Republican debate déjà vu: NYC-area pol vs. a Paul
While I was watching the testy exchange last night at the first Republican Presidential debate between New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Kentucky Senator Rand Paul over government surveillance, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities of an exchange in a debate about eight years ago between Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former NYC Mayor Rudy Guiliani over terrorism and blowback.
For a refresher, watch that exchange here.
Lat night, as expected, the moderators asked Sen Paul about the NSA and surveillance and here was the exchange:
“I want to collect more records from terrorists, but less records from innocent Americans,” Paul said. “The Fourth Amendment was what we fought the Revolution over. John Adams said it was the spark that led to our independence, and I’m proud of standing for the Bill of Rights, and I will continue to stand for the Bill of Rights.”
Christie jumped in to say, “That’s a completely ridiculous answer. I want to collect more records from terrorists but less records from other people.’ How are you supposed to know, Megyn?”
“Use the Fourth Amendment. Get a warrant!” Paul yelled. “Get a judge to sign the warrant!”
Christie replied to that saying,“Listen Senator, you know, when you’re sitting in a subcommittee just blowing hot air about this, you can say things like that. When you’re responsible for protecting the lives of the American people, then what you need to do is to make sure you use the system the way it’s supposed to work.”
“I don’t trust President Obama with our records. I know you gave him a big hug, and if you want to give him a big hug again, go right ahead,” Paul said.
“Sen. Paul, you know, the hugs that I remember are the hugs I gave to the families who lost their people on September 11. Those are the hugs I remember,” Christie said. “And those had nothing to do with politics, unlike what you’re doing by cutting speeches on the floor of the Senate then putting them on the Internet within half an hour to raise money for your campaign and while still putting your country at risk.”
Déjà vu I ask?
Another New York City area politician blustering while wrapping themselves with the cloak of 9/11, this time disregarding the US Constitution and the 4th amendment.
Much like Mr Guiliani’s ignorance or disregard concerning the CIA definition of blowback, Mr Christie appears to disregard the 4th amendment.
Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, he is a law school graduate.
