Rand Paul wins the first day of right-wing confab

[DonViejo]

After his speech extolling limited government, the libertarian senator is blowing Marco Rubio out of the water

BY ALEX SEITZ-WALD

Rand Paul’s 13 hour filibuster on the drone program has turned him into a superstar here at CPAC, where red and black “Stand With Rand” stickers and t-shirts – distributed by an organization founded by his father — can be spotted on one of every six or seven people milling around outside the main ballroom, especially on the younger folks.

“That filibuster was the best move by a politician I’ve ever seen,” a high school senior from Virginia with a swept bowl-cut (who has seen a lot of moves in his time) exclaimed when asked about his sticker.

When Paul himself took the stage inside, the audience roared in approbation and many stood for the duration of the speech to physically show their support. Paul played the hits right off the back, opening with a joke about his now iconic filibuster. “I was told I get 10 measly minutes, but I came prepared with 13 hours worth of material!” he said while holding up a stack of black binders. “Don’t drone me bro!” a young man yelled approvingly from the crowd.

The warm reception for Paul’s anti-interventionist foreign policy ideas is a stark contrast the CPACs of years past, when neoconservatives ruled the day, like when Dick Cheney had a keynote spot just two years ago. Supporter of Ron Paul heckled the former vice president from the audience, but now one of their own is on the stage and getting only love from the crowd.

-snip-

http://www.salon.com/2013/03/14/rand_paul_wins_the_first_day_of_cpac/

[totodeinhere]

2. Bring it on Rand. You help a lot with our narrative that the GOP is too extremist. n/t

[Cracklin Charlie]

3. Has that Craptastic confab rolled around already?

I am so glad there's lots of basketball on this weekend. I look forward to the clips.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. Conseratism's answer to the Vatican conclave - a CPAC Clownncave

"Ladieeees and Gentlemen, now starring in the bigtop............