Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus reiterated that he believes Rand Paul’s 13-hour filibuster over the Obama administration’s drone policy was a “unifying moment” for the GOP and that the party is "totally on board" with the libertarian senator.
“I think Rand asked a reasonable question that he deserved an answer on, and I was proud of the fact that he stood up and captured the country by standing up to the president. And I thought that was great,” said Priebus after an address at the National Press Club in Washington Monday morning. The RNC chairman had said last week in an interview with the Des Moines Register that he thought the Kentucky senator’s filibuster was “completely awesome” and had brought unity to the party.
When questioned about the disagreement among some party members with Paul’s filibuster, Priebus downplayed the divisions.
“I also think in some respects it was [about] standing up to the president. I mean having a minority in the Senate and standing up to the president and saying, ‘Wait a second. You have to answer this question,’ which is a reasonable question,” Priebus said. “And the reason I thought it was great was I thought it was a great unifying issue for our party and, other than a couple of comments made, it was a unifying moment for our party, and I think we needed it. I think, for the most part, the party was totally on board with what Rand Paul did and standing up and saying, ‘You’re going to answer my questions and this isn’t right and I’m going to stand here and make it happen.’”
Asked if Paul is the future of the party, Priebus declined to answer.
Before Rand Paul even arrived at the Gaylord National Harbor convention center in Maryland for his Thursday afternoon CPAC address, the stage was set for his raucous reception. Outside the convention hall, a team of eager young volunteers began passing out t-shirts, stickers, and posters emblazoned with the catchiest political slogan since “Yes We Can.”
Senator Ted Cruz, joining Rand Paul's filibuster on the floor of the Senate:
"And I'm pretty certain--for the record, I can confirm that no teleprompter was in front of the senator from Kentucky's desk," said Cruz, taking a shot at President Obama's frequent use of Teleprompters. "Senator Rand Paul, Jimmy Stewart would be proud, sir."
Senator Ted Cruz, joining in support of Rand Paul's filibuster, said today was the first day he had the chance to speak on the Senate floor. "It don't get no better than this," Cruz said, quoting a beer commercial:
The White House will not comment on Rand Paul's ongoing filibuster on the Senate floor of President Obama's nominee to be the next CIA director. A Huffington Post reporter remarks on Twitter:
Senator Ted Cruz praised Senator Rand Paul on the Senate floor today for his filibuster. "Your standing here today like a modern Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," said Cruz, referencing the famous film, "must surely be making Jimmy Stewart smile."
Senate leaders in both parties are brokering a deal to avert the so-called nuclear option Senate majority leader Harry Reid has threatened with regard to changing the body's filibuster rules. A Senate Republican aide confirms that the negotiated proposal between Reid and the GOP is well under way but will not include the requirement of a "talking filibuster"--a top priority of Oregon senator Jeff Merkley, a leader of the filibuster reform movement within the Senate.
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