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Civil Liberties

Brawl for Liberty: Watch Rand Paul's Awesome New Wrestling-Inspired Attack Ad

And in this corner... Obama the email reader

Robby Soave | 5.29.2015 9:43 AM

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Large image on homepages | Liberty Pac
(Liberty Pac)

Sen. Rand Paul draws first blood this campaign season with an attack ad that riffs off WWE commercials. The ad, paid for by a pro-Paul PAC, promises that Sunday will be the "biggest brawl for liberty of the century." That's the day that Congress will reconvene to debate Patriot Act reauthorization—something Paul and other libertarian-leaning Republicans are fighting against.

The ad notes that Paul's opponents include "Obama the Email Reader" and "his so-called conservative accomplices, the capitulating Canadian, Ted Cruz." Sen. Lindsey Graham also gets a shoutout.

Paul's opponents liked to chide him for supposedly "running to Obama's left" on civil liberties and national security. But it's the other Republican candidates who are marching in lockstep with the president to protect a law that violates the freedoms of every American in service of ever-expanding federal powers. Cruz, Graham, et al clearly have a poor conception of individual liberty if they can't recognize that the Patriot Act tramples the U.S. Constitution every bit as much as Obamacare, something they all oppose.

We'll see if Republican primary voters buy the bogus argument that constantly sacrificing liberty for the federal government's dubious security goals is somehow a conservative position.

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NEXT: Tonight's Stossel: The College Scam, with Instapundit's Glenn Reynolds

Robby Soave is a senior editor at Reason.

Civil LibertiesRand PaulElection 2016Patriot Act
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  1. Dark Lord of the Cis   10 years ago

    That may be the greatest minute in the history of the universe.

  2. Good News, Everyone!   10 years ago

    That. Was. Awesome. I giggle to think of the head spinning, frothing at the mouth responses from the establishment.

  3. Heroic Mulatto   10 years ago

    I predict a lot of sticks up asses and hrumphing from various sectors.

    1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

      "I didn't get a harumph out of the guy."

      1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

        *that* guy

        1. QuadGunner   10 years ago

          DAMMIT! You beat me to it!

    2. Grand Moff Serious Man   10 years ago

      Yeah, I expect a lot of umbrage at how "immature" Paul is for mocking these sanctimonious jackasses. The great thing about political humor is that it always baits someone into overreacting and looking like a humorless jerk.

      Team Rand is far and away the best at utilizing stuff like this.

      1. Heroic Mulatto   10 years ago

        The gravity of the office! The gravity of the office!!

        1. Notorious G.K.C.   10 years ago

          The important thing is that the President destroy the Constitution in a cool, charismatic way.

        2. Almanian!   10 years ago

          "That's not the important thing right now, Sully, The important thing is....GRAVITY....."

    3. Dweebston   10 years ago

      I'd harumph a bit if I were stuck in the ass.

    4. RJ The Terrible   10 years ago

      fuck em

  4. generalisimo14   10 years ago

    These folks give Remy a run for his money!

    1. SimonJester   10 years ago

      Paul needs to hire Remy.

      1. buybuydandavis   10 years ago

        That's a nice idea.

  5. DaveSs   10 years ago

    That looks more like an ad for President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho

    Except its missing really big guns

    1. Almanian!   10 years ago

      At least he don't talk like a fag! Uhhh hyuk hyuk hyuk!

    2. Sudden   10 years ago

      I was expecting a powerthirst promotion

  6. Free Society   10 years ago

    That is pretty damn awesome.

  7. Jima   10 years ago

    That was probably fun to make, but I predict it's effect will be unmeasurable... All of us Rand supporters are just happy to see him get in some body shots on the opponents. Boom!!

    1. Dweebston   10 years ago

      It's like watching Pacquiao throwing jabs for twenty minutes and Mayweather skirting out of them.

  8. Steve G   10 years ago

    Was that Vin Diesel at the end?
    "Don't miss it"

    1. Akira   10 years ago

      I think it was Brad Garrett...

  9. Fist of Etiquette   10 years ago

    WATCH AS HE SLAMS THROUGH THE GATES OF HELL AND SHAKES HANDS WITH THE DEVIL

    1. Almanian!   10 years ago

      As seen on the back of a hot rod on the cover of the most-recent "Ol Skool Rods" magazine:

      "Hell's Full - I Came Back"

  10. Warty   10 years ago

    The talking point seems to be that this is embarrassing for Rand Paul.

    sleeve
    7:29 AM EDT
    I am sure Reince will be so pleased to see this ad since it is confirmation that the Clowns are taking over the Big Tent. At least everyone will watch the GOP primaries lowering the viewing age of its broadcast arm, Faux Noise. Always a silver lining if you know where you look.

