Rand Paul’s filibuster - “Young bucks” & ”Old guard”: Which side are you on?

By Bernie Quigley

For The Hill on 3/7/13

Front page left on Drudge this morning are two pieces about Kentucky Senator Rand Paul’s 13-hour filibuster in opposition to the use of drones against Americans and President Obama’s choice of John Brennan to head the CIA. Drudge titled the  one story “young bucks” citing particularly Utah Senator Mike Lee and Texas Senator Ted Cruz who stood with Paul 100%. They titled the others story “old guard” in reference to a dozen other Republicans who were at the same time breaking bread with Obama. The question conservatives should be asking when CPAC 2013 meets next week is this: Which side are you on?

“Young Bucks” at the filibuster, from Washington Times report: “Late in the evening Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus even issued an all-hands alert for help: ‘Attention all Republican US Senators -> Please go to the floor and help out.’ . . . In addition to Mr. Cruz and Mr. Lee, others who showed up and spoke included Sens. Marco Rubio of Florida, John Cornyn of Texas, John Barrasso of Wyoming, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Jeff Flake of Arizona and Mitch McConnell, the GOP floor leader, who made a late-night appearance to congratulate his fellow Kentuckian.”

“Old School” at the Obama dinner, from The Hill’s report:”GOP senators say no new policy ground was broken as both sides held fast to their battle-tested positions on taxes and spending, but the meeting helped thaw frosty relations and improve the prospects of a deal eventually. “I think really what he is trying to do is start a discussion and kind of break the ice and that was appreciated,” said Sen. Mike Johanns (Neb.) . . . Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Saxby Chambliss (Ga.), Dan Coats (Ind.), Tom Coburn (Okla.), Bob Corker (Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.), John Hoeven (N.D.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), John McCain (Ariz.) and Pat Toomey (Pa.) also sat down with Obama.”