One of the more noteworthy points of Sen. Rand Paul’s (R-Ky.) relatively brief political career came two years ago with a 13-hour speech. Taking advantage of John Brennan’s CIA nomination, the Republican senator demanded to know, “Does the president have the authority to use a weaponized drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on American soil?” It’s a shame, in a way, that this was a defining moment for Paul, because his question didn’t really make much sense. The Justice Department responded a day later with a one-sentence reply – no, the president does not have that authority – and Paul said he was satisfied. But the substance was largely overlooked, and the spectacle impressed many of Paul’s core supporters and much of the political media. His limited understanding of the issue didn’t matter – “Stand With Rand” was born. Read more http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/the-point-rand-pauls-10-hour-spectacle
