Rand Paul’s performance in last night’s Republican debate may have little influence on his campaign, but it may have significance to the GOP. The party of ‘rich, old, white men’ has failed to appeal to other demographics. A popular social media site for millennials revealed a significant fact; they dislike Donald Trump and favor Rand Paul.

Only 14 percent of those who posted on ‘Yik Yak’ approved of Trump’s performance, while the junior Senator from Kentucky was the favorite at 67 percent.

Millennials, voters between the ages of 18-29, are another demographic ignored by conservatives. America’s younger voters tend to be less religious, more tolerant, pro-immigration reform, anti-war, more accepting of the LGBT community, and far less racist. In other words, they are everything the GOP is not.

The most re-tweeted comment was from a Democrat; Senator Bernie Sanders.

“Repeat after me,” Sanders wrote. “We must combat anti-Muslim bigotry and all forms of discrimination in our country and in our world. #GOPDebate.”

The significance of Paul’s success with younger voters will likely be lost by the GOP presidential wannabees; they believe that his stand against another unwinnable war was critical. The right wing will fail to learn from the past once more. The GOP has no resemblance to the Republican Party of my generation; a party of ideas; a party of service to all Americans; and a party which was willing to deliberate and compromise for the good of our nation. Today’s TEA Party and Republicans are responsible for the growth of racism, bigotry and rising hatred which has divided our nation.

If someone from the GOP does not stand up and address the issues important to the American people, Hillary Clinton can sign the lease on the White House before November’s election.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage
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Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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