    1. Almanian!   10 years ago

      Shorter griefers: "derp"

      I want to see more of this type of ad!

    2. The Last American Hero   10 years ago

      And yet the ads that showed Paul Ryan literally pushing a granny in a wheelchair off a cliff were OK?

      1. Pan Zagloba   10 years ago

        That had gravity!

        1. SimonJester   10 years ago

          i hate you.

        2. Bodica Slayer of Drones   10 years ago

          +100

  11. Charles Easterly   10 years ago

    *prepares to duck and dodge for the near future*

    I like the advertisement's premise but didn't like its execution.
    Now, I haven't watched television in several years and if you inform me that the majority of advertisements are of similar quality then I'll better understand the ad-makers' approach.

    Otherwise I can see it only appealing to a) those of us in opposition to NSA/government abuses and who are already in agreement with Paul, and b) the easily manipulated

    1. Dweebston   10 years ago

      It's a near-perfect parody of monster-truck melodrama. And if Washington needs anything, it's being mocked relentlessly.

    2. Zeb   10 years ago

      Well, the easily manipulated make up a large portion of the swing vote, so it might not be such a bad strategy. Though not many vote in primaries, I would imagine.

      1. Bill Dalasio   10 years ago

        Though not many vote in primaries, I would imagine.

        You might want to rethink that. Remember Donald Trump was a figure in the 2012 primaries.

        1. Zeb   10 years ago

          Did he actually make it to any actual primaries? I thought he always dropped out before he has to file financial disclosures.

  12. MJGreen   10 years ago

    This is pretty great, but it is a PAC's ad, right? So it's not supposed to be an ad that Paul knew about or approved, right? Maybe he does approve of it, but it's not really "Rand Paul releasing his first attack ad," right?

    1. Charles Easterly   10 years ago

      Correct MJ:

      "Paid for by America's Liberty PAC, which is responsible for the content of this message. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. http://www.americaslibertypac.com"

      (from the very end of the video)

      1. MJGreen   10 years ago

        Riiiiiiight?

        1. Charles Easterly   10 years ago

          Yes, MJ, you are right.

          I bask in your rightness.

          You are so right, in fact, that you reminded me of the admiration beaming from Dante's face as he is taught dance moves by his best friend.

          Now, MJ, I submit to you that THAT is righteous.

          1. MJGreen   10 years ago

            Right!

            I don't know why, I'm very heavy on "right?" this morning. I apologize to all.

            And that is undeniably Kevin Smith's one great contribution to mankind. It gives value to his entire career.

    2. R C Dean   10 years ago

      And when he gets asked about it, he can just say "Well, unlike some candidates who don't seem to understand what "independent" campaign spending is, we follow the law. I had nothing to do with this. Pretty funny, though, isn't it?"

  13. All-Seeing Monocle   10 years ago

    Awesome.

  14. R C Dean   10 years ago

    "The capitulating Canadian" - perfect. Cruz really disappointed me on this.

    1. Bo Cara Esq.   10 years ago

      I thought Cruz showed up in support of Paul's filibuster last week (albeit late)?

    2. R C Dean   10 years ago

      By gosh, he did. I missed that.

  15. SusanM   10 years ago

    Ted "The Capitulating Canadian" Cruz...

    It'll take something really bad to change my mind about Rand right now. Regardless of some of the positions he has which I dislike, he's still my kinda crazy.

    1. buybuydandavis   10 years ago

      There's my bumper sticker:

      Rand Paul - My Kind of Crazy

      1. William Pilgrim   10 years ago

        Perfect.

  16. Bo Cara Esq.   10 years ago

    "something Paul and other libertarian-leaning Republicans are fighting against."

    Actually, iirc, while Paul led the fight more Democrats showed up to support his filibuster than members of the Grand Old Party.

    1. PaulW   10 years ago

      Kudos to them, but I don't think there is a libertarian leaning Democrat out there. It's like sometimes they remember they are supposed to be the party of civil liberties (even though they never actually have been).

      1. Libertarius   10 years ago

        No, that's not it. They oppose it because BOOOSH and they want it to be 2004 forever.

