It seems pretty clear that Rand Paul’s views on federal civil rights laws are, rightly, going to be the big story today. But don’t miss this one. Pennsylvania’s Attorney General, who’s now the Republican nominee for Governor, is subpoenaing Twitter to let him know the identity of one of his biggest Twitter critics not for any legal rationale other than he wants to know who’s criticizing him so much. Definitely give this one a read.

TPM Reader SW wrote in this morning cautioning that we make clear that opposing all civil rights legislation on libertarian grounds doesn’t mean you don’t support civil rights. I think this is far from an uncontested claim. And since the Rand Paul situation is going to be raising it to such high salience I wanted to share SW’s email with you and give you my thoughts on the underlying question. Read More

So just what did Rand Paul say on Maddow last night? Our Evan McMorris-Santoro explains the details.

Rand Paul says opposing Civil Rights Act is “hard part about believing in freedom.”

Paul announces: “I Will Not Support Any Efforts To Repeal The Civil Rights Act”

Late Update: Dan Savage has a great headline for the piece linked above: “Rand Paul Distances Himself From Rand Paul.”

It’s sounding like Rand Paul’s would-be senate colleagues are not eager to comment on his views on the Civil Rights Act.

TPM Reader CS chimes in on libertarianism and civil rights … Read More

Latest headline: ‘Miss USA: Muslim Trailblazer Or Hezbollah Spy?’

Sen. Cornyn no comments Brian Beutler about Rand Paul’s take on the Civil Rights Act.

Meanwhile Kentucky Rep. John Yarmouth (D) says Paul has “embarrassed Kentuckians in the eyes of the world.”

Late Update: Wow, now DeMint’s a no comment, and Cantor too.

Later Update: Mitch McConnell is “glad to hear Dr. Paul supports [the Civil Rights Act] as well.”

Back in December Rand Paul’s spokesman had to resign over racist comments and a picture of a lynching on his Myspace page.