Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
I'm a bit tired this morning after watching about 10 hours of Senator Rand Paul's epic filibuster yesterday. It was "only" 13 hours long, but it was also the only filibuster I can think of that stuck to a narrow policy focus the entire time -- no discursions or tangents and no reading from a phone book.
There was much discussion about the benefits and downsides of drone warfare, but Paul was laser-focused on the problem being that the Administration wouldn't rule out as unconstitutional a drone strike on an American on U.S. soil who is not posing an imminent national security threat. He was principled, charming, engaging, thoughtful, and solid as a rock.
I had my children watch some of this wonderful and historical moment. The 3-year-old calls Paul "the other President" and says "he talks the most." I'm hoping this is prescience.
In a thread yesterday, member John Walker wrote:
I do not recall watching something which gave me as much hope about turning around the U.S. since Reagan's “A Time for Choosing” speech in 1964.
And that was hours before Ted Cruz read from that speech late in the filibuster to help Paul out! The Washington Post analyzed the filibuster's political effect (in a piece that quotes our very own Rick Wilson):
What Paul proved during his “filiblizzard” — it hurts so good to write that — is that he is a politician with a) a core set of beliefs and b) a willingness to stand up for them.
That’s a rare thing in modern American politics where the tendency is to find where the public — or the primary electorate — is on a given issue and then find a way to get there.
What inspired so many people -- and was appealing across the aisle, too -- was just that: leadership in the eternal fight for liberty.
Or as Jim Geraghty put it:
A day that was supposed to be just another Washington snow day brought us something we haven't seen in a long time: an honest-to-goodness, in-keeping-with-the-Constitution, old-fashioned filibuster, all over a basic, fundamental concept central to our founding: the power of the central government is limited, and the government's authority to exercise lethal force must be particularly and specifically limited.
The Republican senators who participated in the filibuster with Paul include Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Pat Toomey (R-Penn.), John Thune (R-S.D.), John Barrasso (R-Wy.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.).
In terms of being principled and winsome on this fight, Lee, Cruz, and Barrasso were also highly impressive.
Ace of Spades wrote:
I have the same feeling of receding cynicism I did when the Tea Party first exploded on to the scene and began doing things that just weren't done in America anymore -- taking politics seriously, taking the Founders' legacy to us seriously, showing up at Town Halls to ask their once and future representatives some real questions, engaging, questioning, insisting, demanding.
There was a time 200 years ago when this was commonplace. Americans had just won their liberty and were enthused about it. They treated their civic duty not as a mere duty but as the highest aspiration of political man...
But this filibuster is bigger even than that issue (which is itself large). This filibuster is about the basic character of a Democratic Republic, and restoring that character to good working order.
Exactly. The filibuster is done and Brennan's nomination will be approved. But something big happened yesterday even if everyone in big media will obscure it.
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Comments:
Sep '10
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
I was only trying to help.
May '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
I woke up yesterday morning feeling a little down at the mouth - and not just because I had a dream about eating a giant marshmallow ;-)
Then I watched the Filiblizzard, saw that even though Conservatives were not going to win this day either, it was not for lack of a fight.
That picks me up. I leave you with an image of hope (not the one you'd expect)
Jan '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
"He was principled, charming, engaging, thoughtful and solid as a rock."
This is the best line that I have read about Sen. Rand Paul's filibuster!
It really does boil down to, 'character', for all the talent and political acumen will not save the Republic, without virtue.
Dec '10
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
I loved it. Watching was like sitting in front of a game in overtime; so tired but couldn't pull away from the TV. Paul scored big.
An honest question, though, Mollie - what about Paul's vote for Hagel? Plenty of people around here thought he was being disingenuous for approving Hagel but filibustering Brennan. Was it a matter of allowing the president to have the cabinet he wants? Why not abstain, as some suggested? It's not a loaded question, I really don't know enough to have an answer; I'm curious how you would explain it.
May '10
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
On the contrary, Rand Paul's 12-plus hour evisceration of a strawman is a symptom of our increasing cynicism.
May '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
BTW, I saw at Politico that the people who hate Rand Paul & Republicans really only have three things to say about them.
One is "Queen".
(Another is "moron", which is a word for, well, Morons who lack the imagination to come up with other, more eloquent terms for people who lack intelligence or fail to apply it - "dullard", for instance.)
Being a New Yorker, I know one particular meaning for "Queen". And although I find the lifestyle strange and do not endorse it, I think that Liberals should think about how much hard work this particular Queen has put into looking better than many women do.
I know this because I worked with an Army Staff Sergeant who went to a bar and was very impressed with how well put together a cross-dresser there was. Perhaps this is because Ru Paul did not start out with the natural advantage of being a woman. In the same way, people with flawed voices often sing better than people born with with perfect pitch.
At any rate, I do wish Liberals thought more about their insults. Their choices reflect poorly on the characters and their intellects.
Aug '11
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
From about 1:00 pm yesterday afternoon, I was watching. I streamed it live while I worked, then drove home and turned it on there. Had to pause a bit while I took the kids to church, then came home and watched again until Rand Paul finally gave in to the urging of his bladder.
It was fantastic. I'm glad I was there. And yes, I allowed myself to hope.
I came away very impressed with Ted Cruz, too.
Paul/Cruz, 2016!
Oct '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
DrewInWisconsin: From about 1:00 pm yesterday afternoon, I was watching. I streamed it live while I worked, then drove home and turned it on there. Had to pause a bit while I took the kids to church, then came home and watched again until Rand Paul finally gave in to the urging of his bladder.
It was fantastic. I'm glad I was there. And yes, I allowed myself to hope.
