Paul: Trade With Cuba 'Probably a Good Idea'

ASSOCIATED PRESS ^ | DEC 18, 2014, 11:54 A.M. E.S.T.

[SoConPubbie]

WASHINGTON — Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said Thursday that starting to trade with Cuba "is probably a good idea" and that the lengthy economic embargo against the communist island "just hasn't worked."

Paul became the first potential Republican presidential candidate to offer some support for President Barack Obama's decision to try to normalize U.S. relations with Cuba. The president's surprise announcement on Wednesday was slammed by several potential GOP candidates, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who said it amounted to appeasing the Castro regime.

Paul said in a radio interview with Tom Roten of News Talk 800 WVHU in Huntington, West Virginia, that many younger Cuban Americans support opening up trade with Cuba. He also said many U.S. farmers would back Obama's moves because the country is a new market for their crops.

"The 50-year embargo just hasn't worked," Paul said. "If the goal is regime change, it sure doesn't seem to be working and probably it punishes the people more than the regime because the regime can blame the embargo for hardship.

[SoConPubbie]

	"If we must have an enemy at the head of Government, let it be one whom we can oppose, and for whom we are not responsible, who will not involve our party in the disgrace of his foolish and bad measures." - Alexander Hamilton "We don't intend to turn the Republican Party over to the traitors in the battle just ended. We will have no more of those candidates who are pledged to the same goals as our opposition and who seek our support. Turning the Party over to the so-called moderates wouldn’t make any sense at all." -- President Ronald Reagan "A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in principle is always a vice." - Thomas Paine 1792 "It does not take a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen." - Samuel Adams

[SoConPubbie]

Another nail in the coffin of the POTUS aspirations of a once bright star in the conservative political world.

The nut truly does not fall far from the tree.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

One more reason to not like Paul.

[SMARTY]

What’s in Cuba that we can’t grow here or get elsewhere?

[stephenjohnbanker]

” He also said many U.S. farmers would back Obama’s moves because the country is a new market for their crops. “

Well HELL..................If the FARMERS (subsidized Democrats) are happy.

[stephenjohnbanker]

:One more reason to not like Paul.”

Reason no. 1,226.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

embargo against the communist island "just hasn't worked."

So using that theory we should allow Iran to build nukes. Oh wait...

[lormand]

Rand Paul used the same stealth tactics that democRATs use to get elected...appear conservative to get elected, then take a hard turn left.

[GrandJediMasterYoda]

Plus never trust a guy who wears a birds nest on his head.

[lormand]

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

I agree. One more reason to reject a Paul candidacy.

[manc]

Paul just like his father.

[manc]

Next he will state he want open immigration from there too.

[gwgn02]

Dana Loesch on Hannity actually said Rand was moving to the middle for 2016...really Dana? The things he’s said and done...he should be moving in with Obama. Middle...hrrrmm.

[stephenjohnbanker]

Can we use Rands personal money ?

Nah......didn’t think so.

[the_Watchman]

It isn’t just Paul. It’s libertarian philosophy in general. They insist that defense starts at the border. Thus, they are totally blind to the concept that there may be American defense interests overseas. For them, free trade trumps everything.

This viewpoint lead them to support policies which were equally ineffective against the Soviet Union as those espoused by the liberal left.

[ßuddaßudd]

Trade what?

[elcid1970]

Rand Paul’s moptop has been in need of an oil change for many years now. It’s seeped into his cerebral cortex.

[VRWC For Truth]

Paultards being Paultards.

[BlatherNaut]

How about trade with North Korea? Maybe that would be a “good idea” as well. /s