Rand Paul Speech Full Transcript & Video Electing Lovers of Liberty CPAC 2014

Arguably, the most dangerous man in America after Barak Insane Obama. What this lunatic is for and against should rightly frighten non-libertarian Republicans, former or neoReagan Democrats, and every kind of independent voter. Hey, Republicans! Want to lose the White House, again? Nominate this fookin' eejit. Proof that these are Libertarians, not Conservatives: Rand Paul won the Straw Vote, again... i ii iii iv v vi ...and lastly vii
Saturday, March 8, 2014 6:02

0 (Before It's News) Of all the CPAC 2014 speeches I have heard, and I havent heard them all, Rand Paul received more robust applause than anyone. to this time that Ive heard. As with John Boltons speech, this one will make you stay awake at night, thinking, thinking.

Rand Paul Pull-Out Quote: Theres a battle going on. Dont forget, there is a great battle going on for the heart and soul of America. The Fourth Amendment is equally as important as the Second Amendment, and conservatives cannot forget this. ~ Rand Paul Begin transcript Imagine with me for a moment, imagine a time when liberty is again spread from coast to coast. Imagine a time when our great country is again governed by the Constitution. Imagine a time when the White House is once again occupied by a friend of liberty. You may think Im talking about electing Republicans. Im not. Im talking about electing lovers of liberty.

It isnt good enough to pick the lesser of two evils. We must elect men and women of principle, and conviction and action, who will lead us back to greatness. There is a great and tumultuous battle underway for the future, not of the Republican Party but the future of the entire country. The question is, will we be bold and proclaim our message with passion or will we be sunshine patriots retreating under adverse fire? Will we be firm in our convictions, or will we cower, defeated, and meekly dilute our message? Will we water-down the Bill of Rights, or will we be all on fire, like the unstoppable William Lloyd Garrison? For 30 years, Garrison stood, as politicians whimpered, and compromised and left their fellowman in bondage. Garrison would not, he could not sit quietly by. He rose above those politicians who would leave the country half-free, half-slave. His voice was unwavering: I will be as harsh as truth and as uncompromising as justice. I will be in earnest. I will not equivocate, I will not excuse, I will not retreat an inch and I will be heard. Will you, Americas next generation of liberty lovers, will you stand and be heard? The sons of liberty who fought against British soldiers writing their own warrants, would today, make a bonfire of secret orders issued by federal police. The sons of liberty risked everything to guarantee your right to a trial by jury. They would today, call out to the president, they would say, we will not be detained, spied upon nor have our rights abridged. We will not submit and we will not trade our liberty for security, not now, not ever. Yet, as our voices rise in protest, the NSA monitors your every phone call. If you have a cell phone, you are under surveillance. I believe what you do on your cell phone is none of their damn business. I believe this is a profound constitutional question: can a single warrant be applied to millions of Americans email, credit cards. Your government says, and Im telling you truth, this is what your government maintains, they say you dont own your records, that your Visa statement does not belong to you. I disagree, the Fourth Amendment is very clear, warrants should be issued by a judge, warrants must be specific to the individual. A single warrant for millions of Americans phone records, hardly sounds specific to the individual. Warrants are supposed to be based on evidence of probable cause, that an individual has committed a crime. Generalized warrants, that dont name a single individual, and seek the records of millions of individuals, goes against the very fabric of the Fourth Amendment. John Adams wrote that James Otis protest against generalized warrants was the spark that began the Great American Revolution. Theres a battle going on. Dont forget, there is a great battle going on for the heart and soul of America. The Fourth Amendment is equally as important as the Second Amendment, and conservatives cannot forget this.

Will we sit idly by and let our rights be trampled on? Will we be like lemmings, rushing to the comfort of Big Brothers crushing embrace, or will we stand like men and women of character and say, we are free, and no man, no matter how well-intentioned, will take our freedom from us? Daniel Webster anticipated our modern-day saviors, who wanted to save us from having too much freedom. He wrote good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. Its hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. How will history remember Barack Obama? For those who believed that President Obama would somehow be a champion of civil liberties, Roger Waters might ask, Did they get you to trade your heroes for goats? Did they get you to exchange a walk-on part in the war for a lead role in a cage? I dont question President Obamas motives, but history will record his timid defense of liberty. When Congress passed legislation allowing for the indefinite detention of an American citizen without a trial, he shamefully signed it while promising not to use such a power. A great president, though, would have risen to the occasion. Instead of merely suggesting that he wouldnt use this dreaded power, a great president would have taken pen in hand and vetoed this abomination. A great president would have loudly proclaimed, Congress cannot, and must not, overturn the right to a trial by jury. A great president would have protected us from the prying eyes of the NSA. A great president would have proclaimed, I will not abide it. The Constitution will not abide it. Our forefathers fought for the right to a trial by jury so that not one innocent man would be wrongly imprisoned. Remember Richard Jewel? Everybody thought he was the [Centennial] Olympic [Park] bomber. He was convicted on television with no jury, no trial. Only problem was, he didnt do it. If he had been a black man in the south in the 1920s, he might not have lived to prove his innocence. Anyone with a memory of the times in our history, when we didnt adequately defend everyones right to a fair and impartial trial, should stand now and be heard. We must defend our rights. Justice cannot occur without a trial. This fact should be abundantly clear to any group that has ever been persecuted. You can be a minority by the color of your skin or the shade of your ideology. Anyone who has ever paddled up-stream, anyone who has ever been a minority of thought or religion, anyone who has ever taught their children at home or sought to pray to God without permission, should be alarmed that any government might presume to imprison without a trial. Whether you are black or brown or white, man or woman, you should fear a government that maintains the authority to imprison without trial, without a jury.

