Transcript
Larry Kudlow: That’s right, folks. My lead story tonight is an exclusive interview with Congressman Ron Paul, he’s still very much a factor in the Republican race. And the sizzle story today is the shocking charge that Ron Paul has an alliance with Mitt Romney that could lead to his son, Senator Rand Paul, being installed as the Romney vice-president. Take a listen to all this.
Joining us exclusively now is Texas Republican Congressman, and presidential candidate, Ron Paul. Dr. Paul, welcome back to the show, as always, sir. Let me begin with this: Rick Santorum was whining this morning on the Laura Ingraham Radio Show, he was whining that you are attacking him too much, and you never attack Mitt Romney, and he’s accusing you of having an alliance with Mitt Romney. What’s your reaction to that? I thought this would be a great spot for you to respond to this Santorum business.
Ron Paul: Well, if anybody would check the records very carefully, you know, I’ve had Mitt in the ads as well, or earlier on, and I called him a flip-flopper and all these things. But I think it’s partially strategy, if I have to compete against Mitt Romney, I have to take away the votes from the other people who are competing with me. So it’s a bit of strategy, but it’s also because he’s topping the polls right now and I’m very honest about his voting record, it wasn’t like I made it up. And I try very hard to stick to the voting record when I criticize him, but he really wasn’t a real good conservative.
Larry Kudlow: That’s the thing, you called him a fake during the debate, and I wondered if you’d expand on that thought?
Ron Paul: Well, it was whether or not I would defend it, because that’s in our ad, because he pretends he’s the most conservative and he’s the conservative alternative to Romney but, philosophically, I don’t see a whole lot of difference. But Rick has gotten himself into more trouble because he was the whip, and when he said he was a team player, that was one of the things that has annoyed me the most. Because when they’re whipping you and they think they can get your vote, they finally come down. The ultimate test is for the speaker to come to somebody in the House and say, “You got to do it, you got to be part of the team. And this is what Santorum was saying, “It’s a team thing”. And I think that’s what is wrong that’s what I said in the debates, I think that’s what’s wrong with Washington. I said, “No, it isn’t, it’s good economic policy, good foreign policy, follow the oath of office, follow your promises. But it’s not to go along to get along and to participate”. I don’t know if you’ve recognized over the years, when we have a Republican president, the Republican Congress sort of whips out. Right now, I vote much more with the Republicans in the Congress, but when we had a Republican president, that wasn’t the case. And I think when Santorum was there, he had to defend the moderate policy of a moderate president, and that’s how he gets himself into trouble. But to claim that he’s a real sound fiscal conservative, I think that’s where I think he’s faking it.
Larry Kudlow: Let me take this up; okay, he’s faking it. My friend, Joe Scarborough, former House member (you probably know him), has been speculating and ruminating that you do have an alliance with Mr. Romney. But Scarborough’s take is, and I want to get your reaction to this, that it’s about your son, Senator Rand Paul. Because there could be a deal that Rand Paul will go under a Romney ticket as vice president, or would serve in a position in the cabinet in a Romney administration. So now we’ve gone from a potential from whining from Santorum to an alliance between you and Romney in order to get Senator Rand Paul a job as VP, or a cabinet secretary. Your reaction to that train of thinking?
Ron Paul: Well, I don’t think my son needs my help to get him a job. Besides, I think that’s a distraction from Rick’s performance, because he knows now that he was knocked down a few points and, therefore he has to distract from that and say it was something sinister or some type of alliance, and the media likes that kind of stuff. But the truth is, Rand and I have never had a talk along those lines, about what our political strategy is, because there really isn’t any. There are times when different candidates align themselves in different ways depending on what states they’re in, but I have to admit, it’s been easier to talk. My staff has an easier time talking to Mitt Romney and, of course, I’ve known him for a long time and at least we’re respectful to each other, which is a little bit different with what happens with the other candidates.
Larry Kudlow: But you can’t say there is no clear alliance between you and Mr. Romney?
