Rand Paul’s Endorsement of Mitt Romney

By on June 11, 2012 in News 16

Via Media Roots:

In a surprising turn of events last Thursday, Senator Rand Paul came out on the Sean Hannity show on Fox News to make a special announcement: his endorsement for GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney. The announcement was a blow to the Ron Paul liberty movement who are still rallying for Ron Paul until the very end of the game. Despite his statement of concession in a recent newsletter, many die hard Ron Paul fans are still hoping that there’s a chance for him to win the nomination with unbound delegates in Tampa.

But what does it say when his own son comes out to endorse his rival? Many are theorizing that the endorsement signifies Rand Paul “selling out” to the war mongering establishment that has worked to shut out his father’s libertarian ideals for so long. Others are stating that it’s simply a political strategy to bring the liberty ideas into the mainstream. I explore the issue in three segments below for RT TV, all with varying guest opinions and theories:

Jack Hunter, official blogger for Ron Paul 2012, argues that the endorsement of Romney was a smart political move by Rand:

Lew Rockwell of the Ludwig Von Mises Institute talks about the need to work outside the system to effect change:

Even though Ron Paul himself sent out a concession letter admitting to not having enough delegates to win the nomination, Paco Elijah of Occupy the Media and Robert Vaughn, CA coordinator for Ron Paul’s campaign, argue that Ron Paul still has a chance to win.

The political establishment has proven itself time and time again to represent the corporate bottom line of profit maximization, despite the consequences for humanity. Voting is important, a civic duty if you will, but it is literally the least thing everyone can do to participate. The votes that truly matter happen in our daily actions: the way we choose to live our lives, the businesses we support and don’t support, the dialogue we engage in with our community. Finding and voicing your passion will impact the world more than casting a ballot into a flawed political system ever will.

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  • http://www.ContraControl.com/ Zenc

    The Liberty crowd don’t take to kindly to turncoats and generally have lots of guns.

    Rand needs to be careful that he doesn’t fool around and make himself a marked man.

    I would truly hate to see that, as I admire his father Ron Paul, even though I don’t generally agree with him.

  • mysophobe

    Everything is going according to plan. The second half of Ron Paul’s 2012 campaign
    was always a back-door deal to cement his son’s future within the Republican party. Note how Ron Paul became a Romney apologist, advocate and attack dog half way through the debates. A Romney cabinet level position is in Rand’s future if Romney wins. Paul supporters were simply used as leverage in the old-school Washington power play of a cynical old man on his way out of this world. Now go vote for Romney like obedient little soldiers, the good doctor says so.

    • Liam_McGonagle

      While I don’t really think Romney’s stupid enough to give an imbecile like Rand Paul anything more than usher duty at the inaugural ball, the big picture you paint looks just about right.

      • Apathesis

         If Rand is an imbecile, what does that make Romney?

        • Redacted

          A double imbecile.

          • Apathesis

             Sounds about right.

        • Liam_McGonagle

          Not sure where you’re coming from.  Surely you do not intend to suggest that Rand Paul is just bursting wi’ brains.  If you do, this conversation was over the moment you started it.

          If, however, you merely wish to observe that Romney is not so impressive a figure, I would agree.  You don’t have to be smart to be a millionaire, just lucky.  I’d give Romney a few extra points for raw animal cunning, but he doesn’t come anywhere near “Thoughtful” or “Profound”.

          Lucky for both of them, all you need to make it in this society is a streak of atavistic brutality.  Brains optional.

          • Apathesis

             I don’t like either, and I certainly disdain Romney for what he did here in Massachusetts with the Assault Weapons Ban.

            Rand is certainly dangerous himself for not believing governments should regulate businesses.  Who will?  Private enterprises?

            Just curious why more hatred is directed at both Pauls and not Romney.

          • Liam_McGonagle

            Forgot to check the hate-o-meter.

            Almost my whole family are Tea Baggers.  It is a contempt born from familiarity.

            Not that I haven’t met my share of Romneys, but I’ve never been forced to endures holidays with one. 

            [shudder].

          • Apathesis

            Sounds awful.  I know what it’s like to disagree with family on almost everything.

            So who are you (not) voting for?  Voting seems hopeless.  Everyone votes for the same criminals year in and year out.  My state reps voted for the NDAA.  I’m disgusted with the state of Massachusetts.

  • Jay

    Romney is a lying, vote-stealing thug; and Rand just sold out his own father to support a lying, vote-stealing, big-government, establishment Republican.

    Rand = Romney

  • Nunzio X

    I think we’re missing the important point in all this, which is:

    Isn’t Abby Martin undeniably porkable?

    • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

      Finally
      the insight is so apropos
      that even those with IQz above Rand Paul’s
      will fail to nail the insightful significance.
      But is she hairy?
      That could be a Buzz kill.

  • Lifobryan

    SCENE:  “The Betrayal”

    Rand Paul is in the foreground. RACK FOCUS to a campaign photo of Dad on the wall behind him. Rand looks wistful, rubs his forehead, and takes a deep breath.

    THEN: With a trembling hand, Rand snatches up his cell phone phone, pauses oh so briefly, but then taps out a number quickly on the key pad. 

    CUT TO: Mitt Romney behind a large mahogany desk, stroking a white cat that sits on his lap. Romney pours a non-alcoholic brandy into a non-glass glass . 

    A speaker phone on the big desk suddenly jolts to life with an electronic ringtone version of “Money” by Pink Floyd. Romney casually flicks a button on the phone. 

    ROMNEY: “Mitt here.”

    RAND (voice crackling over the speaker): “Okay you motherfucker …. it’s yours. The fucking endorsement is yours, godammmit. I hope you rot in hell Romney.” (Rand begins weeping). “My father will never, ever forgive this ….”

    ROMNEY: “Thank you Rand. You’ve done the right thing. Your father will understand …. eventually. This is bigger than all of us. Country first, right? Thanks kid, couldn’t do it without you. How does Secretary of Commerce sound to you? Not seizure prone, by any chance?”  

    Romney flicks off the speaker phone, and finishes pouring his non-drink drink.

    Dramatic Plot Point: 

    CAMERA PULLS OUT to reveal Ron Paul seated across the desk from Romney. 

    Dramatic music & a trippy zoom lens effect.

    ROMNEY: Good kid you got there, Ron. Join me in a drink?

    RON: Never touch the stuff. You promised me some pussy.

    Romney hands the white cat across the desk. 

    RON: Mmmmm. Pussy. 

  • http://buzzcoastin.posterous.com BuzzCoastin

     What!?!?!!
    An insider/outsider endorses the insider’s insider as opposed to outsider/insider dad?!.
    Who woulda thunk it?!~

    Ron Paul should be tarred and feathered for
    helping perpetrate the sham Prez puppet poll.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7Y77MFIPRIRTA6LYW5YJYKUHXY shinydoug

    OMG, I just heart Abby Martin. The fact that she asks the most basic fundamental questions that the MSM repeatedly “forgets” to ask on very crucial topics makes her my fave new journalist as well as instantly bars her from any advancement in the US MSM. I guess RT is a needed remedy to our shitty media environment!