Word association is a simple principle: say the first thing that pops into your head when you hear a given word. The results can be humorous, surprising, and at times, politically illuminating.
Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) played a word association game towards the end of an interview with Bill Goodman on the Kentucky Educational Television show “One to One” Sunday, giving his thoughts on other political figures and fellow presidential hopefuls. Some politicians might like the way they are viewed, others won’t be able to say the same.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will likely be one of the latter. According to Paul, the word he associates with Christie is “bridges,” referring to the “Bridgegate scandal” which hit the news earlier this year.
Paul did have kind words for another politician from Christie’s state, however. Paul said New Jersey Senator Cory Booker (D) was “affable, amiable, tries to get beyond partisanship.” It’s not surprising given that the two are currently working together to try and reduce sentencing laws for non-violent crimes.
Paul also described President Barack Obama as affable, adding “but often ineffectual.”
He found fellow presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton similarly underwhelming, calling her “yesterday’s news.”
Paul had a much harder time summarizing some other political figures.
“It’s hard to put it in one word,” Paul said when asked about Texas Governor Rick Perry (R). “What I would say is that I like the fact that he has been for more power for states and for less government in his state. We have some disagreements on some other things.”
He also spoke warmly about Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), another name batted around by pundits as a possible 2016 candidate.
“Thoughtful and part of the answer to making our party bigger — a good new face for our party,” Paul said.
