Rand Paul Is the King of CPAC

http://www.nationaljournal.com ^ | 03-07-2014 | By Sarah Mimms

[Red Badger]

One year after his filibuster, the Paul love at CPAC is stronger than ever.

NATIONAL HARBOR, Md.—A year after his 13-hour filibuster won the hearts of young conservatives just a week ahead of the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference, the fandom for Sen. Rand Paul here has only grown.

Paul gave a speech Friday before the first standing-room-only crowd at the conference so far, asking a cheering audience, "Will you, America's next generation of liberty-lovers, will you stand and be heard?"

Following his typical style, Paul's speech focused largely on personal freedom, the Fourth Amendment, and rights he alleged are being usurped by the Obama administration, while avoiding the tricky topic of foreign policy, where his libertarian views are not as widely accepted by conservatives here.

Paul's biggest applause line of the afternoon—the biggest applause line at CPAC so far—came during his discussion of what he perceived as President Obama's failures, particularly at the National Security Agency. "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," he said to loud cheers.

Paul continued an assault on Obama's record, getting laughs when he asked how history will remember the president, and later quoting Pink Floyd frontman Roger Waters in asking whether former supporters of the president now believed they had "trade[d] your heroes for your ghosts? … Did they get you to exchange a walk-on part in the war for a lead role in a cage?"

"I don't question President Obama's motives," Paul added, "but history will remember his timid defense of liberty."

Like his father, who was known to pack conservative conferences with supporters, the younger Paul has shown a striking ability to bring in engaged activists. In the packed hallways of the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center over the last two days, the bright red-and-black "Stand With Rand" gear easily overshadows the few dozen Ted Cruz stickers and Ben Carson buttons adorning attendees' lapels.

Paul's team didn't have its own booth at CPAC this year, but the Young Americans for Liberty—which sold "I Stand With Rand" shirts and gave away stickers and posters—was easily the most crowded of the booths at this year's event, with dozens of largely young conservatives waiting patiently in line for their Rand gear throughout the conference up to now. Another group installed a life-sized cutout of the senator for photo ops, an honor that was only accorded to Paul and William F. Buckley.

Young Americans for Liberty Executive Director Jeff Frazee said that the booth was even more packed than at last year's event. The group gave away each and every one of the 1,100 T-shirts they brought with them by early Friday afternoon, Frazee said. The group's goal before the event was to sell 250 CPAC tickets through their website, he added. They sold more than 460.

Posters aren't allowed into the main ballroom where Paul took the stage Friday afternoon, but even an hour before his speech more than 30 "Stand With Rand" signs were lying on the floor outside the entrance, having been confiscated by security staff. Several made it into the room, though, thanks in part to a few Young Americans for Liberty volunteers who guided activists in how best to hide their signs to hold up during the speech.

Paul's book is easily the best-selling title this year, according to volunteers manning CPAC's bookstore, and his book-signing event Friday afternoon was crowded with activists dressed in full "Stand With Rand" gear.

And stand they did. As Paul wrapped up on Friday, he reminded the audience of his popular filibuster to a standing ovation. "It's a time for boldness and action. The time is now. Stand with me, stand together for liberty," he said, before exiting the stage.

[2ndDivisionVet]

The King and Queen of CPAC.

[harpu]

AMEN!!

What's this Rand Paul thing all about?

[Linda Frances]

Rand Paul is a Mcconnell lackey. It’s those little things that tell us who you are rand.

[Sirius Lee]

I’d probably vote for Paul if he won the primary, but my Number 1 and 2 choices are depicted in your previous post.

[chris37]

What’s CPAC?

Does CPAC get my vote?

Does Rand Paul get my vote?

I’m king of my vote.

[Jim Robinson]

Rand Paul showed his true colors early on. Amnesty and the GOPe’s McConnell.

[mrsmith]

A libertarian whose number one concern isn’t the national debt is a fool.

[2ndDivisionVet]

His father’s zealots have switched their allegiance to the son, as far as I can tell.

[Red White and Blue patriot]

Paul is down my list of GOP candidates, but I would vote for him over Christie or certainly Hillary any day.

[mulligan]

Another loser.

[Cicero]

In the first place, CPAC is doubtfully conservative. Last time around, they came out in favor of gay marriage.

As for Rand Paul, Ron Paul always used to be very popular with CPAC—because he bused in hundreds of young followers, who were mostly there because he supported legalizing pot.

I imagine it’s the same crowd again.

[Responsibility2nd]

Rand Paul Is the King of CPAC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Who wrote this article? Rand’s press agent?

Sheesh.

[re_nortex]

Rand Paul showed his true colors early on.

And more recently, on September 18, 2013, Rand Paul uttered these very words to the Senate Judiciary Committee:

And I think what a tragedy it would it would have been if he [Hussein Obama] had gone to prison. What a tragedy it would have been that America wouldn't have gotten to see Barack Obama as a leader.

No, I'm not making this up nor is it taken out of context. See the unaltered video here and hear his repulsive words at the 4:50 mark. Anyone who thinks it's a tragedy that Hussein Obama isn't in prison is simply not a Patriot. And for Rand Paul (like father, like son) to characterize Hussein Obama as a "leader" is beyond the pale.

[SharpRightTurn]

Rand, I like you but your support for amnesty is a deal killer.

I stand with Ted.

[trisham]

Holy cow.

[re_nortex]

I’m hoping that someone with more gravitas and seniority than I can post this as an attention-grabbing News/Activism article. Anyone with even the slightest inclination to support Ron’s little boy Rand Paul, need to watch and listen to that video. Rand Paul’s defending of Hussein Obama — whatever the venue — is an absolute deal breaker.

[SoConPubbie]

So the guy that wants to pass his own Amnesty plan is the King of CPAC?

Don't think so Tim!

Here are the links, from last year, where Rand Paul clearly lays out his own Amnesty plan for 2 million illegals per year, based on a "Certification" from a Pro-Amnesty congress that the border is "secure". No Fence, No E-Verify, No punishments for ID Fraud, and all the other misdemeanors and felonies committed by the Undocumented Democrats he wants to pardon.

Sen. Rand Paul: Trust but verify on immigration reform (Feburary 8th, 2013)

Rand Paul’s “Undocumented Citizens” Path to Legality (and Citizenship) (March 20, 2013)

Rand Paul calls on conservatives to embrace immigration reform (March 19, 2013 Article)

Rand Paul's presence-and-jobs amnesty -- WITHOUT E-Verify


No, America Does Not Have “De Facto Amnesty”

GOP's Rand Paul, Dems' Luis Gutierrez in step on immigration reform

Rand Paul: Pathway To Citizenship Is Needed, E-Verify Is Not

Rand Paul On Illegals: Trust But Verify

Steve Deace – Et Tu, Rand Paul?

Paul: Republican Party in Need of Facelift

[trisham]

I have no gravitas or seniority, so I hope that some kind person will take you up on that.

[be-baw]

His father’s zealots have switched their allegiance to the son,as far as I can tell.

I agree. Plus, he seems to be making a more concerted effort to attract younger voters than other candidates, and is not afraid to speak to minority groups. Speaking truth to Bill Clinton being a sexual predator is uncommonly daring, and it will be interesting to see how the Clinton camp retaliates. You know they will.