Rand Paul Battles Marco Rubio Over Cuba Policy

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Kentucky Senator Rand Paul took his time responding to this week's Cuba policy thaw. Florida Senator Marco Rubio, the son of immigrants who fled the pre-Castro regime, called a press conference that began just a few minutes after President Obama's statement ended. Paul did not respond on the day, and media requests for a reaction were rebuffed. Not until Thursday morning, when Paul appeared on West Virginia's NewsTalk 800, did he reveal his realist, libertarian response.

"The 50-year embargo just hasn't worked," Paul said. "If the goal is regime change, it sure doesn't seem to be working, and probably it punishes the people more than the regime because the regime can blame the embargo for hardship."

Paul could have left it at that–his position was consistent with his father's, with Arizona Senator Jeff Flake, and with most libertarians who considered the Cuba policy a spectacular failure. But a few hours later, Rubio appeared on Megan Kelly's Fox News show and was asked for his "thoughts on Senator Rand Paul's comments supporting the president."

"Like many people, he has no idea what he's talking about," snapped Rubio. "I would expect that people would understand that if they just took a moment to analyze that, they would realize that the embargo is not what's hurting the Cuban people. It's the lack of freedom and the lack of competent leaders."

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2014-12-19/rand-paul-battles-marco-rubio-over-cuba-policy

[Reter]

1. In before people start blasting Paul...

Usual replies (with my response):

"Fuck Paul! He's against Social Security!" -And that's terrible, but we're talking about his Cuba policy, which should be applauded.

"He's only saying this for political purposes!" -No he isn't, this is what he really believes. His dad has been saying this for decades. If anything, this will hurt him in the Republican primaries.

I'm not about putting down someone when they are right, no matter how much I can't stand them (like Bush with the Gardner choke-hold). If they're right, I'm more than happy to give them credit for this. I understand I'll be alerted, but save your breath. I'm not voting Republican in 2016, I can assure you of that.

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2. While I appreciate your views, I was hoping not to take sides.

Since I expect they will both lose the argument.

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3. Don't know if you're agreeing or disagreeing with me

Please explain.

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4. I'm neutral, I think Rand Paul is amusing, mostly, and Rubio too.

I would tend to agree that Paul is more intellectually honest than Rubio, but that's a very low bar to get over.

And of course Bush the Lesser was amusing too, that didn't mean he was harmless.

But it seems unlikely that either of those two will ever get the USSC to appoint them President, and I don't see any other way they will get there.

[Darb]

5. "immigrants who fled the pre-Castro regime"

Could I get some clarification on this? Rubio's parents fled Batista? Why?

Basically, they ran away and Castro did the heavy lifting to get rid of the dictator Batista. Now they just whine?

[Blue Owl]

6. Celebrity hybrid name: RuPaul

n/t