Posted on 01/24/2013 4:15:58 PM PST by JohnPDuncan
Sen. Rand Paul (R., Ky.) posed contentious questions to Kerry about the U.S.’s role on the world stage. It quickly became apparent that the two senators not only had different political opinions, but different world views. Rand seems to see the world in absolutes; Kerry maintains intervention in world affairs be judged on a case-by-case basis.
Paul, who was publicly critical of President Obama’s authorizing U.S. action in Libya to help depose Mohamar Gadhafi, wanted to know Kerry’s take on a president’s authorizing military action without congressional approval. Kerry responded that, although he is a strong supporter of the War Powers Act, which requires the president to seek congressional authority to declare war, he also supports the right of a president to act in an emergency.
“I supported Ronald Reagan when he sent troops into Grenada. I supported George H.W. Bush when he sent troops into Panama. I supported President Clinton when, against the will of the Congress, he did what was needed to be done in Kosovo and Bosnia, so forth. And in this particular instance, I think the president behaved in that tradition,” said Kerry.
Paul suggested Kerry is cherry-picking the Constitution. He pointedly asked Kerry to defend his anti-war stance in the 1970s against Richard Nixon’s decision to bomb Cambodia, on the one hand, and President Obama’s actions in Libya on the other. Kerry responded that the circumstances of the conflicts were different: Vietnam had been waging for years without Congressional approval, unlike the situation in Libya.
Paul was unmoved.
“Length of time, but similar circumstances: a bombing campaign unauthorized by Congress,” he said. “See, the Constitution really doesn’t give this kind of latitude to sometimes go to war and sometimes not go to war.”
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Rand Paul and Trey Gowdy. Now that’s a ticket I could support.
Well yeah, but the really good part was that he could basically write himself up for the medal. One stop shopping at it’s best.
I am BfloGuy and I approve this thread.
Perhaps he is the only GOP leader who is not compromised. The FBI files on the moral lapses of the others must be extensive. After all most of them have spent decades inside the beltway. Plenty of time to enjoy the pleasures of the good life.
Mr. Kerry, what should the punishment be for a citizen who interferes with peace negotiations conducted between an enemy and the US during a war?
I would not be friends with Rand Paul one moment, but I am damn glad he is in the Senate.
Democrats seats to go after in 2014: Rockefeller’s open seat, Hagen, Pryor, Begich, Shaheen, Levin if he retires, Franken, Warner and possibly Bauchus.
I think we will get some of those but no way will be get rid of Warner unless he leaves on his own. For some reason unknown to me, they love Mark Warner in Virginia.
He was just elected and pretended to be a “Tea Party” candidate.
I’m beginning to believe that Rand Paul might be our next president! Paul and Cruz is beginning to look pretty good to me!
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