Few politicians are effective on social media, most simply don’t understand it or assign a low-level staffer to tweet boring news links. But Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, or whoever he has running his Twitter account, gets it.
Paul’s official Twitter account routinely tweaks other 2016 hopefuls, including regularly jabbing at Hillary Clinton.
Beyond the tweaks and jabs, it looked as though Paul used his account to spread the word for his as yet unannounced 2016 campaign during Super Bowl weekend. Well, ok, not exactly. But it’s as close as any other 2016 hopeful has come, and it shows just how effectively Rand Paul’s team can use social media to stir up action and excitement.
Start Super Bowl weekend off right with your very own print-at-home paper football! Get yours here: https://t.co/raFebOaUbd #LibertyFootball
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) January 31, 2015
Do you have your #LibertyFootball yet? Print yours today, tweet your pictures, and let the games begin: https://t.co/raFebOaUbd
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) January 31, 2015
With more than half a million followers, Paul encouraged his supporters to print up a “Liberty Football” which just so happened to have “Rand 2016” on it and the website RandPaul2016.com on it. That’s his Senate reelection website…at least for now.
Then, to spread the word, Paul retweeted people who sent out pictures of themselves with the paper footballs reading “Rand 2016” with the hashtag #LibertyFootball.
It worked. Thousands of tweets circulated the Twittersphere, planting the seed of a Rand Paul 2016 run and all due to effective social media engagement.
Not a big football fan, but I do love me some liberty! #LibertyFootball pic.twitter.com/TlfasFOkMb
— Adam Tokarski (@sinsofadam) February 1, 2015
“@SenRandPaul: Some of the best #libertyfootball pictures so far . Take part here: https://t.co/2vpYhmKe7d pic.twitter.com/26GnuhKyo8” so smart.
— Brian Dumas (@briandumas) February 1, 2015
“@aheffner24: @SenRandPaul #LibertyFootball pic.twitter.com/UDMdsUxWAq” @3_reed @djreed396
— charity (@charityspangler) February 1, 2015
Mt “@SFaldraga: @SenRandPaul #LibertyFootball pic.twitter.com/dboLL1JonZ” pic.twitter.com/hg1Hc34W3m
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) February 1, 2015
My cat Lizzie has her #LibertyFootball & is ready for the big game tonight! @SenRandPaul #Rand2016 pic.twitter.com/GDxlObAkKV
— Justin Moldow (@JustinMoldow) February 1, 2015
Some of the best #libertyfootball pics so far. Get yours here to tweet: https://t.co/raFebOaUbd pic.twitter.com/3DtsPnEL6C
— Senator Rand Paul (@SenRandPaul) February 1, 2015
@SenRandPaul #libertyfootball #freedomfootball #america #GameDay pic.twitter.com/mDMPnz30yk
— Gwen (@gwenthomas33) February 1, 2015