40th Conservative Political Action Conference  ...Next >
March 14, 2013--Sen. Rand Paul (KY) arrived carrying a couple of notebooks.  Alluding to his recent filibuster over the issue of domestic drone strikes, Paul remarked, "Now I was told I've got ten measly minutes, but just in case I've got thirteen hours of information."  In his speech [prepared remarks], Paul outlined a path forward for the Republicans.  "The Republican Party has to change by going forward to the classical and timeless ideas enshrined in our Constitution," Paul stated. 

"We must stand for something so powerful and so popular that it brings together people from the left and the right and the middle.  We need a Republican Party that shows up on the Southside of Chicago and shouts at the top of our lungs ‘We are the party of jobs and opportunity.  The GOP is the ticket to the middle class.’  The GOP of old has grown stale and moss-covered--I don’t think we need to name any names here, do we?  Our party is encumbered by an inconsistent approach to freedom.  The new GOP will need to embrace liberty in both the economic and personal sphere."  >
 
Unlike most of the potential 2016 candidates who spoke at CPAC, Paul's appearance had the trappings of a campaign event.  His supporters were equipped with "Stand with Rand" signs, shirts and lapel stickers.  

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