Rand Paul, a Kentucky ophthalmologist and son of Texas Congressman Ron Paul, is running for US Senate and has received a political blessing from Redstate Editor, Erick Erickson. That’s a pretty big deal. You may or may not remember that in October of 2007, during the Republican primary process for the 2008 presidential campaign, Ron Paul’s zealous supporters were banned from the Redstate website.

The influential conservative blog Redstate.com placed a ban last night on all Paul commentary from readers who are recent arrivals to the blog.

The post on Redstate, “Attention, Ron Paul Supporters (Life is *REALLY* Not Fair),” begins, “Effective immediately, new users may *not* shill for Ron Paul in any way shape, form or fashion. Not in comments, not in diaries, nada. If your account is less than 6 months old, you can talk about something else, you can participate in the other threads and be your zany libertarian self all you want, but you cannot pimp Ron Paul. Those with accounts more than six months old may proceed as normal.”

Redstate founder Erick Erickson said he woke up this morning bombed with hundreds of e-mails, “the overwhelming majority very angry.” His own readers, though, loved the ban.

“It is the most recommended user diary in Redstate history,” he said.

In his carefully worded endorsement of Rand Paul, Erickson points out that there are distinct differences between Rand Paul and his father and that Rand Paul is simply a better choice than his competitors. He also points to Sarah Palin’s endorsement of Rand Paul and the obvious fact that Paul can pick up the Libertarian vote. Here are some excerpts from Erickson’s post earlier today.

We’ve taken a pretty hard line on all things “Paul” here at RedState, and even amongst the contributors I get unmitigated hell for saying I’d support Rand Paul.

But I would.

I have real reservations. No, I do not think he is a truther. No, I do not think he is a birther. No, I do not think he’d be soft on Iran. In fact, in all of the flagged statements about Rand Paul, viewing his statements in context, it is clear the reporters and others are trying to pin him down on his father’s views, not his.

SNIP.

…of the candidates running in the Republican Primary in Kentucky, I find him to be the best choice. He is really for limited government. He is really for not just the idea of freedom, but the idea of liberty — two words treated as synonyms, but with specific meanings. We often times put all our emphasis on freedom, but we should be putting our emphasis on liberty as the founders did and understood it — the right not just to be free, but to act in a moral way such that our freedoms do not encroach on the freedoms of others.

SNIP.

I have no doubt that a Senator Paul and I would but heads on issues, but no more so that I do with other Republicans. Rand Paul transcends GOP politics and picks up libertarians as well. He is not his father and I will not heap my issues with his father on his head.

I’ll join Sarah Palin and others and support Rand Paul for the United States Senate. He can win. And he’s the best of the lot in Kentucky. Your mileage may vary — I know I’m in the minority with even the other contributors — but I hope you’ll step back from your view of his father and give Rand Paul a look as his own man.

There’s been a lot of talk about the renewed alliance of Libertarians and Republicans lately, especially after the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was held a couple weeks ago.

Erickson’s endorsement of Rand Paul seems to be a continuance that trend.

My video of the best moment from tonight’s Massachusetts Senate debate. Scott Brown reminds everyone that “Its the people’s seat.”

NOTE: This video is guaranteed to go viral.

It’s being shown at Gateway Pundit and Hot Air.

The video is also being shown at Legal Insurrection and to give credit where it’s due, Professor William Jacobson has done an outstanding job covering the Scott Brown campaign.

UPDATE: The video is also being displayed at Althouse, NEO-NEOCON, Instapundit ,The Other McCain, Gay Patriot, and Weasel Zippers.

Please visit my YouTube Channel for more great vids.

BIG shout out to Smitty at The Other McCain for citing American Glob as his source for this video.

Thanks, man.

Moe Lane at Red State links, thanks Moe!

UPDATE: Linked at the top of Drudge. Wow!

Erick Erickson of Red State and James “the Ragin’ Cajun” Carville went on CNN yesterday to debate Obama’s reaction to the terror attempt on Flight 253 over Detroit.

Erickson won.

Last month, the liberal website Talking Points Memo, joined the White House press pool.

Today, we learn the liberal website The Huffington Post is joining the White House press pool.

When will the White House press pool include Hot Air, Patterico and Red State?

I look forward to an official White House report from Hot Air’s Allahpundit that starts with the words “obligitory” or “heartache.”

Seriously though, how would HuffPo and TPM react if the shoe was on the other foot?

Indulge me as I state the obvious… Democrats won’t be in control forever and elephants never forget.

Marco Rubio who is running for United States Senate in Florida is a for real, unapologetic conservative. His rival for the Republican nomination is known RINO, Charlie Crist. In the following clip, Rubio explains his advantages and answers some questions on healthcare reform.

