Rand Paul's strategy: Will libertarianism really expand the map for the GOP?

1. I wouldn’t have thought that Rand Paul was one of the those libertarians who saw his philosophy as a combination of social liberalism and fiscal conservatism, since he himself opposes abortion and same-sex marriage. Perhaps he’s saying that the Republicans need candidates who are more libertarian-type than he is?…

4. The Democrats do have a more solid electoral base than the Republicans. Not all of that is a result of social issues. It’s hard to believe it’s Republican social conservatism that has shut the party out in presidential years in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (all of which have or have recently had socially conservative governors). Some states really do seem to be off limits to a socially conservative presidential candidate—California for example. But look at the states a social liberal couldn’t win, and there seems to be a rough balance.