Rand Paul Has a Warning For the GOP If They Want To Win Young Voters

By Emily Hulsey 4 hours ago



In an interview with Vocativ.com, Senator (and presumed presidential contender) Rand Paul addressed the divide between the GOP’s various factions and urged them to “agree to disagree” on social issues:
I think that the Republican Party, in order to get bigger, will have to agree to disagree on social issues. The Republican Party is not going to give up on having quite a few people who do believe in traditional marriage. But the Republican Party also has to find a place for young people and others who don’t want to be festooned by those issues.
Paul’s comments come during a time when a lot of attention is being paid to the divide within the Republican Party, particularly between libertarians and social conservatives. Though it is the general consensus that those factions will have to come together in order for the GOP to win the White House, very few people other than Paul have discussed how to achieve that.
On issues that are very contentious, that involve social mores—I think that allowing different parts of the country to make their decision based on the local mores and culture is a good idea. But when it comes to taxes and benefits, the [federal] government out to take a neutral position—a way where marriage wouldn’t have an effect, positive or negative, on those things.
While it may seem impossible to set social issues like gay marriage aside for those who feel strongly about them, it might be possible, at the very least, to focus on the common ground that does exist. For example, many Christian conservatives follow the teaching that people are not to judge others themselves, but rather leave the judgement to God. This is a “while I may disagree with you, it is not my place to control you” approach that also resonates with libertarians, many of whom are young, independent voters whom the GOP needs desperately.
What resonates most from Rand Paul’s statement is that even though libertarians and social conservatives have some differences, we also have a lot in common:

  • We believe America is founded on freedom.
  • We believe in small government and spending responsibly.
  • We care deeply for our nation’s future.



And it is only if we focus on those commonalities rather than the differences that we will ever be able to win another presidential election and make a difference in the country which we all care so much about.

How do you feel about Paul’s statement? Is he right or wrong? Share your thoughts below.

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This article was edited after publication.

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/03/1214...sues-want-win/