November 28, 2007
Posted: 09:00 PM ET

(CNN) — Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) prefaced his answer to a question about cutting federal spending by responding to a previous statement by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ,) that in 1994, Republicans took control of Congress to change Washington, but instead Washington changed Republicans and spending got "out of control."

Paul said, "The statement earlier made that we all went to Washington to change Washington, Washington changed us. I don't think that applies to me. Washington did not change me. I would have liked to have changed Washington."

Paul eventually answered a question from Emily in Los Angeles who asked specifically which federal programs the candidates would cut in order to reduce spending.

"By cutting three programs such as the Department of Education, Ronald Reagan used to talk about that, Department of Energy. Department of Homeland Security is the biggest bureaucracy we ever had," Paul said.

– CNN Associate Producer Natalie Apsell

Filed under: Ron Paul


Hael, Pine Lake, GA   November 28th, 2007 11:24 pm ET

Hey! Where's the question and response to the CFR and North American Union topic listed?! I don't see it anywhere under the Ticker. Why is that?!

Jessica, Douglasville GA   November 28th, 2007 11:13 pm ET

Dr. Ron Paul is brutally honest, caring, intelligent, and moral. He believes in the same ideals that created this country. So why was he "sidelined" in the debate? Are certain folks getting scared of the Ron Paul Revolution?

DRAKE MCKENZIE AUBURN, ALABAMA   November 28th, 2007 10:33 pm ET

Thank God it didn't Ron! Too bad CNN did not give you a shot.

Belinda Monn, Boiling Springs, PA   November 28th, 2007 10:28 pm ET

I was looking forward to a CNN debate, but my optimistic outlook was quickly undermined. Tancredo and Paul were both not given the same opportunities to respond to the questions. The few questions given to Ron Paul besides the abortion issue have been addressed in other debates. I was hoping for a fair debate giving all candidates an opportunity to share their ideas on a variety of issues. CNN was a grave disappointment tonight.

stone,LaCrosse,va   November 28th, 2007 10:27 pm ET

Yes I too beleive Ron Paul is true to his words but he needs to be given more coverage like Rudy Giuliani and such are getting.
Ron Paul seems to me to be the only one who knows what the people of this country wants . The rest are just 2 stepping on the issues.

Micahel, Berthoud, CO   November 28th, 2007 10:26 pm ET

Ron Paul has what it will take to change this country for the better and not for the betterment of corporate government.

Mike Cohen, Waterbury, CT   November 28th, 2007 10:13 pm ET

it may have been Jimmy Carter who said "Democrats get into politics to change the world. Republicans know they can't change the world, so they get into politics for power."
Ron Paul has what it takes to do both, but CNN and others in the press have decided he does not deserve any attention.

Scott Byerly   November 28th, 2007 10:02 pm ET

Ron Paul is the only candidate on the stage who is founding father material. He is the Champion of the Constitution and has not been corrupted by Washington politics. His voting record is flawless.

Jacqueline Shepard, Phoenix, AZ   November 28th, 2007 9:16 pm ET

I have been intently watching the debate and share my initial comments:
Guiliani is not qualified to be President, nor is he professional; I categorize his tactics as nothing short of "mobster". Thompson, Tancredo, and Hunter are less than credible or forthright. Romney was an interesting surprise; I do like the way he has handled some of the criticism. McCain: I appreciate your tours of duty but you double-talk by saying we are failing in Iraq but attack Ron Paul for wanting to pull the troops out. Huckabee is also handling himself well. Ron Paul is the most direct, believable and genuine candidate. It is unfortunate that he is not being given more time given his extreme popularity with the average American and the military. Kudos to Anderson Cooper as the moderator here and for your wonderful humanity that you exhibit in everything you do.

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