Mediaboss Marketing

Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul told fellow Republicans on Tuesday that the future of their party depends on them connecting with Hispanics in a more empathetic way and on getting in front of immigration reform a message that further signals his flirtation with a 2016 presidential run.

If we are to change peoples attitudes toward the Republican Party, we have to show up and we have to have something to say, Paul told a small group of conservatives gathered at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. I hope to be part of that dialogue.

This certainly was not the first time that Paul, since being elected to the Senate in 2010, has attempted to connect with Hispanics and other minorities.

However, Republicans interest in his policy vision and his vision for broadening the party base continues to grow as he ascends in the very, very early 2016 polls and travels the country. Recent stops have included those in Democrat-heavy Detroit and at the University of California, Berkeley.

Paul said Tuesday that Republicans need to focus on such issues as reforming the countrys work visa system and improving educational and employment opportunities for minorities.

However, the GOP must first make clear it is not just the party of deportation, he argued.

The bottom line is that the Hispanic community is not going to hear us until we get beyond that issue, Paul told attendees at a symposium sponsored by the conservative Media Research Center and the American Principles Project. Theyre not going to care whether we go to the same church or have the same values or believe in the same kind of future of the country until we get beyond that. Weve got to get beyond deportation to get to the rest of the issues.

He attempted to highlight his point, in part, by noting that 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney at one point touted the idea of self-deportation, and won just 27 percent of the Hispanic vote.

Paul, 51, expressed some optimism about Congress accomplishing some type of immigration reform this year, particularly one expanding the countrys work visa program.

He called the expansion of visas for high-tech workers a no-brainer.

More here:

Rand Paul says GOP must appeal to Hispanics, get 'beyond deportation'

(CNN) Rand Paul said Tuesday it's critical for Republicans to broaden their message on immigration to the Latino community if the party is going to have a chance at gaining support from the politically imperative group in future elections.

"We're not just the party of deportation. We got to get beyond deportation to get to the rest of the issues," the senator from Kentucky said at a Latino media forum in Washington.

Paul, a potential 2016 contender, has been open about his presidential ambitions.

This year, Paul has taken his libertarian-leaning message to longtime Democratic strongholds, pushing for a more inclusive Republican Party in the wake of President Obama's 2012 re-election victory over Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

Seventy-one percent of Latinos voted for Obama in the last election, compared to 27% for Romney - a lower percentage than Republican nominees received in the previous three elections. Hispanics are the fastest growing minority in the United States, making up 16% of the nation's population and, in 2012, the group made up 10% of the electorate, hitting the double-digits for the first time ever.

Paul laid out a two-pronged approach for the GOP to attract Latino voters - "One, you have to show up. And then secondly, you have to have something to say."

"I think that what's happened is that there is not the perception of empathy from the Republican Party, that we care about where they're coming from and we care about what their problems are," he said. "Until we get to that point, they're not going to listen to any of the next message."

Polls: Public's immigration priorities changing

Despite his calls for Republicans to reach out to Latino voters and work on immigration issues, Paul opposed a bipartisan bill on immigration reform that passed the Senate last year. At the forum, Paul said he voted against the bill because it still makes it illegal for workers with legal visas to switch jobs.

Republicans have been critical of the White House's immigration policy. A 2012 decision by the Obama administration to stop deporting young illegal immigrants who entered the United States as children if they meet certain requirements earned praise from many Latino groups, but drew outrage from some Republicans who said the position amounts to amnesty.

Link:

Rand Paul: GOP needs to 'get beyond deportation'

Caterpillar construction equipment sits on the lot of a dealership on October 23, 2013 in Elmhurst, Illinois. Scott Olson, Getty Images

Caterpillar Inc. executives defended a tax strategy Tuesday that has saved the manufacturing giant billions in U.S. taxes. They got support from Republican senators, including one who said the company deserves an award.

Caterpillar has avoided paying $2.4 billion in U.S. taxes since 2000 by shifting profits to a wholly-controlled affiliate in Switzerland, according to a report released by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

Levin chairs the Senate investigations subcommittee. On Tuesday, Levin grilled Caterpillar executives and their accountants at a hearing on the company's tax strategy.

"Caterpillar is an American success story that produces iconic industrial machines," Levin said. "But it is also a member of the corporate profit-shifting club that has transferred billions of dollars offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes."

Julie Lagacy, a Caterpillar vice president, was adamant that the Peoria, Ill.-based manufacturer follows all tax laws.

"We pay everything we owe," she told the subcommittee.

Caterpillar got support from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who questioned why the subcommittee was even holding the hearing.

"I think rather than having an inquisition, we should probably bring Caterpillar here and give them an award," Paul said. "You know, they've been in business for over 100 years. It's not easy to stay in business."

Paul said Caterpillar and its accountants have an obligation to shareholders to minimize their taxes.

See original here:

Rand Paul: Give Caterpillar an award for avoiding taxes

WASHINGTON (AP) Caterpillar Inc. executives defended a tax strategy Tuesday that has saved the manufacturing giant billions in U.S. taxes. They got support from Republican senators, including one who said the company deserves an award.

Caterpillar has avoided paying $2.4 billion in U.S. taxes since 2000 by shifting profits to a wholly-controlled affiliate in Switzerland, according to a report released by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich.

Levin chairs the Senate investigations subcommittee. On Tuesday, Levin grilled Caterpillar executives and their accountants at a hearing on the company's tax strategy.

"Caterpillar is an American success story that produces iconic industrial machines," Levin said. "But it is also a member of the corporate profit-shifting club that has transferred billions of dollars offshore to avoid paying U.S. taxes."

Julie Lagacy, a Caterpillar vice president, was adamant that the Peoria, Ill.-based manufacturer follows all tax laws.

"We pay everything we owe," she told the subcommittee.

Caterpillar got support from Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who questioned why the subcommittee was even holding the hearing.

"I think rather than having an inquisition, we should probably bring Caterpillar here and give them an award," Paul said. "You know, they've been in business for over 100 years. It's not easy to stay in business."

Paul said Caterpillar and its accountants have an obligation to shareholders to minimize their taxes.

"It is a requirement that you try to minimize your costs. So rather than chastising Caterpillar we should be complimenting them," Paul said.

See the original post here:

Rand Paul Praises Caterpillar for Avoiding Taxes

Rep. King: Rand Paul #39;disgraced #39; office
Rep. Peter King said Sen. Rand Paul owes National Intelligence Director James Clapper an apology.

By: britnay oswaldo

Continued here:

Rep. King: Rand Paul 'disgraced' office - Video