Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) kicked off his 2016 presidential campaign by vowing to get jobs for all Americans and to take a tougher tack on foreign policy than his family is known for.
The Lexington event was emceed by former Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.), who asked Paul’s supporters to pray for the candidate “by name every single day.” The campaign has promised that Watts will be no stranger on the campaign trail.
Paul, with his dad, former Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) looking on, vowed to “not dilute our message or give up on our principles.”
“This message of liberty is for all Americans, Americans from all walks of life. The message of liberty, opportunity and justice is for all Americans, whether you wear a suit, a uniform or overalls, whether you’re white or black, rich or poor,” he said. “…If we nominate a candidate who is simply Democrat Light, what’s the point?”
The eye doctor said he ran for office “because we have too many career politicians,” and after his time in Washington “I believe it now more than ever.”
Outlining his platform, the candidate declared, “I have a vision for America where everyone who wants to work will have a job.”
“Many Americans though are being left behind. The reward of work seems beyond their grasp. Under the watch of both parties, the poor seem to get poorer and the rich get richer. Trillion-dollar government stimulus packages has only widened the income gap,” Paul said. “Politically connected crones get taxpayer dollars by the hundreds of millions and poor families across America continue to suffer. I have a different vision, an ambitious vision, an ambitious vision, a vision that will offer opportunity to all Americans, especially those who have been left behind. My plan includes economic freedom zones to allow impoverished areas like Detroit, West Louisville, Eastern Kentucky to prosper by leaving more money in the pockets of the people who live there.”
“Can you imagine what a billion-dollar stimulus could do for Detroit or for Appalachia? I’m convinced that most Americans want to work. I want to free up the great engine of American prosperity.”
Paul vowed to bring back manufacturing jobs with a plan to “dramatically lower the tax on American companies that wish to bring their profits home.”
“In my vision for America, freedom and prosperity at home can only be achieved if we defend against enemies who are dead-set on attacking us. Without question we must defend ourselves and American interests from our enemies, but until we name the enemy, we can’t win the war. The enemy is radical Islam. You can’t get around it,” he said. “And not only will I name the enemy, I will do whatever it takes to defend America from these haters of mankind.”
He touted his co-sponsorship of the Corker-Menendez bill to require congressional approval of an Iran deal because “not only is that good policy, it’s the law.”
“It concerns me that the Iranians have a different interpretation of the agreement. They’re putting out statement that say completely the opposite of what we’re saying. It concerns me that we may attempt, or the president may attempt, to unilaterally and prematurely halt sanctions,” the senator continued. “I will oppose any deal that does not end Iran’s nuclear ambitions and have strong verification measures.”
Paul became especially fired up talking about privacy. “I say that your phone records are yours. I say the phone records of law-abiding citizens are none of their damn business. Is this where we light up the phones?” he quipped.
“America has much greatness left in her. We are still exceptional and we are still a beacon for the world. We will thrive when we believe in ourselves again. I see an America strong enough to deter foreign aggression, yet wise enough to avoid unnecessary intervention. I see an America where criminal justice is applied equally and any law that disproportionately incarcerates people of color is repealed. I see an America with a restrained IRS that cannot target, cannot harass American citizens for their political or religious beliefs.”
Paul declared that to “rescue a great country now adrift… I am putting myself forward as a candidate for president of the United States of America.”
After the announcement, the audience was urged to stick around for an hourlong taping with Sean Hannity.
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