Ron Paul: Absolutely not, because it would be foolish on his part and I think I did hear something this morning when they were interviewing Governor Pawlenty, and they were saying, “Yea, there is some conspiracy and there’s a backroom deal. And I thought Pawlenty cleared it up pretty well, he said, “If you think Ron Paul is going to do a backroom deal, you got another thought coming”, something along those lines
Larry Kudlow: Alright, we’ll leave it all there, I just want you to be clear and go on the record on that. Let me ask you, I want to talk taxes, you and I often talk about the Fed and money and so forth, but I thought we’d talk taxes this evening. Romney has come out with his 20% across-the-board tax cut, I wonder what’s your thoughts about it. And I wonder, especially, sir, specifically, what does your tax reform plan look like?
Ron Paul: Well, my ultimate goal would, of course, be to get rid of the income tax and get rid of the corporate tax, but you know that’s a ways off. Because you’d have to change the role of government, you’d have to change the attitude that we police the world and we have an entitlement system. But when I look at a bill or a proposal like that, if I have to accept it or reject it up or down, anything that lowers taxes, I’m for. In any way whatsoever, I’m going to lower taxes, but I’m always willing to cut the spending as well.
Larry Kudlow: But have you set any targets on the way to getting rid of the income tax, a to be desired. But in the mean time, Romney now has a top rate of 28%, Santorum has a top rate at 28%, Gingrich has a flat tax option with 15%. Have you ever pinpointed any of those specifics?
Ron Paul: Well, anything that’s lower. I aim for 0%. If they want 28%, I want 25%, if they want 25%, I’m going to aim for 20%. But that is secondary to the spending, so we have to deal with the whole program. But I think what was in my proposal was a corporate tax of 15%. But it doesn’t give us the answer, it’s this whole attitude that we have to collect all these revenues, and if we don’t collect the revenues, we have debt. So that’s why we have to address the spending and the deficit.
Larry Kudlow: But let me just dwell for a moment on the dollar. Oil prices, as you well know, are surging again, gasoline prices are surging. A lot of people are blaming it on a potential crisis with Iran, some people are blaming it because we don’t drill enough. I just want to ask you from your perspective, your Austrian free market view and your sound money view, is it possible that the chronic rise in the price of oil is because of the chronic devaluation or weakness or lack of confidence in the dollar? Is the dollar the key to the oil prices, or are there other external factors?
Ron Paul: No, I think the dollar is the key, but there’re the other factors, too; the Iranian crisis and the potential that the war is going to start there. So I always look to the oil price as maybe some serious talk behind the scenes that they’re actually getting ready to do something, which scares the living daylights out of me.
Larry Kudlow: Let me just ask you quickly, you mentioned that you’re scared to death about what Iran might do, there could be war in the Middle East. You are known for your non-interventionist foreign policy. If Iran did declare war in the Middle East, if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, which might drive oil prices, at least temporarily, to $200 a barrel, would you, as President Paul, take any action against Iran in those events?
Ron Paul: Well, first off, there’s zero chance of that happening, they’re not suicidal, they’re under the gun, they’re surrounded by 45 United States Air Bases and military bases around there country with the navy over there. So they’re not going to commit suicide. And they haven’t even threatened to closed down the Strait of Hormuz unless they’re attacked, they’re trying to say, “Look, you better be careful, or we might retaliate” But I don’t think they will then, too, because they’re going to lose as much as we would lose, because they have to export their oil as well. But the foolishness of this is driving the Iranians into the arms of the Chinese. First we have a new government in Iraq, and it’s not all that friendly, it’s breaking down, and we’ve driven Iraq into the arms of the Iranians, and the Iranians into the arms of the Chinese. The Chinese are making a lot of money from us, and what are they doing with it? They’re investing it around the world, they’re investing in oil and energy in Iran, in Africa and different places. So I think our policy is just foolhardy.
