Rand Paul on Netanyahu's Visit: “He’s always welcome."

[NACBA]

Rand Paul makes another unforced error:

Hailing from the more libertarian wing of the GOP’s foreign policy plank, Paul has sometimes angered conservatives by supporting a less stringent approach than traditional hawks like Graham. But he was supportive of Netanyahu’s speech.

“He’s always welcome,” Paul said.

Maybe Sen. Paul thinks he is being diplomatic by saying this, but it doesn’t make a lot of sense for him to endorse Boehner’s maneuver. Paul has previously argued that diplomacy should be given a chance in the talks with Iran, and most recently he has been working on a bill with Barbara Boxer that offers what they call a more “moderate” alternative to the Kirk-Menendez new sanctions legislation. So it makes no sense to approve of an invitation extended to a foreign leader when the sole purpose of that invitation is to promote the cause of additional sanctions on Iran with the obvious goal of sabotaging the negotiations. Netanyahu has been invited in large part to promote the cause of a confrontational Iran policy that Paul professes to oppose. Why would Paul want to welcome that?

http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/paul-and-netanyahus-speech/

[pcosmar]

Why is our Congress inviting foreign governments to interfere in, or influence our legislation?

Our elected Representatives are there to represent the US people,, Not foreign powers.

This countries support of National Socialism is troubling.

[AngryCanadian]

This ends my support for Rand Paul.


This shows that Israel owns both houses, the senate and congress oh yeah your going to have a war on Iran but you know what? you will be murdering innocent for the state of Israel.

Once your done with that war, why dont you guys have a military parade in Saudi Arabia?

[Natural Citizen]

There are some rather strict rules with regard to what Netanyahu is doing here. Obama was clear to say that he wouldn't be meeting with him during his visit/speech. This, of course, conforms to the rules. With Israel's elections coming up, Boehner's move is contradictory of the rules.

I think he needs authorization from the Executive Branch. By not getting that he is essentially committing an act of sedition. He is using a foreign leader to lobby for his own legislation. Recall that he invited him to speak premised upon "the grave threats that radical Islam and Iran pose to our security and way of life". His announcement comes as Republicans in Congress are pushing for new sanctions against Iran.

Also, the Logan Act makes it a crime for unauthorized American citizens to negotiate with foreign governments. That is a felony. Punishable by up to 3 years in prison. It is also possible that he is in volation of the Federal Elections Commission law. Section 441e makes it illegal for a person to solicit, accept or receive a contribution or donation from a foreign national. Simply by using the speech to raise money for republicans any way he's guilty of violating FEC law...Rand. While one can certainly say that “He’s always welcome" outling factors relative to such "invitations" remain.

[jonhowe]

Exactly what any campaign manager would tell him to say. "He's a war criminal shouldn't be here" would result in "Rand Paul Is an Anti Semite" headlines. "The timing is inappropriate" would result in "Rand Paul Sides With Obama" headlines.

Still annoying. Just not unexpected.

[Inkblots]

I'm not particularly troubled about him visiting. Whether he speaks or not won't change the fact that a strong majority of Congress is in Israel's pocket - why not have a strong visual aid to help the oblivious figure that out?

An amusing thought is what would happen if, in the spirit of balanced debate, Hassan Rouhani were to be invited to speak after Bibi. Bill Kristol would give himself a brain aneurysm.

[cajuncocoa]

Rand is so smart.

[pcosmar]

Exactly what any campaign manager would tell him to say.

Rand need to concentrate on serving the people of Kentucky who elected him to represent them.
Not campaign for a position that is already decided.

Jeb Bush will be the GOP candidate..

Ya'all can waste your time and energy and money if you wish..

[Bman]

Rand need to concentrate on serving the people of Kentucky who elected him to represent them.
Not campaign for a position that is already decided.

Jeb Bush will be the GOP candidate..

Ya'all can waste your time and energy and money if you wish..

In 2008 Ghouliani had it all tied up. Even if Rand has a snowballs chance of being POTUS in your mind he would not benefit in Kentucky going after Israel.

[NOVALibertarian]

This ends my support for Rand Paul.


This shows that Israel owns both houses, the senate and congress oh yeah your going to have a war on Iran but you know what? you will be murdering innocent for the state of Israel.

Once your done with that war, why dont you guys have a military parade in Saudi Arabia?

Grow up. What do you expect him to say? Do you expect him to condemn the visit when he's about to officially announce that he's seeking the Republican Party's nomination for President of the United States? Or should Rand just play the role of the dogmatic ideologue, thus costing him any shot that he has of winning the presidency?


Rand need to concentrate on serving the people of Kentucky who elected him to represent them.
Not campaign for a position that is already decided.

Thank God this defeatism isn't shared by many.

[pcosmar]

Thank God this defeatism isn't shared by many.

Yeah,, it is what keeps the cash rolling in.

https://www.opensecrets.org/bigpicture/

[CaptUSA]

“He’s always welcome."


This ends my support for Rand Paul.

:rolleyes:

[specsaregood]

Rand need to concentrate on serving the people of Kentucky who elected him to represent them.
Not campaign for a position that is already decided.


Do you have information that suggests that he is not doing an excellent job of serving the people of Kentucky? If so, please share. I would suggest that many of his ideas that are getting a bit of traction benefits those very people and are only getting some traction because of his profile of possibly campaigning "for a position that is already decided."

[Crashland]

How is this an unforced error? As if he's going to say no he's not welcome to come. That would be game over for the GOP nomination, and childish to boot. Plus it's not like his physically coming to speak to congress is really going to make a difference in how congress votes.

[pcosmar]

In 2008 Ghouliani had it all tied up.

