As Other Candidates Squabble, Rand Paul Keeps His Cool

by Josh Guckert

No matter where one looks, the biggest story of the 2016 presidential campaign in recent weeks has been Donald Trump‘s incendiary remarks about immigration. Accordingly, journalists have asked for and received comments on the topic from most of the presidential candidates in the race. As a very polarizing topic, contenders on both sides of the aisle have weighed in, many with strong opinions. However, there has been one man notably missing during all of this heated banter: Rand Paul.

As was reported by USA Today, Paul would only respond to requests for comment on Trump by saying that ““I’ve tried to talk about what my plan is for immigration so I don’t get trapped into talking about what 20 other people are saying about immigration.” Paul went on to say that “I think most people come to this country in search of the American dream. It doesn’t mean you can have a lawless border, though.” Paul has recently proposed a bill which would cut off federal funding from so-called “sanctuary cities” which harbor undocumented immigrants, harboring them from deportation.

While it may seem out of the ordinary for a major presidential candidate to stay above the fray during such contemporary discussions, Paul has made a habit of it thus far during the campaign. He was one of the last candidates to give his opinion on the Confederate battle flag and was likewise one of the last candidates to weigh in on the same-sex marriage debate following the Supreme Court’s monumental ruling.

Some may suggest that this unwillingness to dive into current issues indicates a lack of principles or an absence of desire to lead. However, Paul’s wise deliberations may be what most separates him from the rest of his 2016 rivals.

Paul’s actions are seemingly an attempt to avoid the “tabloid politics” that have plagued the country over recent cycles. As thirty-second sound bytes are played over and over, reporters look for simplistic and prompt responses to issues that are far more nuanced than what they may originally seem. Political opinions are boiled down to 140 characters or less, and those with the loudest and most obnoxious statements reign supreme over the media cycle.

Then there’s Rand Paul. He refuses to take the bait, making sure that any public statements he makes are done on his time. Consistently employing his “libertarian conservative” approach to issues, Paul seemingly searches for the right words so that each side of the debate understands from where he is coming. Never employing sensationalism, Paul is rather directed by a rational, liberty-minded viewpoint. While individual circumstances change, Paul’s ideology remains the same.

Perhaps this is why Paul is never one to compete with the rest of the presidential field as they tussle over TV time to take public stances on the newest media crazes. Paul knows what he believes, and would rather wait until the dust has settled and cooler heads have prevailed. Others may try to take advantage of emotion; Paul relies on reason.

Rand Paul’s attitude is one of a true leader and Presidential front-runner. Rather than bothering himself with sideshows, he would rather discuss the issues succinctly with concrete plans. In addition, as he sees problems arising, he actually does something about them, rather than giving mere lip service, evidenced by the multiple bills which Paul has introduced over the past year.

Rand Paul has the opportunity to offer a different kind of candidacy in 2016. His actions thus far in the campaign suggest as much, and if he continues on this path, he could very well find himself as the standard-bearer and Presidential nominee of his party.