If Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, repeats in tonight’s debate the attacks on Rick Santorum that he wrote in an email this morning, the debate will have no lack of fireworks, as Paul accused Santorum of being “a counterfeit conservative” who favors big government policies and spending.
“Just take a peek at Rick Santorum’s Big Government voting record, not just his current rhetoric, it’s clear he is also a counterfeit conservative,” Paul wrote to supporters. “When you compare it to my record on opposing Big Government, deficit spending, and reckless growth in federal programs, I think you will conclude that I am ‘the real thing,'” he added.
Paul also dismissed Santorum as “flavor of the week” candidate like the Republicans who surged in Iowa previously only to fall again. Paul attacked Santorum for everything from voting to raise taxes on oil companies and expanding the Department of Education to voting to send foreign aid to North Korea.
In closing, Paul made an argument for his electability, as well. “I’m the only candidate left in the race with the fundraising, organization and track record to defeat both Mitt Romney and Barack Obama,” he argued.
