Paul distances himself from opponents via foreign policy

US Rep. Ron Paul drew cheers from the audience and rebukes from some fellow candidates as the libertarian-leaning Texan called for cutting military spending during tonight's CNN debate.

Paul refused to accept that such cuts might impact national security.

"To cut military spending is a wise thing to do. We would be safer if we weren't in so many places...We have an empire. We can't afford it," Paul said.

Rick Santorum disagreed.

"I would absolutely not cut one penny out of military spending...The only thing that the federal government can do that no other level of government can do is protect us," Santorum said.

As the debate shifted to whether to cut foreign aid spending, Paul again used the opportunity to push for defense spending cuts.

"We have more weapons than all the other countries put together essentially and we want to spend more and more and you can't cut a penny?" Paul said.

Paul also advocated for cutting foreign aid spending, which prompted moderator Anderson Cooper to ask if Paul would cut funding to Israel.

"That foreign aid makes Israel dependent on us...They should have their sovereignty back," Paul said.

US Rep. Michelle Bachmann of Minnesota disagreed with Paul.

 "We should not be cutting foreign aid to Israel," Bachmann said. "Israel is our greatest ally."

-Aman Batheja

Comments

[Jay McCandless]

Ron Paul is absolutely correct in cutting all foreign aid. There is no constitutional authority to take property from US citizens in the form of taxes and give it to another country. We would be screaming if Israel or any other country had the authority tax us. Sadly most of the GOP field doesn't recognize this is what they are supporting.

[Micah Breden]

Our empire and military conquest is partly to blame for our nation being bankrupt. No "defense" cuts. Just empire cuts. As usual Ron Paul is right.

[John]

Thank you Mr. Paul!

[Oscar]

And Ron Paul is absolutely correct.

[Duda]

We give foreign aid to Israel and foreign aid to its enemies. It all cancels out and the net loss goes to America. Are we trying to destroy our country for the sake of others to fight each other with better weapons? Their wars have been going on for thousands of years, our money isn't helping things get better, it's helping things get worse!

[Nevadasmith]

CONG. RON PAUL, SHOULD Of,LIKE HUNTSMAN,
DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM THESE OTHER LOW LIFES. CONG. RON PAUL SHOULD NO LONGER ADD CREDIBILITY TO THE BRAIN DEAD,BY APPEARING WITH THEM.HE BRINGS THE EYEBALLS----NOBODY IS INTERESTED IN THESE OTHER FOOLS>

[Nevadasmith]

I AM GETTING VERY BORED OF LISTENING TO SIX STIFFS WAITING FOR CONG.RON PAUL

[Jay]

“Paul distances himself from opponents via foreign policy” Yes, he’s leaving them in the dust!

"I would cut all foreign aid. I would treat everybody equally" – Ron Paul

Paul also would cut ALL the aid to the regimes that have been, or that have aided, Israel’s greatest enemies. No other Republican or Democrat running would do that.

Israel is the nation of King David, not the servant of Uncle Sam. Let Israel handle its enemies; stop tying its hands.

Paul! Now!

[Rob]

Ron Paul owned that debate, while remaining to act like the only adult. He is a true champion of liberty. He has the only true solution to balance our budget. When a private company goes broke, they downsize...hence the millions of layoffs since 2007. But the gov't is going bankrupt while getting bigger by the day. It is time to make cuts, and Ron Paul made the best proposal. I do not want anyone's kids be born into debt in this country let alone my own.

[Ben S.]

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