On a day with very few Republican-oriented stories Politico's top political reporters, Alexander Burns and Maggie Haberman, went all-in covering Rand Paul's being at an event called "The Charleston Meeting," a South Carolina-based conservative power event hosted by businessman Mallory Factor, a mover and shaker in the GOP
According to Burns and Haberman, Rand Paul was a featured speaker at the Charleston Meeting, along with NRA President David Keene ( see Alexander Burns' and Maggie Haberman's post in Politico, 1/21/13 [ http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheBattery/archives/2013/01/21/in-charleston-rand-paul-clarifies-gun-control-stance]). That isn't an accidental pairing, since Senator Paul recently defended the NRA against criticism from New Jersey's GOP Governor, Chris Christie, who knocked an NRA Web video that mentioned the security measures taken to President Barack Obama’s children.
Rand Paul has made no secret of his interest in a presidential run perhaps as early as 2016. The timing and symbolism of this South Carolina visit by Paul is unmistakable. Also the South Carolina event is an offshoot of another regular conservative gathering called "The Monday Meeting," for which Mr. Factor had been a major factor in promoting in New York City.
In addition to the Charleston event, Senator Paul has taken other steps that are seen as traditional preludes for a presidential campaign. He has visited Iowa and New Hampshire during the past year. In addition, Senator Paul recently returned from a trip to Israel, and Mallory Factor and South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Chad Connelly were among those who traveled with the Kentucky Senator on that overseas trip.
Top Paul advisers confirmed his attendance at the event in Charleston; and also indicated Senator Paul would be available to talk to the media later in the afternoon.
In addition, to reporting about Paul's speaking about gun rights at the event, a Charleston paper/blog made this report of other remarks that Senator Paul made later today about running in 2016:
"When asked if he was considering a 2016 run, Paul said, 'I think it's a little early, but it's not too early to be involved in the national debate. I think the Republican Party, we didn't fare too well in the presidential election. We didn't fare too well four years ago in the presidential election. I think as the Republican Party we need to look to new leadership, people with a different approach to things, and I think people who have a little bit of a libertarian Republican bent may attract people who haven't been attracted'."
[ http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/TheBattery/archives/2013/01/21/in-charleston-rand-paul-clarifies-gun-control-stance ]
Senator Rand Paul is the anti-establishment "somebody to watch" for 2016. He is one of a few Tea Party favorites who is already nationally known. Plus, if he can carry over his father's cult-like following he'll have a natural base on the libertarian right.
ReplyDeleteHe is a candidate with principles, who has what it takes to do well in the early primaries and caucuses, especially after eight years of Obama.