Rand and Ron Paul: The libertarian Kennedys
Ron Paul, the Texas congressman, is thinking about another presidential run. His son, Rand, the newly elected Kentucky senator, has a book out and is himself travelling to early states and keeping open the possibility of a White House bid. And another Paul progeny, Texas doctor Robert Paul, has recently flirted with the idea of attempting to join his brother in the Senate.
Call them the libertarian Kennedys.
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Four years after the family patriarch was mocked as a gadfly during his failed presidential bid—his second—the 75-year-old Paul is more recognizable than ever. And there are signs of a dynasty in the making, with his devoted following likely to be passed down to his children even if his White House hopes end with this election.
Ron’s discussion of a probable run and Rand’s recent dalliance—and seemingly inevitable future bid—offer a vivid preview of the future: the Pauls, to the consternation of some in their Republican Party, are here to stay.
With Rand’s higher-profile platform, better-polished presentation and similar adherence to the small-government ideals that animate his father, it seems likely that a Paul will be participating in presidential debates, winning straw polls and helping to shape the party’s debate for years, perhaps even decades, to come.
The eight-term congressman and obstetrician resists the Kennedy comparison, saying that he only wants to push ideas - not build a political machine.
“I was delighted when I heard he was going to medical school,” Paul joked in an interview when asked about his ophthalmologist son Rand following in his footsteps.
But the father acknowledged that Rand’s last name and access to his dad’s national fundraising network offered an important initial boost in Kentucky. The elder Paul, though, is quick to say that his senator son has the potential to make an even broader impact.
“He comes across as more mainstream, at least in appearance,” said Rep. Paul. “And I think he’ll be a better legislator - he’ll offer amendments, get bills passed. I’m not a good legislator.”
What he has, though, is a precise vision, and a long view of politics.
In that sense, he resembles Joseph P. Kennedy Sr., that clan’s patriarch, who knew that he would never able to parlay his wealth and influence into public office but used it to give his children a leg up when they got into politics.
Similarly, Ron Paul has created a brand, developed a following and established a source of fundraising that will enable the next generation to surpass him. A top Republican recalled the elder Paul approaching him as long ago as 2007 to talk up a son of his down in Kentucky.
Just as John F. Kennedy took advantage of his father’s connections while being careful to not come off as a mere tool of his bootlegging, isolationist old man, Rand Paul was strategic about his dad’s rare trips to Kentucky last year and, in the name of viability, sought to play down some of the edgier foreign policy views the congressman has always been happy to express.
“It was frustrating for us because he was not acting like his Dad,” said Trey Grayson, the Kentucky Republican who lost to Rand in the primary last year.
Like the Kennedys, the Pauls are able to keep their focus on the national scene without worrying about their own standing at home because they represent ideologically sympathetic areas.
“He’s the only United States senator I’ve ever seen here who treats representing the state as a secondary matter,” said longtime Kentucky political reporter Al Cross. “But people knew what Rand Paul was when they elected him.
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