Can the Republican Party ever win the black vote again? Sen. Paul debates

Senator Rand Paul addressed a group of students at the Howard University School of Business to discuss the issues of race, civil liberties and the future of the black vote in America. In a half hour lecture, Senator Paul debated the idea that the Democrats are the party of civil rights historically and defended the history of abolitionism in the GOP. Paul’s speech addressed many of the major issues that African Americans face today and although the audience seemed to bear some open hostility to the Kentucky statesman’s views, by the end of the speech it seemed as if many had had some of their fears and issues addressed to their satisfaction. Students interviewed after the event expressed their opposition to many of Senator Paul’s ideas on free markets, but found themselves in agreement with many of his libertarian social views.

The most exciting part of the lecture was when students were encouraged to ask questions directly and they rushed the microphones to pepper the Senator with important and difficult policy questions. Voting rights, industrial hemp legislation and Malcolm X are all discussed in this 30 minute speech followed by 30 minutes of questions.