Madison wrote that we would not need a Constitution to protect us if government were comprised of angels. Guess what? Madison readily admitted we werent ever likely to be governed by angels. It isnt so much what President Obama has done, although hes done a lot, none very little good, but its not what hes done with his usurpations of power as much as it is the precedent that it sets for lawlessness that may follow. If the Executive Branch can initiate war, if the Executive Branch can detain citizens without trial, if it can amend legislation, if it can declare to Congress that Congress is in recess, then government, unrestrained by law, becomes nothing short of tyranny. Montesquieu recognized this. He wrote that when the Executive Branch usurps the legislative authority, when the president says, I can write the laws, watch me, hes got a pen, hes got a phone, he doesnt care what the law is, a tyranny will ensue and we must stop this president from shredding the Constitution. It isnt just the harm that this president is causing, its the future harm that he allows by destroying the checks and balances that once restrained each of the branches of government. Progressives, by their own assertions, dont want to be bound by any original intent of the Constitution or its authors. They believe the Constitution is whatever the majority says it is. Progressives believe that a majority may separate you from your rights. Jim Crow, the Japanese internment, todays indefinite detention without trial, when we allow our God-given rights to be abridged by a majority vote. Our rights are inherent. They are inseparable from our person. Our rights are innate, they come from our Creator and no government can take them away from us. The Constitution merely codifies what exists before all time. Mr. President, we will not let you run roughshod over our rights. We will challenge you in the courts. We will battle you at the ballot box. Mr. President, we will not let you shred our Constitution. Our future hangs in the balance. We can debate a jobless recover, an alarming debt, a bothersome and abusive regulatory state, but know this, you cant have prosperity without freedom. It isnt a message of the haves or the haves-not, the rich versus the poor; its a message for anyone who wants to own their own destiny. Americas greatness will not flicker if we believe in ourselves, believe in our founding documents, believe that all men are created equal and everyone can succeed. That brings freedom and brings it, with it, not only great prosperity but extraordinary generosity. Anybody think its great to be poor in Cuba? America is the most generous nation on earth. We cant forget about it, but it came with our freedom, they go together. It is going to take all of us together. Its going to take a national revival of liberty. Americas greatness, Americas exceptional character its not in our DNA, but its in our

republic, its in our founding documents, its in a republic that for the first time in history rewards all individuals, regardless of birth, gender, ethnicity. Its a republic that restrains the government, not the individual. Your task is not to minimize the loss of freedom, not to clutch at what weve got left, your job is to maximize your liberty, so lets do it together. Lets take a stand. When the president refused to rule out droning of American citizens, I took a stand, I filibustered. Some things are worth fighting for. When I discovered that the NSA spied on, and was collecting every American citizens records, I took a stand. I sued the president. It is decidedly not a time for the faint of heart. It is a time for boldness and action. The time is now. Stand with me. Let us stand for liberty. Thank you and God bless America. End transcript. Senator Rand Paul CPAC 2014 Speech Electing Liberty Lovers (video) If you would like to receive Maggies Notebook daily posts direct to your inbox, no ads, no spam, EVER, enter your email address in the box below.

i Rand Paul wins 2014 CPAC straw poll, Ted Cruz finishes a distant second
RubioandRyan,GOPleadersinCongressallseebigdropsinsupport
By HSeth McLaughlinH and HStephen Dinan The Washington Times Saturday, March 8, 2014

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks at the Conservative Political Action Committee annual ... Hmore >

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HCPAC 2014 straw poll results HCPAC 2014: Rand Paul urges conservatives to fight for liberty QuestionoftheDay

HIsRubiorightwhenhesaystheU.S."mustbeinvolvedinleadingthe world"? Yes No Undecided Other

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HSen. Rand PaulH demolished his competition in the 2014 Washington Times/CPAC presidential preference straw poll on Saturday, winning 31 percent of the vote nearly three times the total of second-place HSen. Ted CruzH.

The poll also found a strong plurality of attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference believe marijuana should be fully legalized, with 41 percent saying its time to change the law and tax it. Another 21 percent said it should be legalized only for medicinal purposes, while just 31 percent said it should remain illegal in all cases.

HSEE ALSO: CPAC 2014 straw poll results

In the presidential poll, HMr. CruzHs 11 percent was a big improvement for the freshman senator, who won just 4 percent in last years straw poll. Neurosurgeon HBen CarsonH was third with 9 percent and New Jersey HGov. Chris ChristieH was fourth with 8 percent in results that signal growing discontent with the HGOPH establishment in Washington.

Indeed, CPAC voters now have an unfavorable view of Republicans in HCongressH, with 51 percent saying they disapprove of the job the HGOPH is doing on Capitol Hill. Just last year the HGOPH had a 54 percent approval rating, and in 2012 they held a 70 percent approval rating. But a series of tough votes over the last few months that saw Republican leaders work with President Obama to boost spending and raised the governments debt limit have deepened a rift between the HGOPHs leadership on Capitol Hill and conservative activists around the country. That could be one reason why HRep. Paul RyanH, the Wisconsin Republican who wrote Decembers budget deal that boosted spending in 2014 and 2015, saw his standing with CPAC voters cut in half from 6 percent support in last years presidential straw poll to just 3 percent this year. HSen. Marco RubioH suffered an even bigger drop, falling from 23 percent and second place in 2013 to seventh place, with 6 percent, this year. I like HTed CruzH, I like HRand PaulH, I like HMike LeeH. I like HRubioH, but less now than I did a year ago because of immigration, said HDavid FitzwilliamH, 83.

HSEE ALSO: Rand Paul urges conservatives to fight with him for liberty

For HMr. PaulH, the victory is his second in a row, and he saw his support climb from 25 percent last year to 31 percent this year. He is the only true liberty candidate who focuses on civil liberties more than anybody else, said HAl SeltzingerH, 36, from Baltimore. I think the way the nation is going today with the government and the president going against the Constitution that we need someone who holds strict to the Constitution and whose voting record is pretty solid when it comes to the Constitution. HMr. CruzH also jumped from just 4 percent last year when he was a newly sworn-in senator to his 11 percent this year. HMr. CarsonH, who gained prominence with a 27-minute speech challenging Mr. Obama when the two appeared at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, is also on the rise. In last years straw poll, taken just after that speech, he garnered 4 percent of the vote, but jumped to 9 percent this year. I love HTed CruzH, I love HRand PaulH, but HBen CarsonH is all of the above, said Jean Carlton, a 71-year-old CPAC attendee who said the doctors lack of Washington experience was a big plus.

For his part HMr. ChristieH, who has faced political troubles back home in New Jersey after his staffers caused a traffic jam on the George Washington Bridge to punish a town mayor, seems to be holding steady among activists. He rose from 7 percent last year to 8 percent support this year. In his speech to the conference on Thursday, HMr. ChristieH argued that the HGOPH needs to not only pick a conservative champion, but pick a candidate who can get elected. We cant govern if we cant win, he said. That resonated with some CPAC straw poll voters. I think he has the best chance in the general election. I am less optimistic about his chances in the primary, but he seems to be more palatable to Independents and Democrats. I think electability is the main concern, said Matthew Smith, a 19-year-old student at Yale University. This years straw poll listed 25 potential candidates, which is far more than usual. The high number signals just how wide open the HGOPHs presidential contest is with two years to go before the first caucuses and primaries. On the Democratic side, meanwhile, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton easily leads the rest of her partys field in national and state polling. Previous versions of The Washington Times/CPAC poll showed that the audience that gathers in Washington leans younger and more libertarian than the conservative movement throughout the country, which likely gives HMr. PaulH a boost with this crowd here. Indeed, his father, then-Rep. Ron Paul, won the straw poll twice on a similar libertarian-minded message, though he struggled to translate that support into votes when it came to primaries and caucuses. The straw poll was conducted between Thursday and Saturday afternoon, and 2,459 votes were cast. Copyright 2014 The Washington Times, LLC. HClick here for reprint permission.

