Paul: Liberty Must be GOP's 'Backbone'

Before Rand Paul even arrived at the Gaylord National Harbor convention center in Maryland for his Thursday afternoon CPAC address, the stage was set for his raucous reception. Outside the convention hall, a team of eager young volunteers began passing out t-shirts, stickers, and posters emblazoned with the catchiest political slogan since “Yes We Can.”

“Stand With Rand,” the logo’s white letters read against a red background. Accompanying the words is a black and white silhouette of Paul, the Kentucky Republican’s arms crossed in defiance of drones, profligate federal spending, and would-be violators of civil liberties.