Rand Paul courts California high-tech community
Rand Paul is seeking Republican support in Democratic California by appealing to its high-tech community on the issues of privacy and fewer government regulations.
“What we want is a government that leaves us alone,” Paul said during a weekend stop in San Francisco. “There are a lot of folks in Silicon Valley who say, ‘You know what? Enough is enough.’ ”
Paul, who opened a campaign office in San Francisco, told local residents that he wants to be "a different kind of Republican: one who respects the entire Bill of Rights."
In addition to smaller government, Paul also said that National Security Agency surveillance programs should be ended.
His pitch, though, didn't impress Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif. In a call held by the Democratic National Committee, Swalwell said, "Rand Paul likes to say he’s a ‘different’ kind of Republican, but his policies don’t sound very different than the rest of the Republicans running for President." Swalwell also said that Paul "may have a Snapchat account, but he's wildly out-of-touch."
It's hard for any Republican to win a general election in California, but the state still sends many delegates to Republican conventions; Paul is looking to rack up some of those delegates.
"Paul, who announced his candidacy last month, is running on a free-market, limited-government platform that resonates with the anti-government, libertarian sensibilities of much of California’s tech elite. He’s called for an end to National Security Agency domestic spying, cutting taxes and curtailing government regulations. ...
"Those attending were encouraged to label their tweets with the hashtag 'DisruptingDemocracy.'"