Will Rand Paul alienate Independents?

Rand PaulRand Paul, son of Representative Ron Paul (R – TX), just won the Republican Primary for the Kentucky Senate seat. He embraces his father’s libertarian policies and as a political newcomer receives enormous support from the anti-incumbent movement. In addition to this, he also seems to become kind of a figurehead for the Tea Party.
His opponent, Attorney General Jack Conway, is no Washington insider, but already ran for federal office in 2002.

According to a recent poll by Daily Kos Paul’s major lead in the polls decreased to a mere three point lead, while 9 percent are still undecided.

This drop had a lot to do with Paul’s recent remarks.
He made the first one during his victory speech.

He claimed, that by attending the Copenhagen Climate Conference, President Obama give “credibility” to dictators like Mugabe and Chavez, and therefore should not have attended the conference.
His argument completely ignores the whole purpose of the conference, bringing all countries – this includes dictatorships – together. Without this precondition the whole conference would be pointless.

Another remark concerned the 1964 Civil Rights Act and its effect on business owners.
The media reacted really fast toward allegations that Rand Paul is against the Civil Rights Act and would rather see it repealed.

In this interview Paul did state, that he supports the Civil Rights Act and would have signed it into law, if he were a Senator at that time.
But he answered rather evasively, when asked whether he supports shop and club owners being allowed to segregate their customers.
He never clearly tells which opinion he has on that exact matter.

The final statement was an attack on President Obama. Paul found the President’s criticism of BP’s handling of the gulf oil spill “Un-American”.

This adds up to a bunch of remarks, alienating and frightening Independent voters.
The Rand Paul Campaign should make sure, that he sticks to his core policies – lower taxes, small government – in order to win this election.
His libertarian views will likely get him a lot of votes from his Republican base, but might also scare away Independent voters, he will need to defeat his Democratic opponent.
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  • spinnikerca

    That would be the pollster the Daily Kos is sueing for making things up, right?

    however, in answer to your question, only one candidate polled nationally has the support of independents. Ron Paul, Rand’s Dad. Check a recent head to head poll between Ron Paul and Obama by PPP and one by Rasmussen. (they differ on how close Ron Paul comes to winning but both agree Ron Paul dominates with independents.)

    I think independents are going to be delighted with Rand. Independent does not mean ‘moderate’. In fact, Gallup recently did a poll on this….