Read more: Hhttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/8/rand-paul-wins2014-cpac-straw-poll-ted-cruz-finis/#ixzz2vTqXC7tuH Follow us: H@washtimes on Twitter

ii

Paul the Younger: Libertarian vs. the GOP By Jennifer Rubin

March 7 at 6:05 pm Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) spoke late Friday afternoon at the Conservative Political Action Conference. It was very similar to last years speech, which suggests one of the many problems with the speech is its generic praise of liberty and an other-worldly take on the government as our real enemy. FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2013 file photo, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. The debate about whether to continue the dragnet surveillance of Americans phone records is highlighting divisions within the Democratic and Republican parties that could transform the politics of national security. While some leading Democrats have been reluctant to condemn the National Security Agencys tactics, the GOP has begun to embrace a libertarian shift opposing the spy agencys broad surveillance powers _ a striking departure from the aggressive national security policies that have defined the Republican Party for generations. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. (Associated Press/J. Scott Applewhite) First, it was filled with rubbish. In going for a big applause line from a room of 20-somethings, Paul suggested that the NSA is listening to all our phone calls. This is false, and it is disturbing if he doesnt understand the difference between metadata and the content of phone calls. The portrait of a government on the verge of tyranny might stir his fathers former fans, but it is quite divorced from what the NSA does and whether its program is constitutional. Does Rand Paul really think the Constitution doesnt allow enemy combatants to be held at Gitmo? Apparently so and he thinks the poor detainees are like innocent minorities with whom we should commiserate: Justice cannot occur without a trial, he said. That fact should be abundantly clear to any group that has ever been persecuted. You can be a minority by the color of your skin or the shade of your ideology. Anyone who has ever paddled upstream, anyone who has ever been [in the] minority of thought or religion, anyone who has ever taught their children at home or sought to pray to God without permission should be alarmed that any government might presume to imprison without trial. Thats the sort of condescending talk (Hispanics should be in favor of letting terrorists go free or come to the homeland for trial?) that will go over well with non-traditional Republicans? Even if it does find some takers on college campuses, it will infuriate the large mass of Republicans who increasingly take national security seriously. He really is planning on running to President Obamas left on these issues. Second, Pauls spiel is certainly indifferent to if not at odds with what is going on in the world. Should we be alarmed that Iran is getting the bomb, Russia is invading a neighbor and there is a war of genocidal proportions in Syria? No, the greatest danger is the governments (nonexistent) eavesdropping on your phone calls. Not only is his shtick divorced from world events, but it also is entirely alien to the experience and concerns of most Americans who are worried about health care, the economy, the middle-class squeeze, etc. Other than people exactly like those in the ballroom, who is going to find this the most compelling message out of all the Republican contenders agendas? He keeps saying he will reach out to African Americans and Hispanics, but the crowd that love him was overwhelmingly white and male. And if he is serious about immigration reform (he told Silicon Valley he was), he kept it to himself. Third, there is no sign that his message and appeal will be any different than his fathers. He is after all a libertarian, not a mainstream conservative, and his disinclination to speak about anything but his paranoid vision of the government leaves little room for reform or problem-solving. This one-note fear of government has limited selling power in the Republican Party, most especially during times of rising international threats. Fourth, hes still sporting his jeans look, which he had last time. Its condescending to the young people who were by the way all dressed in suits and ties and its decidedly unpresidential. Is he going to slum his way through a campaign? Its the sort of cheap appeal to young voters that Ronald

Reagan, for example, never needed. He provided a hopeful, concrete agenda that offered young people an optimistic vision. If you dont have that, you try to get by with jeans and a lot of pop music references. And finally, when Paul says he doesnt care about electing Republicans instead preferring lovers of liberty you have to wonder why a Republican Party dedicated to electing majorities and governing would find that appealing. Once again, the CPAC niche isnt broad enough to win a middlesized states primary, as his father demonstrated, let alone the nomination. Rand Pauls problem is that by offering such a stark libertarian view he severely limits his appeal. What if you want limited government and a robust military? What if you want limited government and a patient-centered health care? What if you want limited government and education reform? What if you want limited government and someone who will stop Iran from getting the bomb? There are two or three candidates, at least, who youd look to first. Rand Paul is the perfect CPAC speaker, but for this very reason his presidential appeal is not yet clear. In the real world there are problems that need attending to, and Paul simply doesnt seem like someone youd entrust with the office of the presidency. You cant argue with Paul that the president should love liberty, but we elect someone to execute the laws and to govern responsibly. What evidence is there that Paul will be able to do that? The last time a freshman senator and ideologue with no executive experience ran for president it didnt work out too well. In the search for simple competence is that too much to ask? Rand Paul wouldnt be at the top of most peoples list.

iii

Rand Paul Highly Electable Libertarian Unlike Eccentric Father Ron

Added by HAlana Marie BurkeH on March 7, 2014. Saved under HAlana Marie BurkeH, HOpinionH, HPolitical RightH, HPoliticsH, HU.S.H Tags: HpaulH, Hrand paulH

At this weeks Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky fired up conservatives with his emphatic defense of civil liberties, the Fourth Amendment and his passion for holding President Obama accountable for shredding the Constitution. Unlike his eccentric father Ron, who ran in the 2012 presidential election, Rand Paul is shaping up to be a strong contender for the 2016 election. With his levelheaded personality and consistent commitment to liberty and fiscal responsibility, Paul is considered a highly electable Libertarian even by those who take issue with his foreign policy views. Undetermined is whether plagiarism allegations associated with his lawsuit against Obama and the National Security Administrations (NSA) surveillance tactics will have long-term effects on his electability. Rands father Ron Paul was never really considered electable despite his passionate Libertarian base partly because of his eccentric communication style. While sometimes as cute as a little Keebler cracker elf, Paul senior was mostly off-putting and his delivery involved too much giggling and not enough dignity. He also carried some questionable baggage that cast doubt on his character. Case in point were some newsletters in the early 1980s and 1990s with his masthead on them that were racist and anti-gay.

Ron Paul continues to claim he had no knowledge of the content of his own newsletters but wide held skepticism on how this could have been possible still dogs him to this day. Add in his isolationist foreign policy beliefs and his statement that Iran has just as much a right to nuclear weapons as the United States and you have a dead in the water presidential campaign. Rand Paul, on the other hand, while holding mostly the same Libertarian views as his father, expresses them in a certain manner that indicates personal strength and an air of wisdom that belies his relatively young years. His demeanor, unlike his fathers, is reassuring even when he is delivering a message not entirely palatable to Republicans and conservatives. Paul consistently maintains his composure under media pressure. He even did so while filibustering for 13 hours straight against CIA director John Brennan on the floor of the Senate ostensibly to get President Obama to stop using drones against U.S. citizens. His highly developed communication skills will be a key component of his future campaign success whether it is for the office of the president in 2016 or his re-election to the Senate. Undetermined is whether Americans are truly ready for a Libertarian president. At CPAC, Paul spoke to the crowd and said he is not about promoting the election of Republicans, what he wants is to elect lovers of liberty and he chastised Republicans for meekly diluting the conservative message. He further demanded that people not elect Republicans that do not adhere to undiluted conservative values. Paul received huge applause for his comments regarding Obamas NSA surveillance of ordinary citizens telling the crowd that even as they gathered, the NSA was monitoring every phone call they made. According to Paul, what ordinary Americans do on their personal cell phones is their own damn business and his statement brought attendees to their feet. Paul has called for boldness and action and he has asked people to stand with him for liberty. In a time when Americans are truly wondering if their constitutional rights are subject to interpretation by a government grown massively bloated and subjectively intrusive, Pauls message has tremendous appeal. On foreign policy Paul did state in a 2013 Heritage Foundation speech that he sees the world as it is, considers himself a realist and is not an isolationist. His words alone may not be enough to reassure those who believe America is correct in its role as an exceptional and benevolent benefactor to other nations, regardless of the financial burdens of that role. In any case, compared to his eccentric father Ron, Rand Paul is highly electable and in 2016 Americans may be ready to vote for a president willing to rein in a bloated government and restore liberty and fiscal responsibility. Editorial By Alana Marie Burke

iv

Rand Pauls Starkly Libertarian CPAC Speech: We Must Defend the Rights of All

by HAndrew KirellH | 3:26 pm, March 7th, 2014 video H543H

In his address before the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) took a decidedly libertarian stance on issues of surveillance, the Fourth Amendment, executive overreach, and wrongful imprisonment. We wont trade our liberty for security, Paul said, setting the overarching theme of the speech: Not now, not ever. He railed against the National Security Agencys controversial phone metadata collection, telling the crowd: If you have a cell phone, you are under surveillance. I believe what you do on your cell phone is none of their damn business. There is a great battle going on, its for the heart and soul of America, he urged to the crowd. The Fourth Amendment is equally as important as the Second Amendment, and conservatives cannot forget this. At another point, Sen. Paul quoted Pink Floyds Wish You Were Here to attack President Obamas equivocating on civil liberties issues. He also emphasized to the audience that any minority of thought, color, creed, religion should presume that government would attempt to imprison them wrongfully. Pauls civil liberties-focused speech stands in stark contrast to other Friday CPAC addresses, including that of Hfamily values conservativesH Mike Huckabee and the Hmore generic antiObama posturingH of Texan Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX). Watch below, via C-SPAN3:

v Rand Paul is pitching libertarian ideas to social conservatives. And they're listening.

Commongroundbetweenwarringcousins.

By HChris Moody, Yahoo NewsH | Yahoo News Fri, Feb 7, 2014

HEmailH HShareH H1294 Tweet HPrint

In this Nov. 6, 2013 file photo, Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington. Paul said Sunday,

For many, the word that comes to mind when they hear the name Rand Paul is likely libertarian. While he gladly embraces the label, Paul brands himself as more a pragmatist than purist, and hes seeking a way to bring libertarians and social conservativeslong warring cousins on the righttogether.

If successful, Pauls effort could be the start of a fresh form of fusionism on the right that could be a significant asset if he seeks the White House in 2016. Instead of adopting a hard line on issues like drug legalization and non-interventionism like his father, former Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the younger Paul speaks about these topics in a way he hopes will spark collaboration instead of squabbling. And it seems to be working. Pauls efforts were on display Wednesday night at a gala for the HAmerican Principles ProjectH, a conservative group that opposes abortion and same-sex marriage and aims to promote religious liberty. The group's board includes Maggie Gallagher, one of the foremost advocates against same-sex marriage and Robert P. George, the chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. APP is led by Francis P. Cannon, a conservative activist who authored Ha rebuttal reportH last year to calls within the Republican Party to de-emphasize social issues. Speaking to a few hundred APP supporters at Washington, D.C.'s Mayflower hotel, Paul, knowing his audience, began by conceding that libertarian, is still a bad word to some. A few in the audience nodded. But libertarian, or liberty, doesnt mean libertine, Paul said. To many of us, libertarian means freedom and liberty. But we also see freedom needs tradition. Such appeals are part and parcel of what for Paul has become an ongoing campaign to reach social conservatives. Last June, Paul spoke at the Faith and Freedom Summit, a conference organized by former Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed, where he accused the Obama Administration of Hfunding a war on Christianity abroad.H In October, Paul addressed students of Liberty University, a school founded by the late televangelist Jerry Falwell. Pauls tone was softer Wednesday, when he argued that conservatives should support libertarianbacked initiatives like prison sentencing reform for non-violent drug users, and to take a stronger stand on defending the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unlawful searches. To illustrate his point, he highlighted a law in his home state of Kentucky that prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from voting. A felony could be growing marijuana plants in college, he said. I think there are things we can and should talk about as Christians. We believe in forgiveness. I think the criminal justice system should have some element of forgiveness. A few years ago, Pauls rhetoric may have gotten him accused of being soft on crime within Republican circles. But today, as the party is desperately seeking fresh inroads with black and Hispanic voterstwo groups that are disproportionally affected by anti-drug laws, compared to whitesPauls message is starting to resonate. Theres evidence to suggest that these ideas are gaining support within the Republican Party. Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is currently working with Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin on a bill that would reduce or eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenders. Meanwhile, Texas Republican

