Meghan McCain on Rand Paul

I have written here before on how I admire and respect Meghan McCain and her view points.  We don't always agree, but I find she is fair and balanced, but most importantly well reasoned in her opinions.

Today I wanted to share her report on Rand Paul, the controversial candidate for Senator about whom I have also reported.

In her column at http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-05-23/meghan-mccain-on-why-rand-paul-embarrassed-the-tea-party/?cid=hp:beastoriginalsL1 she writes:

Paul’s nomination could have been a moment of triumph for the Tea Party movement, as well as for Republicans, but instead it was an embarrassment. And I felt the disappointment firsthand, given that I agree with and support numerous things the Tea Party represents. Like many Americans, I’m angered by the intense spending going on under the Obama administration. But when the movement was given the opportunity to present specific solutions and answer real questions, its leaders nominated someone who—yet again—revealed weird, racist undertones, no matter how he wants to spin it.

And that is also a point that I made.  I am not against libertarianism or the tea-party movement, its the extreme positions and racists undertones which bother me.  Meghan goes on to say:

I respect Paul’s ideological commitment to libertarianism, of which it’s quite obvious he’s a die-hard supporter, even if there are reasons there’s no real libertarian senator. And I, too, believe that the government should stay out of people’s lives as much as possible. Yet Paul seems to be taking these beliefs to an extreme, one that’s making even fellow Republicans uneasy.

He makes me uneasy.  He seems to believe that we should all just defend for ourselves and its just too bad if people want to discriminate.  If you are a rich white male, then it is not so bad for you.  But is you are female, black, handicapped or have beliefs that differ from the ruling white Protestant males, then watch out.  I just don't believe that our country was intended to be that way.  I want us to support one another, not tear us apart.

And when you decide to run for the Senate, shouldn't you be well versed in your opinions.  Meghan points out:

When someone runs for office, essentially, all he or she must do is answer questions about what he or she believes and why these beliefs will best serve the country. Yet anyone watching Paul’s interview with Maddow could see that he was unable to do that. Worse, he managed to confuse voters further about just where his libertarian ideals stand, raising new questions about his extreme libertarian view of how our country should be governed.

I suggest you read her whole article.  Her conclusion is one I share:

Paul’s role within the Republican Party (if any) has yet to be determined. But one thing I am sure of is that, until we start nominating candidates who have more realistic views of the complex world we live in and stop seeing things strictly in black and white (no pun intended), we are going to continue losing elections and becoming punch lines for late-night talk-show hosts.