Rand Paul for president?
The Tea Party favorite teases reporters with hints that he's considering a run for the nation's top job
Rand Paul, the newly-elected senator from Kentucky, is the latest Republican visiting three significant presidential primary states on a book tour, prompting speculation that he is mulling a White House bid. Paul visited South Carolina this week, and is due to visit Iowa on April 2 and New Hampshire on April 28. Quizzed on his intentions by the Charleston Post and Courier, Paul teasingly said: "The only decision I've made is I won't run against my dad." The elder Paul, of course, competed in the Republican primary race in 2008. Could his son be next?
Yes, he could be the Tea Party candidate: It's not inconceivable to imagine Paul making a run for president, says Joe Gandelman at The Moderate Voice. He would be guaranteed "solid Tea Party movement support," and he is "brimming with ideas." If nothing else, it would set up an "epic war within the GOP," with Paul the Tea Party candidate vs. the GOP's establishment candidate.
"Rand Paul pondering presidential run?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
No, because his dad will run: The likely outcome, says Garth Johnston at Gothamist, is that "the elder Paul will throw his hat in the ring again," and Rand will bow out. Just as well, given Rand's "close association with 9/11 conspiracy theorists" and his "aggressive" proposals to slash federal spending. Nonetheless, talk of a 2012 run "certainly won't hurt his book sales."
"Rand Paul, friend to 9/11 truthers, is thinking about 2012"
Prepare for Paul/Paul 2012: Here's what will really happen, says Dan Amira at New York. Rand will run, and will "promise to make Ron his running mate." The prospect of two Pauls on the ticket is "so enticing" that Rand wins the Republican primary season. "Then, both Pauls lose to Obama by 20 points."
"Presidential race will likely involve a Paul of some kind"
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Cure for Trump amnesia might be his NY trial'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Tesla cuts prices in 'intensifying' EV war
Speed Read Electric vehicle giant has struggled in the face of weakening demand, competition from China and technical setbacks
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay: unwind at this picture-perfect resort
The Week Recommends The retreat that's ideal for recharging your batteries while experiencing life on an Indonesian island
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
Arizona court reinstates 1864 abortion ban
Speed Read The law makes all abortions illegal in the state except to save the mother's life
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The debate about Biden's age and mental fitness
In Depth Some critics argue Biden is too old to run again. Does the argument have merit?
By Grayson Quay Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Rwanda plan is less a deterrent and more a bluff'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By The Week UK Published
-
Henry Kissinger dies aged 100: a complicated legacy?
Talking Point Top US diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner remembered as both foreign policy genius and war criminal
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Last updated
-
Trump’s rhetoric: a shift to 'straight-up Nazi talk'
Why everyone's talking about Would-be president's sinister language is backed by an incendiary policy agenda, say commentators
By The Week UK Published
-
More covfefe: is the world ready for a second Donald Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question Republican's re-election would be a 'nightmare' scenario for Europe, Ukraine and the West
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published