Sen. John Cornyn is making a push to provide increased rehabilitation for some incarcerated offenders. I think these are things we can look at, Paul said. And Im not talking about legalization. What Im talking about is making the criminal justice system fair and giving people a second chance when they serve their time. The audience greeted his suggestions with a standing ovation at the end of the speech. Libertarians have been great promoters of free markets and economic freedom, Cannon, the groups president, told Yahoo News after the speech. But within the movement, the question is how to marry that with both an expression that talks to workers rather than businesses, and I thought Paul was looking for a way to revive that fusionism now. I thought he did a great job. It's a message Paul delivers often, from colleagues on the Senate floor and evangelical pastors in Des Moines to African American students and immigration reform activists, and could be his ticket to the presidential campaign trail in 2016. The Republican candidate who can effectively capture the imagination of conservative voters in Iowa and unite them with center-right Republicans in New Hampshire--the first two electoral contests on the presidential nomination calendar--will be in a strong position heading into the primary season. It's far too early to tell, of course, whether Paul can pull it off. Looking to 2016, he arguably has an advantage over his father, who made three unsuccessful White House bids during his political career. The younger Paul's "fusionist" approachwedding libertarian economics, traditional values and novel policy ideas could appeal to a broader set of Republican voters. And it might also, critically, alienate fewer of them. Its worth noting that the senior Paul Hmade respectable inroads within the social conservative community in Iowa in 2012H. But with the right tone and message, his son is hoping to takes things even further.

vi

Rand Paul boldly proclaims libertarian views at CPAC

By HCharlie SpieringH | MARCH 7, 2014 AT 4:55 PM

TOPICS: HBELTWAY CONFIDENTIALH HRAND PAULH HCONSERVATISMH HLIBERTARIANISMH HCPACH

When he spoke to the packed ballroom at CPAC on Friday, Sen. Rand Paul emphasized one thing:...
When he spoke to the packed ballroom at CPAC on Friday, Sen. HRand PaulH emphasized one thing: Liberty. That appeared to satisfy the legions of young people who filed into the hall to see the more HlibertarianH Republican senator from HKentuckyH, and it appeared to be Paul's primary goal. "Imagine a time when our great country is governed by the Constitution, imagine a time when Hthe White HouseH is once again occupied by a friend of liberty," he said. "You may think I'm talking about electing Republicans -- I'm not, I'm talking about electing lovers of liberty."

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That line would have been a slam-dunk for a conference of libertarians, but it drew a loud cheer from the standing-room-only crowd in the room. In the past, Paul has slipped in his more libertarian views into a more big-tent conservative speech sprinkled in with a few few wise-cracking red-meat jokes. This time, however, Paul focused on the issues his biggest supporters love him for: HCivil libertiesH and the right to HprivacyH against an ever-intrusive federal government. "What you do with your cell phones is none of their damn business," Paul shouted, as the young people cheered and gave him a standing ovation. It's natural for presidential hopefuls to fire up their most ardent supporters in this early stage in the process. Paul appeared to be doing exactly that. It helped that Paul spoke to a friendly crowd. The packed CPAC audience was noticeably different from the ones that filed in to watch other potential 2012 candidates such as Sens. HTed CruzH, R-Texas, and HMarco RubioH, R-Fla., and Gov. HChris ChristieH of New Jersey on Thursday. In fact, the usual clusters of Students for Liberty and the Campaign for Liberty activists traditionally at CPAC appeared to ignore the first day of the conference, and showed up for the second day. The disciplined fans of Paul filed in ahead of time, packing the hall for former Sen. HRick SantorumH's speech as well as the speech of the HAmerican Conservative UnionH's Al

Cardenas. Campaign props are no longer allowed in the CPAC ballrooms but Paul fans were easily spotted in the crowd wearing red "Stand With Rand" t-shirts and stickers. Paul's speech Friday represented the coalition he believes will help leverage the Republican party back to victory: Traditional conservative activists that file into these political conferences each year, combined with the large group of young libertarian types that only show up for their favorite liberty-loving politicians.
vii

Rand Paul on Abortion

Click here for H6 full quotes on AbortionH OR Hbackground on AbortionH.

Thousands of exceptions follow from maternal health. (May 2013) Coarsening of our culture led to 50 million unborn deaths. (Sep 2012) My opponents call me libertarian but I'm pro-life. (Feb 2011) Life begins at conception. (Jul 2010) HOpposesH federal abortion funding. (Aug 2010) Prohibit federal funding for abortion. (May 2011)

Rand Paul on Budget & Economy

Click here for H24 full quotes on Budget & EconomyH OR Hbackground on Budget & EconomyH.

The sequester is the law of the land: can't compromise on it. (Oct 2013) We cannot continue to borrow $50,000 per second. (Mar 2013) Sequester doesn't cut spending; it just slows rate of growth. (Mar 2013) FactCheck: US borrowing $30,000 per second, not $50,000. (Feb 2013) Borrowing $50,000 per second is not sustainable. (Feb 2013) America needs Adam Smith, not Robin Hood. (Feb 2013) Penny Plan: Each $1 by one penny & balance budget by 2019. (Feb 2013) Keep the sequester, and increase it to $4T. (Feb 2013) Not every military dollar is necessary,nor every entitlement. (Aug 2012) Roll back federal spending to 2008 levels. (Jan 2012) We are borrowing $40,000 per second. (Jan 2012) Government not serious about controlling spending. (Feb 2011) Larger government is not a solution for economy. (Feb 2011) Bank bailout represented everything wrong with Washington. (Feb 2011) Debt crisis is approaching a point of no return. (Feb 2011) Bank bailout was bad policy & helped no banks in KY. (Oct 2010) No federal bailouts of private industry. (Jul 2010) Demand a Balanced Budget amendment. (Jul 2010) Limit federal spending growth to per-capita inflation rate. (Jul 2010) Sponsored bill increasing debt limit to $16.7 trillion. (Jul 2011) Supports the Cut-Cap-and-Balance Pledge. (Jan 2012) Disapprove of increasing the debt limit. (Jan 2012) Sponsored auditing the Fed & its actions on mortgage loans. (Feb 2013) Endorsed Liberty Candidate: End the Federal Reserve. (Sep 2010)

Rand Paul on Civil Rights

Click here for H8 full quotes on Civil RightsH OR Hbackground on Civil RightsH.

Redefining marriage leads to economic and moral problems. (Jun 2013) No national law on same-sex marriage; leave it to states. (May 2013) Let states decide same-sex marriage; don't federalize it. (Mar 2013) Illegal to impose racial segregation in the private sector. (May 2010) Opposes same-sex marriage. (Nov 2009) Voted NO on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. (Feb 2013) HOpposesH affirmative action. (Aug 2010) HSupportsH Amendment to prevent same sex marriage. (Aug 2010)

Rand Paul on Corporations

Click here for H5 full quotes on CorporationsH OR Hbackground on CorporationsH.

