Paul’s main appeal is based on positions and an ability to articulate those positions in a way that brings people over to his side. One can see this not only in the willingness of fellow Republicans to praise his filibuster, but Paul’s 2010 senate victories.

In 2010, Paul overcame establishment opposition to win the Republican primary by an astounding 23 points. He then went on to defeat a solid opponent in Jack Conway in the general election by a solid 12 points.

These victories make Rand Paul very much unlike his father, Ron. Paul the elder never won a statewide popular vote in a primary or general election. Ron Paul has his base, but never could really reach beyond it. His son, Rand, is simply a better politician. The one thing that Ron did have was an organization set up to help him get votes in the early states. He got 21% of the vote in Iowa and 23% in New Hampshire in 2012.

Rand, in my opinion, will likely inherit much of his father’s organization. Assume that can give him 21% of the vote in Iowa and 23% of the vote in New Hampshire. It’s quite possible that only high 20s are needed to win both states. One has to think that given Rand’s political abilities, which his father failed to posses, he can win that extra 5% of the vote in each state to put him over the top.