got a standing ovation at Berkeley. He did it by addressing those concerns that the people there had. Rand Paul is playing the game, taking the part of his beliefs that agrees with whatever crowd he is in front of, and using it. Instead of arguing against Abortion in front of a crowd of Women, a mistake that most Rethugs make, he talks about digital privacy and the dangers of an out of control Government, issues that Berkeley will certainly have sympathy with. http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_25378185/republican-presidential-hopeful-rand-paul-finds-plenty-support

What you are really saying is that unlike Kemp, Paul knows what audience he is speaking to, and tells them some of what he believes, and all of what they want to hear.

In a speech peppered with references to Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" and Pink Floyd's "Wish You Were Here," Paul told a crowd of about 400 that he will call for creation of a bipartisan committee to probe and reform the intelligence community. Much like the post-Watergate Church Committee of the 1970s, "It should watch the watchers."

"Your rights, especially your right to privacy, are under assault," he said, noting the National Security Agency has said its surveillance programs treat lawmakers like any other Americans.

"Digest exactly what that means. If Congress is spied upon without their permission, who exactly is in charge of the government?"

Now the question is what Democratic Candidate is going to take on the issues that matter to the people? So far, the answer seems to be none of the above. That leaves one person who is speaking out about things that the people are concerned about. That one person is a lunatic Republican named Rand Paul. A RW lunatic got a standing ovation in Berkeley. Most RW types would have been heckled off the stage, but Paul got a standing ovation. Do you understand how bad that is? Vague references to Kemp who went there and told the Lefties that they were wrong on some issues is wishful thinking. The Rethugs are learning from their mistakes, and Democrats are left hoping that somehow the Rethugs will fall into the same old mistakes they usually make.

[applegrove]

2. I think the point is he is manipulating them. He's not talking about his whole

agenda and what life will look like with no social programs or government ideal of full employment or no minimum wage. Most Kids sure as hell will not have the money for a cell phone or to buy pot.

[Savannahmann]

3. He's tailoring his message to those he's speaking to.

Now, here's the dirty little secret. He can't do shit about minimum wage unless congress goes along. Everyone knows that, and they won't worry about it. Same with social programs etc. But as Chief Executive he could reign in the spying on citizens. That issue is growing in importance, and the Democrats are at best uninterested in it except when they are spied upon. You see, they act like spying is fine on us little people, but Congress being spied upon, that is Intolerable.

Paul is turning that around, using it to show how out of control the spying apparatus is. Then he touches the other things which Liberals and Libertarians have in common. No wars of convenience, only ones where America is vitally invested. Now, what Democrats are singing that song? Perhaps Warren. Perhaps a couple others. But none of the Democrats singing that song are considering a run for President. The ones who are interested are also mum on the issues we just mentioned.

So you hope to give the kids a choice. Promises of money for cell phones and pot but they get spied on and we may end up in another war of convenience. Who are they going to vote for? Paul managed to get donations to his campaign in Berkeley. Do you have any idea how unheard of that is? Talk about your safe zone for Democrats. So a lunatic RW tool gets donations and a standing ovation.

In order for Democrats to win, the people have to embrace the fuck you I've got mine mentality. In other words, we have to become Rethugs. I've been complaining for some time that the Democratic Party was leaving their principles behind. This is the cost of that move, where winning elections was more important than anything else.

[applegrove]

4. The promise of a wage that will allow them to buy cell phones and recreational stuff will not

be available in Rand Paul's world. Why do you assume he will not be able to implement gutting of all things that lead to a good life for the young. He's not being honest about the choice a vote for him is really about. He's a con man. "If it sounds too good to be true it probably is".