Oh, certainly I'm sure that Rand Paul will eventually run for President when Ron Paul gets too old for it.
If Romney loses then one Paul or the other will be up on the stage in 2016, getting 9% of the vote and eventually losing to Chris Christie (or Marco Rubio or Bobby Jindal). If Romney is President in 2016 then a primary challenge from Rand Paul is no threat whatsoever.
The only way the Pauls could threaten Romney is to run as a third party candidate and siphon off enough of the vote to ensure a Democrat win. I don't think they'll do that though.
> then one Paul or the other will be up on the stage in 2016, getting 9% of the vote
I think you make a mistake if you perceive that Rand == Ron.
Rand is a lot more politically savvy than his dad. Have you ever seen the clips of where Ron Paul appeared on the old Morton Downey Jr. show screaming and yelling at audience members? Rand would never let himself appear as that much of a kook.
Plus, Ron Paul was always a lone voice in the wilderness. Although I think there was a lot to what he was saying, he had no hope of accomplishing any type of sea change. In contrast, Rand Paul is riding a wave of anti-government sentiment that may actually produce real legislation or put someone in the Whitehouse.
"The only way the Pauls could threaten Romney is to run as a third party candidate and siphon off enough of the vote to ensure a Democrat win. I don't think they'll do that though."
They don't actually have to do that though, they only need enough support to credibly threaten it. And since right now Ron is polling almost equal to Obama in a head to head race, the threat is certainly real.
> Oh, certainly I'm sure that Rand Paul will eventually run for President when Ron Paul gets too old for it.
Ron Paul is already too old for it. McCain lost 2008 largely based on his age. Ron Paul is older than McCain. Wikipedia says that Reagan was the oldest and he was 69 upon entering office. Paul is 76.
This year's running, to me, smells entirely of a publicity stunt for his son.
If Romney loses then one Paul or the other will be up on the stage in 2016, getting 9% of the vote and eventually losing to Chris Christie (or Marco Rubio or Bobby Jindal). If Romney is President in 2016 then a primary challenge from Rand Paul is no threat whatsoever.
The only way the Pauls could threaten Romney is to run as a third party candidate and siphon off enough of the vote to ensure a Democrat win. I don't think they'll do that though.