The Brody File
Rand Paul and The Neoconservatives
Here's an interesting dynamic to watch. With Republican Rand Paul gaining in popularity and prominence, let's watch to see how the Neoconservatives within the GOP treat him. Overall, they are not big fans of his because Senator Paul doesn’t take the same approach as them on foreign policy and America’s military role in the world. They don’t want him anywhere within sniffing distance of the GOP presidential nomination.
On the conservative Red State blog, there is already grumbling that the Neocons delivered a hit piece on Rand Paul when the Washington Free Beacon blasted out a story about Jack Hunter, Paul's aide and the coauthor of his book, "The Tea Party Goes to Washington." The article digs up quotes from Hunter’s past that make him look like a racist. Anyhow, it turns out that the Editor of the Free Beacon is Matthew Continetti, the son-in-law of Fox News Commentator Bill Kristol, who is a leading influential Neoconservative within the GOP.
More from Red State below.
How do you destroy a political enemy? Exposing them as part of a sex scandal, which seems to have less of a shock these days. Or, the timeless strategy of making people think they are racist.
The Washington Free Beacon, who’s chief editor is arch-neoconservative Bill Kristol’s son in law, released a hit piece targeting Rand Paul and one of his aides, Jack Hunter. For those who may not fully understand the term “neoconservative”, I was not using it as name calling, rather the political ideology that it is. Neoconservatism has set root into the establishment of both parties, but primarily the Republican party. It’s ideology is primarily based on an imperialistic and internationalist foreign policy, and neoconservatives are weak-kneed on domestic issues important to conservatives, notably immigration and the welfare state. And it’s operatives include figures such as Kristol, whose father founded the movement, Karl Rove, Jennifer Rubin, David Frum, and politicians like John McCain and Lindsey Graham.
It’s not surprising they are trying to smear Rand Paul. Neoconservatives are never shy against using racial undertones, such as implying those who oppose all foreign aid on principle, or those who oppose the latest intervention they want to jump into, are anti-Semitic. They assume they speak for Israel and know what is best for Israel. Many if not most neoconservatives are of Jewish descent and are based in the northeast, however it would be a mistake to claim all Jews are neoconservatives or suggest a worldwide conspiracy being planned by one race. Nor would it be appropriate to suggest that all of the northeast thinks the same. That would be devoid of reality and common sense. But, because of their background, I am sympathetic to their sense of extreme caution due to the history of persecution of the Jews which can be seen in modern history and read about in the Bible. As well intentioned as they may be, the neoconservative are not automatically right.
Nor should they put out hit pieces instead of engaging in rational debate. The hit piece against Jack Hunter written by neoconservative writer Alana Goodman, is functionally a hit piece on Rand Paul. Guilt by association to destroy his presidential aspirations. Rand Paul cannot be made responsible for things Hunter has said or done no matter how it is twisted. It should be noted that not only did Hunter, a talented writer, co-write a book with Rand Paul, he also did so with Jim DeMint, which the article failed to mention.
Rand Paul is going to have to figure out how to stay true to his own convictions on foreign policy and America's role in the World, while at the same time assuring the "neocon crowd" that he's not his father. The reality is that "neocon crowd' is not just made up of the Bill Kristol's of the world. Many GOP Primary voters are of the same view.
Keep an eye on how this develops. Paul’s biggest enemy may not be Democrats. It may be residing within his own political party.
On the conservative Red State blog, there is already grumbling that the Neocons delivered a hit piece on Rand Paul when the Washington Free Beacon blasted out a story about Jack Hunter, Paul's aide and the coauthor of his book, "The Tea Party Goes to Washington." The article digs up quotes from Hunter’s past that make him look like a racist. Anyhow, it turns out that the Editor of the Free Beacon is Matthew Continetti, the son-in-law of Fox News Commentator Bill Kristol, who is a leading influential Neoconservative within the GOP.
More from Red State below.
How do you destroy a political enemy? Exposing them as part of a sex scandal, which seems to have less of a shock these days. Or, the timeless strategy of making people think they are racist.
The Washington Free Beacon, who’s chief editor is arch-neoconservative Bill Kristol’s son in law, released a hit piece targeting Rand Paul and one of his aides, Jack Hunter. For those who may not fully understand the term “neoconservative”, I was not using it as name calling, rather the political ideology that it is. Neoconservatism has set root into the establishment of both parties, but primarily the Republican party. It’s ideology is primarily based on an imperialistic and internationalist foreign policy, and neoconservatives are weak-kneed on domestic issues important to conservatives, notably immigration and the welfare state. And it’s operatives include figures such as Kristol, whose father founded the movement, Karl Rove, Jennifer Rubin, David Frum, and politicians like John McCain and Lindsey Graham.
It’s not surprising they are trying to smear Rand Paul. Neoconservatives are never shy against using racial undertones, such as implying those who oppose all foreign aid on principle, or those who oppose the latest intervention they want to jump into, are anti-Semitic. They assume they speak for Israel and know what is best for Israel. Many if not most neoconservatives are of Jewish descent and are based in the northeast, however it would be a mistake to claim all Jews are neoconservatives or suggest a worldwide conspiracy being planned by one race. Nor would it be appropriate to suggest that all of the northeast thinks the same. That would be devoid of reality and common sense. But, because of their background, I am sympathetic to their sense of extreme caution due to the history of persecution of the Jews which can be seen in modern history and read about in the Bible. As well intentioned as they may be, the neoconservative are not automatically right.
Nor should they put out hit pieces instead of engaging in rational debate. The hit piece against Jack Hunter written by neoconservative writer Alana Goodman, is functionally a hit piece on Rand Paul. Guilt by association to destroy his presidential aspirations. Rand Paul cannot be made responsible for things Hunter has said or done no matter how it is twisted. It should be noted that not only did Hunter, a talented writer, co-write a book with Rand Paul, he also did so with Jim DeMint, which the article failed to mention.
Rand Paul is going to have to figure out how to stay true to his own convictions on foreign policy and America's role in the World, while at the same time assuring the "neocon crowd" that he's not his father. The reality is that "neocon crowd' is not just made up of the Bill Kristol's of the world. Many GOP Primary voters are of the same view.
Keep an eye on how this develops. Paul’s biggest enemy may not be Democrats. It may be residing within his own political party.