Rand Paul Calls Rick Santorum A War-Mongering Moderate

TPM ^ | Jan. 2, 2012 | Evan McMorris-Santoro-

[fightinJAG]

DES MOINES, IOWA — Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) is in town today to be a walking Daisy ad on behalf of his father, Ron.

His main target: the surging Rick Santorum.

On Iowa talk radio this morning, Rand took after Santorum with a line of attack reminiscent of that infamous Lyndon Johnson dig at Barry Goldwater. In short, Rand asked, is Santorum the kind of guy you want with his finger on the button?

The line came in response to a question about Ron Paul’s foreign policy, which has given many in the pro-Israel right pause. They worry that Paul will allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon and won’t engage the country even if it attacks Israel. Santorum and other Republican candidates have been attacking Paul along these lines with great gusto, thinking they can push Paul out to the extremes and far away from the average Iowa voter.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

“Whaaah”.

Paul is a Crybaby.

[Leep]

“thinking they can push Paul out to the extremes”

Anybody..? :)

[fightinJAG]

I have to say I am a little surprised that Rand Paul is wading into the middle of this.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

They said the same thing about Ronald Reagan.

Seriously.

Exactly the same thing.

[fightinJAG]

Yeah, I don’t care who you are, that’s funny!

[fightinJAG]

Yep. But it seems to me that this is even wierder when it’s being said by, not only Ron Paul’s son, but by a newly elected Senator who ran on a Tea Party theme.

[EDINVA]

“...surprised that Rand Paul is wading into the middle of this”

me, too. It’s one thing to support his dad, but Rand doesn’t have to go off the cliff with him.

[EDINVA]

“...surprised that Rand Paul is wading into the middle of this”

me, too. It’s one thing to support his dad, but Rand doesn’t have to go off the cliff with him.

[reefdiver]

Reagan did not say He was going to attack anybody while on the trail of the White House

[mnehring]

Randolph is starting to sound like his dad and losing respect every day. Here is news for Randolph, Santorum is way to the right of your dad so he has zero room to throw stones. His dad is the 'moderate' in this race.

Rick Santorum on the issues.

Ron Paul on the issues.

At that Rand, Rick Santorum is also way to the right of you.

[Republican Wildcat]

There is little difference between the two...Rand Paul just learned to become more pragmatic in his rhetoric to sound more mainstream in order to win his Senate primary and ultimately the general election.

[dragnet2]

He’s also someone who never served in the military. Ron Paul served in the military, will use force against our enemies if it’s required and if Congress approves of it, but I’m a little concerned about someone who didn’t serve in the military like Santorum...

Rand questioned his commitment to conservatism as well (Ron’s also out doing that, accusing Santorum of being “very liberal.”)

Here’s Rand’s version, from the radio:

Well, you know you’re starting to see that some of the conservatives have gone here and there and they’re looking for someone who they think is their champion. But before they settle on Santorum they need to realize he was a big supporter of Medicare Part D, the expansion of Medicare, a big supporter of No Child Left Behind, I’ve seen him asked directly about the Department of Education, he’s for it. … We still believe in eliminating the Dept. of Education, that there is no function on the federal level for that.

But Rick Santorum’s a big supporter of the Department of Education; he in fact voted to double the size of the Department of Education with No Child Left Behind. So I call him a big government moderate and I think conservatives need to be wary before thinking Santorum can be their champion.

[sheikdetailfeather]

I have been getting all kinds of red flashing warning signs about a lot of people who seemed to be the side of the tea party. I add him to the growing list.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

To be precise Santorum did not say he would attack Iran.

Santorum said he would attack Iranian nuclear sites if Iran did not allow international inspection.

That is called negotiation.

[Republican Wildcat]

Rand Paul campaigns with Code Pink and 9/11 truth activist Adam Kokesh: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai0DT-TK1iM&feature=plcp&context=C30f88feUDOEgsToPDskLrwH0aNwZKztntFqkc4E1u

Rand Paul: Iran is not a threat with a nuclear weapon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1dBF3b_Udk&feature=g-vrec&context=G2d6e761RVAAAAAAAABQ

[fightinJAG]

I sure don’t want to have to win another Senate seat in KY. This is not looking good.

[mas cerveza por favor]

Santorum said he would attack Iranian nuclear sites if Iran did not allow international inspection.

Doesn't Iran already allow that?

[dragnet2]

To be precise Santorum did not say he would attack Iran. Santorum said he would attack Iranian nuclear sites if Iran did not allow international inspection.

You want the U.N. involved? Or just when it suits you?

I don't want anything to do with the U.N.

If I could, I would evict all U.N members from U.S. soil, immediately. The U.N. does not operate in America's best interest and never has, but has caused much harm to the U.S.

[ngat]

“I have been getting all kinds of red flashing warning signs about a lot of people who seemed to be the side of the tea party. I add him to the growing list.”

Read post # 13 and tell me if you are talking about Paul or Santorum.