posted March 08, 2013 09:38 AM            

Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster on Wednesday of President Barack Obama's pick for CIA director was the latest notable move by the son of former presidential candidate Ron Paul. A freshman senator, Rand Paul is a growing political force in his own right. The eye doctor challenged the Republican Party's establishment in his state to win his seat in 2010 and now commands attention as a defender of limited government.

Paul, a critic of Obama's aerial drone policy, started his long speaking feat just before noon Wednesday by demanding that the president or Attorney General Eric Holder issue a statement assuring him the unmanned aircraft would not be used in the United States to kill terrorism suspects who are U.S. citizens.

"I will speak until I can no longer speak," Paul said.

Two conservative Republican stalwarts, John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, took him to task Thursday on the Senate floor. But Holder complied with his request, sending him a brief note saying the president does not have the authority to use a drone to kill a U.S. citizen on American soil if the citizen is not engaged in combat.

The Senate voted Thursday afternoon to confirm John Brennan as CIA director, 63-34. Paul voted no.

Paul's performance – marked on Twitter by the hashtag (hash)StandWithRand – turned into a trending topic on the social media site and prompted a torrent of phone calls from tea party supporters urging senators to support him. The National Republican Senatorial Committee used the filibuster to raise about $75,000 for GOP candidates.

At 12 hours 52 minutes, the filibuster was roughly the same length as the six "Star Wars" films combined.

Paul first stepped onto the national stage in 2010 when he vanquished Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell's chosen Kentucky candidate in a GOP primary. Since then, he's embraced the popularity he has in the tea party and has inherited his father's libertarian-leaning political network, built over two failed Ron Paul presidential runs.

All that has stoked belief inside GOP circles that Paul may be positioning himself for a future national campaign, possibly as early as 2016. In an interview with Politico, Paul said he was "seriously" considering a 2016 White House bid.

Paul, 50, has been difficult to pigeonhole in the Senate. He was one of four Republicans to support Obama's nomination of former Nebraska GOP Sen. Chuck Hagel to serve as Defense secretary, yet he used his tea party response to Obama's State of the Union address to blast what he called the president's belief in more debt and higher taxes. Tea party activists say his latest move has energized their ranks and raised his profile.

"He is our liberty warrior," said Amy Kremer, chairman of the Tea Party Express.

Paul, who made do with water and candy bars during his filibuster, said he recognized he couldn't stop Brennan from being confirmed. He said the nomination fight was about raising questions over the limits of the federal government.

Lasting past midnight, the filibuster brought a dozen of Paul's colleagues to the floor. McConnell, himself running for re-election in Kentucky, congratulated him for his "tenacity and for his conviction." Tea party-backed lawmakers including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas read Twitter messages from supporters.

Paul said he would have tried to break South Carolina Sen. Strom Thurmond's filibuster record of more than 24 hours but recognized his physical limits. In an interview with radio host Glenn Beck on Thursday, Paul joked that he considered using a catheter. Even Democrats offered admiration for his stamina.

posted March 08, 2013 11:33 AM            

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
Oh please no!

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Who would you want, Ian?

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posted March 08, 2013 12:09 PM            

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Originally posted by Randall:
Jeb Bush has also said he might run. Either way, 2016 can't get here soon enough.

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I hate to be a downer, but I think Obama will destroy us so much by the time his term ends, that we will never get another chance for our former greatness. I hope I am wrong SO much. I pray I am wrong.

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posted March 08, 2013 12:36 PM            

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Originally posted by Ami Anne:
Who would you want, Ian?

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Ami,

My answer is "none of the above" to the current choices. I especially do not subscribed to the libertarian position, and as far as support goes, I am neutral and non-supportive of anyone who does not subscrbe to conservatism. None of the current cast of characters interest me, and none would get my vote.

The person who represents my view the closest is West, but he's been marginalized and won't be handpicked by the GOP.

I will not support the GOP candidate. I've been burnt enough by the Bush/Dole/Romney/Perry/McPain of this world, and now the Jindal/Haley/Ryan/Portman/Daniels/McDonnell/Martinez/Sandoval/Rubio gang are really pi$$ing me off.

posted March 08, 2013 12:41 PM            

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
Ami,

My answer is "none of the above" to the current choices. I especially do not subscribed to the libertarian position, and as far as support goes, I am neutral and non-supportive of anyone who does not subscrbe to conservatism. None of the current cast of characters interest me, and none would get my vote.

The person who represents my view the closest is West, but he's been marginalized and won't be handpicked by the GOP.

I will not support the GOP candidate. I've been burnt enough by the Bush/Dole/Romney/Perry/McPain of this world, and now the Jindal/Haley/Ryan/Portman/Daniels/McDonnell/Martinez/Sandoval/Rubio gang are really pi$$ing me off.

