As I briefly mentionedon Slog, Rand Paul gave a speech to a mostly black audience at Howard University this morning. The full text is up at Reason, and it should be noted Paul begins with a condescending history lesson about how Republicans freed the slaves, but here’s what I’d consider to be the nut of the speech:
Now, Republicans face a daunting task. Several generations of black voters have never voted Republican and are not very open to even considering the option.
Democrats still promise unlimited federal assistance and Republicans promise free markets, low taxes, and less regulations that we believe will create more jobs.
The Democrat promise is tangible and puts food on the table, but too often doesn’t lead to jobs or meaningful success.
The Republican promise is for policies that create economic growth. Republicans believe lower taxes, less regulation, balanced budgets, a solvent Social Security and Medicare will stimulate economic growth.
This is basically Mitt Romney’s 47 percent speech, slightly adapted for a mostly black audience. Paul goes on to push for “school choice” (promoting anti-union documentary Waiting for Superman as the most meaningful evidence) and an end to the drug war, among other things. If your forehead is begging for some slapping, ThinkProgress has much more about all the dumb things Paul said.