Ron Paul: 'U.S. Has Dug a Hole for Itself in Iraq' (Johns Hopkins Speech Today)

ABC News ^ | September 11, 2007

[Austin Willard Wright]

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman and Nancy Flores report: While his 2008 rivals in Washington, D.C. spent the morning in congressional panels debating the future of US involvement in Iraq, GOP Presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul charged the U.S. has "dug a hole for [itself]" in Iraq, and simultaneously defended his anti-war place in the Republican party and jabbed the current administration saying, "you don't have to be a war monger to be a conservative."

At a policy forum at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, D.C., Paul described Iraq as a "preemptive war" saying it was a "planned invasion and occupation" of a "country that was no threat to us whatsoever."

What might seem like bold rhetoric from the fiery Texas Republican on the anniversary of a historic day is actually nothing new for Paul. His assertions at the forum were consistent with his presidential platform and congressional career, both of which draw heavily from libertarian and constitutionalist ideals.

[mnehring]

It was one of the items that added to the legality and helped bring other nations on board. It also allowed another piece to fit into the Constitutionality of the invasion (Article 1, Section 8, Subsection 10- authorizes Congress to 'define and punish offenses against the laws of nations.')

In other words, we oppose the UN controlling us, but there is nothing stopping us from using them as a tool.

[demshateGod]

“I am suprised at all the hate and hostility directed at him.
Its not normal.”

Listen to what he says. It’s worse than Hitlery, and he’s a republican!!?? It’s baffling that he’s still in the race on the republican ticket and there’s still a lot or republicans supporting him. Hence the hatred.

I just can’t imagine why any republican would vote for the same guy OBL would vote for.

[ejonesie22]

You can’t. Fred doesn’t actually agree with Soros in any way...

RP agrees with and seems to relish in the support from the left...

[John D]

Rep. Ron Paul charged the U.S. has "dug a hole for [itself]" in Iraq,

Cut and run should be happy. Now he will not have to dig the hole to put his head in.

[tomnbeverly]

More historically accurate.... my only assumed post 911 philosophy

[Tarpon]

Why have people going around thinking you are a blithering idiot, when you can go out to a college campus, give a speech and prove it.

[ejonesie22]

We are still members of the body and indeed hold a key leadership role. This is one time we used the UN to support our position to some extent, which is not the same as them lording over us.

Of course if you have further issues I would take it up with Jim, I am just following the lead he set out here, one I support...

[uxbridge]

Ron Paul was against the invasion of Iraq when Hillary, Biden, Dodd, Edwards, et. al were for it

Unlike the Democrats, he’s not changed his views at all and he’s obviously not trying to tailor his views to fit what’s popular...that’s why I respect the guy

[lormand]

You actually equate CFR membership with 9/11 kook conspiracies?

That is a huge and hilarious leap in logic.

So being on Alex Jones show 3 months ago makes him less of a kook than if he appeared on Alex Jones show last week?

[ksen]

Seems I am not at odds with either statement...

Good, neither am I.

[massgopguy]

Good question. Who did Lyndon LaRouche take votes away from? I’d look there.

[ksen]

Wasn't one of the justifications for the Iraq War to "enforce UN Security Council" resolutions?

I believe you're correct.

[lormand]

"...he’s obviously not trying to tailor his views to fit what’s popular..."

Those words better describe George W. Bush, and not that coward and "blame America" wacko Ron Paul.

[John D]

The question I have is whether a Paul 3d party candidacy would take more away from the GOP nominee or from Hillary.

There is no doubt in my mind it would take much more away from Hillary. All the appeasers and cowards belong to the democratic party, and those are the only people he will get any votes from. Who else would vote for a white flag waving anti-American?

[bray]

Gee, wonder why he is polling under 2%?? This is just the latest clinton Chinese Mafia counter Republican campaign. Divide and conquer.

Pray for W and Our Troops

[wideawake]

So being on Alex Jones show 3 months ago makes him less of a kook than if he appeared on Alex Jones show last week?

Indeed. It is not as if Alex Jones wasn't a drooling 9/11 Truthernutter at the time Ron Paul appeared on his program.

Ron Paul or anyone on his campaign would have known that just by checking in on his website at any time over the past couple of years.

[ksen]

You can’t. Fred doesn’t actually agree with Soros in any way...

Uh huh, and I've yet to see where Ron Paul agrees with Alex Jones about any of the Truther nonsense.

RP agrees with and seems to relish in the support from the left...

RP agrees with support from the left? I'm sure any presidential candidate would agree with getting as much support as possible.

Remember the Reagan democrats?

If you're saying that Ron Paul agrees with the political doctrines of the left then you'll need to provide actual evidence and not just your say so.

[deaconblues]

Of course if you have further issues I would take it up with Jim, I am just following the lead he set out here, one I support...

I have no "issues" to take up. I believe that we have the right to defend the US from outside threats, but it is bothersome to me that our leaders used the UN resolutions, (that were as worthless as the paper they were written on), to justify our actions.

[LibLieSlayer]

paul is a traitor promoting isolationist suicide.

LLS

[ejonesie22]

Um, what about the support of Bush and the war...

Guess you forgot that bit, right?