Posted on 04/03/2014 9:09:11 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
After a horde of Republican Presidential contenders from Gov. Chris Christie to Sen. Ted Cruz descended on Las Vegas to speak in front of the Republican Jewish Coalition — and kiss the ring of PAC billionaire benefactor Sheldon Adelson — one contender’s absence was noted.
Sen. Rand Paul was nowhere to be found. His positions on Israel, foreign aid, drone warfare and intervention make him unpalatable to this particular crowd.
GOP donors there were vocal in their opposition to Paul’s candidacy. According to Time magazine’s Zeke Miller, “Five donors huddled with a reporter pledged to reach into their deep pockets to ensure Paul doesn’t win the GOP nomination.”
And one put it this way: “The best thing that could happen is Ted Cruz and Rand Paul run and steal each other’s support, but if not, we’ll be ready to take Paul down.”
Former White House spokesman and Republican strategist Ari Fleischer — speaking for many of the establishment hawks who define the GOP — put it this way:
“His edges aren’t as sharp as his father’s (Rep. Ron Paul), but there’s still a naiveté that’s going to be a problem. He represents a departure from something a lot of Republicans are used to.”
Republicans — donors, strategists and voters alike — are right to worry about Paul’s outlier positions on foreign policy. In fact, he seems to be increasingly aware of the problem himself.
Adopting President Obama’s language on gay rights, he’s reportedly told GOP donors that he’s “evolving” on foreign policy and Israel, and softening his position against foreign aid. He has reached out to pro-Israel groups to begin a dialogue on those issues, both a recognition that he cannot tune out powerful constituencies and an acknowledgment that his positions may be problematic in 2016.
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
his positions on amnesty and sociial issues make him unelectable
“give me gay marriage, drugs, and open borders today, and I will gladly pay you with the end of welfare and social programs and liberal voters, on Tuesday”
bump
not on my very short list either
exactly
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.