IS RAND PAUL SUICIDAL? – AT 8:38 A.M. ET:  One reason I could not support Rand Paul for president, and it is the reason most often given by people on our side, is that he is, at heart, an isolationist on foreign policy.  His father is to the left of the Democrats on foreign policy, and, while Paul insists he's different, I really wonder.

Now Paul has put his foot in it once more by endorsing President Obama's move on Cuba.  From The Hill:

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) again finds himself at odds with many in the GOP on foreign policy after he came out in support of the Obama administration’s move to normalize relations with Cuba.

“It’s not surprising,” one Republican strategist told The Hill. “Once again he’s has found a way to be even more liberal than Obama on foreign policy. That’s hard to do because there’s only about a dime’s room of space between the two of them, but he always find a way to get into it.”

By fueling his isolationist image, Paul has set himself up for what will likely be a bruising battle on international issues with other GOP contenders in the primaries if he chooses to run for president.

“The road to hell is paved with isolationist intentions,” said Rick Wilson, a Florida Republican strategist. “He was already viewed with suspicion, not just by the donor class, but by the part of the party that believes in strong national security and promoting American values abroad, and now he’s behind throwing a lifeline to a communist dictator.”

A spokesman for Paul did not return a request for comment.

There was near unanimity among Republicans who lined up against Obama on Cuba, and other likely challengers, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), all criticized the president and said they continue to support the embargo.

Several Republican strategists say Paul is positioning himself to fight a battle over foreign policy that he can’t win in the Republican primaries if he runs for president.

COMMENT:  I certainly hope he can't win it.  The rock of Ronald Reagan's Republican Party has always been a strong foreign policy based on a strong national defense.  That is what won the Cold War, and what is required for the challenges of today.  If Republicans abandon that by nominating Rand Paul, what actually does the party stand for?

I really don't think it will happen, or even come close to happening.

December 19,  2014