It's strange that Ron Paul hasn't commented on President Obama's defense cuts.

[ProSense]

Last edited Fri Jan 6, 2012, 03:54 PM - Edit history (2)

Isn't the claim that he's going to outflank Obama on the left with regard to the MIC?

Paul was quick to chime in on the recess appointments: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002124972

Yet not a single word about the President's proposal to cut defense.

It's strange that Paul lambastes Obama for the recess appointments and is silent on the defense cuts.

Does Paul support them or does he believe these cuts don't go far enough?

Here's a perfect opportunity for Paul to stake out his position to the left of Presidnet Obama Obama as attributed by his supporters.

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[Luminous Animal]

2. Because they are not sweeping defense cuts?

Remarks by the President on the Defense Strategic Review

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/01/05/remarks-president-defense-strategic-review
Here:
As we look beyond the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- and the end of long-term nation-building with large military footprints -- we’ll be able to ensure our security with smaller conventional ground forces.
...

And here:
"Over the next 10 years, the growth in the defense budget will slow, but the fact of the matter is this: It will still grow, because we have global responsibilities that demand our leadership. In fact, the defense budget will still be larger than it was toward the end of the Bush administration. And I firmly believe, and I think the American people understand, that we can keep our military strong and our nation secure with a defense budget that continues to be larger than roughly the next 10 countries combined.

[ProSense]

4. Well,

"Because they are not sweeping defense cuts?"

...all the more reason why it's strange that he hasn't commented.

Regardless of characterization, has Paul commented on the defense cuts at all?

Don't you think it's strange that he lambastes Obama for the recess appointments and is silent on the defense cuts?

Does Paul support them or does he believe they're not "sweeping" enough?

Here's a perfect opportunity for him to stake out his position to the left of Obama as attributed by his supporters.

[leveymg]

7. They aren't sweeping, and shouldn't be characterized that way. Not even in arguendo.

I think the title of your OP is another disingenuous straw man, and your response above another rhetorical dodge.

[ProSense]

8. Obviously,

"They aren't sweeping, and shouldn't be characterized that way. Not even in arguendo."

...I need to change the title so that this thread doesn't turn into a series of comments attempting to obfuscate.

It'll be edited so that you can focus on the point.

[leveymg]

11. So "this thread doesn't turn into a series of comments attempting to obfuscate"? It isn't like most

of the rest of your work here, in that case. No need to edit. PS, We get your point.

[ProSense]

13. Oh

"So 'this thread doesn't turn into a series of comments attempting to obfuscate'? It isn't like most of the rest of your work here, in that case. No need to edit. PS, We get your point."

...I see the edit didn't work. Seriously, cheap psychology isn't effective.

Don't want to focus on the OP, fine. I'll discuss whatever you want to.

[Luminous Animal]

9. Honestly, I don't follow his campaign. On a day to day basis, I learn

more about what Ron Paul is doing on the campaign trail from DUers than from any other source.

[ProSense]

18. I know

"On a day to day basis, I learn more about what Ron Paul is doing on the campaign trail from DUers than from any other source."

...one learns a lot around here.

[Luminous Animal]

19. What Paul does on the campaign trail is not important to me.

[ProSense]

20. OK n/t

[Ter]

12. Bingo

Paul would cut it 10 times more, and Dennis K. 20 times more.

[ProSense]

14. So

"Paul would cut it 10 times more, and Dennis K. 20 times more."

....he released a statement, or are you reading his mind?

[Luminous Animal]

15. I never claimed Paul would cut anything...

[msanthrope]

3. Katha Pollitt made a trenchant observation regarding Paul and his faux anti-military stance--

"If Ron Paul was interested in peace, he wouldn't be a Republican — that party has even more enthusiasm for the military-industrial complex than the Democrats. For decades the GOP has turned every election into a contest over who is more macho, more nationalistic, more willing to do exactly the things lefty Paul fans excoriate Obama for doing. Paul doesn't get re-elected in his Texas district because of boutique positions like thinking Osama bin Laden should have been arrested, not assassinated."

http://www.npr.org/2012/01/06/144783916/the-nation-progressive-man-crushes-on-ron-paul

Just how does Ron Paul get re-elected??? He brings home the bacon--requesting earmarks in bills that he know the Repukes have majorities on...so he can hypocritically ASK for money/earmarks/pork, but then deny he VOTED for them....

"This year Paul requested 65 earmarks, more than any other congressman in the Houston area, including money for the renovation of an old movie theater in Edna and wild shrimp marketing.

Paul's congressional district also has been among the top in Texas in receipt of federal assistance since 2000, receiving $31 billion from Washington, according to a study by the group OMB Watch. In the first nine months of the 2006 fiscal year, the district received $4 billion in federal aid.

His district, which hugs the Gulf Coast, and reaches into Brazoria County, receives a substantial amount of flood control aid.

Paul said that although he has requested earmarks, he did not vote for the final spending bills that include the special projects."

http://www.chron.com/news/nation-world/article/Ron-Paul-defends-seeking-funds-for-Texas-district-1534438.php

Ron Paul isn't going to say a damn thing to upset all the Houston-area defense contractors--not a thing.

[ProSense]

5. Exactly. n/t

[onehandle]

6. Ron Paul is a phony. nt

[Rex]

10. What can he say?

It supposedly goes along with what Ronny Paully holds dear and so all he could do is lie...which I am surprised he has not done yet.

[ProSense]

21. To date, nothing. n/t

[emaxwell1313]

16. I presume Ron Paul is a silent and enthusiastic supporter of it

He has always seemed to be an enthusiastic supporter of decreasing militarism and less restrictive measures for fighting terror, both at home-where he has been one of the few COngressman to argue that recent anti-terror measures seriously gut our liberties-and abroad. Paul is definitely on the exact same side as Obama on a lot of things. I think they even share apprehensions over the NDAA-which was given at least as much support if not more by conservatives than by liberals in COngress. Which is why when Obama was given that bill on December 15 he waited until December 31 to sign it.

[ProSense]

17. Please

"I presume Ron Paul is a silent and enthusiastic supporter of it"

...let me know if you come across a statement from Paul.

He has always seemed to be an enthusiastic supporter of decreasing militarism and less restrictive measures for fighting terror, both at home-where he has been one of the few COngressman to argue that recent anti-terror measures seriously gut our liberties-and abroad. Paul is definitely on the exact same side as Obama on a lot of things. I think they even share apprehensions over the NDAA-which was given at least as much support if not more by conservatives than by liberals in COngress. Which is why when Obama was given that bill on December 15 he waited until December 31 to sign it.

That's a new one.