Like the last time, I am coming from a viewpoint of total indifference. But most of all, absolutely object to the Pauls and Paulites.

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West is awesome, as is Cain. they took him out with a stupid affair. Rush had it right. The conservatives have given up on social issues. They just want a COMPETENT person in there.

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Passion, Lust, Desire. Check out my journal

posted March 08, 2013 01:05 PM            

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Originally posted by katatonic:
Well ami i think this is one prayer thst will be answered, but probably not in a way you would forsee...

West? Who tried to smear his opponent by pretending a man with NO voting record could be proved a liar by his voting record? If you are going to float lies it is stupid to do so so obviously...so, West is not just a liar but a stupid one...he cut his own throat trying to stab the other guy!

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Ignoring

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posted March 08, 2013 05:00 PM            

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
But most of all, absolutely object to the Pauls and Paulites.

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You object to Paulites?

K, I "object" to you right back.

Though one ought to differentiate between Rand and Ron, as they are very different.

Rand is not even a libertarian, he's a self-described Constitutional conservative. I'm willing to bet that you (Ian) don't even have a solid argument against Rand, you're just totally rankled at the idea of Libertarianism. Considering your Chinese heritage, it's understandable. Oh, and if the Austrian economists had their way, you might be out of a job, so....again, it's understandable; you wouldn't want any leaders fiddling with your job security.

In case anyone cares, I would not vote for Rand at this point, as I don't trust him, but his filibuster was much needed; it was emphatically the right thing to do.

posted March 08, 2013 05:31 PM            

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In case anyone cares, I would not vote for Rand at this point, as I don't trust him, but his filibuster was much needed; it was emphatically the right thing to do.

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I care because I agree. While he is earning my interest or respect, he hasn`t come full swing yet. As I learn, for or against, more about his policies, I will then have a solid opinion.

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Constitutional conservative.

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You met Ron Paul

posted March 08, 2013 05:34 PM            

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Originally posted by juniperb:
I care because I agree. While he is earning my interest or respect, he hasn`t come full swing yet. As I learn, for or against, more about his policies, I will then have a solid opinion.

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Ditto

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You met Ron Paul

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posted March 08, 2013 11:26 PM            

Oh yeah. I have a whole sh1t list against Rand, and even more against Ron.

And I ain't wasting my time.

And what about my Chinese heritage, now that you brought it up? I'm Chinese only by ethnicity. Not by nationality! i have no allegiances whatsoever to the Chinese nation nor the Chinese people. Drop a 50 megaton for all i care. The damn Commies are my sworn enemy. I grew up dedicating my life to fighting the Commies, swearing to give my life leading men on a battlefield. Don't you try to associate me with the Chinese.

posted March 09, 2013 07:28 AM            

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
The Follybuster was real effective, wasn't it?

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Yes. It brought the issue to more people's attention and produced a definitive "NO, the President can't..." from Eric Holder.

quote:

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
Oh yeah. I have a whole sh1t list against Rand, and even more against Ron. And I ain't wasting my time.

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Easier to just allude to imaginary offenses.

quote:

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
And what about my Chinese heritage, now that you brought it up?

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Don't you love oppressive, draconian, maximum-penalties-for-everything government?

I think that reflects your early years and Chinese parents. Whereas people who grow up in American schools learn (or used to learn) about "liberty and justice for all." Emphasis on liberty.

quote:

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
Now I'll take my leave because I've become truly pi$$ed off

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Well you *absolutely objected* to me first.

posted March 10, 2013 10:36 AM            

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Originally posted by YoursTrulyAlways:
The Follybuster was real effective, wasn't it?
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Originally posted by Faith:

Yes. It brought the issue to more people's attention and produced a definitive "NO, the President can't..." from Eric Holder.

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I was half jesting on what constitutes "combat" but it could become an issue down the road.

posted March 13, 2013 12:01 PM            

what holder says here is that the constitution prevents the sort of shenanigans paul was trying to get people fired up about...

posted March 13, 2013 05:59 PM            

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what holder says here is that the constitution prevents the sort of shenanigans paul was trying to get people fired up about...

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No, read it again. It says:

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It is possible, I suppose, to imagine an extraordinary circumstance in which it would be necessary and appropriate under the Constitution and applicable laws of the United States for the President to authorise the military to use lethal force within the territory of the United States.

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In other words, YES WE CAN.

posted March 13, 2013 09:02 PM            

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Originally posted by Faith:
You're the one who thinks we're being stupid...how's the air up there on your high horse?

And if you read the letter, how do you explain the fact that your synopsis of its contents was dead wrong?

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LMAO

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