Larry Kudlow: Alright, I’m going to leave it there. Congressman Ron Paul, as always, sir, we enjoyed interviewing you, all the best on the campaign trail.
Ron Paul: Thank you, Larry.
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This is a rush transcript. If you notice any errors please report them using the “Help improve this post” link at the bottom of this post.
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He has not won a state he needs to drop out.
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Guy is a total joke, check his votes and delegates, somebody GETS IT! They all are like a group of silly clowns from the circus.
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Please check out our music video about Ron Paul, located on our YouTube channel.
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At Bain, Mitt Romney closed over a thousand plants, stores, and offices. He cut employee wages, benefits, and pensions. He laid off American workers and outsourced their jobs to other countries. He and his partners made hundreds of millions of $s while taking companies to bankruptcy.
Mitt Romney is the bane of America.
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i just want to publicly announce that spending is the issue, not revenue. the gov’t rakes in plenty of money already.
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Ron Paul is going back to TX, where he belongs. He is the most regressive of even the four remaining Republican candidates.
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The largest single reason Ron Paul is not winning is VOTE FRAUD. The second and much lesser reason is the media. The media is NO WAY the #1 reason because if the votes were not rigged Ron Paul would WIN ALMOST EVERY STATE and the media would be forced to declare him the winner therefore they would have to give him more exposure. So vote fraud is the MAIN reason NOT THE MEDIA and don’t let these fraudsters tell you otherwise.
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I’m not really sure what other people see in these other candidates but every one is entitled to their own opinion. The only thing I want to request is to think a second about your children. And then I want you to ask your self this “Which candidate will benefit my children’s future the most.”
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Putin was elected twice
Ron Paul is an outsider in elections
WTF has happened to this world?!!
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As someone who despises Ron Pauls cult like following I will enjoy watching him lose and take solace in his supporters suffering.
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These comments are something else. So this is what it’s like to live in a bubble. You people might find comfort here. I hate to use a cliche but in this case, ignorance truly is bliss. But I gotta tell ya for someone like me who lives in the real world. This is an odd place to visit. Before I leave here’s some reality I know you people seem to fear like the plague. It’s a bitter pill but it’s for your own good. Our current President will win a second term. And our country will be better for it
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Ron Paul is a Washington insider who has spent decades playing Washington game and making backroom deals
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you forgot the 1920′s tax cuts under coolidge and mellon that actually INCREASED tax revenue due to the large econ growth from cutting them.
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Ron Paul is done, he has less of a chance than Newt Gingrich. Give it up before you hurt your cause even more.
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Why did Ron Paul vote for the AUMF?Because it wouldve been political suicide not to after 911.
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If congress had voted against it,the authority was still there because of the allegation (true or not)that Saddam had helped finance 911 or harbored the planners,trainers,finance or organization.
If Potus wants to invade Cuba because theyre communisits, he cannot. If Potus alleged Cuba had a hand in or is harboring anyone who financed,planned,trained,or executed the attack on 911 they can be invaded.Legally.
That is what he voted for,and why what he says are lies.
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Whenever government becomes destructive of these ends (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new government. – Declaration of Independence of the American Colonies, 1776
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Doesn’t say much for Ron Paul that he’s currently in 4th place behind clowns like Romney, Santorum, and Gingrich. Fact is, Paul is the most regressive of the four.
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The only way to prevent voter fraud is to get a receipt.
When I invest into a product — buying a steak at the supermarket per say — they give me a receipt for my investment (shows the item code# and the date and time of my investment (purchasing in good faith, upon accountability by vendor, that I received the right product))!
Elections MUST be held to at least the same standard, as buying a steak — when people invest into their Right To Vote, give them a VALID receipt for their investment!
If States can issue millions of Lottery Tickets weekly, that cannot be forged — why not be FORCED to do the same during the rare elections?!
Without a RECEIPT, what government assurance do you have that your VOTE actually COUNTED…?!
