Rand Paul Strikes Back Against Anti-Freedom Enemies
Rand Paul Strikes Back Against Anti-Freedom Enemies
“They are the ones bankrupting the government”
Paul singled out New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and and New York Rep. Peter King, telling the Associated Press that their actions are harming Republicans chances for the 2016 national election.
“I didn’t start this one and I don’t plan on starting things by criticizing other Republicans,” Paul said. “But if they want to make me the target, they will get it back in spades.”
“They’re precisely the same people who are unwilling to cut the spending,” Paul added.
“And their ‘Gimme, gimme, gimme — give me all my Sandy money now.’ Those are the people who are bankrupting the government and not letting enough money be left over for national defense.” the Senator added, referring to Christie and King’s requests for federal aid funding following Hurricane Sandy.
Last week, Christie said Paul was a leading figure in a “strain of libertarianism” coursing through both political parties. Referring specifically to support for de-funding the NSA in the wake of the domestic spying scandal, Christie called the liberty movement “esoteric”, and “very dangerous”, while invoking the 9/11 attacks.
Responding to those comments Sunday, paul stated during his speech “I don’t mind spying on terrorists, I just don’t like spying on all Americans.”
The Senator added that privacy and civil liberties resonate with young people, a demographic that Republicans must win over, in order to win power.
“If you talk about some privacy issues like that, I think you will find youth coming to you,” said Paul.
In an interview with CNN, Peter King said that Paul was misguided, and dismissed his argument.
“When it comes to national defense, we shouldn’t be pandering to any demographic,” he said. “We need to do what’s best for the country.”
King also described Paul’s comments regarding big government spending as “indefensible,” adding that in his view Paul should not be seen as the face of the GOP.