Politics is often about massaging your message to make it seem palatable to whatever group you happen to be speaking to at that moment. Sen Rand Paul of Kentucky, a severe ideologue, is certainly not the only one to practice this artifice. But his recent comment about his distrust of democracy at Howard University is one of the more egregious, perplexing examples of the pivot I have ever heard. Here’s what he said:

“I’m not a firm believer in democracy. It gave us Jim Crow.”

So, he wants an African-American audience to believe that his disgust of institutionalized segregation is the reason why popular opinion shouldn’t always prevail. 

Let’s leave alone the fact that the South at the time wasn’t exactly known for its democracy, with its poll taxes and intimidation at voting booths. Let’s just present an equally true statement based on Paul’s avowed beliefs about the Civil Rights Act:

“I’m not a firm believer in democracy. It forced the South to abandon Jim Crow.”

He’ll probably find an audience for that line as well.•