Republican presidential candidates Chris Christie and Rand Paul sparred over national security and civil liberties during the Fox News primetime debate Thursday night, as Christie dismissed Paul for too much idealism and Paul criticized Christie for unconcern for individual rights.
Christie defended the use of mass surveillance as a way to keep America safe, which prompted Paul to challenge the detrimental effects to privacy from American foreign policy.
“I want to collect more records from terrorists, but less records from innocent Americans,” Paul said. “I’m proud of standing for the Bill of Rights and I will continue to stand for the Bill of Rights.”
Christie called it “a completely ridiculous answer,” citing his experiences during the September 11 terrorist attacks as dealing with reality rather than a general policy position.
“When you’re sitting in a subcommittee blowing hot air like this,” Christie said to dismiss Paul’s stance.
Both candidates received strong applause after each response, though Christie’s support was louder.
The exchange highlighted two candidates struggling to increase their support, as well as the divide within the Republican Party over a devotion to national security and a fealty to civil liberties.
The Rand Paul eye roll to Chris Christie at the #GOPDebate https://t.co/hf318QSoWD
— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorpNBC) August 7, 2015