Cut corporate tax in half to create millions of jobs. (Feb 2013) Punishing the rich means the poor lose their jobs. (Aug 2012) Obama's "You didn't build that" insults American workers. (Aug 2012) Expand lending caps for credit unions to small business. (Mar 2012) Rated 14% by HUFCWH, indicating a pro-management voting record. (May 2012)

Rand Paul on Crime

Click here for H2 full quotes on CrimeH OR Hbackground on CrimeH.

Defend trial by jury & oppose unlawful searches. (Feb 2013) Stop over-criminalization in vague laws like Lacey Act. (Sep 2012)

Rand Paul on Drugs

Click here for H6 full quotes on DrugsH OR Hbackground on DrugsH.

Don't promote marijuana but don't jail non-violent criminals. (Mar 2013) Tackle drug problem; no one cares where funding comes from. (Oct 2010) Community treatment instead of federal anti-drug programs. (Aug 2010) Drug abuse isn't a pressing issue; 10-20 years is too harsh. (Aug 2010) Favors legalizing medical marijuana. (May 2010) Exclude industrial hemp from definition of marijuana. (Aug 2012)

Rand Paul on Education

Click here for H2 full quotes on EducationH OR Hbackground on EducationH.

Allow school choice for everyone, white, brown, or black. (Feb 2013) Support homeschooling and parental responsibility. (Jul 2010)

Rand Paul on Energy & Oil

Click here for H9 full quotes on Energy & OilH OR Hbackground on Energy & OilH.

Unelected EPA should not regulate greenhouse emissions. (Oct 2010) Energy crisis stems from too much government intervention. (Jul 2010) Voted YES on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases. (Apr 2011) Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by HAFPH. (Nov 2010) HSupportsH renewable energy tax credits. (Aug 2010) Cap-and-trade has no impact on global temperatures. (Jul 2010) Explore proven energy reserves & keep energy prices low. (Jul 2010) Let states lease energy rights on federal lands. (Jun 2013) Endorsed Liberty Candidate: tax incentives for US-based alternatives. (Sep 2010)

Rand Paul on Environment

Click here for H2 full quotes on EnvironmentH OR Hbackground on EnvironmentH.

Voted NO on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. (May 2013) Rated 20% by HHSLFH, indicating an anti-animal welfare voting record. (Jan 2012)

Rand Paul on Families & Children

Click here for Hbackground on Families & ChildrenH.

No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Rand Paul on Foreign Policy

Click here for H5 full quotes on Foreign PolicyH OR Hbackground on Foreign PolicyH.

Against terror but first comes preserving the Constitution. (Jul 2013) As only democracy in Mideast, Israel is important ally. (Feb 2011) Exit the UN; maintain US sovereignty. (Nov 2010) Rated 0 by HAAIH, indicating a mixed Arab/Palestine voting record. (May 2012) Endorsed Liberty Candidate: US abroad unconstitutional & unaffordable. (Sep 2010)

Rand Paul on Free Trade

Click here for Hbackground on Free TradeH.

No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Rand Paul on Government Reform

Click here for H11 full quotes on Government ReformH OR Hbackground on Government ReformH.

Term limits if budget can't get balanced. (Feb 2013) Conservatives should criticize GOP when they grow government. (Feb 2012) Our legislative victory: an end to earmarks. (Jan 2012) Federal contracts should include no-PAC clauses. (Feb 2011) Instead of bringing home the bacon, bring home politicians. (Feb 2011) FactCheck: No, Kagan never she'd regulate vegetable eating. (Feb 2011) Lobbyists' sole goal is to rip you off. (Jul 2010) No Pork Pledge: decrease earmarking; increase transparency. (Aug 2010) Identify constitutionality in every new congressional bill. (Jul 2010) Audit federal agencies, to reform or eliminate them. (Jul 2010) Moratorium on all earmarks until budget is balanced. (Jul 2010)

Rand Paul on Gun Control

Click here for H8 full quotes on Gun ControlH OR Hbackground on Gun ControlH.

Don't let the liberals tread on the Second Amendment. (Feb 2013) Patriot Act violates your gun rights. (Feb 2011) 2nd amendment is only as good as the fourth amendment. (Sep 2010) Supports 2nd amendment; vote against restricting handguns. (Jul 2010) Voted NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets. (Apr 2013) HOpposesH restrictions on the right to bear arms. (Aug 2010) Rated AQ by the HNRAH, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record. (Aug 2010) Endorsed Liberty Candidate: no point in keeping guns you can't access. (Sep 2010)

Rand Paul on Health Care

Click here for H10 full quotes on Health CareH OR Hbackground on Health CareH.

ObamaCare cuts hundreds of choices down to just four. (Nov 2013) It's Congress' job to fight to change ObamaCare. (Oct 2013) ObamaCare is still unconstitutional, despite Supreme Court. (Aug 2012) Restrain ObamaCare from using Commerce Clause. (Feb 2011) Obamacare will cost $3T & health insurance still goes up 15%. (Oct 2010) Replace over-regulation with free market principles. (Jul 2010) Voted NO on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts. (May 2011) HOpposesH government-run healthcare. (Aug 2010) Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market. (Jul 2010) Repeal any federal health care takeover. (Jul 2010)

Rand Paul on Homeland Security

Click here for H17 full quotes on Homeland SecurityH OR Hbackground on Homeland SecurityH.

Allow challenges to NSA in open court, not FISA court. (Nov 2013) Give trials to Guantanamo detainees. (May 2013) Filibuster to establish no drones on citizens in America. (Mar 2013) 13-hour filibuster against drone strikes targeting Americans. (Mar 2013) Only Judiciary can detain and drone, not the President. (Mar 2013) Cut defense spending as part of cutting all federal spending. (Jan 2012) The Patriot Act is intrusive; it's what the Founders feared. (Feb 2011) Put defense spending on the table for reducing budget. (Feb 2011) Defense should be largest part of much smaller budget. (Feb 2011) How much of what is spent on defense is actual "defense"? (Feb 2011) Remove waste from last decade's doubling of military budget. (Feb 2011) Warrantless searches overstep Constitutional powers. (Sep 2010) Treat armed service members like heroes. (Jul 2010) Defense policy is influenced by the makers of weapons. (Feb 2010) Voted NO on extending the PATRIOT Act's roving wiretaps. (Feb 2011) HSupportsH banning homosexuals in the military. (Aug 2010) Sponsored opposing the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty. (Mar 2013)

Rand Paul on Immigration

Click here for H6 full quotes on ImmigrationH OR Hbackground on ImmigrationH.

