Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., plans to abandon his staff’s cautious recommendations to “mix it up,” and get “into it with the other candidates” during Fox’s Thursday GOP presidential debate.
“Why not mix it up on the ideas and issues of the day?” asked Paul on CBS’ “This Morning,” adding that he doesn’t mean being impolite or rude.
Paul said he didn’t want to “succumb” to a campaign wherein candidates can “just say anything” and “all of a sudden we’re in some sort of reality TV show.”
“I think there needs to be a substantive debate,” said Paul.
“It sounds like you’re referring to Donald Trump,” said CBS “This Morning” host Norah O’Donnell.
Asked if Trump’s rise in the polls, was based more on rhetoric and bombast than policy, Paul replied, “Yes. I think what he’s tapped into though is that 90 percent of people are unhappy with Washington. In fact that’s why I ran for office. I’m a physician; I’ve never been involved in politics. I was able to beat an establishment politician because I ran against the machine.”
“I think we need term limits. I’d wash the whole place out,” said Paul, adding that the media’s non-stop coverage of Trump’s controversial comments have helped the reality show star.
Paul said he plans to focus on “a rational foreign policy” during the debate.
“Do we really have to be involved in every [country’s] civil war?” asked Paul. “I think arming the allies of [the Islamic State] made [the Islamic State] stronger … so many, in fact many on both sides, think that it’s always a good idea to send arms to everyone. We’re now talking about, with the Iran agreement, to pacify Saudi Arabia, we need to send them more arms also.”
“I think there needs to be a voice of reason,” said Paul. “Sometimes both sides are a little bit over-crazed about intervention.”
During the debate, Paul will try “to break through.” “Step up, defend, and maybe demolish some other bad ideas that are out there, and point out that maybe there are some empty suits without ideas,” said Paul.
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