No he did not.. He was nothing but a side show in the circus.
McCain was chosen.. And Romney dropped out before the votes were counted.

It was curious to me at the time watching McCain get votes where he had absolutely no SUPPORTERS.
I firmly believe that it was predetermined,, and the votes manipulated.

I expect more of the same.

[pcosmar]

How is this an unforced error? As if he's going to say no he's not welcome to come. That would be game over for the GOP nomination, and childish to boot. Plus it's not like his physically coming to speak to congress is really going to make a difference in how congress votes.

Oh hell no.. He is welcome to come like any other tourist.
and he is welcome to speak to the media,,

But he has no business in the Affairs of State in this country and should have been told (politely) to fuck off.

[Crashland]

Oh hell no.. He is welcome to come like any other tourist.
and he is welcome to speak to the media,,

But he has no business in the Affairs of State in this country and should have been told (politely) to fuck off.

That's not your call to make. If the congress wants to allow him to speak to them, then that's their prerogative. If anyone is so incredibly offended by it, then they don't have to show up.

[twomp]

Senator Paul is only doing what all members of the GOP do. Slurp on the cock of Israel. There is no reason to be glad or sad about it. It is standard for them to get on their knees and open their mouths at the sight of the leader of Israel.

http://media.tumblr.com/90f39eaffe9b8326ebde4a4a2aa68e58/tumblr_inline_mtsu07Az7N1qij8k6.jpg

[twomp]

double post

[Matt Collins]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress a few years ago:





"You don't need to send American troops to Israel, we defend ourselves."

[twomp]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress a few years ago:

And here comes the hobbit with more praise for the Lord of the ring.

[Natural Citizen]

If the congress wants to allow him to speak to them, then that's their prerogative.



No. It's not their prerogative. That isn't how it works. Refer to my previous post.

[RonPaulGeorge&Ringo]

Rand will listen to anyone make their case. This about the blandest possible statement he could give. There's no coherent reason for any upset about it.

[pcosmar]

Rand will listen to anyone make their case. This about the blandest possible statement he could give. There's no coherent reason for any upset about it.
What business do foreign interests have in influencing the affairs of this country?

What business does Congress have in seeking input from foreign governments? (any foreign government)

They have no say here. They should have no influence here. NONE whatsoever.

There is no coherent reason for Nutenyahoo to have been invited.

[Occam's Banana]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress a few years ago:

"You don't need to send American troops to Israel, we defend ourselves."

Bring American troops home from Israel! (Netanyahu even sez it's okay!)

Oh, wait ...

[TaftFan]

I hope those who are livid over this do indeed abandon Rand in 2016. They are the last people he needs supporting him.

[devil21]

Hey Rand, it is ok to say "I have no comment at this time" once in a while.

[Rudeman]

Lol at people be offended over a bland statement because Israel.

[A Son of Liberty]

How about:


Bring American troops dollars home from Israel! (Netanyahu even sez it's okay!)

Oh, wait ...

Mmm... me thinks Mr. Netanyahu would sing a different tune.

[enhanced_deficit]

Not a fan of SWC puppet of moderate leftist neocons but he's right on this, Netanyahu is backstabbing SWCbag and pawn of hardcore rightwing neecons. Besides, he is not American.
Rand is new into politics and making some tactical mistakes in his ambitious pursuit of WH seat to get in good graces of AIPAC lobbies but Boehner is spineless old political actor and is playing bit too dirty here.

Amid row over DC invite, PM says he’ll ‘go anywhere’ to speak against Iran

Ratcheting up dispute with White House, Likud MKs ‘told to emphasize’ that Senate supermajority could overrule Obama veto on new Iran sanctions

By Avi Lewis January 25, 2015, 1:04 pm



http://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-row-over-invite-pm-says-hell-go-anywhere-to-speak-against-iran/ (http://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-row-over-invite-pm-says-hell-go-anywhere-to-speak-against-iran/#ixzz3PszPGc80)




Related

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/447748380958011392/B-3cSD0r_normal.png Haaretz.com @haaretzcom · 16h 16 hours ago
Obama to Netanyahu: Stop meddling in Congress http://htz.li/1tL

(http://t.co/87sl02TUCy)Netanyahu is 'a chickens**t prime minister' and 'coward', says US official (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?462173-Netanyahu-is-a-chickens**t-prime-minister-and-coward-says-US-official&)

Netanyahu's shameful behavior in Paris (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4614599,00.html)

U.S. official: 'Netanyahu spat in our face. There'll be a price.' (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?467324-U-S-official-Netanyahu-spat-in-our-face-There-ll-be-a-price&)


http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-W6LdB24-wU/hqdefault.jpg



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's speech to Congress a few years ago:


"You don't need to send American troops to Israel, we defend ourselves."


Just send as ~ $10 Million every hour of American Tax payers money/all the weapons and planes we need to bomb these pesky Palestinians into an orderly submissive occupation.
Then if there is blowback, we'll send Israeli troops and Israeli tax payers money to help out America.

But wait, that never happened when America needed to spread freedom in Iraq post 9/11.

[Christian Liberty]

This ends my support for Rand Paul.


This shows that Israel owns both houses, the senate and congress oh yeah your going to have a war on Iran but you know what? you will be murdering innocent for the state of Israel.

Once your done with that war, why dont you guys have a military parade in Saudi Arabia?


:rolleyes:

Meh. This is an odd straw to break the camel's back here, but Rand Paul is unlikely to fix our problems even if he wins. Its unlikely to matter. At an optimistic level, I'd say this is a battle that's going to take centuries. At a pessimistic level, we're doomed entirely.