It doesn't take much to impress the right wing Tea Party.

[kentuck]

Rand Paul will become the new favorite of the Tea Party after last night's filibuster. The implications are deep. He has already expressed a desire to run for the Presidency in 2016. That would split the Republican Party right down the middle if he were not on the ticket. So-called "moderates", such as Jeb Bush or Paul Ryan would be hurt the most by the rise of Rand Paul.

Also, it would only make the Republicans in the House and Senate that much less inclined for compromise or to seek any common ground with the President. It is unfortunate that Republicans and voters, in general, are so easily manipulated. All it took was one speech by Sarah Palin about pit bulls with lipstick and she became the darling of the far right. I suspect we may see the same reaction with Rand Paul's filibuster last night.

[livetohike]

1. Rand Paul hopes that is the effect. He's a climber of the first degree n/t

[Bake]

4. And THAT was the whole point of Paul's antics.

He couldn't BUY media coverage like he got for free yesterday.

Bake

[pampango]

2. When the tea party gains some traction as with Paul's filibuster, it increases their impact on the

republican party. This makes it less likely that republicans will "seek any common ground with the President" in terms of legislation, but it also drives their party further from the mainstream.

In the short run it may be bad for the country in terms of getting anything constructive done in DC, but in the long run it could contribute to the marginalization of the republican party.

[Drale]

3. The saddest thing right now is that

we live in a country in which Paul Ryan and Jeb Bush are considered moderates.

[NightWatcher]

5. I like what Randi Rhodes said "I know a R Paul fundraiser when I see one"

It's nothing more than grandstanding to take back to your nutty ass constituents.

[kentuck]

6. I was a little surprised to see McCain and Graham criticizing him on the floor today.

I guess they thought he was trying to steal their Party out from under their noses? They may be right?

[NightWatcher]

8. Move over Gramps, here's the next generation of stupid

[Initech]

7. I would honestly relocate out of the country if he becomes president.