Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky was at home addressing the traditionally libertarian-leaning Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, calling for an American national defense “unencumbered by nation building” and telling the crowd that their phone records are none of the government’s business.
Mr. Paul has won The Washington Times/CPAC presidential preference straw poll for the last two years, and “Stand with Rand” signs were peppered throughout the crowd, which fired back chants of “President Paul” at him.
But it remains to be seen whether such enthusiasm among the devoted followers that made up much of the audience Friday can translate into votes in a Republican presidential primary; he’s running fifth in the latest RealClearPolitics average of recent polling on the possible 2016 GOP field.
He has also tried to push back on being labeled an “isolationist” by some of his critics, making a pitch for what he calls conservative realism.
“I envision an America with a national defense unparalleled, undefeatable, and unencumbered by nation-building,” he said, earning enthusiastic applause.
In his address, Mr. Paul also alluded to the government’s phone-snooping program in making a pitch for privacy.
SEE ALSO: Rand Paul at CPAC: ‘Not one penny more to these haters of America’
“I say that your phone records are yours,” he said. “I say that the phone records of United States citizens are none of their damn business.”
Mr. Paul famously held the Senate floor for almost 13 hours in March 2013 to block the nomination of John O. Brennan, President Obama’s nominee to head the CIA, as he sought assurances from Mr. Obama’s administration that it would not use drones to target Americans on U.S. soil.
“You do have a right to privacy,” he said. “Your rights are who you are. … Your rights are in your DNA, and the government, quite frankly, can get over it.”
He closed with a call to action, as he weighs a presidential bid.
“Will you stand with me? Will you fight for freedom?” he said to cheers.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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