Despite the suspension of his positive and principled campaign for president, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul remains the bravest man in politics [“America’s proud political process,” Editorial, Feb. 11].

He was not the candidate who was going to stoke your fears, promise you free stuff, or pander to your religious beliefs. He was the candidate who told the truth, no matter how unpopular it was. That is the bravery that is missing in politics today. As his father, former Texas Rep. Ron Paul has said, quoting George Orwell, “truth is treason in an empire of lies.”

Rand Paul changed the conversation. He raised reforming the National Security Agency and questioned the blowback associated with our foreign policy. No other candidate talked about reducing federal spending to such an extent or called so consistently for criminal justice reform.

I cannot understand how Republicans think they will ever win another election without growing the party and welcoming conservatives who actually care about liberty and the Constitution.

Vincent Raia, Commack