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I’m mixed race & I know institutionalized racism exists. That is why Ron Paul wants to get rid of fed death penalty, fed drug laws & pardon non-violent drug offenders, 65% of whom are black. Systemic evil is economically motivated, and only the least-thinking are susceptible to racism. We can wish something not to exist but it’s irrational to force other people to believe a certain way. We’re free to believe, say & hate anything we want. Freedom of Speech is worth the trouble of being offended.
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I see abortion, gay marriage & racism as emotionally-charged red herrings that are MOOT points in a Free Society w/ Inalienable Individual Rights. Racism, abortion & religion are a part of REALITY & there is no Utopian Cure for what one person calls ‘evil’. People focus on emotional issues & elect incompetent ideologues who “share their values”. The media panders to emotionalism because it’s more exciting, but ‘social issues’ are symptoms of a failed system; the underlying problems are economic.
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Please read this great article – it is a short, easy read & please share with everyone you know – it’s called Banks vs Constitution by Ron Paul harvard-jlpp(dot)com/33-2/465.pdf
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Please read this great article – it is a short, easy read & please share with everyone you know – it’s called Banks vs Constitution by Ron Paul harvard-jlpp(dot)com/33-2/465.pdf
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In Free Society w/ Inalienable Rights: economic & personal freedom leads to peace,prosperity, leads to less racism & violence. Simple bigots will always exist, but racism is often a reaction of lower classes against perceived intrusions. ‘Racism’ is secondary to systematic evil that seeks wealth, land, power & control over others. Race is used to turn masses against a scapegoat whose dehumanization is of economic benefit. It’s not the primary motivating factor behind history’s injustices&wars.
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In a Free Society w/ Inalienable Rights: economic/personal freedom leads to peace,prosperity, leads to less racism & violence. Simple bigots will always exist, but racism is often a reaction of lower classes against perceived intrusions. ‘Racism’ is secondary to systematic evil that seeks wealth, land, power & control over others. Race is used to turn masses against a scapegoat whose dehumanization is of economic benefit. It’s not the primary motivating factor behind history’s injustices&wars.
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In a Free Society w/ Inalienable Rights: economic & personal freedom leads to peace,prosperity, leads to less racism & violence. Simple bigots will always exist, but racism is often a reaction of lower classes against perceived intrusions. ‘Racism’ is secondary to systematic evil that seeks wealth, land, power & control over others. Race is used to turn masses against a scapegoat whose dehumanization is of economic benefit. It’s not the primary motivating factor behind history’s injustices&wars.
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This man should just give his delegates to Romney and retire already. He won’t win one contest in this primary season and it is all over….
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I blame the internet for gas prices. How ? I don’t know it just came to my mind. IF you don’t like it fu** off
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The only way to prevent voter fraud is to get a receipt.
When I invest into a product — buying a steak at the supermarket per say — they give me a receipt for my investment (shows the item code# and the date and time of my investment (purchasing in good faith, upon accountability by vendor, that I received the right product))!!!
Elections MUST be held to at least the same standard, as buying a steak — when people invest into their Right To Vote, give them a VALID receipt for their investment!
If States can issue millions of Lottery Tickets weekly, that cannot be forged — why not be FORCED to do the same during the rare elections?!
Without a RECEIPT, what government assurance do you have that your VOTE actually COUNTED…?!
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I blame the internet for gas prices. How ? I don’t know it just came to my mind. IF you don’t like it fu** off
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It was democracy that got us into this mess, it’s time to follow the constitution like Ron Paul says. I hope that he wins Washington.
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RP or none at all!
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Ron Paul is going back to TX, where his regressive type belongs.
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Ron Paul is going back to TX, where his regressive type belongs.
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Ron Paul seems to just want to collect delegates not actually win the nomination. Then in the end make a deal with Mitt Romney who will win since the GOP establishment is backing Mitt,
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What I’m worried about is this…….if Ron Paul loses and decides to run as a third party candidate, he will split the vote with the repub nominee and obama will win easily…….im torn on what to do in that circumstance.
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