Rand Paul’s claim — twice in one day — that he has a biology degree

Washington Post ^ | 02/13/2015 | Glenn Kessler

[thetallguy24]

“I have a biology degree, okay?”

– Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), in remarks at the Lincoln Labs “Reboot Congress” conference, Feb. 12, 2015

This column has been updated with an additional explanation by Paul’s spokesman.

We first spotted a version of this quote in a Bloomberg column by David Weigel, and then checked the quotes with our colleague Jose DelReal, who had attended the conference.

This is a bit of an odd one, given that Paul does not have a college undergraduate degree.

The Facts

Paul mentioned his alleged degree at the conference not once, but twice. First, in an exchange with TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington, Paul said:

Arrington: “Let’s talk about economics because maybe you can actually explain this to me. I have an econ degree which means I know just enough not to understand any of what our government is [inaudible]”

Paul: “Mine’s in biology and English so this is going to be a great conversation.”

Then, later in the conversation, expounding on what he considered the virtues of Bitcoin, Paul said:

[Agamemnon]

I don’t agree. He either has a degree or he doesn’t. It was a lapse of judgement to have claimed otherwise.

I personally hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and Business Administration from esteemed nationally accredited public institutions.

I take no issue with Paul saying he has a degree in biology. He did not say that he has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

A Doctor of Medicine may be freely interpreted as "a degree in biology" even as BS/MS/PhD degrees in zoology, biochemistry, microbiology, or biotechnology are degrees in biology.

For many MD's having a degree in biology was a pre-requisite for getting into med school (as it was for my dad) and for obtaining the higher degree, Doctor of Medicine, or MD. The study of biology is inextricably linked to the study of and ultimately the practice of medicine.

I'm a Cruz over Paul guy myself, but on this issue I wouldn't split hairs.

FReegards!

[DesertRhino]

“I personally hold undergraduate and graduate degrees in biology, chemistry, biochemistry and Business Administration from esteemed nationally accredited public institutions. I take no issue with Paul saying he has a degree in biology.”

Perfectly stated. And I think most biologists I know would roll their eyes at this “controversy”.

I agree with your position also regarding Paul vs Cruz.

[trisham]

Thank you for expressing your opinion.

[freedom6178]

[What is wrong is that he lied about having a degree.]

His hair made him do it.

[beelzepug]

OK, Paul doesn’t have a degree in “Biology”. He has a degree in a biological field. I’m certain he doesn’t have a degree in “Women’s Studies”, either, but he undoubtedly has a good knowledge of the physiology of women.

We’re splitting hairs here.

[namvolunteer]

Sen. Rand has a Doctorate in human biology and more. Obama claims he is a Constitutional expert but it doesn’t show.

[bigbob]

Seems close enough. Technically he should have said “majored in” but BFD, we’ve got bigger issues to worry about.

[namvolunteer]

Sen. Rand has a Doctorate in human biology and more. Obama claims he is a Constitutional expert but it doesn’t show.

[Agamemnon]

Thank you for expressing your opinion.

Thank you too!

Let me put it in a different context. I am a scientist by trade, but my degree in Business administration is an MBA. I never received a BS in Business, yet I believe it is fair to say that I have a degree in business.

I had to complete the core courses required of a BA plus the higher level Master courses in Business, much as I expect Paul completed core undergraduate courses in biology, but I was never formally awarded a BA in Business.

Would you agree that I can freely say that I have a degree in Business?

FReegards!

[St_Thomas_Aquinas]

He's an MD, fer cryin' out loud.

I'm not a Paul guy, but not because of this.

...Anyway, Cruz '16!

[Leaning Right]

Obama claims he is a Constitutional expert but it doesn’t show.

You're a bit out of line here. Just take a look at Obama's college record. You'll see that he has taken many courses on Constitutional Law.

Oh, wait a minute. Nobody can take a look at Obama's college records. The records are all sealed. Never mind.

[Eva]

I don’t like Rand Paul, but this is ridiculous. It sounds more like they are trying to hype him than criticize him.

[exDemMom]

These people look for minor mis-statements. Paul should learn to say “my major(s) were biology and English” or some such. Totally truthful. AND being admitted to Duke Medical School without completing an undergraduate degree speaks volumes about his level of intelligence.

An MD *is* a degree. And medicine is a branch of biology.

[trisham]

No, but that doesn’t mean that you lack in talent or expertise. A degree is no real measure of either.

[Redmen4ever]

The first defense of Paul's staff was correct: he was speaking off the cuff and being informal. In context, he was disclaiming expertise in the subject of the conversation (bitcoins). He was saying he DIDN'T have an economics degree. The second defense of Paul's staff was also correct: an M.D. is a biology degree. It is in the area of biology called physiology. The following is from wikipedia and is non-controversial: Physiology (/ˌfɪziˈɒlədʒi/; from Ancient Greek φύσις (physis), meaning "nature, origin", and -λογία (-logia), meaning "study of"[1]) is the scientific study of normal function in living systems.[2] A sub-discipline of biology ... SO: (1) Paul wasn't inflating, he was deflating. (2) Paul has a degree in biology. I give the Washington Post two Pinochios. It loses credibility as an arbiter of truth. It is for partisan entertainment purposes only and for lining bird cages.

[Pollster1]

No to all of your questions. If you want to excuse his lie, so be it.

I have spoken on camera for more hours than I can count. I once watched four hours of myself on camera with a coach, to work on my delivery. Although fact-checking was not the point of the effort, I was startled to see two technical points I misstated in very minor ways. If you are going to write off someone you consider an otherwise qualified candidate over a statement that minor, you are not going to have anyone left by election day.

[trisham]

Thanks again.

[Ken H]

“I actually think this is a great embodiment of what Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis called ‘the laboratories of democracy,’” Cruz said. “If the citizens of Colorado decide they want to go down that road, that’s their prerogative. I personally don’t agree with it, but that’s their right.”

-Ted Cruz at CPAC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fhkpD0lMcM

[Agamemnon]

No, but that doesn’t mean that you lack in talent or expertise. A degree is no real measure of either.

In response to my statement, "Would you agree that I [as one who holds a Master of Business Administration] can freely say that I have a degree in Business?" you replied, "No."

That is: "No, in your opinion I cannot say that I have a degree in Business." Do I understand you correctly?

FReegards!

[trisham]

I can only draw conclusions from your statements.