Rand Paul, Friend To 9/11 Truthers, Is Thinking About 2012!

Rand Paul

The 2012 presidential race has barely begun but three things already seem clear: Donald Trump will likely make a fool of himself, Barack Obama will likely be atop the Democratic ticket and someone with the surname Paul will likely be making a bid for the GOP nomination. See if Ron Paul won't run again, his son Rand very likely will. Or, to put it in the hedge-filled language of politics: "The only decision I've made is I won't run against my dad," the junior senator from Kentucky said yesterday.

The Tea Party darling, who was elected to the Senate last fall, has been making the rounds of the early presidential voting states without his pops by his side. But it isn't just about his presidential prospects, he says. "I want the Tea Party to have an influence over who the nominee is in 2012."

Of course, a presidential run for the younger, Giuliani-unapproved Paul may bring back into the spotlight some of his positions regarding recent New York history, including his close association with 9/11 conspiracy theorists Alex Jones and Andrew Napolitano and his views on Cordoba House, the so-called Ground Zero mosque, which varied in the last election (because you know that issue will be back with a vengeance). Not to mention his, uh, interestingly aggressive budget proposal that would mean cutting the Departments of Education, Energy, Commerce and Housing and Urban Development.

The more likely outcome is that the elder Paul will throw his hat in the ring again. "His dad is likely to go ahead and do it. And if his dad doesn't do it, it seems like there would be a dearth of candidates out there who are serious about taking on problems," a source told Hotsheet.

And if Rand Paul doesn't run, no worries. His current tour certainly won't hurt his book sales, but we have one request: More interviews with Rachel Maddow!

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Garth Johnston in News on March 22, 2011 5:43 PM

Comments [rss]

Lydia4154

Interesting that you use association to indict Rand Paul as a 9/11 Truther. You probably speak to many people. Does that mean that you agree with everything they think? I have never once heard either Ron or Rand Paul state that they are "Friends to 9/11 Truthers." What you write proves you are incompetent at the least and have sinister motives at the worst.
This is a brain-washing technique and is disgusting. I hope everyone else can see through the nonsense.

Guest

You gotta love the liberals. I really wish you people would change your affiliation with that word since most of you seem to not be very liberal minded at all, constantly attacking someone based on some of their beliefs, even when their other beliefs are completely logical and much more sane than some of the drivel brought to the table by your candidates.

Thank God, I don't associate myself with either party. I like to think for myself instead of having someone else do it for me.

unretrofiedforu

Unfortunately this argument would stand, if the other side wouldn't attack their beliefs as well - and we both know that isn't the case.

Pundits have been advocating the end of some needed federal agencies for years now - thanks to the internet they are now able to reach a significant portion of the ignoramus population, that can't seem to see the link between fossil fuel use and their 99cents chicken nuggets.

Guest

Good.
The more crazies in the 2012 election the better - Obama - who unfortunately has been pretty subpar, why he didn't go after those guilty in the mortgage scam and why he chose health care over energy reform last year as his crusade is beyond me - will win by slam dunk the more the republican party is splintered.

The GOP convention in 2012 is going to be a circus and liberals need to do their part to make sure that its even more crazy than it already will be.

paull

And anyone who believes this guy isn't another pandering jackass politician needs to look at his history on creationism, 9/11 conspiracies, and birthers.

paull

One word you'll never hear in the Republican primaries: "Invest" I'd love to vote against that half-assed liar Obama, but none of these guys will commit to building a better tomorrow. Yes, the federal government needs to learn a thing or two from small business in terms of efficiency and agility, but dismantling everything but our military is going to finally turn this place into a fiefdom.

Tens of thousands of people rely on these agencies for paychecks. How many more will he add to the unemployment lines for a political buck? All for what? A short-term solution to a long-term problem? Reforming agencies to make sure they're efficient and nimble is one thing, demanding they be completely de-funded is a really bad idea.

BottomlessChips

Why is it the government's job to invest capital into projects? When you invest, there's risk. Everyone else in the world has to think seriously about investing their money, because they don't want to end up in the poor house. For the professionals, they have to worry about losing their jobs.

Government doesn't have to worry about botching a few billion here and there. They'll throw more money at it.

unretrofiedforu

If someone really has to explain to you the benefits of having government subsidies such things as telecommunications and infrastructure then you really shouldn't be talking about what the gov't does or doesn't do.

BottomlessChips

I'm all for infrastructure projects if they're paid for via local excise taxes or property taxes.

Were you okay with the federal money for the Big Dig? Were you mad as hell with Christie to turn down federal money for another NJ/NY tunnel? Are you okay with accepting money for another subway line in Manhattan?

Guest

Exactly! The Federal government has grown each and every year. Why? Well, when the nation is hurting for jobs, what is the easiest way for those in charge to appease the people? Create jobs. And where can the Feds create jobs... within the government. It's a vicious cycle that will not end unless we make it so.

North Dakota has a billion dollar suprlus. Sounds like the states know more than the feds.

Mr Mel

North Dakota has a population of about 650,00. New York State has almost 20,000,000. They each have 2 Senators. North Dakota is no stranger to the Federal trough. If they have a surplus of a billion its because they know how to game the system.

Guest

You may be right, or maybe there are state taxes and other avenues of revenue
there that I have no clue about. In any case, the Federal government is too
large and must be reduced in some way.

________________________________

splicernyc

Dear Rand:

Forget about running for President and consider facing the fact that you're bald. It would go a long way in showing that you are not a self-absorbed narcissist.

BottomlessChips

And Obama is going gray. So what? When you get older, you look older.

How many women in congress have done vain things to cover up signs of aging? Probably a lot. But who cares?

splicernyc

Sign of weakness. A man should be accepting of what he is.

BottomlessChips

That's my personal philosophy, too.

Sean

At least Rand vehemently opposes the Patriot Act, unlike Obama who has TWICE signed extensions.

Roger_the_Shrubber

Exactly.

moe pintour

I would vote for him for his position on foreign aid alone. He is nearly the only politico who has said we should cut aid to that colony in the middle east since we are now borrowing money from China to give it them.