A new fearless leader: Rand Paul shifts the political orbit!

Finally, we have a leader-someone who stood up to Obama, and the Washington establishment and in the process, shifted the political orbit. Of course, I'm talking about my senator, Rand Paul of Kentucky, who created a sensation in Washington and online Wednesday when he stood up and spoke for nearly 13 hours straight in the Senate chamber, railing against the use of unmanned drones. 

Here are some of Rand Paul's best lines during his 13-hour filibuster:

• On smoking:

"If we believe [Obama] to be a good man who would never kill noncombatants in a cafe in Houston, sitting out in a sidewalk cafe, smoking — oh, that's right you're not allowed to smoke cigarettes anymore."

• On Obama's shift on civil liberties: 

"I think its also safe to say that Barack Obama of 2007 would be right down here with me arguing against this drone-strike program if he we're in the Senate."

• On the White House "kill list":

"You don't think a President working off of PowerPoint slides and flash cards might not make a mistake?"

• Claiming that the filibuster was not partisan:

“I have allowed the president to pick his political appointees...But I will not sit quietly and let him shred the Constitution."

• Invoking Hitler: 

"I'm not saying that anyone is Hitler, don't misunderstand me. But what I am saying that is…when a democracy gets it wrong, you want the law to be in place.”

Rand Paul during his 13-hour filibuster

While the old Republican guard were being wined and dined by Obama, Rand Paul was pouring his heart out on the senate floor taking the issue of drones directly to the American people. The crux of Rand's filibuster was this: Does the president have the authority to use a weaponized drone to kill an American not engaged in combat or on American soil? If an American is seated at an outdoor restaurant and the U.S. government deems him a threat to the safety of U.S. citizens, can the U.S. government take him out with a drone strike? 

And what about collateral damage, innocent citizens who would be killed because they happened to be in the company of the target? Rand Paul was seeking an answer to this question from both Obama and Attorney General, Eric Holder. 

Rand Paul, joined by Sen. Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio, took on this administration over the Constitution, over personal freedom and liberty. Finally, someone said "Enough is enough!" 

Many Americans are depressed and saddened by the direction of this country and it was a shot in the arm to see Rand Paul's filibuster. We've been waiting for someone in the Republican party to stand up to this administration. 

Sadly, most of the Republicans are gutless and act as though there is no real crisis in our nation. While Rand Paul was ranting about freedom and liberty, you had Sen. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and other Republicans playing footsie with Obama and "yukking" it up over cocktails and roasted lamb. 

These "old-guard" Republicans are dupes being used as pawns by Obama to show that he is seeking "bi-partisanship." They'll be the backdrop of the President's photo-op effort to reach out to the Republicans. President Obama knew well in advance that he wasn't about to compromise or listen to any ideas coming from these guys...he just wanted them along to give him some political cover, and they were dumb enough to provide it.

John McCain and Lindsey Graham inviting
Rand Paul to "Come over to the Dark Side"

On Thursday, most Americans were siding with Team Rand Paul. We need some young bloods like Paul, Rubio and Cruz. They've upset the apple cart  

The only ones who didn't care for Paul's filibuster were the Republican ruling establishment, namely Sen. John McCain and Lindsey Graham. McCain belittled Rand Paul's efforts by saying he had violated the rules of the senate. Those are the words of a man who is couldn't be more disconnected. It's like he's on another planet. 

It's like the Titanic sinking and taking on water while John McCain and Lindsay Graham are arguing over how to rearrange the deck chairs. These old-guard Republicans are so out of touch with the American people and they are more concerned with playing politics than standing up to this administration. 

I hope this is not the last that we hear from Rand Paul. I hope he continues to provide us with much needed leadership and inspiration in the months to come. Most of all, I hope he continues to stand-up to President Obama on behalf of the American people and the Constitution.