When Rand Paul spoke to a skeptical audience at Howard University this week, he probably didn’t persuade many that Republican policies would serve African-Americans better than Democratic ones.
But the Kentucky Republican made the argument and made it on principle. “I would argue,” he said, “that the objective evidence shows that big government is not a friend to African-Americans.”
How many other Republicans have been willing to bring that argument, in person, to an audience largely skeptical about Republicans? How many other Republicans — including those in this state — convey to the public they even believe that argument?
Yes, that’s a hard case to make to people who have been suspicious about the GOP for decades. And the Democrats have the advantage that their “promise is tangible and puts food on the table, but too often doesn’t lead to jobs or meaningful success.” But Republicans are not going to attract voters by becoming Democrats Lite.
We have some strong differences with Paul, particularly on foreign policy. But along with the most impressive men and women coming up in the party — from Sens. Marco Rubio (Fla.), Ted Cruz (Texas), Kelly Ayotte (NH) and Tim Scott (SC) to Govs. Susana Martinez (NM), Bobby Jindal (La.) and Nikki Haley (SC) — Paul believes everybody has a stake in limited government and unbounded opportunity, not just white suburbanites.
New York’s GOP would do well to take note. For all his issues, Sen. Paul shows that the way to attract non-Republicans to the party is to explain why its principles are better — not to try to water them down.