Somewhat funny account: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/...h-else-in-awkward-howard-speech.php?ref=fpblg
Reading Rand's speech and there are some doozies in there: http://reason.com/archives/2013/04/10/the-republican-party-and-the-african-ame/print I was going to give him credit for going to Howard, but after reading all that, plus a long section on drug laws which seems to be what he thinks is an inroad to the youth vote--since, you know, all kids get high--I'm kind of gobsmacked by his thinking. It seems to me he is just oblivious to the world outside Rand and has this vision of how he will be perceived that is not informed by reality.
I tried to read his speech but it became clear early on that this was just a typical politician trying too hard to appeal to a certain voting group. Very disappointing.
I'll state what should be obvious: He wasn't speaking to the attendees; he was speaking at them. They were props. His real audience is fundraisers and Republican primary voters in 2016. Does anybody in their right mind think Rand Paul gives a care about black voters? You'd think Republicans leaders would move past the Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas stuff. Will they ever get over ancient history and come to the present?
Another account... http://www.washingtonpost.com/opini...217-11e2-82bc-511538ae90a4_story.html?hpid=z4
There is nothing a Republican could say or do that would win him the black vote in the upcoming election, or even get better than 5 to 10% of it. Trying to reinvent the wheel to win a segment of the population that is completely against you would be pointless.
FWIW, I completely agree with the posters and these attendees who are mocking him/scoffing at him for the "We are the party of Lincoln" nonsense. It is one of the most disingenuous lines that exists in politics today. I'm not sure which one I consider more intellectually dishonest. Republicans pretending they are still the party of Lincoln and civl rights or Democrats pretending like the ACA is reducing the cost of health insurance.
Wow. The answer to a question about voter suppression is over the top. Around the 27 minute mark in the video.
I disagree. They will make a concerted effort to attract Hispanic votes by 2016 (maybe Asians too). It's certain political death if they don't. The black vote means nothing to Republicans because they have given up. Rand Paul showed his true color(s) here. You won't see pathetic, insulting nonsense like this when they court Hispanics because the effort will be more sincere. I predict significant resources will be spent.
Unfortunately, I don't think they viewed this as being insulting or pathetic. It's sad to see just how out of touch the Republican party actually is when it comes to sociological issues.
Yeah, Rand went to Howard and lied about his positions, then tried to ignore the Republican party of the last 50 years. It's funny that Rand Paul is supposedly the guy who is so centered on what he believes in that he won't budge. Yet he went to Howard and lied about his previously stated positions on the civil rights act. The guy is a clown
Republicans could easily get the black vote However . . . they have no clue about black people and the black people they know are just pain odd Rocket River
