2/10/13 - Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) sat down for an interview with CNN on Sunday where he discussed his role as the tea party's choice to deliver their response to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address. Paul was asked repeatedly why there needs to be two Republican responses to Obama, and whether the tea party's continued drive to achieve independence from the GOP signifies a split in the party. CNN anchor of State of the Union, Candy Crowley, noted that Paul will deliver the tea party's response to the president's State of the Union address following the Republican Party's response, which will be delivered by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). "Why is that needed?" Crowley asked pointedly.

"I think it just shows that there is a movement within the Republican Party that's been very vocal," Paul began. "There's a lot of energy that still comes from the tea party and, while they consider themselves to be mostly to be Republican, they will criticize even the Republican establishment."

"Is that what you intend to do? To chastise the Republican establishment?" Crowley followed up.

"No," Paul laughed. He said he would be likely to highlight some challenges and aspects of policy that may differ from the criticisms levied by Rubio.

Crowley noted that Rubio has both establishment GOP bona fides and credibility with the tea party. "I wonder, when you look at that -- and when you look at the Republican Party -- do you and he represent different parts of the Republican Party? Are you therefore rivals?" Crowley asked. "Who is the face of the Republican Party?"

"I don't think anybody gets to choose who the face is," Paul countered. He said that, unlike most Republican officeholders, he wants to put conditions on the foreign aid that is being sent to nations with broad anti-American public sentiment like Egypt or Pakistan.

Crowley again pressed Paul to explain thinks there is a need for two Republican responses to the president's State of the Union address. Paul replied that it is more like an "extra" response to Obama's address. He pledged not to pick a fight with Rubio necessarily, but he says the tea party response is still critical to differentiate that wing from the Republican Party as a whole.

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