Rand Paul Building His Brand by Attacking Foreign Aid

NJDC — October 16, 2012 – 5:48 pm | Election 2012 | Foreign Policy | Rand Paul | Republicans Comments (0) Add a comment

Politico published a profile of Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) recently that makes it abundantly clear—and concerning—that he continues to be a rising star and force within the Republican Party, especially because of his activism this election cycle. Politico noted that Paul—who has twice called for an end to “welfare” for Israel—is continuing to build his brand by pushing for dramatic cuts to foreign aid through his PAC, RAND PAC. As we’ve noted previously, the pro-Israel community has long been opposed to altering the foreign aid budget because of the potential for long-term damage to Israel’s security—if not aid to Israel itself.

Politico reported:

Over the past week, Paul used his political committee—RAND PAC—to launch television ads in the Ohio, West Virginia and Florida Senate races, hammering incumbent Democrats on foreign aid. That offensive will intensify in the coming weeks, Paul advisers said, with an additional two or three Senate races on the Republican’s target list.

When Paul’s leadership PAC reports its fundraising haul later this month, a Paul strategist said RAND PAC will have more than $1 million in the bank….

Paul has ramped up his political travel, too, making trips across Kentucky’s northern border to stump for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan in Ohio. Later this month, he’s slated to appear in New Hampshire as a Romney-Ryan surrogate—Paul’s second visit in recent months to an early presidential primary state, after a spring trip to Iowa where Paul visited with top evangelical organizers.

If all that sounds like the maneuvering of a man who hopes to run for president in 2016 or beyond, Paul and his advisers don’t rule out that possibility. But, they say, Paul’s increased national presence—and especially the TV campaign from his PAC—have more to do with his passionate opposition to gratuitous overseas spending than any long-term political goal.

One race in particular that Paul has directed RAND PAC resources to is the Ohio Senate race between Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and State Treasurer Josh Mandel. Both candidates in the race are pro-Israel, however Mandel is now being supported—in a significant way—by someone who has twice called for an end to American aid for Israel. Now is as good of a time as any for Mandel to reject support from someone who has twice called for an end to “welfare” for Israel. 

Paul’s PAC is also running ads in the Florida Senate race between Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) and Representative Connie Mack (R-FL). Both candidates are pro-Israel, however Mack has accepted the endorsement of someone who has voiced substantial opposition to Israel’s foreign aid. Mack too should reject the support he is receiving from Paul.    

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