Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has been shifting his position on a number of issues, moving him from one-time libertarian ideologue to become "a politician, like everybody else,"
The Washington Post said.
In an article Sunday by David Fahrenthold, the newspaper said that the potential 2016 GOP presidential candidate risks damaging his image as "an authentic non-politician who is unafraid to stand up for his beliefs."
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"While he has maintained his core support for cutting spending and protecting Americans' privacy rights, Paul has shaded, changed or dropped some of the ideas that he espoused as a tea party candidate and in his confrontational early days as a senator," The Post wrote.
The Washington Post reviewed Paul's speeches, op-eds, and all of the legislation he has authored, and also interviewed several of his aides to analyze his philosophy.
"Taken together, these sources provide a picture of Washington's most intriguing politician—a candidate still tinkering with his platform, even as he stands on it," The Post said.
The newspaper said Paul has evolving views on foreign policy and is giving unclear messages on social issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
Most recently, in June, Paul was skeptical about targeting the Islamic State (ISIS) with American military intervention and airstrikes, but after the beheadings of the American journalists he came out in favor of airstrikes and other actions to "destroy" the group.
"This was a stark change of heart," The Post said.
But advisers dispute that characterization, saying he has not changed his basic philosophy on foreign affairs: He's a realist, not an isolationist, they said.
On Medicare, he had previously backed a proposal to replace it with subsidies for seniors to buy coverage from private insurers. Now he is developing a new plan which may attempt to preserve the old Medicare system.
And on same-sex marriage, he previously opposed it but later suggested that the Republican Party back away from the matter and "agree to disagree" so as to welcome a broader cross section of the public into the party.
"Paul's challenge is evident from the growing suspicion among social conservatives, who are skeptical of some libertarian views and have been questioning his commitment to their causes," The Post said.
"These voters, a key part of the Republican base with sway in early-voting states such as Iowa and South Carolina, would be crucial should Paul run for president."
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