RAND STUMBLES – AT 8:28 A.M. ET:  Rand Paul's first day as a presidential candidate didn't go well at all.  He is very confrontational, and even got into an argument with Fox News, which is an achievement for a Republican.  He seemed unprepared to answer questions, and his staff apparently didn't prep him very well.  The first reviews, even from conservative sources, are less than glowing.  From the Washington Post: 

MILFORD, N.H. — Less than 24 hours after Rand Paul announced his White House bid before hundreds of jubilant, flag-waving supporters, his fledgling presidential campaign seemed to be defined more by his defiant performance when the cheering stopped.

In a series of interviews after the freshman senator from Kentucky declared his candidacy on Tuesday, Paul turned prickly — briskly sidestepping tough foreign policy questions from one journalist, lecturing another on how to conduct an interview, and testily declining to clarify his position on abortion.

And so, as Paul’s first full day of campaigning drew to a close, the narrative surrounding his campaign came straight from the candidate. It just wasn’t one he’d chosen himself.

Rand Paul has never been one to shy away from confrontation. He launched his political career on an anti-establishment message. He’s gained renown for trolling his political opponents on social media. Even the first half of the slogan for his presidential campaign skews combative: “Defeat the Washington machine.”

But the rocky media rollout of his presidential effort highlighted a key question facing him now: whether the same tough approach that has made him a favorite among tea party activists and libertarians might be limiting in a national campaign, as he looks to build a broader coalition rich with voters from beyond his base.

COMMENT:  That's a fair report.  Chris Christie has also stumbled to a degree because his confrontational, tough, New Jersey style wears out its welcome after a time.

Rand Paul has an interesting message.  He's got to learn to deliver it.  And he must confront, thoughtfully and respectfully, the doubts about him over foreign policy.  When confronted with past statements that seem isolationist or even left-wing, he often bristles rather than providing solid replies.

It's early, but you don't get too many breaks on the presidential trail.

April 9, 2015