Rand Paul responds to Cheney's statement

[Agorism]

"The former vice president appears to have the Grayson campaign's false attack ads and establishment politicians in Washington as his only source of information. Had he spoken to Rand or read about his positions, he would know that Rand Paul stands for a strong national defense, getting tough, as opposed to talking tough, with Iran, keeping Guantanamo Bay open and trying terror suspects in military tribunals" -Rand Paul


link to response (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34935.html)

[jabf2006]

-Rand Paul


link to response (http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0310/34935.html)

Is Adams upset Rand didn't get Cheney's endorsement? He should have attacked Cheney for contributing to the current mess and tout Grayson's now public connection to Cheney as opposed to saying Cheney should have looked more closely at Rand before endorsing (paraphrasing of course)...does anyone else agree?

[MRoCkEd]

Is Adams upset Rand didn't get Cheney's endorsement? He should have attacked Cheney for contributing to the current mess and tout Grayson's now public connection to Cheney as opposed to saying Cheney should have looked more closely at Rand before endorsing (paraphrasing of course)...does anyone else agree?
I would agree if this wasn't a KY GOP Primary.

[specsaregood]

So it appears that Cheney gave his endorsement based on bad intel, just like the administration he was a part of did when deciding to invade Iraq.

[Bruno]

So it appears that Cheney gave his endorsement based on bad intel, just like the administration he was a part of did when deciding to invade Iraq.

that'll be the threadwinner

[furface]

When party insiders endorse during primaries, they usually have something to fear from the opposing candidate. They are obviously extremely afraid of the man.

[TXcarlosTX]

When party insiders endorse during primaries, they usually have something to fear from the opposing candidate. They are obviously extremely afraid of the man.


yup!!!!

rand paul haters, time to donate putos!!!

[RonPaulFanInGA]

This really doesn't bother me. I don't think anyone cares about the Dick Cheney endorsement. I think his unfavorables are higher than his favorables among even just republicans too.

Palin >>>>>>>> Cheney

[RM918]

'Getting tough' with Iran? I know this sort of rhetoric is unfortunately necessary in a Republican primary, but things are starting to get complicated. If our trust in him is well-placed, wouldn't he have to completely turn on a lot of what he's said?

[Bergie Bergeron]

Tough with Iran could mean a lot of things.

[dannno]

Tough with Iran could mean a lot of things.

Ya, Ron Paul suggested we have a soccer game with Iran.

Maybe Rand thinks our soccer team should start training :confused:

[brandon]

Tough with Iran could mean a lot of things.

Like what?

[ARealConservative]

oh goody.

all the useful idiots of the neo-cons are back to giving us their opinion on this race.

[low preference guy]

Like what?

it's just pandering.

[RM918]

Like what?

Really! What's next, pro-torture? That's Cheney's only bag these days.

[specsaregood]

Like what?

I like the soccer game idea. Either way, "getting tough with iran" does not necessarily imply that it is a one-way street. We could demand full open inspections by our people on regular occassions and if they pass, we drop all restrictions, embargoes, etc and resume peaceful relations .

[brandon]

I like the soccer game idea.

It absolutely baffles me the way you guys try to rationalize what he says. I mean really, this is astronomically absurd.



We could demand full open inspections by our people on regular occassions and if they pass, we drop all restrictions, embargoes, etc and resume peaceful relations .

Sounds like just more talk, which Rand said he is not interested in. Maybe Rand would use more sanctions and strategic military bombing to pressure them into agreeing to the inspections?

[brandon]

I agree with LPG that it is probably just pandering....but at least he admits it. It seems like some of you refuse to admit that either (a) he is pandering and lying, or (b) he is a neocon. I've never seen people grasp at straws to this degree.

[dannno]

....or maybe he's trying to get elected?

Ya see I think it's a mixture of both..

[dannno]

Maybe Rand would use more sanctions and strategic military bombing to pressure them into agreeing to the inspections?

They've already agreed to inspections.

See, if Rand is about to say, vote yes or no to bomb Iran, because they aren't allowing inspections... Rand can simply cite that they've agreed to inspections and vote "no" because he wants the inspections to occur first and still keep his promise on principle.