Legal status, but not citizenship, for illegal immigrants. (Mar 2013) We will find a place for illegal immigrants in America. (Mar 2013) Replace de facto amnesty with bipartisan reform. (Mar 2013) See immigrants as assets, not liabilities. (Feb 2013) Obamacare treats illegal aliens because it's illegal to ask. (Oct 2010) No amnesty; respect the law. (Jul 2010)

Rand Paul on Jobs

Click here for Hbackground on JobsH.

No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

Rand Paul on Principles & Values

Click here for H16 full quotes on Principles & ValuesH OR Hbackground on Principles & ValuesH.

We don't need new principles, just to stand by those we have. (Mar 2013) America's exceptionalism is notion that all should be free. (Feb 2013) I am a Christian but not always a good one. (Sep 2012) Sometimes evil people win, and saintly heroes are martyred. (Sep 2012) Wife Kelley gave Randal Paul his nickname "Rand". (Feb 2011) My victory was part of a much larger Tea Party movement. (Feb 2011) Being Ron Paul's son means being unique-minded independent. (Feb 2011) Met Wife Kelley at age 26 in Atlanta. (Feb 2011) Moved to wife's home in Kentucky & raised three boys. (Feb 2011) Accused of belonging to secret society NoZe Brotherhood. (Oct 2010) I'm "a pro-life Christian"; denies worshiping "Aqua Buddha". (Oct 2010) This is not Wendell Ford's seat; it's the people's seat. (Oct 2010) This election really is about the president's agenda. (Oct 2010) A career doctor, not a career politician. (Jul 2010) Son of Rep. Ron Paul; endorsed by Sarah Palin. (Apr 2010)

Rand Paul on Social Security

Click here for H6 full quotes on Social SecurityH OR Hbackground on Social SecurityH.

Raise the retirement age to deal with Baby Boomers. (Feb 2011) Raise retirement age gradually; allow opting out. (Feb 2011) I've never challenged constitutionality of Social Security. (Oct 2010) Raise the retirement age for people under age 55. (Oct 2010) Social Security is a Ponzi scheme. (Aug 2010) HSupportsH private retirement accounts. (Aug 2010)

Rand Paul on Tax Reform

Click here for H10 full quotes on Tax ReformH OR Hbackground on Tax ReformH.

Stand firm and say NO to any MORE tax hikes!. (Feb 2013) Opposed to increasing taxes during recession. (Feb 2011) Joe Taxpayer gets stuck with the bill for budget deficit. (Feb 2011) Balanced budget amendment to pay to extend $4T Bush tax cuts. (Oct 2010) Lower taxes encourage spending, saving, and investing. (Jul 2010) Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes. (Aug 2010) HSupportsH flat-rate federal tax; opposes increased tax rates. (Aug 2010) Adopt a single-rate tax system. (Jul 2010) Repeal tax hikes in capital gains and death taxes. (Jul 2010) Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge. (Jan 2012)

Rand Paul on Technology

Click here for H3 full quotes on TechnologyH OR Hbackground on TechnologyH.

I don't mind spying on terrorists, but not on all Americans. (Jul 2013) FactCheck: Free "Obama phones" actually started in 1984. (Feb 2013) Voted NO on authorizing states to collect Internet sales taxes. (May 2013)

Rand Paul on War & Peace

Click here for H6 full quotes on War & PeaceH OR Hbackground on War & PeaceH.

No involvement in Syria, even if gas attack proven. (Sep 2013) No US interests in either side of Syrian war. (Sep 2013) No US weapons to kill Christians in Syria. (Aug 2013) It is unacceptable not to hate war. (Sep 2012) Opposed to Iraq War; no direct threat & no declared war. (Feb 2011) Would have voted against a declaration of war against Iraq. (Feb 2010)

Rand Paul on Welfare & Poverty

Click here for Hbackground on Welfare & PovertyH.

No issue stance yet recorded by OnTheIssues.org.

VoteMatch Responses H(Click here for VoteMatch quiz)H

VoteMatch Question & Answer

(Click on question for explanation and background)

(Click on topic for excerpt & citation)

Based on these stances:

Strongly Opposes topic 1: HAbortion is a woman's unrestricted rightH

(-5 points on Social scale)

Thousands of exceptions follow from maternal health: HOpposes topic 1H Coarsening of our culture led to 50 million unborn deaths: HStrongly Opposes topic 1H My opponents call me libertarian but I'm pro-life: HStrongly Opposes topic 1H Life begins at conception: HOpposes topic 1H HOpposesH federal abortion funding: HOpposes topic
1H topic 1H

Prohibit federal funding for abortion: HStrongly Opposes

Strongly Opposes topic 2: HLegally require hiring women & minoritiesH

(+5 points on Economic scale)

Illegal to impose racial segregation in the private sector: HOpposes topic 2H HOpposesH affirmative action: HStrongly Opposes topic
2H

NO on reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act: HOpposes topic 2H

Opposes topic 3: HComfortable with samesex marriageH

(-3 points on Social scale)

Redefining marriage leads to economic and moral problems: HStrongly Opposes topic 3H No national law on same-sex marriage; leave it to states: HFavors topic 3H Let states decide same-sex marriage; don't federalize it: HFavors topic 3H Opposes same-sex marriage: HOpposes topic 3H HSupportsH Amendment to prevent same sex marriage: HStrongly Opposes topic 3H HSupportsH banning homosexuals in the military:
HStrongly Opposes topic 3H

No opinion on topic 4: HKeep God in the public sphereH

(0 points on Social scale)

(No votes on which to base response)

Strongly Opposes topic 5: HExpand ObamaCareH

(+5 points on Economic scale)

ObamaCare cuts hundreds of choices down to just four: HOpposes topic 5H ObamaCare is still unconstitutional, despite Supreme Court: HStrongly Opposes topic 5H Restrain ObamaCare from using Commerce Clause: HOpposes topic 5H Obamacare will cost $3T & health insurance still goes up 15%: HStrongly Opposes topic 5H Replace over-regulation with free market principles: HStrongly Opposes topic 5H HOpposesH government-run healthcare: HStrongly Defund, repeal, & replace federal care with free market: HStrongly Opposes topic 5H Repeal any federal health care takeover: HStrongly NO on the Ryan Budget: Medicare choice, tax & spending cuts: HFavors topic 5H
Opposes topic 5H Opposes topic 5H

Favors topic 6: HPrivatize Social SecurityH

(+2 points on Economic scale)

