Rand Paul Taming the Establishment Skepticism Toward Him

In an article titled, Rand Paul Is the GOP's Early Presidential Front-Runner, Josh Kraushaar writes in the National Journal:

This week, at a Missouri Republican Party banquet, he said the party needs "a more diverse party—with tattoos and without tattoos."[...]Paul's mutually beneficial alliance with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who faces reelection this year, is a prime example of his political foresight. McConnell has helped him build chits with the establishment, including donors skeptical of his national viability. McConnell, meanwhile, has gotten tea-party validation to get him through a contested primary against businessman Matt Bevin. He's also benefited from Paul's swipes at former President Clinton, who is emerging as an important surrogate for McConnell's Democratic challenger, Alison Lundergan Grimes. McConnell, if he survives the general election, could become the next majority leader. But Paul, in taming the establishment skepticism toward him, could end up with the bigger prize.

Huh, cozying up to the crony establishment to politically advance, why didn't Rand's father think of this?

Then, of course, the article features a quote from Mitch McConnell campaign manager and Rand's nephew, Jesse Benton, whose name has surfaced around the edges of the developing Sorensengate problem (SEE: EPJ Exclusive: Washington D.C. Grand Jury Investigating Activities Surrounding Ron Paul Inc.)

"That's the big challenge—is America ready? I think that Rand and his small-L libertarian Republicanism can break through," said Paul's longtime adviser Jesse Benton. "He's a fundamentally better messenger than Barry Goldwater—[Goldwater's 1964 campaign slogan] 'In your heart you know he's right' is not very compelling. Rand is a wonderful communicator, and I think a message of individual liberty can build wide support."