Posted on 12/21/2014 3:36:24 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
The war of words between two likely 2016 contenders over President Obama’s sweeping changes to Cuba policy heated up further on Saturday, with Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) repeatedly blasting remarks from Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) as “rude.”
“I never start a fight but I'm happy to finish a fight,” Paul told Fox News Channel’s “The Kelly File on Friday.” “You know, I think the remarks were a little bit rude and intemperate.”
In an interview on the same show one night prior, Rubio said that Paul — who supports President Obama’s move to roll back trade and travel restrictions and reestablish diplomatic ties with the Castro regime — had “no idea what he’s talking about.”
In a subsequent radio interview, Rubio said it was “unfortunate that Rand has decided to adopt Barack Obama’s foreign policy.”
“[He] basically repeated the talking points of the president,” Rubio told Mark Levin. “And that’s fine, he has every right to support the president’s foreign policy, that’s who he wants to line up with, but I’m telling you, it isn’t going to work.”
Paul has repeatedly punched back, taunting Rubio on social media and in an op-ed for Time Magazine, in which he said those who support trade with Russia, China, and Vietnam — but not Cuba — held “an inconsistent and incoherent position.”
“I would say I don't doubt his sincerity, but I don't think a policy of isolationism has really worked with regard to Cuba… We trade with a host of countries that don't have perfect human rights records,” Paul told Fox. “And yet, we don't trade with Cuba. I think trade might loosen things up and might help to topple the Castros.”
Paul sidestepped subsequent questions about the extent to which the spat between the two was early sparring for a 2016 presidential campaign, saying he was driven by what he saw as an “inappropriate” response to a policy dispute. Both lawmakers are considered among the Republicans most likely to make a run for the White House.
“I think it's about the issues. I don't think that there's any certainty that either one of us will run at this point,” Paul said. “But the thing is it is about an issue and it's also about a fellow Republican who chose to, I think, use rude and inappropriate language with regard to a fellowa Republican. And I think that — I won't stand for it frankly. And if someone's going to cast dispersions on me and not talk about policy, then there will be an altercation and I won't shy from a battle.”
.....But the truth as stated by Rubio.
As time goes on, a more clear picture emerges of Rand Paul. His positions are starting to resemble his fathers, even the nuttiness is starting to emerge.
And if someone's going to cast dispersions on me...
Did he really say something that ignorant, or is it just crappy reporting?
Nobody eats their own like the Republicans.
Why on earth would Paul support Obama on this. Obama way out on a limb and Paul is helping obama.
correct...Rand Paul is his daddy’s little boy.
Paul worshippers are a bucket of phlegm!
Difference between Cuba and Russia, Vietnam and China is proximity.
I’m no foreign policy expert and I can understand the merits of isolating a hostile country so close to the US. Who the heck is advising Paul?
Go ahead Paultards, try to elect this idiot of an idiot to the White House. You'll lose and you'll get either Hillary or Warren. If you support the idiot Rand Paul, you might as well vote for Jeb Bush or the Rommbat which also lose in the general election.
Paul tried hard to keep his conservative skirt down, but once in a while his libertarian slip shows.
Just more proof - as if any was needed - that the main goal of the Paul Bot nation - and their two fearless leaders - is to be different, to pick every little fight with other Republicans at every opportunity.
Its a cynical loser proposition....and intellectually bankrupt.
I would also add, why does Rubio support illegal imigration? It is the same Marxist vector of adulterous relationship with thugs in Cuba.
The GOP has no strategy, no focus and no consistency, and they never drive the rhetoric, they get influenced.
As crazy as the democrats are, they know their nuttiness.
Easy....just to be different. He’s no difference from McCain and Graham on this - building a career slamming NOT DEMOCRATS, but Republicans.
When was the last time Paul said anything negative about a Democrat, an institutional liberal, academia nut or Jurassic media drone?????? For the life of me, I can’t remember.
As far as I’m concerned BOTH of them are just arguing the finer points of appeasement on the eventual path to capitulation on giving citizenship to illegals in this country. Both of them are guilty of having quibbled, confused, weasel-worded and tap danced around that last treasonous act of undeserved citizenship. Nonetheless, it is there in their hearts.
I think I feel a cry-baby tear welling up in my eye, not!
If you can’t stand the heat Rand, get out of the kitchen!
Rand Paul has been using a sharp rhetorical stick against Hillary Clinton for at least a couple of years here
Paul uses that stick regularly on Obama as well here
OTOH, Marco Rubio's been so quiet the past couple of years, I'd forgotten about him.
What's he been doing?
One of the things I really detest about some freepers is their ignorant assumption capability. My comments had nothing to do with Rubio. Period. And yet, you made the ASS-umption that I was promoting Rubio. That was a stupid ASS umption.
Now, you’re right, he did make some comments about Hillary. I had forgotten that in the sea of anti Republican commentary he’s been spewing lately.
BTW, your second link was the same as the first, and has nothing to do with anti Obama comments.
Good point.
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