Posted on 09/13/2011 5:57:08 AM PDT by markomalley
The ideological rivalry between Rick Santorum and Rep. Ron Paul, arguably the most conservative and libertarian members of the 2012 race that are allowed on debate stages, has become a fascinating subplot of the 2012 debates, and tonight sparks flew as Santorum challenged Rep. Paul’s foreign policy, comparing his opinions to Osama Bin Laden and putting him on a defensive that earned him boos.
“We are under threat because we occupy so many countries,” Rep. Paul began, explaining that the “purpose of al-Qaeda in attacking us” was to “invite us” to invade. Noting the difference between military and defense spending, Rep. Paul argued that America needed “a foreign policy that takes care of our national defense” but is “willing to get along with trade with people.” “There is no authority in the Constitution to be the police of the world,” Rep. Paul concluded.
Santorum, obviously disgusted with that answer, turned to Rep. Paul. “On your website, on 9/11, you had a blog post that basically blamed the United States for 9/11– on your website yesterday,” Santorum noted, “You said that it was our actions that brought about the actions of 9/11.” Calling this “irresponsible,” he demanded of Rep. Paul that a presidential candidate “should not be parroting what Osama Bin Laden said on 9/11,” as the attacks are not a result of our behavior, but because “we have a civilization that is antithetical to the civilization of the jihadists.”
Rep. Paul responded with an attempt to explain what he believed was the motive pushing al-Qaeda, an explanation met with boos– a rare sound in debates, where heavy Paul contingents are typically in attendance. The biggest boo line? The suggesting that America is being unfair to Palestinians.
The segment via CNN below:
Conservative Empire builders. Now there’s a combo.
Ron Paul proved once again what a jerk he is. Lyndon LaRouche would even be embarrassed by his creepiness.
Paul must be getting lots of Liberal donations.... they want this clown IN the process.
The worse Paul makes Conservatives look, the better for “O”
I think we should get out of the mideast rationally but if I had my way, you would be able to walk from Egypt to Turkey on the decks of American warships standing with Israel.
Can we trade Ron Paul to the Democrats for Joe Lieberman?
Ron Paul has some good ideas on the economy. His pressure on the Fed is important.
The rest of his ideas are goofy at best.
I know from experience that we have military bases all over the world and in the world. Does anyone know how many countries the US occupies?
Cong David Crockett allegedly said, All Politicians are scum (paraphrased).
Naturally, to a politician/and those caught up in the bs of this world, truth will sound like bs.
Dr Ron Paul is basically not a politician, he is a conservative in the true sense of the word as defined by Goldwater and Reagan, of libertarian (small l) philosophy; today most referring to themselves as patriots, etc. are just kidding themselves.
Dr Paul is, indeed, the only true conservative, patriot, candidate out there.
My opinion, others may wallow in the slop to their heart’s content.
Semper Watching!
*****
Ron Paul adds enormous interest to the field and a point of view to be respected even whether or not agreed with.
Loved Michelle’s counter blow, “I’m offended for the 12 year old girls” (you go girl) & Santorum’s calling out of Paul’s web posting. Loved how Ron Paul said Perry doubled his taxes and he better stop or he’d raise them again.
Perry’s waffling on his Ponzi scheme words (”lots of others said it first” - weak!) and saying Romney was the one scaring the seniors demonstrated he’s a bit slick.
The debate confrontation was outstanding!
May the best man or woman win.
LLS
Maybe Mr. Paul can expand on the word ‘occupy’
Typically and in MSM parlance, ‘occupy’ brings up ugly graphics of jackbooted thugs who give a whole new dimension to the concept, rape/pillage/plunder.
The US has never and will never impose that kind of ‘occupation’ on FRIEND OR FOE.
I defy Mr. Paul to produce facts to the contrary.
People who are or ever were LUCKY ENOUGH to host US troops, benefited enormously and likely would not be alive except FOR the presence of US troops.
I hate Paul for suggesting such a scenario and I hate the MSM for swallowing it whole. Don’t those clowns in the media know how to ask questions or to challenge reckless and groundless statements like this?
Oh…I forgot!!! The MSM is THE final word… The MSM is THE supreme and constantly unerring authority of everything. Their pure, incorruptible and impartial pronouncements are mana from heaven!!! For this Godlike wisdom we ought to stand hat in hand with ignorant wonder, and humble reverential gratitude like prehistoric savages before an idol.
Who needs judges, majorities in Congress, demonstrable fact, juries, credible accounts to the contrary, actual records???? Do we even need our very own, common sense ability to discern white from black ??????? NO!!
WE have the f&^%ing infallible and unselfish MSM looking out for us! Sheesh!
Ron Paul is death to the banks, and therefore the only logical choice for reversing the looting of our middle class and treasury (see Catherine Fitts on Youtube). I would like to say the same about Cain, but his background of working for the Fed troubles me. But it may be that background that is making him promote the small business person as the only way to break the banks’ hold over the corporate cronies and permanent political class.
Why does he keep saying what Al Qaeda says? He can just say why he doesn’t like our foreign policy.
He has and he does, but few people bother to read these days. Video games and football are much more exciting.
While I want to believe that we are all wholesome and good and that everyone benefits from our military's occupations, I know how unlikely that is given how radically different our government can be from one administration to another, from one state department to another.
Unfortunately, good intentions aside, we have taken on the burden of defending so many nations that they themselves have become dependent upon us.
They then spent the money they would have spent on their own defense on progressive/liberal government and social and welfare programs.
They have weakened themselves on our dime and become dependent upon us. Whether an unintended consequence or not, this situation cannot be sustained.
I contend that our military's foreign occupations are not supported by the spirit of the Constitution and our Founders knew that.
World history has multiple examples of failed empires like ours will soon be if we don't get back to Constitutional principles.
Being the world's policeman is not in the Constitution.
There are shades of gray to the term ‘occupation’ and all I am saying is that it is the responsibility of the MSM to force some clarification from Mr. Paul.
A generic broadside against US foreign policy is not good enough from a guy campaigning for President.
At all the debates that I’ve seen him in, he just attacks our country, and says what Al Qaeda says.
This was Santorum’s moment in the debate. Ron Paul shares Obama’s views on the cause of 9/11: blame America.
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