Wow, Trump just said on Fox and Friends..

[rich34]

They asked him who he'd kick off the debate stage for Carly, and sure enough, he picked Rand Paul. Why? "Because he was the only one that came after me." "I think he's a better doctor than he is a politican.." When asked who did the worth? "I think Rand Paul.." "He had a really hard time."

Wow, Trump, just as I was saying. Rand would dismantle this chump in a real policy/substance debate and Trump knows it. Trump wants know part of Rand which is why he didn't engage him back on policy, but resorted to the pussyfooted tactic he did and avoid him all together. I think this is going to create a dilemma for the establishment/Bush faction if they are unable to bring Trump down. They're seriously going to need Rand to do it for them in the next debate if Trumps numbers remain unchanged and risk Rand rising himself. That's the way I see it. If it plays out like that you can bet your ass they'll force Trump to engage Rand in substance rather than name calling just as they setup Christie and Rand. I sure hope Team Rand is prepared for whatever is thrown their way.

[CaptUSA]

Ok, so maybe this just wishful thinking, but this may actually elevate Paul back into the conversation.

If the day after the debate, Trump is talking about Paul, it might not be all bad.

[RJB]

I watched a season of the Apprentice. Trump valued and respected people who would lie, bad mouth and shout down their opponents rather than admit they made a mistake. At the time, I thought he just wanted a ratings grabber and an obnoxious person definitely keeps people watching. Now, I really think he likes that type of personality, and so far Rand hasn't risen to his bait.

Either that or Trump is an establishment shill trying to rid the stage of the only one who has policies that favor the american people over the Military Industrial Congressional Complex.

[RJB]

Ok, so maybe this just wishful thinking, but this may actually elevate Paul back into the conversation.

If the day after the debate, Trump is talking about Paul, it might not be all bad.

Maybe. After 2008 and 2012, I've given up trying to predict the outcomes of these circuses. It's become a soap opera.

[rich34]

Is there a way to let the campaign know Trump made these comments? This could be the break they were needing. Imo, this gives Rand the green light to hit Trump and hit him HARD! Hit him on policy and when Trump resorts to name calling, hit him again saying he's full of empty rhetoric and lacks the capacity to debate on policy/substance and can only resort to name calling. I saw it in Trump's eyes, he wanted no part of Rand for fear of being made to look like Christie. Come on Rand hit em on policy and then hit em on his hair... Yes it's worse than Rand's lol. Although hair doesn't matter to me.

[acptulsa]

Good. Let's hope he keeps it up.

If he's going to 'suck all the oxygen out of the room' because no one will point cameras at anyone else, and his job is to throw red meat at the stupid wing of the party while the rest of the world laughs at him and hates his guts, and shudders at the thought of him being in charge of the world' largest stockpile of nukes, then by all means let him suck up all the oxygen and expel all that carbon giving our man publicity.

Bring it. Hope he doesn't stop too soon.

Is there a way to let the campaign know Trump made these comments? This could be the break they were needing. Imo, this gives Rand the green light to hit Trump and hit him HARD!

They know he made these comments. And Rand does to need to spend all his breath talking about the clown the way Fox does. He needs to use whatever publicity he gets out of this talking like an adult about what actually ails this country.

[kahless]

Trump used to consistently slam Carly saying she has failed at everything and has no business being in the race. Trump is obviously trying to play ball with the establishment and FNC by spouting their bogus Carly narrative this morning.

[rich34]

Good. Let's hope he keeps it up.




They know he made these comments. And Rand does to need to spend all his breath talking about the clown the way Fox does. He needs to use whatever publicity he gets out of this talking like an adult about what actually ails this country.

That's what mean though, it seems there has literally been a media blackout of Paul lately. Well, other than constantly attacking him. I'm saying Rand can use this to regain the media attention to highlight his positions on the issues. Without it, like the debate, who knows if they're going to give Rand the platform to push his ideas/policies?

[thoughtomator]

“The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about.” - Oscar Wilde

[rich34]

Trump used to consistently slam Carly saying she has failed at everything and has no business being in the race. Trump is obviously trying to play ball with the establishment and FNC by spouting their bogus Carly narrative this morning.

Yeah I forgot about that he did didn't he.. Trump is a bully who loves hitting, but can't take it when he's hit back. I think him wanting the only guy that went after him off the debate stage is very telling about his character. It's risk vs. reward, but I think Rand could gain a lot support being seen as the only guy to stand up to the bully in the race.

[EBounding]

I thought it was a bad idea at the time for Rand to go after T-rump, but maybe not. Especially on an issue like single-payer healthcare. T-rump does still support single payer for the poor (however that's defined). He's a New York Democrat and can still be targeted for his sudden immigration flip and gun control. His abortion response was a non-answer, but it might have placated his base.

[AuH20]

whoever attacked Trump in this primary has suffered lower polls afterward. I think Rands advisors told him not to because it makes rand look like an agent of Fox.

[staerker]

I saw it in Trump's eyes, he wanted no part of Rand for fear of being made to look like Christie.

As a human I feel kinda bad for Trump. It's obvious he has no real friends in life. He has said on multiple occasions that he truly respects a few of the candidates, and I actually think Paul is one of them. That is what I was thinking each time Paul took a swipe-- Trump's retorts seemed half-hearted, especially in the first minute about the donations.

[Deborah K]

Rand needs to dismiss Trump, not go after him. Trump is not in this for the long-haul. He's a showman and is not suited for the Presidency in any way, shape, or form. I'm glad he's in the primaries though, he's shaking things up with his blatant views on the country's problems, which prompts the other candidates to step it up.

[Carlybee]

Rand needs to dismiss Trump, not go after him. Trump is not in this for the long-haul. He's a showman and is not suited for the Presidency in any way, shape, or form. I'm glad he's in the primaries though, he's shaking things up with his blatant views on the country's problems, which prompts the other candidates to step it up.

I agree. I'll go against the majority here and say I think it was a bad strategic move to attack the guy who is way ahead in the polls. Rand came across churlish. I understand he had to do something to be heard given the assclowns at Fox but in doing it the way he did he may have alienated a bunch of potential supporters down the line.

[acptulsa]

I agree that Rand Paul needs to avoid becoming the official Trump basher. But he had to do what he did. He had to point out that the anti-establishment voters need a real champion who can win, not a pretender whose 'cure' is worse than the disease--and who, if everyone else were to keel over tomorrow, couldn't beat 'none of the above'. He had to do it to stay in this race.

But, yes. Use the publicity to talk substance. Just because bitch-slapping the two worst RINOs had to be done once does not mean there's any future in keeping it up.

[Deborah K]

I agree. I'll go against the majority here and say I think it was a bad strategic move to attack the guy who is way ahead in the polls. Rand came across churlish. I understand he had yo do something to be heard given the assclowns at Fox but in doing it the way he did he may have alienated a bunch of potential supporters down the line.

Agreed. I don't think Rand helped himself last night.

[acptulsa]

Agreed. I don't think Rand helped himself last night.

I do.

If anyone or anything came out of last night with their true colors exposed, it's Fox.

And if that's the real narrative this morning, Rand, we, the GOP and the whole nation won that debate last night.

[Deborah K]

I agree that Rand Paul needs to avoid becoming the official Trump basher. But he had to do what he did. He had to point out that the anti-establishment voters need a real champion who can win, not a pretender whose 'cure' is worse than the disease--and who, if everyone else were to keel over tomorrow, couldn't beat 'none of the above'. He had to do it to stay in this race.
But, yes. Use the publicity to talk substance. Just because bitch-slapping the two worst RINOs had to be done once does not mean there's any future in keeping it up.

The first debate was not the venue to do that. Trump is not a threat at this point.

[jkob]

It can go both ways, Rand talking about Trump will get him media attention which he needs but turning Trump voters against him and having Trump turn his ire to him won't help. A good portion of those Trump voters came at Rand's expense judging by the polling over the last month or so, he's going to need to win them back so I think it would be best for Rand to be measured in his criticisms towards him.

It's telling that none of the establishment candidates dared criticize Trump.

[Deborah K]

If anyone or anything came out of last night with their true colors exposed, it's Fox.

Agreed.

[phill4paul]

The first attack off the bat I felt was successful. Rand made some points with the GOP voters on that one. I think Rand should have left it at that for this debate. But, it is what it is.

[squirl22]

They'll have to have Rand on now to respond...more free publicity. What concerns me about Trump is he must have organized crime connections...I mean, casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, etc...all mafia...I hope he doesn't take out a contract on Rand.

[AuH20]

They'll have to have Rand on now to respond...more free publicity. What concerns me about Trump is he must have organized crime connections...I mean, casinos in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, etc...all mafia...I hope he doesn't take out a contract on Rand.

Why would he? Trump gave money to Rand for his Pro Bono work. He doesn't consider Rand a threat. Rand is the one who initiated the whole thing because he's been frustrated over the media freezout.

[Carlybee]

The first debate was not the venue to do that. Trump is not a threat at this point.

Neither is Christie. He's polling at 3%. While I don't blame him for going off on him, to the casual observer it might seem like a personal grudge match the way it was presented.

[squirl22]

He doesn't consider Rand a threat. Rand is the one who initiated the whole thing because he's been frustrated over the media freezout

No, he's not a threat, but he doesn't like anyone to criticize him, at least in public. I just thought Trump came across as a thug, which I am sure he is.

[David Sadler]

They asked him who he'd kick off the debate stage for Carly, and sure enough, he picked Rand Paul. Why? "Because he was the only one that came after me." "I think he's a better doctor than he is a politican.." When asked who did the worth? "I think Rand Paul.." "He had a really hard time."

No risk - no gain. Rand's political calculations have mystified (and disappointed) many. We'll have to see how this all plays out, but after this, it seems like my original ticket of TRUMP - PAUL 2016 is not going to happen.

[georgiaboy]

Thanks, Donald, for the free press!!

This is great for Rand from all sorts of angles.

1. The Donald knows him by name and all his adoring fans just learned it too and are asking questions now.
2. It is only good for you that you get mentioned by the CURRENT frontrunner.
3. Trump may actually fear Rand!
4. Trump may actually be trying to help Rand.
5. It gives Rand a big opening to respond, or, interestingly, to choose not to respond/dismiss.

The game is officially afoot.

[AuH20]

No risk - no gain. Rand's political calculations have mystified (and disappointed) many. We'll have to see how this all plays out, but after this, it seems like my original ticket of TRUMP - PAUL 2016 is not going to happen.

Rand and Trump should have allied together. A mutual attack on the moderators and Fox would have been a sight to see. They tried to undermine Trump like they undermined Rand with the misogynist allegations. Kelly used the same tricks on Rand a few months ago. It was sad to see. Now the Trump people see Rand colluding with Fox.

[dude58677]

Trump looked bad for supporting universal health care and was called out on it by a surgeon.