[JoshLowry]

I agree with LPG that it is probably just pandering....but at least he admits it. It seems like some of you refuse to admit that either (a) he is pandering and lying, or (b) he is a neocon. I've never seen people grasp at straws to this degree.

Most of us don't care that he is pandering.

Rand is welcome to fool me once. He won't do it twice.

He's an eye doctor, I don't think he has any interest in selling out for money and power if elected.

[Cowlesy]

It appears as cognitive dissonance, but I am not concerned.

They aren't fighting him this hard for nothing. They fear having someone who will make their votes based on what's best for the nation, and not their personal gain.

[specsaregood]

It absolutely baffles me the way you guys try to rationalize what he says. I mean really, this is astronomically absurd.


What? you don't like the idea of a soccer game to work out our differences? Don't underestimate how serious those persians take their soccer.

[JoshLowry]

They fear having someone who will make their vote based on what's best for the nation, and not their personal gain.

When Dick Cheney endorses a candidate that elicits about as much excitement as a wet rag...

[dr. hfn]

When Dick Cheney endorses a candidate that elicits about as much excitement as a wet rag...

lmao, but some people love him, remember CPAC?

[specsaregood]

When Dick Cheney endorses a candidate that elicits about as much excitement as a wet rag...

You're right. Grayson would get a lot more attention and mileage out of it if Cheney had taken him on a hunting trip and "accidently" shot him in the face. And that would have played right into Grayson's "base" of non-gun owners.

[Chieftain1776]

Yet another missed opportunity to change the narrative.

Why was it so hard to say what Erick Erickson said in a nicer way:

Dick Cheney vs Tea Party Activists (http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/03/23/dick-cheney-vs-the-tea-party-activists/)

Instead of the story being Rand's "weakness" on National Security it could have easily been "Establishment Cheney endorses yet another establishment hack" (KBH, Bob Bennett, John McCain, etc).

[Cowlesy]

lmao, but some people love him, remember CPAC?

Yeah but those people are your 10%'r Lincoln-Day Dinner party loyalists who cheer for him because everyone else is cheering for him. Conformist, non-think-for-yourself'r, Republicans.

[brandon]

Rand is welcome to fool me once. He won't do it twice.


I have reluctantly taken this position as well. I'm giving the guy a shot and will probably send him some more money.

[JoshLowry]

Yet another missed opportunity to change the narrative.

Why was it so hard to say what Erick Erickson said in a nicer way:

Dick Cheney vs Tea Party Activists (http://www.redstate.com/erick/2010/03/23/dick-cheney-vs-the-tea-party-activists/)

Instead of the story being Rand's "weakness" on National Security it could have easily been "Establishment Cheney endorses yet another establishment hack" (KBH, Bob Bennett, John McCain, etc).

Would have been good...

Can still be used to further reiterate the DC insiders supporting Grayson in future ads.

[low preference guy]

Yet another missed opportunity to change the narrative.

Agree. This is a consequence of both Rand and Adams being inexperienced and in an extremely stressful position. The stakes are really high.

He could just have said that Cheney was buying Grayson's smear campaign and remind everyone that Sarah Palin endorsed Rand. That's it. No "getting tough on Iran" which is transparently ridiculous.

Hope the race moves to another topic soon. We don't need a competition over who is more eager and willing to bomb Iran. I'm glad however that Rand is still firm in his opposition to the Patriot Act. Sticking to it might be the key to winning the general election if he wins the primary.

[MRoCkEd]

I have reluctantly taken this position as well. I'm giving the guy a shot and will probably send him some more money.
Think of it this way: If Rand Paul of all people ends up becoming a corrupt sellout once in office, we'll finally know for sure that electoral politics is not worthwhile. If, however, he does become the most pro-freedom Senator in a century, everyone wins.

[Cowlesy]

Think of it this way: If Rand Paul of all people ends up becoming a corrupt sellout once in office, we'll finally know for sure that electoral politics is not worthwhile. If, however, he does become the most pro-freedom Senator in a century, everyone wins.

^This.

I'll become a TruthWarrior if he just starts playing the game.

[amy31416]

^This.

I'll become a TruthWarrior if he just starts playing the game.



http://www.ronpaulforums.com/image.php?u=9050&dateline=1216442259&type=thumb

Does not approve.

[JoshLowry]

^This.

I'll become a TruthWarrior if he just starts playing the game.

Rand is one man. He like all of us are corruptible.

I won't give up on politics until the whole thing crashes. Ron Paul made all the difference in the world. A person of his character being in politics does more for liberty and voluntaryism than anything else.

I'll keep fighting to put a man of integrity on that brainwashing boob tube. Voluntaryists don't get TV time.

[Agorism]

Rand is against indefinite detention?

[JoshLowry]

Rand is against indefinite detention?

Correct. If someone is innocent they should be let go. What a concept.

[jmdrake]

Most of us don't care that he is pandering.

Rand is welcome to fool me once. He won't do it twice.

He's an eye doctor, I don't think he has any interest in selling out for money and power if elected.

Bill Frist is a heart surgeon and he certainly sold out for money and power.

That said, I take solace in this video.

An Idea Whose Time Has Come - G. Edward Griffin - Freedom Force International (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6015291679758430958)

Someone will be disappointed in Rand. I'm hopefully confident that it won't be us.

[angelatc]

Correct. If someone is innocent they should be let go. What a concept.

The neocons don't believe in it. They were screaming mad when the Chinese Ughiers were released, even though they had been determined innocent several times.

[jmdrake]

The neocons don't believe in it. They were screaming mad when the Chinese Ughiers were released, even though they had been determined innocent several times.

I hadn't heard that. Good news! Anyway the neocons are against the Ughiers because the Ughiers are against communism.

[JoshLowry]

Bill Frist is a heart surgeon and he certainly sold out for money and power.

I'm betting my donation money on Rand having a better upbringing. ;)

[AuH2O]

Cheney endorsed Trey?

What a Dick move...

[MRoCkEd]

Cheney endorsed Rand?

What a Dick move...
No... He endorsed Trey

[Kotin]

I am quite convinced that Rand has committed himself to playing politics when he has to in order to win this primary.. just as his father has done in the past.. I have no doubt in my mind Rand has not sold out.. just remember who this guy is.. remember him at the 2007 tea party.. getting him in the senate is the greatest victory we could yet achieve..


and to be honest I think this Dick Cheney thing is going to hurt Smayson more than it helps him..

[AuH2O]

No... He endorsed Trey

Sorry, that's what I meant. I just wanted to get a dick joke in there.

[thomas-in-ky]

It's heating up here on the ground in KY. Give Rand enough slack to get elected, and for heaven's sakes, don't over-judge his strategy until you've spent a week in KY talking to people. The smear campaign by Trey is in High Gear. Do you know how hard it is to be sitting in a restaurant trying to talk up Rand Paul when a Trey Grayson smear-mercial comes on the big flat-screen bashing Rand Paul and quoting him out of context?

I spent 20 minutes today politely talking to a woman who had been negatively influenced by the smear campaign (no big screen tv's in this diner). I kept giving her examples of how Rand Paul would be for a strong national defense... and challenging her (politely) to verbalize how she thought he would be otherwise. She finally fell back on... well his dad is weak on national security... and yada yada yada. Rather than try to defend _another_ unfairly maligned man, I just said, well Rand Paul is his own man, and encouraged her to think critically about the smear campaign that was unfolding. (But in general, it's always useless to attempt to convince someone they've been fooled... and a task best not initiated.)

With all that said... I would Love To See a Rand Paul commercial where he gets back to the basics of his campaign... reigning in the out of control federal government. People want to hear this now more than ever with the health care fiasco. Rand Paul is the one person in this world who can have the most affect on the problem. People KNOW that, but need to be reminded. (the woman I was talking to knew that, but was still getting stuck on the side issue because that is where the conversation is now.) I think a commercial like that would get a standing ovation if played on the flat screen in the restaurant !

We're still winning... but people need to double-up and donate more $ and/or time, because Rand's opponent is not giving up, and he's not playing fair. That much is clear here on the ground in KY.

[jabf2006]

Think of it this way: If Rand Paul of all people ends up becoming a corrupt sellout once in office, we'll finally know for sure that electoral politics is not worthwhile. If, however, he does become the most pro-freedom Senator in a century, everyone wins.

Even if he does sell-out, electoral politics should always be held as worthwhile. They are the only means through which peaceful revolution can occur, are they not?