Raise the retirement age to deal with Baby Boomers: HOpposes topic 6H Raise retirement age gradually; allow opting out: HFavors topic 6H Social Security is a Ponzi scheme: HStrongly Favors topic 6H HSupportsH private retirement accounts: HStrongly
Favors topic 6H

Strongly Favors topic 7: HVouchers for school choiceH

(+5 points on Economic scale)

Allow school choice for everyone, white, brown, or black: HStrongly Favors topic 7H Support homeschooling and parental responsibility: HStrongly Favors topic 7H

Favors topic 8: HHuman needs over animal rightsH

(-3 points on Social scale)

NO on protecting ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems: HFavors topic 8H

Strongly Opposes topic 9: HStricter punishment reduces crimeH

(+5 points on Social scale)

Defend trial by jury & oppose unlawful searches: HStrongly Opposes topic 9H Stop over-criminalization in vague laws like Lacey Act: HOpposes topic 9H Don't let the liberals tread on the Second Amendment: HStrongly Favors topic 10H Supports 2nd amendment; vote against restricting handguns: HStrongly Favors topic 10H HOpposesH restrictions on the right to bear arms:
HStrongly Favors topic 10H

Strongly Favors topic 10: HAbsolute right to gun ownershipH

(+5 points on Economic scale)

Rated AQ by the HNRAH, indicating a pro-gun rights voting record: HStrongly Favors topic 10H Endorsed Liberty Candidate: no point in keeping guns you can't access: HStrongly Favors topic 10H NO on banning high-capacity magazines of over 10 bullets: HStrongly Favors topic 10H Strongly Opposes topic 11: HHigher taxes on the wealthyH
(+5 points on Economic scale)

Cut corporate tax in half to create millions of jobs: HStrongly Opposes topic 11H Stand firm and say NO to any MORE tax hikes!: HStrongly Opposes topic 11H Opposed to increasing taxes during recession: HOpposes topic 11H Lower taxes encourage spending, saving, and investing: HStrongly Opposes topic 11H Taxpayer Protection Pledge: no new taxes: HStrongly HSupportsH flat-rate federal tax; opposes increased tax rates: HStrongly Opposes topic 11H Adopt a single-rate tax system: HStrongly Opposes topic Repeal tax hikes in capital gains and death taxes:
HStrongly Opposes topic 11H Opposes topic 11H 11H Opposes topic 11H

Supports the Taxpayer Protection Pledge: HStrongly

Favors topic 12: HPathway to citizenship for illegal aliensH

(+2 points on Social scale)

Legal status, but not citizenship, for illegal immigrants: HFavors topic 12H We will find a place for illegal immigrants in America: HStrongly Favors topic 12H Replace de facto amnesty with bipartisan reform: HFavors topic 12H See immigrants as assets, not liabilities: HStrongly Favors topic 12H No amnesty; respect the law: HStrongly Opposes topic 12H

13: HSupport & expand free tradeH

(0 points on Economic scale)

No opinion on topic (No votes on which to base response)

Strongly Favors topic 14: HMaintain US sovereignty from UNH

(+5 points on Social scale)

Sponsored opposing the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty: HStrongly Favors topic 14H

Opposes topic 15: HExpand the militaryH

(+2 points on Social scale)

Not every military dollar is necessary,nor every entitlement: HOpposes topic 15H Put defense spending on the table for reducing budget: HStrongly Opposes topic 15H Defense should be largest part of much smaller budget: HFavors topic 15H How much of what is spent on defense is actual "defense"?: HStrongly Opposes topic 15H Remove waste from last decade's doubling of military budget: HOpposes topic 15H Treat armed service members like heroes: HStrongly Favors topic 15H Defense policy is influenced by the makers of weapons: HStrongly Opposes topic 15H

Favors topic 16: HStricter limits on political campaign fundsH

(-3 points on Economic scale)

Federal contracts should include no-PAC clauses: HFavors topic 16H Lobbyists' sole goal is to rip you off: HFavors topic 16H Opposed to Iraq War; no direct threat & no declared war: HStrongly Favors topic 17H Would have voted against a declaration of war against Iraq: HStrongly Favors topic 17H Endorsed Liberty Candidate: US abroad unconstitutional & unaffordable: HOpposes topic 17H Energy crisis stems from too much government intervention: HOpposes topic 18H Signed the No Climate Tax Pledge by HAFPH:
HStrongly Opposes topic 18H

Favors topic 17: HStay out of IranH

(+2 points on Social scale)

Opposes topic 18: HPrioritize green energyH

(+2 points on Economic scale)

HSupportsH renewable energy tax credits: HStrongly

Favors topic 18H

Cap-and-trade has no impact on global temperatures: HStrongly Opposes topic 18H Explore proven energy reserves & keep energy prices low: HOpposes topic 18H Let states lease energy rights on federal lands:
HStrongly Opposes topic 18H

Endorsed Liberty Candidate: tax incentives for USbased alternatives: HOpposes topic 18H YES on barring EPA from regulating greenhouse gases: HOpposes topic 18H Opposes topic 19: HNever legalize marijuanaH
(+2 points on Social scale)

Don't promote marijuana but don't jail nonviolent criminals: HStrongly Favors topic 19H Community treatment instead of federal anti-drug programs: HOpposes topic 19H Drug abuse isn't a pressing issue; 10-20 years is too harsh: HOpposes topic 19H Favors legalizing medical marijuana: HStrongly Opposes topic 19H Exclude industrial hemp from definition of marijuana: HOpposes topic 19H

Opposes topic 20: HStimulus better than market-led recoveryH

(-3 points on Economic scale)

The sequester is the law of the land: can't compromise on it: HOpposes topic 20H Government not serious about controlling spending: HOpposes topic 20H Debt crisis is approaching a point of no return: HStrongly Opposes topic 20H Limit federal spending growth to per-capita inflation rate: HStrongly Opposes topic 20H Sponsored bill increasing debt limit to $16.7 trillion: Supports the Cut-Cap-and-Balance Pledge:
HOpposes topic 20H HStrongly Favors topic 20H

Expand lending caps for credit unions to small business: HFavors topic 20H Disapprove of increasing the debt limit: HOpposes
topic 20H

Rated 14% by HUFCWH, indicating a promanagement voting record: HOpposes topic 20H Sponsored auditing the Fed & its actions on mortgage loans: HOpposes topic 20H

Rand Paul is a Conservative-Leaning Libertarian. Click here for Hexplanation of political philosophy.H Click here for HVoteMatch quiz.H

via http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm