Rand's endorsements "molding the GOP in his image?" (Mcclatchy)

**Valli6** · 02-21-2018, 11:54 AM

from Mcclatchy DC Bureau http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/poli...201171739.html

Rand Paul bids to mold the GOP in his image
BY LESLEY CLARK
February 21, 2018 05:00 AM - Updated 2 hours 52 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Is Sen. Rand Paul the new Steve Bannon, the former Trump aide who promised to wage a “season of war” on the Republican establishment and champion like-minded conservatives?

Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has endorsed two Senate candidates who definitely aren't favorites of GOP standard bearers: Kelli Ward in Arizona and Mike Gibbons in Ohio.

Ward has suggested Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who is battling brain cancer, should quit the Senate as soon as possible and Gibbons is a novice businessman up against a sitting congressman who has President Donald Trump and the Ohio Republican party's stamp of approval.

The Paul endorsements come as Senate Republicans are playing offense on a Senate map that strongly favors them. The GOP is eager to avoid messy primary battles that could benefit Democrats who see bright prospects for taking control of the chamber in November.

A Paul spokesman for Paul brushed aside concerns that the senator could complicate Republican efforts.

"Senator Rand Paul believes that we must elect individuals who will break the current mold of bigger government, more debt and endless foreign intervention," spokesman Sergio Gor said, adding that Paul looked forward to welcoming Ward to the Senate.

(more http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/poli...201171739.html

(By the way, CPAC is this week.)