John Nichols: Giuliani, Paul and Reality

[carincross]

In the recent GOP candidate cattle call on FOX, the MSM is continually playing the Giuliani answer and subsequent applause to Ron Paul's statement about 9/11, US foreign policy and "blowback." While Wolf Blitzer briefly interviewed Mr. Paul yesterday, he is being considered a clown in most MSM reports - as is another candidate that is making sense, Mike Gravel.

I am grateful to THE NATION and John Nichols for setting the record straight.

Rudy Giuliani v. Ron Paul, and Reality by John Nichols
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=195576

"...Asked about his opposition to the invasion and occupation of Iraq, Paul repeated his oft-expressed concern that instead of making the U.S. safer, U.S. interventions in the Middle East over the years have stirred up anti-American sentiment. As he did in the previous Republican debate, the Texan suggested that former President Ronald Reagan's decisions to withdraw U.S. troops from the region in the 198Os were wiser than the moves by successive Republican and Democratic presidents to increase U.S. military involvement there.

Speaking of extremists who target the U.S, Paul said, "They attack us because we've been over there. We've been bombing Iraq for 10 years. We've been in the Middle East . I think (Ronald) Reagan was right. We don't understand the irrationality of Middle Eastern politics. Right now, we're building an embassy in Iraq that is bigger than the Vatican. We're building 14 permanent bases. What would we say here if China was doing this in our country or in the Gulf of Mexico? We would be objecting."

... But congressman did not back down, and for good reason. Unlike Giuliani, the Texan has actually read the record..."

Mr. Nichols notes that Internet participants are not as blind as the audience in South Carolina. Mr. Paul came in second in the FOX post poll and first in the MSNBC post poll.

[erpowers]

1. Agree on Some Issues

I think the terrorists are angry about our policies, but I do not think the bombing of Iraq is the major issue. I think the over throw of the Iranian leader during the time of Eienshower and issues with Saudi Arabia have more to do with it than Iraq.

[rodeodance]

2. Cummulative effect.