Messina: Rand Paul would be ‘most right-wing’ nominee ever

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) would be “the most right-wing” presidential nominee in history if he won the GOP nod in 2016, according to President Obama’s former campaign manger.

“I think if you look at his statements and you look at his record he would be the most right-wing candidate any major party has nominated, including Barry Goldwater. He is that far off the spectrum,” Jim Messina told online magazine OZY when asked about Paul.

“I think his chances of winning swing votes in battleground states are my chances of being the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos,” he added.

{mosads}Messina, who is involved with the super-PAC Priorities USA Action as it gears up for a possible Hillary Clinton run, also dismissed the chances of another top GOP contender, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

He said that the governor’s combative style would not endear him to voters in states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

“I don’t think that his anger — and him screaming at people like you talk the week before the midterms — I don’t think that works in Iowa, I don’t think that works in New Hampshire, I don’t think that works in the media glare of every single day,” Messina said.

Since Obama’s victory, Messina has gone into business as a political consultant. He drew criticism from liberals when he agreed to work for British Prime Minister David Cameron and his Conservative Party. He has defended the consulting work, saying that Cameron’s party is not ideologically aligned with American conservatism.

Messina has also consulted for corporate clients such as Caesars Palace casinos.