[lordindra3]

Dick Cheney was more hated than Bush. Dick Cheney and Bush "conservatism" (or a lack there of) is EXACT REASON we have Obama to this day! If you call tax cutting while doubling the size of government bureacracy and spending and selling out souls to China, while breaking campaign promises for humble foreign policy, while bailing out bankers and showing true cronie capitalism, conservatism, then I must be a huge liberal. Yeah right... Dick Cheney's endorsement means nothing but further prove that Grayson is an establishment hack job. Go to hell Cheney, you are responsible for this health care bill, because your policies and style of governance is why we have the libs and Obama in power. Up yours, dick!

[jabf2006]

As skeptical as I am toward Rand, even I am becoming tired of every thread that is remotely connected to his foreign policy turning into a debate about Paul selling out.

By now everyone should have figured out if they are anti-rand or pro-rand.

Originally..I was just asking about the tactic of appearing to kind of want Cheney's endorsement. You'd think even Cheney couldn't get elected in Kentucky...or anywhere...Shouldn't the campaign be making fun of Grayson because he was endorsed publicly by the establishment's leading neo-con?

Rand will still have to win the general, and what he doesn't want to appear to be is in any manner connected to Cheney and that type of politician.

[Matt Collins]

I spent 20 minutes today politely talking to a woman who had been negatively influenced by the smear campaign (no big screen tv's in this diner). I kept giving her examples of how Rand Paul would be for a strong national defense... and challenging her (politely) to verbalize how she thought he would be otherwise. She finally fell back on... well his dad is weak on national security... and yada yada yada. Rather than try to defend _another_ unfairly maligned man, I just said, well Rand Paul is his own man, and encouraged her to think critically about the smear campaign that was unfolding. (But in general, it's always useless to attempt to convince someone they've been fooled... and a task best not initiated.)


I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Trey's only hope is to run a successful FUD campaign!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty_and_doubt

.

[thomas-in-ky]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Trey's only hope is to run a successful FUD campaign!

.

His commercials are full-on-FUD.

[DeadheadForPaul]

I'm getting really tired of the anti-Rand b.s. coming from other liberty lovers

It reminds me of Life of Brian where all the different Jewish sects start arguing and fighting with each other instead of fighting Rome like they should be doing

Guy 1 has 1% of the same positions that you do
Guy 2 has 96% of the same positions
In the anti-Rand people's view, Guy 2 is just as evil - hell, MORE SO, than Guy 1

What a joke

[jabf2006]

I'm getting really tired of the anti-Rand b.s. coming from other liberty lovers

It reminds me of Life of Brian where all the different Jewish sects start arguing and fighting with each other instead of fighting Rome like they should be doing

Guy 1 has 1% of the same positions that you do
Guy 2 has 96% of the same positions
In the anti-Rand people's view, Guy 2 is just as evil - hell, MORE SO, than Guy 1

What a joke

But what if (and I'm not saying this is true of Rand), the positions Guy 1 has for the other 4% are evil. Then you're voting for the lesser of two evils right?

[papajohn56]

Did Grayson have to do the usual sacrifice of a baby to summon Cheney?

[Kotin]

Did Grayson have to do the usual sacrifice of a baby to summon Cheney?

it was actually three babies..

[StateofTrance]

Responding to what Cheney says is so..childish? :/

[JohnG]

I'm getting really tired of the anti-Rand b.s. coming from other liberty lovers

It reminds me of Life of Brian where all the different Jewish sects start arguing and fighting with each other instead of fighting Rome like they should be doing

Guy 1 has 1% of the same positions that you do
Guy 2 has 96% of the same positions
In the anti-Rand people's view, Guy 2 is just as evil - hell, MORE SO, than Guy 1

What a joke

WHAT HAVE THE ROMANS EVER DONE FOR US? :P

Seriously, you're totally right :)
/John

[roversaurus]

Rand's response was bad politics. Not to mention his statement makes my like him less. It is just STUPID to let your opponent set the talking points in the campaign.

Cheney is NOT loved by republicans.

You MUST tell them that the TARP bailout guy just endorsed Trey.

Tell them that the CAUSE of republican failures (Bush/Cheney) The CREATOR of big government establishment republicans just endorsed Trey.

