Rand Paul announces, Memories Pizza GoFundMe, and more | "Dana" Weekly Rewind
This week on "Dana": Rand Paul announces he #39;s running for president in 2016, Dana tackles gun-free zones in Texas, the GoFundMe campaign for Memories Pizza raised over 800000 dollars, the...
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Rand Paul announces, Memories Pizza GoFundMe, and more | "Dana" Weekly Rewind - Video
Rand Paul Mansplains!
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Rand Paul Mansplains! - Video
Sen. Rand Paul: I #39;m in favor of continuing negotiations with Iran
Hugh Hewitt Interview w/ Sen. Rand Paul.
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Sen. Rand Paul: I'm in favor of continuing negotiations with Iran - Video
In just his first week as an official candidate, he's faced the dual headwinds of negative ads highlighting conservative criticism over his foreign policy views as well as charges of sexism for his combative reactions in high-profile interviews.
The early days of a presidential campaign are critically important: It's a first shot for candidates to define themselves at a time when they'll attract a swell of generally positive media coverage and get screen time in front of audiences that don't normally pay attention to politics.
READ: Paul best GOP bet in three swing states, poll says
And this early on Paul was only the second candidate to jump in the race after Ted Cruz newcomers face an onslaught of political media coverage. That means closer than usual scrutiny of a candidate's record and statements, along with incessant horse race evaluations of based on optics and the logistics of campaign rollouts.
"No matter how well-known a candidate may be going into a roll out tour, the goal of any presidential announcement event is to provide the optics and visuals that say, 'Meet the next president of the United States,'" said John Legittino, who led Mitt Romney's national event production.
For Paul, it's widely viewed that his Tuesday announcement in Louisville, Kentucky, successfully set the tone for his campaign. He aimed to appear like a nontraditional candidate with diverse appeal that would help expand the Republican base and make him more electable in a general election. The kickoff event was followed by a media blitz and an early voting state tour that took him through New Hampshire, South Carolina and Iowa. On Saturday, he completes the tour in Nevada.
It was during his media appearances that the narrative of his rollout started shifting gears. On Wednesday morning, Paul clashed with NBC's Savannah Guthrie over what he considered editorialized questions and tried to direct her on how she should conduct an interview. The tense exchange quickly spread and comparisons were drawn to his heated reaction in a different interview two months ago when he shushed a female reporter.
And when Paul was in New Hampshire later on Wednesday, he got aggravated with an Associated Press reporter who asked the senator specifics about his views on abortion ban exceptions.
SEE: Rand Paul says Dems should be grilled on abortion, too
"I gave you about a five-minute answer. Put in my five-minute answer," a frustrated Paul said.
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Rand Paul hits bumps in first week of campaign - CNN.com
Only a few days removed from his splashy debut as a presidential candidate -- complete with a "Defeat the Washington Machine" campaign slogan -- Rand Paul is taking fire from all sides.
The Democratic National Committee is holding daily conference calls with reporters calling the Kentucky Republican senator "extreme" and an "American nightmare." Outside the entrance of Paul's rally here Wednesday, liberal activists from NextGen, a group backed by billionaire hedge fund manager Tom Steyer, held a demonstration targeting Paul over his views on climate change.
And, perhaps most importantly, Republicans aren't sparing Paul.
A GOP group called the Foundation for a Secure and Prosperous America released an ad targeting Paul, claiming he opposed sanctions against Iran, a nation in the process of developing a nuclear program. The effort was organized by GOP operative Rick Reed, who previously led the "Swiftboat Veterans for Truth" effort against John Kerry when he was the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee. And just to make sure the charge -- decried by some as misleading -- sticks against Paul, the group spent $1 million to air the ad in key states this week. Even the National Rifle Association, one of the most powerful lobbyist groups in Washington, has a sour relationship with Paul because of his association with gun advocacy groups they find too extreme.
The moves reflect Paul's unique status heading into 2016. As a politician who has tried to appeal to broad swaths of the electorate -- not just the Republican base -- he's opened himself up to an assault from all sides.
"He's trying to be an all-inclusive Republican candidate. He's trying to make everyone happy, but in doing so, he's making everyone unhappy," Republican strategist Ron Bonjean told CNN. "And the left doesn't want to see him put together a coalition outside the Republican base. He represents a threat."
READ: Rand Paul: 'I'm putting myself forward as a candidate for president'
Paul's aides and supporters concede that the forces against him are a challenge. But they argue it's a sign of fear of his possible success.
"I think every campaign is going to have that same type of challenge," said Mike Biundo, Paul's top strategist in New Hampshire. "One thing it does prove is that you don't spend a million dollars on a candidate people don't think is a top tier candidate. I think that puts us in a very strong position."
However, the extent of the attacks on Paul underscore a harsh reality that he and his team will face over the course of the campaign: They will be fighting two-front war against Democrats and fellow Republicans.
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Rand Paul under fire -- from GOP