I came away very impressed with Ted Cruz, too.
Paul/Cruz, 2016! · 2 minutes ago
Cruz is a naturalized citizen and can't run for any higher office, I think that's why he's fearless in the senate. Try Paul/Ayotte as a great alternative. Cruz should stay right where he is and run the senate when the Republican's are in the majority.
Oct '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
Rand Paul has shown that the Republican's can grab the high ground on liberty. You can be tough on crime and defend liberty.
May '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
I thought it sad that this was the tactic left to Rand Paul.
But whose fault is that? Obama & Company will not treat with "dross" like Rand Paul. So a Filibuster over a straw man it is.
It is not for Rand Paul to clarify for Barack Obama that he his not an Emperor. It is for the American people, half of whom were too cynical to vote in 2012, to do so.
You fight the fight using the tactics and tools that are at hand and make sense. So long as you fight.
Imagine a warrior with the best of weapons encountering an opponent with no training defending his family with only a 2'X4'. If that warrior has any sense of dignity, he will yield. He is trained and equipped. His opponent has only his heart and what was at hand. Who is the better warrior at that moment.
Sadly, Obama has none of the dignity of a warrior.
Oct '10
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
"But something big happened yesterday even if everyone in big media will obscure it."
Isn't that self-refuting? If Big Media obscure, ignore, and/or misreport it (as I've seen already), then something "big" happened only in the abstract, not in reality or in practical terms, because it will be lost on most of the American people.
It's the old "if a tree falls in the woods..." thing, isn't it?
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
dittoheadadt:"But something big happened yesterday even if everyone in big media will obscure it."
Isn't that self-refuting? If Big Media obscure, ignore, and/or misreport it (as I've seen already), then something "big" happened only in the abstract, not in reality or in practical terms, because it will be lost on most of the American people.
It's the old "if a tree falls in the woods..." thing, isn't it? · 2 minutes ago
Well, I think the big problem is that many folks have been despairing. That despair is related to everything from the lack of principled leadership to the media partisanship. So even if the big media ignores what happened yesterday, we didn't -- we saw and heard and share through the myriad other outlets.
Oct '10
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
dittoheadadt:"But something big happened yesterday even if everyone in big media will obscure it."
Isn't that self-refuting? If Big Media obscure, ignore, and/or misreport it (as I've seen already), then something "big" happened only in the abstract, not in reality or in practical terms, because it will be lost on most of the American people.
It's the old "if a tree falls in the woods..." thing, isn't it? · 2 minutes ago
Well, I think the big problem is that many folks have been despairing. That despair is related to everything from the lack of principled leadership to the media partisanship. So even if the big media ignores what happened yesterday, we didn't -- we saw and heard and share through the myriad other outlets. · 0 minutes ago
Agree wholeheartedly. What I meant was, it'll be lost on the low-information voter (which is a majority, I think) because the media won't report it properly. So while it was a great event, a momentous event for us, I think it'll be little more than an American footnote in the long run.
Jun '11
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
I reject the premise of many commenters that this was ignored by the MSM. I saw a number of reports in the MSM acknowledging the filibuster, largely because it was a real filibuster that could be constrated with faux filibusters. Holding the floor shows conviction in a way that cannot be easily dismissed.
Also, this filibuster seems like it was well orchestrated by Paul and company. Could we have a few senators who have a clue?
Edited to rework unclear first sentence, which made it appear Mollie said MSM was ignoring the story.
Edited on March 7, 2013 at 5:23pmFeb '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
The biggest error is to assume anyone saw the filibuster. We saw it so now it's our job to tell everyone else about it. We already know we can't count on anyone else to tell the story - the ground game never ends.
Oct '11
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
The crews at Commentary and Powerline obviously didn't see it, because they are yammering on about how Paul is so ideologically opposed to drones that he won't concede the federal government should be able to use them to counter an imminent threat. I lost count of the number of times that Paul stated that he did not dispute this. Sadly, Jonathan Tobin, Scott Johnson, Paul Mirengoff, and John Hinderaker are missing the point.
May '12
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
What was that skirmish that George Washington mounted which helped keep the Continental Army together?
It was in New Jersey, and the Continental Army crossed over from Pennsylvania (& Valley Forge) on Christmas Eve to do it.
Oct '11
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
das_motorhead:
An honest question, though, Mollie - what about Paul's vote for Hagel? Plenty of people around here thought he was being disingenuous for approving Hagel but filibustering Brennan. Was it a matter of allowing the president to have the cabinet he wants? Why not abstain, as some suggested? It's not a loaded question, I really don't know enough to have an answer; I'm curious how you would explain it. · 1 hour ago
It's my opinion that Paul voted for Hagel precisely so that he could filibuster and say, "this is not a partisan issue. I voted for the president's nominees. This is about principle. I would be here regardless of whether the president was a Democrat or a Republican."
Jan '11
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
I cannot overstate how pleased I am with Paul's performance.
I'm making a donation to his war chest this afternoon.
Re: Rand Paul and our Receding Cynicism
das_motorhead:
An honest question, though, Mollie - what about Paul's vote for Hagel? Plenty of people around here thought he was being disingenuous for approving Hagel but filibustering Brennan. Was it a matter of allowing the president to have the cabinet he wants? Why not abstain, as some suggested? It's not a loaded question, I really don't know enough to have an answer; I'm curious how you would explain it. · 1 hour ago
It's a fine question but I'm not the person to answer it.
I had no problem with Paul's vote for Hagel. I liked that he voted against cloture in an attempt to get more answers from the administration but I don't have the problem with Hagel that many here do.
Some would say, though, that senators should vote to approve nominations except under extreme circumstances.