Telling voters that you hate arabs too is NOT going to win you the election.

This is just STUPID. And I think he is being stupid because he would prefer to win than to change the country. He's playing scared.

[jabf2006]

Rand's response was bad politics. Not to mention his statement makes my like him less. It is just STUPID to let your opponent set the talking points in the campaign.

Cheney is NOT loved by republicans.

You MUST tell them that the TARP bailout guy just endorsed Trey.

Tell them that the CAUSE of republican failures (Bush/Cheney) The CREATOR of big government establishment republicans just endorsed Trey.


This is pretty much what I was thinking...

[Matt Collins]

Cheney is NOT loved by republicans.I disagree on this point. Remember the warm welcome he got at CPAC recently? :(

[jabf2006]

I disagree on this point. Remember the warm welcome he got at CPAC recently? :(

Does CPAC represent a mainstream republican?

[Matt Collins]

Does CPAC represent a mainstream republican?
That's a loaded question, but I believe that the majority of Republican voters think more highly of Cheney than they do Obama. In other words I think most Republicans would vote for Cheney again if it meant they could do away with Obama. Nostalgia even perhaps

[Juan McCain]

Cheney just wants to think he still controls things, doesn't he . . . ?
So let Cheney - as well as AIPAC - be Trey's puppetmaster.

Kentucky should realize that Grayson's and Obama's strings are interchangeable parts in this toy.

http://www.blackcommentator.com/281/281_images/281_cartoon_obama_puppet_hurwitt_large.gif

[ctiger2]

Man, you'd think a Dick Cheney endorsement would be the kiss of death.

[ctiger2]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Trey's only hope is to run a successful FUD campaign!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fear,_uncertainty_and_doubt

.

Not true. Trey will oversee this election. They recently deemed it NOT a conflict of interest. He will cheat to win.

[jabf2006]

That's a loaded question, but I believe that the majority of Republican voters think more highly of Cheney than they do Obama. In other words I think most Republicans would vote for Cheney again if it meant they could do away with Obama. Nostalgia even perhaps

Well...agreed...but would they vote for Cheney over Palin?

[JoshLowry]

You MUST tell them that the TARP bailout guy just endorsed Trey.

Tell them that the CAUSE of republican failures (Bush/Cheney) The CREATOR of big government establishment republicans just endorsed Trey.

Telling voters that you hate arabs too is NOT going to win you the election.


Good advice. Can someone forward this on to Adams for future reference?

[Matt Collins]

Well...agreed...but would they vote for Cheney over Palin?
I think the men would wheras the women will side with Palin

[jabf2006]

I think the men would wheras the women will side with Palin

You underestimate Palin's patented super-wink.

[Agorism]

Ya I don't mind Palin now that she has endorsed Rand Paul.

She was on my nerves before though because she endorsed McCain when she should have been supporting Chuck Baldwin.

[libertybrewcity]

Is super respected in Kentucky or something? I don't think this endorsement means much.

[Anti Federalist]

^This.

I'll become a TruthWarrior if he just starts playing the game.


http://www.ronpaulforums.com/image.php?u=9050&dateline=1216442259&type=thumb

Does not approve.


Rand is one man. He like all of us are corruptible.

I won't give up on politics until the whole thing crashes. Ron Paul made all the difference in the world. A person of his character being in politics does more for liberty and voluntaryism than anything else.

I'll keep fighting to put a man of integrity on that brainwashing boob tube. Voluntaryists don't get TV time.

I LoL'ed at this whole exchange.

:D

I'm with Cowlesy on this, for the record.

[Allan Bartlett]

All Trey needs now is GWB's endorsement and Rand's victory should be secured.

[Justinjj1]

Maybe Rand can counter with a John McCain endorsement and the two of them can karaoke a duet of "Bomb Iran". It wouldn't surprise me at this point.

[Matt Collins]

Cheney's last endorsement lost by 23 points.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/fix-endorsement-hierarchy/dick-cheney-trey-grayson-and-t.html?wprss=thefix

[Aratus]

folks... mitch mcConnell in his very "darth (IN)sidious"
terms & mode is being blisteringly trumped daily
as we speak by robert byrd's yoda moments...