Grayson: GOP field a joke "with the possible exception of Rand Paul"

[naoya6161]

Last edited Tue Jul 7, 2015, 11:39 AM - Edit history (1)

http://www.saintpetersblog.com/archives/234858

Florida progressives may have been seeing red Monday morning.

When a local Sunday morning cable news show asked liberal U.S. Rep. (and possible Senate candidate) Alan Grayson what he thought about the GOP presidential field, the Orlando Democrat made a surprising endorsement.

Grayson wants Republican Rand Paul to be his next president.

“I look at the Republican field and I can’t see a single person in that field, with the possible exception of Rand Paul, who I actually want to be my president,” Grayson told host Ybeth Bruzual on the News 13 Orlando talker Political Connections.

“I look at this from the voters’ perspective,” he added, “and I say to myself, ‘these people do not have an answer to this very important question: What have you done for the people?’”

Paul, the Libertarian-leaning Kentucky senator, has campaigned for the GOP 2016 presidential nomination since April 11.

Grayson, regarded as one of the most liberal Democrats in Congress, has built a large progressive following. Many of them believe he is close to announcing a run for the 2016 U.S. Senate in Florida, as a primary challenger to U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy, the moderate Treasure Coast Democrat already in the race.

Bolstering Grayson’s interest in the Senate seat were recent polls showing he may have a real shot at challenging Murphy to replace Marco Rubio, who is seeking the presidency.

The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, openly critical of Murphy, has been hoping Grayson will join the race. Other Democratic leaders see the 57-year-old Grayson, well-known for his blistering rhetoric, as too provocative for a general election, and instead have supported Murphy, 32, who is serving his second congressional term.

Many see Murphy, so far the only prominent Democrat in the race, as the stronger candidate.

Although Grayson is never one to shy away from speaking his mind, it will be interesting to see how Grayson’s latest comment – which is now available on YouTube — plays with the progressive left, his base, or affects his chances of entering the Senate race (if at all).

Kevin Franck, a representative for Grayson’s campaign committee, said the statement was certainly not an endorsement of Paul.

“Rep. Grayson definitely does not support Rand Paul for president,” Franck said in an email, “and he plans to vigorously support the Democratic nominee.

“Alan has never voted for a Republican presidential candidate in his life, unlike some people.” ​

[djean111]

1. No, he does not want Rand Paul or any Republican for his president. He was speaking as to how

he would feel if he was a GOP voter. But he should have known better, the knives are out for him already.

Looks like I will be writing him in. Murphy has actually voted for a Republican for president; Murphy was a Republican until 2011.

[naoya6161]

3. Don't see it

He did say he wanted him as the next president... Nothing he said here really says that if he was a Republican vote, as you say.

[arcane1]

5. You are being deliberately obtuse, and fooling no one n/t

[djean111]

6. I suspect you "see it" because you are a Murphy supporter.

If you look at what he said and extrapolate that he will vote for Rand Paul, and not the Democratic candidate for president, you are just engaging in wishful thinking or something. This has actually strengthened my resolve on not supporting Murphy. My conscience is clear because I do not believe Murphy is really a Democrat. He is a DINO, and I will not enable that.

[naoya6161]

10. Not that

As I recall, this was the guy who once said compared the Tea Party to the KKK... And here he is indicating potential support of one of the most foremost members.
To be fair, he did say "with the possible exception" so it's not absolute. He most likely will endorse a Democrat at one point.

[Orsino]

11. That's not what the video clip shows him saying.

I was all ready to call out the OP's referenced blog post as ignoring context, but the interviewer really does ask for Grayson's thoughts, and he begins with "I."

I can't believe he would want any Republican in the White House, perhaps especially Paul, but that's what came out of his mouth. He shot from the hip and missed, I think. I don't believe he was trying to read the minds of Republican voters (Paul isn't their top choice now), and suspect he was only listing Paul as the lone GOPer that wouldn't horrify Alan Grayson.

I think he just misspoke.

[djean111]

13. Yes. He misspoke. And it was immediately seized upon and used to attempt to smear him.

Anyone who still pushes the meme that Grayson REALLY DOES WANT Paul as president has an ax that they are sharpening.

[House of Roberts]

2. There's only one way I'd consider Rand Paul as a President,

is if both houses of Congress were in Democratic Party control. I'd prefer that to Hillary as President with both houses controlled by Republicans. At least with Paul, we might get some overseas US bases closed.
I'd still rather have Bernie no matter who controls Congress.

What Grayson actually said wasn't really an 'endorsement'. It was damning Paul by faint praise.

[arcane1]

4. Nope, this isn't a stupid post at all n/t

[snooper2]

7. Why would one think it is? As one moves further left or further to the right

They both meet at the bottom of the political circle-

[HooptieWagon]

8. St Petersblog is run by a noted shit-stirrer.

He's worked for several campaigns, both D and R. Been guilty of many campaign violations, embezzlement, and other legal troubles. He's just a troll who likes to stir the pot and get attention for himself.

[stevenleser]

9. It could be interpreted that way but that is not what Grayson means.

I've talked to the guy, he doesnt want Paul or any other Republican to be President.

He is simply saying out of the clown car, who would be even a marginably acceptable person. He wasnt asked whether he would prefer Paul to the current crop of folks running for the Democratic nomination and I am 100% sure he would not prefer Paul to any of them.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. This is dishonest framing, which seems to be DU's new hobby and avocation.

nt

[djean111]

16. Yep. This is, IMO, copurtesy of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (DINO-Fl) because she wants Murphy as

our next DINO senator. It won't be enough for us to regain Congress with "D" jerseys, many of those are actually DINOs and cannot be counted on to vote with the Democrats. I am sick and tired of enabling that. Debiie voted with the GOP to enable Fast Track, as did Bill Nelson. Good little GOPers. And looks like Pelosi just figured out which "Dems" could vote yes without endangering their asses.

[blue neen]

14. Your subject line is misleading and disingenuous.

You should change it.

[naoya6161]

15. Just did

I apologize. That was what the original article really had as the title... But very well, it is done.

[djean111]

17. Thank you. That headline, and the assertion that is what he really meant, had me seeing red.

[naoya6161]

18. No problem

I'll be more careful in the future.