  17. DesigNate   10 years ago

    The eagle screeching fire was teh awesome!

    I look forward to hearing how unserious Rand's supporters are because of ads like this.

    1. bob sacomano   10 years ago

      Check out the HotAir comments. Egads so much butthurt over there.

  18. Chumby   10 years ago

    Best wrestling-themed video:
    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6BFxLLsqV6k

    1. Heroic Mulatto   10 years ago

      GOLDBERG DID 9/11!!!!!

  19. Kevin Sorbos Manful Locks   10 years ago

    I can't decide if the clumsy audio engineering is the product of sheer genius or utter incompetence.

    1. Overt   10 years ago

      Yeah, I thought the video concept was great, but the writing and production value was pretty low. "Cruz the Capitulating Canadian" means very little to people who aren't knowledgeable about Cruz. I don't even think they mentioned what the battle was (showdown over Patriot Act), though with as bad as the audio quality was, I might have missed it.

      For kitsch, it was quite nice. For conveying an actual message, I think it missed an opportunity.

    2. buybuydandavis   10 years ago

      Yeah, the sound was crap for me too. Loved it, though.

  20. Bodica Slayer of Drones   10 years ago

    At the end, I'd like to see Dana Perrino carried off by the Eagle. One talon, Dana Perrino. The other talon - Nancy Pelosi.

  21. Bodica Slayer of Drones   10 years ago

    Sunday, blood Sunday . . . tee hee hee

  22. Bodica Slayer of Drones   10 years ago

    It reminds me of Toby Keith's song 'Red Solo Cup'. So outrageously over-the-top it is brilliant.

  23. XM   10 years ago

    If only libertarians were excited about Rand Paul as they were about Robert Sarvis and the pizza delivery man.

    "The pizza delivery man participated in the free market, he's qualified for positions of power!"

    I would vote for Ron Paul (or even Gary Johnson) before I vote for the pizza delivery man.

    1. Zeb   10 years ago

      The most I expect from even the most agreeable politician is less disappointment, so I'm not getting excited. I don't know who Robert Sarvis and pizza man are, so I guess I must be at least as excited about Paul as about them.

  24. monoXcide   10 years ago

    https://vimeo.com/82074066

  25. JParker   10 years ago

    I was disappointed; I was hoping that "wrestling-inspired" point was about how the matches are purely theatrics, the feuds scripted, and the results pre-determined.

  26. William Pilgrim   10 years ago

    I like this guy more and more each news cycle. And I'm kind of a socialist. Fuck.

  27. Bill Goode   10 years ago

    Of course I'll like whatever good will is generated for Rand Paul, but this ad is not his style. I don't believe Rand Paul would have endorsed it.

    Of course in a society of free speech, such ads can get published by almost anyone, but it's poor taste. Shame on whoever put in the plug degenerating Cruz for being born in Canada. That's a divisive issue in a political party that Rand is working to unite.

  28. npy36805   10 years ago

    Nathaniel . although Stephanie `s rep0rt is super... I just bought a top of the range Mercedes sincee geting a check for $4416 this last four weeks and would you believe, ten/k last-month . no-doubt about it, this really is the best-job I've ever done . I actually started seven months/ago and almost straight away started making a nice over $79.. p/h..... ?????? http://www.netcash9.com

  29. vixanoyez   10 years ago

    Google pay 97$ per hour my last pay check was $8500 working 1o hours a week online. My younger brother friend has been averaging 12k for months now and he works about 22 hours a week. I cant believe how easy it was once I tried it out.
    This is wha- I do...... ?????? http://www.www.netjob80.com

  30. Sieck72   10 years ago

    That was amazing.

  31. Almanian!   10 years ago

    Yeah - this was the best part for me.

    "...now it's ON FIRE!!!"

  32. Dweebston   10 years ago

    And the jab about Graham being the kid's attraction... perfection. He should be treated like a sideshow.

  33. Zeb   10 years ago

    Metro convertible. I kind of want one.

  34. Overt   10 years ago

    Clearly Paul is suggesting that people light Graham on fire. Such mindless calls to violence have no place in our political system. For Shame!

    /Americans with Sticks Up Their Asses for Government Servitude

  35. buybuydandavis   10 years ago

    And did you see the explosion of Congress?!

    Terrorism!
    Terrorism!
    Terrorism!

    Violence *isn't funny*! Violence *isn't cool*!

    There should have been a trigger warning! I'm so *frightened*!

    Derpa derpa derp derp derp

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