Isolationism in a foreign policy election

By Richard K. Barry 

Can a candidate closely associated with isolationist views, whether fairly or not, seriously contend for the GOP presidential nomination?

On the eve of his expected presidential announcement, Republican insiders in Iowa and New Hampshire say Rand Paul is a top contender in those early states next year — and they agree that for better and for worse, his father, Ron Paul, looms large over his candidacy.

While former Rep. Ron Paul's network of supporters is proving to be an asset, the elder Paul's isolationist views — which many associate with Rand Paul — are also contributing to what is by far the senator's biggest liability: his positions on foreign policy and national security.

I’ll keep this simple and say no, not in an election in which foreign policy will figure so prominently.

(Cross-posted at Phantom Public.)