Paul’s capabilities as a politician have to this point been quite impressive, however, and it is not hard to envision ways that he can head off this assault at the pass: first, by taking lessons from Obama’s 2008 campaign (in which his positioning on Afghanistan allowed him to falsely represent himself as a Jeffersonian in other areas); and second, by finding and connecting with those respected figures in the foreign policy community who are closer to his viewpoint, giving him the ability to point to the credentials of his advisors as indicative of a level of seriousness his opponents don’t wish to grant him.

It’s that seriousness which is the real test for Paul on foreign policy. Republican primary voters don’t need you to be a foreign or defense policy expert: they need to have confidence in you as a potential commander in chief. Paul’s opponents will attempt to turn him into his father, and his perspective into a clownish and dangerous caricature. But they will likely be unsuccessful in that effort if Paul takes steps now to avoid this while it’s in his power to do so.