Paul vows to follow "Reagan's approach" to Iran
"In spite of the wildly speculative and false stories of arms for hostages and alleged ransom payments, we did notrepeat, did nottrade weapons or anything else for hostages, nor will we."
-- Saint Ronnie, lying, November 1986
"A few months ago, I told the American people I did not trade arms for hostages. My heart and my best intentions still tell me that's true, but the facts and evidence tell me it is not."
-- Saint Ronnie, admitting the lie, March 1987
A critically important international debate unfolded last week once a framework was in place to curtail Irans nuclear program. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), however, skipped the argument, remaining silent while on vacation.
The senator did, however, broach the subject in his presidential announcement speech in Kentucky this afternoon:
I envision a national defense that promotes, as Reagan put it, peace through strength.
I believe in applying Ronald Reagans approach to foreign policy to the Iran issue. Successful negotiations with untrustworthy adversaries are only achieved from a position of strength.
You know, there was a point say, around 1987 when the very idea of a Republican presidential candidate emulating Reagans policy towards Iran probably seemed rather ridiculous.
After all, Reagans the one who tried to illegally sell weapons to Iran, in exchange for hostages, in order to finance an illegal war in Central America. Reagan was caught lying about his administrations criminal scheme, and 14 members of his national security team, including his Defense Secretary, faced multiple felony counts in one of the most serious scandals in American history.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/rand-paul-vows-follow-reagans-poor-example-iran