This guy has the words “future presidential contender” written all over his face.

Dan McLaughlin at RedState.com has a great piece on Rubio, citing his favorable polling over Crist.

In an exclusive statement to RedState.com, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty is the latest Republican to breaks ranks with the GOP establishment and endorse Conservative Party Candidate Doug Hoffman.

Go to RedState to read Pawlenty’s statement.

It’s a comedy, really.

10/06/09 – CNN “fact checks” Saturday Night Live to Protect Obama

“Stooping to depths only MSNBC would explore on a bad day, CNN’s The Beard attempted to rescue his Dear Leader from SNL’s “not fair” and “not true” segment of Obama over the weekend. Can you believe this?”

10/14/09 – CNN runs unchecked LIES about Rush Limbaugh

“The irony is, of course, that the people reporting this as fact are the same types who are always denouncing bloggers and the internet as forces of evil intent on destroying proper journalism – proper journalism being the kind that involves checking facts. In the case of Rush Limbaugh, however, it seems to be enough that the intention (i.e. to show the talk radio host is a racist) is considered pure.”

10/16/09 – CNN Defends Anita Dunn’s Declaration of Love for Mao Tse-tung

CNN cites the George Soros funded propaganda machine, Media Matters.

“Media Matters for America, a liberal media watchdog group, points out that former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, also a Fox News contributor, quoted Mao in a 1995 Roll Call profile.”

That might be a fine argument, especially if CNN or “Media Matters” had noticed that conservatives are no longer supporting Newt Gingrich, who is proving himself to be quite the RINO.

Erick Erickson of Red State: On Newt Gingrich’s Endorsement (of a RINO)

“It is unhelpful when people like Newt Gingrich break away from the movement to endorse candidates who are also supported by Planned Parenthood, NARAL, ACORN, unions,, etc. and a woman who has several hundred thousands of dollars of tax liens and business failures galore to go with them.”

“Perhaps I said more than I should have in my earlier post as I was rather angry about this turn of events when I wrote it. So let me now say that, at least, along with a great deal of the movement that has felt Newt to be one of us, I am disappointed.”

Which leads us to our final example of CNN’s latest hypocrisy, brilliantly pointed out by Mark Steyn.

10/17/09 – Mark Steyn of National Review “A Tale of Two Soundbites”

“So if I understand correctly: Rush Limbaugh is so “divisive” that to get him fired leftie agitators have to invent racist soundbites to put in his mouth. But the White House communications director is so un-divisive that she can be invited along to recommend Chairman Mao as a role model for America’s young.”

To sum up, here is CNN’s philosophy:

1. Conservatives are evil and should be demonized at any opportunity, no fact checking required.

2. Defend Obama at any cost, including CNN’s journalistic integrity.

3. Reverse the facts if it helps promote the progressive agenda. (which CNN supports)

The end.

More at Memeorandum.

EPILOGUE: Ted Turner wants to retake control of CNN.

Good luck with that, Ted.

For what it’s worth…you might fare better with the Cartoon Network.

Obama was against gay marriage before he was for it. Or against it. Or for it. Or against it.

Frankly, it’s hard to keep track of his position.

Vice President Dick Cheney is for it. Moe Lane of RedState.com is for it. I’m for it.

What’s Obama’s position?

“The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind…”

I spent a few hours on the phone tonight with Robert Stacy McCain. We’re both concerned about the RINO candidate the GOP is trying to install in upstate New York.

Maybe you should send us up there to help out the real conservative candidate, Doug Hoffman.

Robert Stacy McCain is a real journalist and I’ve got a video camera.

Do you want a true conservative to win in the NY-23 race? We do.

Maybe you should hit Stacy’s tip jar and mine.

He needs smokes and I’ll need gas.

Road trip!

Dear ACORN,

Just in case you haven’t noticed, you’re being dismantled and you’re finished. When the House of Representatives votes to defund you and the number of “Ayes” is virtually equal on both sides of the aisle, the writing is on the wall.

And just in case any of our elected representatives who are Democrats in red country don’t understand how serious this is, Moe Lane has written a little reminder which cuts right to the very sharp point.

Are You a Democratic Legislator in a Republican Leaning Seat?

“Because if you are, here is an advisory: as of this moment, if the Right catches you or your staff within 100 yards of an ACORN office or worker we will cheerfully crucify you with that organization.  And by ‘crucify’ I mean ‘take the metaphorical and rhetorical equivalent of long iron nails and permanently attach you to ACORN with them.”

More at Memeorandum.