Something is brewing

[NaturalMystic]

I'm at a taphouse outside of dc eavesdropping on 2 thirty something lawyers talking politics with liberal leanings and the discussion turns to Rand Paul and Ferguson. All positive, we are winning.

[eleganz]

He's able to inject himself into mainstream topics to stay relevant and talked about on the national stage, something is definitely brewing thanks to Rand's smarts staying a step ahead of the game.

[Rothbardian Girl]

[Indy Vidual]

Rand has a much better chance than Ron ever did. He needs to build momentum in Florida and South Carolina (for example) before things get really exciting.

[cindy25]

the problem might be that Rand is running a general election campaign too early. SC is going to be a huge problem. maybe the Sanford's could help

[garyallen59]

[philipped]

Rand has a much better chance than Ron ever did. He needs to build momentum in Florida and South Carolina (for example) before things get really exciting.

He definitely needs to come through Florida and show love.

[newbitech]

He definitely needs to come through Florida and show love.

This needs to be a 50 state campaign.

[invisible]

the problem might be that Rand is running a general election campaign too early. SC is going to be a huge problem. maybe the Sanford's could help

I would disagree, and argue that Ron's mistake was to not hammer away at the theme of being the only candidate that could win in the general election, and why (see 2012 NV convention speech, which was very unlike his other campaign speeches). Rand has been taking this tack to a large degree, and in the process, is already implicitly claiming the status of frontrunner and / or nominee.

edit: FL will also be a big problem

[Liberty74]

Rand is trying to break through the false two party paradigm we are all forced to live under by the system. I think Rand will win a small percentage of the so called Left (up to 10%) over to his camp in the general. Instead of getting say 5% of the black vote, what if Rand was to get 10-15%?

The Independents in the caucus/primaries will vote for him but how will Rand do in the closed primaries? We all know Ron got clobbered with an average of about 8% of such Republican vote. How does Rand break though that establishment barrier who in many states are the social right? If the establishment on FOX news and say all the talk radio heads (Rush, Hannity, Levin, Beck, etc) come out against him like his father, it's over folks. How does Rand stay positive with that group or at the very least stay neutral without them having a knee jerk reaction to a litmus test issue like Voter ID that some are having?

I do think there are Leftists out there who call themselves such yet are maybe more Libertarian than they think. But at the same time, the ones who are true Leftists such at the Marxists and Socialists, will never come over to Rand's camp. So far I think Rand is doing a good balancing act. Maybe someone can put together a "Rand breaking down the false two party paradigm" video?

One thing Rand must accomplish is to BE LIKED. That is one of the most important attributes to a politician regardless of views.

[Liberty74]

Rand has a much better chance than Ron ever did. He needs to build momentum in Florida and South Carolina (for example) before things get really exciting.

I agree and I have my ideas about how Rand should run his campaign...image, slogan and issue wise BUT how do you think Rand does well in FL and SC?

[philipped]

I agree and I have my ideas about how Rand should run his campaign...image, slogan and issue wise BUT how do you think Rand does well in FL and SC?

As somebody in the state, there is a STRONG support for both Rubio and Bush but don't be tricked into thinking all demographics in the state as Republicans are theres....just like throughout the rest of the nation Rand is playing up to the same new groups and everyone else in Florida who's awake enough to see that Bush Vs. Clinton must not happen.

Florida has a lot of Tea Party action but I have yet to hear a Tea partier disown him so he just needs to come through and reaffirm those still thinking being called a Tea Party Patriot is going to be a good thing for the President that he's still the same tea party style conservative but even I as an avid Rand fan/supporter can see how he's transformed since 09-10.

[newbitech]

I agree and I have my ideas about how Rand should run his campaign...image, slogan and issue wise BUT how do you think Rand does well in FL and SC?

For starters, his campaign must never come out and say that they are ignoring FL. Also, FL is not a one size fits all state. It is a huge state with many parts. He should build his base in Pinellas County.

That is the home of Adrian Wyllie, the guy who ran against the false left right paradigm. He should already have people in touch with Wyllie's people. Also, Pinellas County delivered the strongest results for liberty in 2008 and 2012.

He just needs to show up early and often.

He needs to understand what many natural born Florida sports fan's understand. Most people living in Florida are not from Florida. Hit the big Uni's. FSU, UF, USF, UM.

He needs to understand that the state GOP is OFTEN at odd's with the national GOP. He can leverage that. He should leverage that.

He can make Florida a primary battle ground state. His theme seems to be going after the voters that are stuck on traditional voting paradigms. Well that is exactly what Florida is in the primary.

Most likely because of the older generations that retire here, they get to the polls and vote and they vote for the "safe" choice, the familiar political dynasties.

He needs to put on a big show of registering traditional democrats in the Republican primaries, he can use that on two fronts. Attacking the democrat primaries by dwindling their base, and firing up the youth vote to turn on in the Republican primaries.

There are all kinds of sympathetic issues down here.

Medical Marijuana got HUGE popular support and he could leverage that as well. Plenty of opportunity to turn over the political apple cart in Florida, tons of free media exposure if he wants it, just show up.

[Foreigner]

Florida will come later this cycle, for now it's scheduled for super-Tuesday. So a loss there can be compensated with wins elsewhere.

[KingNothing]

I would disagree, and argue that Ron's mistake was to not hammer away at the theme of being the only candidate that could win in the general election, and why (see 2012 NV convention speech, which was very unlike his other campaign speeches). Rand has been taking this tack to a large degree, and in the process, is already implicitly claiming the status of frontrunner and / or nominee.

edit: FL will also be a big problem

Romney probably won the GOP nomination last time around by doing nothing more than portraying himself as the front-runner and eventual nominee for four straight years. If a candidate has the credentials and guile to create that narrative, which Rand does, and no opposing candidates are strong enough to knock him down, he puts himself in a really good position to win.

[Jeremy]

Florida would obviously depend on who else is running. If Jeb Bush is his main competitor, then yeah, it might me best not to spend resources there.

[newbitech]

Florida would obviously depend on who else is running. If Jeb Bush is his main competitor, then yeah, it might me best not to spend resources there.

Jeb is gonna be formidable in any state. Just don't like the idea of "not spending resources". Coming to FL should be a net positive. He could raise funds here without getting into all 10 media markets. Ignoring the state is just not a winning formula IMO.

[philipped]

Most likely because of the older generations that retire here, they get to the polls and vote and they vote for the "safe" choice, the familiar political dynasties.

He needs to put on a big show of registering traditional democrats in the Republican primaries, he can use that on two fronts. Attacking the democrat primaries by dwindling their base, and firing up the youth vote to turn on in the Republican primaries.

THIS THIS THIS THIS THIS.