Rand Paul: Master Gamesman

This week, I will campaign for Gov. Mitt Romney. I believe this election will and should be about moving America back from the edge of the abyss on which we stand, where our debt and spending threaten to overwhelm and drown us. Romney's belief in free markets, limited government and trade make him the clear choice to lead our country come January.

I do not, however, support a call for intervention in Syria. And, if such intervention were being contemplated, it is absolutely necessary that Congress give any such authority to the president. No president, Republican or Democrat, has the unilateral power to take our nation to war without the authority of the legislature.

At times, I have been encouraged by Romney's foreign policy. I agree with his call to end the war in Afghanistan sooner rather than later and with his skepticism of, and call for reform in, foreign aid, but I am a bit dismayed by his foreign policy speech Monday, titled "Mantle of Leadership."

via www.cnn.com

I love RON Paul for being a "voice in the wilderness" to takes something of a "repent or burn" attitude. He never budges on principle, and he seems not to care if he is the sole vote on the right side of an issue.

But truth be told, I think his son is a far better politician, who will help the movement go in the right direction AND accomplish some political victories. He plays the game, and sees (perhaps because he's an ophthalmologist?) many shades of gray.

That ability to play the game and discern shades of gray will get him into trouble with some of his father's supporters, who see only black or white. But for those who really want to move the country--and the Republican Party--in the direction of more liberty and freedom, rather than further away from it, his approach is certainly refreshing, and cause for great hope.

Remember, we didn't get this far down the road to statism overnight. The Left has shown itself willing to move incrementally for over 100 years. We can't expect to have things change overnight, and it's going to take the leadership of many--willing to continue moving the needle in the right direction, and play the political game.

Comments

[Nebraskaenergyobserver.wordpress.com]

Very well said, Laura.

You and I have some differences primarily in foreign policy but not on Syria. I think also that Rand Paul will change the party a lot for the better.

it's going to take time, a lot of time, but I believe we have made a start.

[Ken Hoop]

What is an example of this "shades of gray?"
Was it Hillary saying "I gave Bush the permission to invade Iraq, but not to botch the invasion" or something like that?
Rand Paul will be swept aside by the interventionists in the party, which comprise the vast majority.
Romney is owned by Israel, like all the rest. Oh, they'll learn-after military quagmires and economic
crises cause the Empire to collapse-and not before.
Why would Ran Paul support a guy who still believes Iraq was a worthwhile victory, that is, a sociopath and a fool besides?

[Triple Hash]

History has shown that anyone who comes out with even a speck of anti-war is thrown aside when the rising tide of patriotism and flag waving begins. Unfortunately, Rand will be likewise cast aside. There is no political benefit for being anti-war or anti-interventionist. There used to be a left in this country that wanted to try Bush on war crimes. But now they support this President who does the same thing. Mind control. Isn't it amazing that diametrically opposed people now agree that war, any war is good? It's almost like this groupthink was planned.

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[Eric Parks]

"It's almost like this groupthink was planned." - ###

"In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way." - Franklin D. Roosevelt (Master Planner)

[Triple Hash]

I use some form of that line all the time, but I never knew that it was associated to FDR. Thanks for the reference!

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