In a wide-ranging interview on Meet the Press today, Ron Paul talked about his plan to cut $1 trillion in spending, his hope that the government will eventually get out of the housing market, and his frustration at the U.S. military intervention in the Middle East.
Paul also lamented the “uselessness” of some of the arguments in the GOP primary debates.
“I mean, arguing over who mows Mitt Romney’s lawn,” Paul said. “In the midst of a crisis, a sovereign debt worldwide crisis, the biggest in the history of the world, and the financial system of the world is about to collapse. We’re about to have another devaluation of … our credit rating. This is serious, and no control in the spending.”
“We’re going to have to get a hand on this,” Paul added. “We have to quit worrying over who’s mowing Mitt Romney’s yard.”
Ron Paul has become a clown, IMO, but I certainly agree with his criticism of the debates. The candidates agree to the format and rules. Is this the best we can do?
I assume you are against Ron Paul's foreign policy. But consider this; the US military is charged only with defending the nation. Is the best strategy of national defense really the world policeman? Of course not. The best strategy of national defense is national defense. Patrol our borders. Monitor our seaways. Check who we give visas to. Build missile defense. Maintain a deterrent force in the Atlantic and Pacific (Guam close enough to Asia for this purpose). Gather intelligence. Why is that insufficient for national defense? Sometimes the best defense is not a good offense; its a good defense.
Ron Paul is the only candidate running that understands why we are in the mess we are today. Calling him a clown just shows how out of touch from reality you are.
Ron Paul wants to restore free market money and do away with monetary socialism and Central planning.
I agree with William R's out of touch characterization of the guy calling Paul a clown. Such is the permanent call of the past and present day moderate Republicans. I would prefer to quote an older true conservative who was once ahead of his time and once considered by the moderate Republicans and Liberal of his day a dangerous clown of sorts: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." I am a thirty plus year National Review reading conservative and never thought I would be a Ron Paul supporter. I think Paul's time may have come. He is the only one even vaguely discussing the real problems we face and the only one with any realistic solutions. Tonight I became a supporter of the conservative libertarian Ron Paul.
I agree with William R's out of touch characterization of the guy calling Paul a clown. Such is the permanent call of the past and present day moderate Republicans. I would prefer to quote an older true conservative who was once ahead of his time and once considered by the moderate Republicans and Liberals of his day a dangerous clown of sorts: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." I am a thirty plus year National Review reading conservative and never thought I would be a Ron Paul supporter. I think Paul's time may have come. He is the only one even vaguely discussing the real problems we face and the only one with any realistic solutions. Tonight I became a supporter of the conservative libertarian Ron Paul.
I, too, don't care who mows Romney's lawn, nor what kind of undies he wears. I care very much about America's economic health, government overspending and bureaucratic bullies who tread on individual rights (including those of unborn children). Ron Paul is rock-solid on all those issues.
How about when he gave the keynote address at the John Birch Societies 50th Anniversary, was he rock solid that night, or just plain nuts? Cordially, Bill
When the media is so invested in helping to reelect the guy that they helped to elect in the first place, there is NO WAY that these debates aren't going to be anything other than a forum for the GOP to wallow in the mud with each other.
These aren't debates. Instead, they're concurrent 7-man press conferences where the "moderators" go out of their way to ask about controversial minutia rather than substantive policy ideas.
Thus far, Barack Obama has won, pretty handily, every Republican debate. That hasn't been accidental.
"These aren't debates. Instead, they're concurrent 7-man press conferences where the "moderators" go out of their way to ask about controversial minutia rather than substantive policy ideas."
Exactly. It's the same controversial minutia that's rehashed every four years.
On the other hand, in the last debate but one, several of the candidates were masterful in ignoring the insinuations of the moderators -- especially the tendentious Karen Tumulty -- and forging ahead with what needed to be said. Sadly, the high school debate society returned last time around.
Ron Paul is the best candidate for President. The other choices are Democrat or Democrat Light. Ron Paul represents a sincere and not special-interest owned, attempt at solving our problems. He was a Veteran and a Doctor and has been consistent for decades, standing by behind his moral principles. Dr. Paul predicted the economic collapse, it would be great to have to have the knowledgeable Doctor fix our economy.
Ron Paul absolutely believes that the role of the federal government is to guard our rights and protects us, but otherwise leave us alone to follow our unique dreams, unencumbered, as long as you follow contracts, and harm no one else.
With the melt-down of the Western economies and the growing threat of runaway inflation on the horizon, people are beginning to realize in growing numbers, the failure of big governments, their wars, cradle to grave entitlements, and fiat money schemes.
The issues of personal freedom and personal responsibility are becoming more visible and desired.
Going all the way to 'complete individual liberty', achievable by strictly following the Constitution, is the only Paul will settle for.
The other Republican candidates are for some degree of the status quo, and that is not what we should expect or settle for at this crucial time.
Ending the status quo will not be easy, and it will not be televised.
The point was that Romney is a hypocrite who has great difficulty forthrightly telling the truth.
That was a useful point to make.
Paul wants to spend 90 minutes talking about a currency standard we haven't been on in a generation---and one which China has been hoarding just in case reverting to it gets traction.
Who mows Romney's lawn is totally irrelevant as far as the future of the country is concerned.
What kind of man Romney is, however, is far more important that all of the plans of all the candidates put together. These "plans" will never survive contact with congress. They're useful only because of what they tell us about the candidates who propose them. The same is true of Romney's gardener.
Frankly, your quick dismissal of it on this argument is wrong because there are a HELL OF A LOT of things that we have not been doing for a generation that we should be getting back to doing..... like following the Constitution for instance.
Let's not forget who brought the debate to such a low level, Rick Perry. No other candidate has sunk so low as to try and cover his clear preference for open borders.
Also, the media clearly wants a slug rest. The GOP dwarves that are runnning are desperate for exposure they'll agree to anything to get on TV,
Ron Paul has become a clown, IMO, but I certainly agree with his criticism of the debates. The candidates agree to the format and rules. Is this the best we can do?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI assume you are against Ron Paul's foreign policy. But consider this; the US military is charged only with defending the nation. Is the best strategy of national defense really the world policeman? Of course not. The best strategy of national defense is national defense. Patrol our borders. Monitor our seaways. Check who we give visas to. Build missile defense. Maintain a deterrent force in the Atlantic and Pacific (Guam close enough to Asia for this purpose). Gather intelligence. Why is that insufficient for national defense? Sometimes the best defense is not a good offense; its a good defense.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRon Paul is the only candidate running that understands why we are in the mess we are today. Calling him a clown just shows how out of touch from reality you are.
Ron Paul wants to restore free market money and do away with monetary socialism and Central planning.
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Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI agree with William R's out of touch characterization of the guy calling Paul a clown. Such is the permanent call of the past and present day moderate Republicans. I would prefer to quote an older true conservative who was once ahead of his time and once considered by the moderate Republicans and Liberal of his day a dangerous clown of sorts: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." I am a thirty plus year National Review reading conservative and never thought I would be a Ron Paul supporter. I think Paul's time may have come. He is the only one even vaguely discussing the real problems we face and the only one with any realistic solutions. Tonight I became a supporter of the conservative libertarian Ron Paul.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI agree with William R's out of touch characterization of the guy calling Paul a clown. Such is the permanent call of the past and present day moderate Republicans. I would prefer to quote an older true conservative who was once ahead of his time and once considered by the moderate Republicans and Liberals of his day a dangerous clown of sorts: "Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice." I am a thirty plus year National Review reading conservative and never thought I would be a Ron Paul supporter. I think Paul's time may have come. He is the only one even vaguely discussing the real problems we face and the only one with any realistic solutions. Tonight I became a supporter of the conservative libertarian Ron Paul.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRon Paul makes more sense every day.
I, too, don't care who mows Romney's lawn, nor what kind of undies he wears. I care very much about America's economic health, government overspending and bureaucratic bullies who tread on individual rights (including those of unborn children). Ron Paul is rock-solid on all those issues.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseHow about when he gave the keynote address at the John Birch Societies 50th Anniversary, was he rock solid that night, or just plain nuts? Cordially, Bill
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhen the media is so invested in helping to reelect the guy that they helped to elect in the first place, there is NO WAY that these debates aren't going to be anything other than a forum for the GOP to wallow in the mud with each other.
These aren't debates. Instead, they're concurrent 7-man press conferences where the "moderators" go out of their way to ask about controversial minutia rather than substantive policy ideas.
Thus far, Barack Obama has won, pretty handily, every Republican debate. That hasn't been accidental.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"These aren't debates. Instead, they're concurrent 7-man press conferences where the "moderators" go out of their way to ask about controversial minutia rather than substantive policy ideas."
Exactly. It's the same controversial minutia that's rehashed every four years.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseOn the other hand, in the last debate but one, several of the candidates were masterful in ignoring the insinuations of the moderators -- especially the tendentious Karen Tumulty -- and forging ahead with what needed to be said. Sadly, the high school debate society returned last time around.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRon Paul is the best candidate for President. The other choices are Democrat or Democrat Light. Ron Paul represents a sincere and not special-interest owned, attempt at solving our problems. He was a Veteran and a Doctor and has been consistent for decades, standing by behind his moral principles. Dr. Paul predicted the economic collapse, it would be great to have to have the knowledgeable Doctor fix our economy.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRon Paul absolutely believes that the role of the federal government is to guard our rights and protects us, but otherwise leave us alone to follow our unique dreams, unencumbered, as long as you follow contracts, and harm no one else.
With the melt-down of the Western economies and the growing threat of runaway inflation on the horizon, people are beginning to realize in growing numbers, the failure of big governments, their wars, cradle to grave entitlements, and fiat money schemes.
The issues of personal freedom and personal responsibility are becoming more visible and desired.
Going all the way to 'complete individual liberty', achievable by strictly following the Constitution, is the only Paul will settle for.
The other Republican candidates are for some degree of the status quo, and that is not what we should expect or settle for at this crucial time.
Ending the status quo will not be easy, and it will not be televised.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseThe point was that Romney is a hypocrite who has great difficulty forthrightly telling the truth.
That was a useful point to make.
Paul wants to spend 90 minutes talking about a currency standard we haven't been on in a generation---and one which China has been hoarding just in case reverting to it gets traction.
Not to mention the Bilderburgers.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseReliable old Teflon, just a-pluckin' on that single string of his.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseReliable ol' Ed, Ghost of Lame Comments Past.
Have you repelled the illegal immigrant invasion yet, Ed?
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI have to agree.
Who mows Romney's lawn is totally irrelevant as far as the future of the country is concerned.
What kind of man Romney is, however, is far more important that all of the plans of all the candidates put together. These "plans" will never survive contact with congress. They're useful only because of what they tell us about the candidates who propose them. The same is true of Romney's gardener.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse> we haven't been on in a generation
Frankly, your quick dismissal of it on this argument is wrong because there are a HELL OF A LOT of things that we have not been doing for a generation that we should be getting back to doing..... like following the Constitution for instance.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseRon Paul knocked the cover off the ball here. This is the most rational discussion I've seen on Meet the Press in a long, LONG time...
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseLet's not forget who brought the debate to such a low level, Rick Perry. No other candidate has sunk so low as to try and cover his clear preference for open borders.
Also, the media clearly wants a slug rest. The GOP dwarves that are runnning are desperate for exposure they'll agree to anything to get on TV,
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse"...mowing Mitt Romney's yard."
Is this a regionalism? It seems more common to say "mowing the lawn" or "mowing the grass."
Maybe it's a Texas thang. At any rate... looks like a job for Mr. Nordlinger.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse