Tuesday, July 15, 2014

RTT News: "Rick Perry and Rand Paul squared off in dueling U.S. foreign policy op-ed"

"As a veteran, and as a governor who has supported Texas National Guard deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, I can understand the emotions behind isolationism," Perry wrote.
He added, "Many people are tired of war, and the urge to pull back is a natural, human reaction. Unfortunately, we live in a world where isolationist policies would only endanger our national security even further."

Perry claimed that Paul seems "curiously blind" to the national security threat posed by the group now calling itself the Islamic State, which controls significant territory in Iraq and Syria.

"Ignoring the growth of the Islamic State and events in Syria and Iraq will only ensure that the problem will fester and grow," Perry wrote. "The United States needs to take seriously the threat this presents to our nation."

However, Paul shot back in a separate op-ed piece posted by Politico on Monday, accusing Perry of mischaracterizing his views on foreign policy.

"There are many things I like about Texas Gov. Rick Perry, including his stance on the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution," Paul wrote. "But apparently his new glasses haven't altered his perception of the world, or allowed him to see it any more clearly."

"I support continuing our assistance to the government of Iraq, which include armaments and intelligence," Paul wrote. "I support using advanced technology to prevent ISIS from becoming a threat."

"I also want to stop sending U.S. aid and arms to Islamic rebels in Syria who are allied with ISIS, something Perry doesn't even address," he added. "I would argue that if anything, my ideas for this crisis are both stronger, and not rooted simply in bluster."

A recent Quinnipiac University National Poll showed Paul with a slight lead in the race for the GOP nomination, with 11 percent of Republican and Republican-leaning voters saying they support the Kentucky Senator.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush were all tied for second at 10 percent, while Perry was toward the bottom of the list a 3 percent.

8 comments:

Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...

Rand Paul easily wins any contest against Perry.

Unknown said...

I like Rand Paul.

He represents a threat to the old guard in DC - on both sides of the political divide.

It's time to flush Washington of the old leftist power guard (Hillary/Schumer/Reid/Pelosi), the new progressive bullshit(Elizabeth Warren) and the old GOP plaid panted country club set (Boehner/McCain et al) and infuse our national political leadership with neo-Liberty.

Perfection isn't on the menu and these guys are splitting hairs.

There are others I like too – though for me Rick Perry is lower on my list.
I like Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, and Governor Walker. I like their experience and their thought process.

YoungHegelian said...

This is but a skirmish in the continuing war between the non-interventionists/isolationists & the interventionists.

This split occurs both among Democrats as well as Republicans, and on the left as the right. It's a perennial topic in American foreign policy discussions and has been since the founding of the republic.

That both Perry & Rand explain their beliefs on such fundamental issues is a good thing, especially for Republican voters, but ultimately for all voters.

That this disagreement will be portrayed as the latest installment of THE CIVIL WAR IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY is absolute nonsense.

Icepick said...

What experience does Marco Rubio have? Also, Rubio is just another establishment republican, wanting the same things they all do, including open borders.

The Dude said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Chip Ahoy said...

It looks to me like Perry is pinning an "isolationist" tag on Rand, a purposeful misreading of his actual stance (for sinister rhetorical porpoises, expecting such splashing and fin-flapping to amuse and to win the day)

But I can live with Rand's jape and jibe about Perry's new glasses not enabling him to alter his perception or enable him to see the world more clearly. Eh.

Goddamnit. *looks up 10 amendment* Oh that one. I should know that one. That's one of the best amendments of all. I'm going to internalize that one. VOOP Just did. 10th amendment is now internalized.

*Reads more.* Oh, That's the one with the much abused commerce clause to make it mean anything they like.

He look, Colorado is in it. Recently too. About marijuana. This concerns me. \o/

This makes me want to plant some marijuana seeds just because I can la la la la la la
:-p

deborah said...

The idea of Rick Perry as president
is an abomination. Please.

Rand Paul is a squirrel. This is bread and circuses and if we do not get lucky, things are going to revert to absolute zero.

edutcher said...

TheTrollWhoseNomdeNetMustNotBeMocked said...

Rand Paul easily wins any contest against Perry.

They found an Urdu-English dictionary on the Texas border.

Urdu is the official language of Pockeestahn.

Rand just lost.