(CNN) - Presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul reiterated his controversial stance Sunday that some policies of the United States contributed to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Speaking on the CBS program “Face the Nation,” Paul said his views were consistent with analysis from various groups.
Programming note: GOP presidential candidates face off at 8 p.m. ET Tuesday, November 22, in the CNN Republican National Security Debate in Washington, D.C.
“I think there's an influence,” Paul said. “That's exactly what the 9/11 Commission said. That's what the DoD has said. That's also what the CIA has said. That's what a lot of researchers have said.”
Paul said American intervention in foreign nations was a trigger to potential terrorists, who he said were sending the message: “We don’t like American bombs to be falling on our country.”
He cited withdrawing a military base from Saudi Arabia immediately after 9/11 as an indication that U.S. military policy was partly responsible for the actions of terrorists.
Paul has previously said that the military presence in Saudi Arabia was a motivator for terrorists, who were angered by American troops in the Islamic country.
The Texas congressman made clear he did not think America’s form of government and economy were to blame, but rather the specific foreign policies pursued by the United States.
“To deny this I think is very dangerous, but to argue the case that they want to do us harm because we're free and prosperous I think is a very, very dangerous notion because it's not true,” Paul said.
He continued, “You're supposed to be able to criticize your own government without saying you're un-American.”
From CNN Politics
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I suggest that all of us come the primaries vote for Ron Paul. He at least cares about America.
Yes he's right. It happens to be the ONLY part of Dr. Paul's platform I agree with.
Ron Paul is right. He mentioned it's an old fashion approach to have bases all around the world when we have missiles that can strike anywhere in the world within an hour.
I never thought I'd say this but it is beginning to look as though Dr. Paul is the man. Of course he is right in this statement but he is also right about a lot of other things also. I used to think he was too radical but maybe radical is what this country needs right now.
Paul is largely a flake, but he's spot on about this. 9/11 is the result of 60 years of meddling in the internal politics of Middle Eastern countries, and the insult to conservative Islamic sensibilities (read bin Laden and his brethren) posed by the presence of infidel (American) troops in Saudi Arabia.
We need to hear from candidates brave enough to offer a contrasting view that completely goes against the established thinking. Ron Paul knows we can't affect foreign policy if we constantly keep taking sides in affairs that do not concern us. This is not an isolationist viewpoint rather and an non-interventionist viewpoint. If this were the 1950s, I would bet even money that he would end up in JFK's book: Profiles in Courage. (Even though he is just a representative.)
Poor CBS and Schieffer. It is so sad for the MSM that the American public chooses to think for themselves. Paul has been right all along The sideshow that is the GOP primary just shows the stupidity of the other candidates and the press corps that idolizes them..
I haven't seen a beat down like that in a long time. Bob tried so hard to get a negative headline by paraphrasing Ron's words, but he failed miserably. Ron hit him with so many rights, Bob should have asked him for a left. Brutal. lol
If everyone agrees with Ron Paul; so many support his views then why does the media not only ignore him, but they try and demonize him into something he's clearly not.
As a Democrat, I believe and have have come to the same conclusions as Paul. That said, he is a Republican and is saddled with all the baggage of the Party of No. Too bad, if he were a Democrat I might vote for him.
I don't like about half this guy's positions, but I don't see how this is the least bit controversial.
Besides Huntsman, is there a GOP/Tea Party presidential candidate qualified to speak out on foreign affairs?
I rarely agree with Mr. Paul, But he's right on this one.
dr. paul is by and large correct; but the american public doesn't want to hear the truth. americans only want to listen to sophisms that claim that we are never wrong.
I'm inclined to vote for him, but he's from Texas. Eight years of Dumbunny made me Texas-shy.
If "freedom and prosperity" was the trigger, they would have attacked one of the Nordic nations.
People.......non-interference is NOT isolationism........GOT IT?
Go RON..you are the lone voice among all those hypocrites and idiots who has no understanding about anything that is going on either in this country or abroad. Many people brand you as an 'isolationist' but you are not. Once this country is totally repaired and becomes prosperous, every other country will come to us crawling seeking help. We need not go to them and offer our money and help them to be on their good side. It is like a top notch restaurant in town. If the food is good, the restaurant need not spend even a dime on marketing and advertising. People will flock to the restaurant. Same analogy goes here. Lets be strong in manufacturing, education and health care. Let everyone prosper and have a decent independent life. Then you will see the results..people around the world will worship the ground we walked on!
I usually vote Democrat but if this guy were to win the Republican nomination I would seriously consider voting for him. He isn't a crook and he has got brains.
Dangit I thought he was gonna admit 9/11 was an inside job by elements of our own government. THAT would have been news, and about time for it too.
ThinkAgain, he was certainly speaking out. He was a huge critic of the Bush administration. Don't think for a second that Dr. Paul panders to political parties... he's a strict constitutionist and if his party pushes for something unconstitutional he's going to be the first one to call it out as he's been doing for decades.
911 was a terrible bill for failed foreign policy for decades: Vietnam, El Salvador, Middle east (nucliar bombs for Israel) and so on. GWB answerd 911 with two new wars. So Paul is right and if he is a man he should give Barack Obama credit for his foreign policy.
For me it is very clear. America dont need a Republican President at all! Obama will end a war in his first term and a seccond in his next term. By ending two wars America could not pay for there will be a lot of money to restore America's economy.
Barack Obama 2012
Im not a GOPer..but hes right. Lets not stick our nose where it shouldnt be.
It is only controversial to those morons who think that the USA is more infallible than the Pope. Mind you these are the same morons who think that Obama can do nothing right. Of course our actions have consequences. I know that our foreign policy influences 9-11 because Osama Bin Laden SAID SO himself. He stated that 9-11 was in RESPONSE to our troops in the holy land (Saudi Arabia), our support of Israel, and the Iraq sanctions that killed thousands of Iraqi children. I'm an extreme liberal but Ron Paul just might get my vote. He isn't afraid to speak the truth.
He is so right. However I fear he has shot himself in the foot. It there is one thing the extreme right doesn't like it's telling the truth about the US and our foregn ploicy.