Rupert Murdoch on His Date With Rand Paul: ‘I’m Very Open Minded’

The media tycoon may have found a racehorse he can ride all the way into the White House, at the Kentucky Derby of all places.

That’s where Sen. Rand Paul, Republican populist and likely insurgent candidate for president, hosted an afternoon with Rupert Murdoch, whose blessing has bolstered more than one political career — including Hillary Clinton’s.

The New York Times covered the encounter, complete with a fashion breakdown. Paul “wore a powder blue herringbone blazer, pink tie and Ray-Bans for the occasion,” while Murdoch donned “a dark suit, green striped shirt and banded straw hat.”

Paul is considered something of a wild card for the GOP. He has broad appeal, but troubles the establishment, particularly the pro-war and Wall Street types. A recent report in Politico suggested that GOP financiers would prefer to see Hillary Clinton in the White House.

Murdoch is well known for his political leanings, but he is sometimes reported to be more of a pragmatist than an ideologue. It’s likely that he cares more about the profitability of his various holdings than what President Obama did and didn’t know about Benghazi, to cite one of Fox News’ many obsessions. From that perspective, one can see an alliance forming between the two men without much friction.

It’s a horse race at a horse race. What more could you ask for?

— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer