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There is a time for military action, such as after 9/11, he wrote. There is a time for diplomacy and the strategic use of soft power, such as now with Russia.

That stand neatly encompasses where right meets left: A year ago, Mr. Paul and Senator Bernie Sanders, independent of Vermont, were the only opponents of a bill imposing further sanctions on Russia and Iran. This spring, Mr. Paul threatened to do whatever it takes to block the confirmation of Mike Pompeo as secretary of state, saying that Mr. Pompeos support for military intervention in Iraq, Iran, Syria and Afghanistan did not square with Mr. Trumps own views. Mr. Paul next delayed, then voted against, the nomination of Gina Haspel to replace Mr. Pompeo as C.I.A. director, saying, Im still concerned about her role in extreme rendition and torture.

Mr. Paul now says he is questioning Mr. Trumps nomination of Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, over Judge Kavanaughs stances on privacy and government surveillance.

But as with his threats to vote against the Affordable Care Act repeal that did not go far enough; against the presidents tax cuts, which did not cut deep enough; and against Mr. Pompeo, few believe Mr. Paul will make good on his threat against Judge Kavanaugh if his vote matters.

It has, in fact, been a rough patch for Mr. Paul. Last fall, Mr. Paul had gotten off his riding mower at his home in Bowling Green, Ky., to move some branches when he was tackled from behind by Rene A. Boucher, his next-door neighbor. Mr. Boucher, who took a running start down a steep slope in Mr. Pauls front yard, landed on him with such force that he broke several ribs and bruised the senators lungs.

Mr. Bouchers lawyers said the fight was the climax of a long-simmering dispute over Mr. Pauls stacking brush too near his property. Mr. Boucher was sentenced last month to a 30-day jail term, and Mr. Paul is suing him for damages.

The velocity of the hit was just more than pushing somebody down in their yard, said Mr. Pauls mother, Carol Paul. He had no idea he was coming until he landed on him.

She is struggling not to see the blindsiding as a metaphor for the nations politics.

This is not the America I grew up in, she said. Everyone loved our country, loved our president and didnt say horrible things and make up stories, she said. Rand is so intelligent and has so many good ideas. Hes not the kind that wont listen, but hes not going to go along to get along.

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Once a Trump Antagonist, Rand Paul Emerges as His Russia ...