(CNN) – A day after a GOP presidential debate, White House hopeful Ron Paul upbraided rival candidate Michele Bachmann for disliking Muslims.
"She hates Muslims," Paul said on NBC's "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Friday. "She wants to go get 'em."
Paul failed to elaborate further. His remarks follow his heated exchange with Bachmann during Thursday night's debate when the two argued about Iran's nuclear development program.
Paul strongly disputed Bachmann's claim that Iran was "within just months" of developing a nuclear bomb and blasted U.S. sanctions against Iran as an "act of war."
A staunch non-interventionist, Paul urged the government to use diplomats to resolve the situation.
Bachmann, in response, ripped into Paul's position, describing it as one that seriously underestimates Iran's intentions.
"I think I have never heard a more dangerous answer for American security than the one that we just heard from Ron Paul," Bachmann said, receiving wide applause.
The International Atomic Energy Agency released a 14-page report on Nov. 8 concluding there were "credible" and "serious concerns regarding possible military dimensions to Iran's nuclear program."
Both candidates continued to argue about the issue, creating one of the most intense moments of the night.
Bachmann pointed to the Iranian constitution, saying the Islamic republic's "mission is to extend jihad across the world and eventually to set up a worldwide caliphate."
She added: "We would be fools and knaves to ignore their purpose and their plan."
Paul quickly fired back, saying he, too, didn't want to see Iran with a nuclear weapon. But he said that Bachmann was portraying a skewed view of the Muslim world.
"To declare war on 1.2 billion Muslims and say all Muslims are the same, this is dangerous talk," Paul said. "Yeah, there are some radicals, but they don't come here to kill us because we're free and prosperous."
Responding to Paul's answer on "The Tonight Show," Bachmann on Saturday said his statement was "outrageous."
"Of course I don't hate Muslims. That's an absolutely outrageous statement. What I love are Americans and the American people," she said at a campaign stop in Iowa.
She went on to claim that the "true hatred" was coming from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who in 2005 quoted a remark from Ayatollah Khomeini, founder of Iran's Islamic revolution, that Israel "must be wiped out from the map of the world."
"As Commander-in-Chief I will stand for the safety and security of the American people. I think, quite frankly, with all due respect to my colleague, that Ron Paul would make a very dangerous president because he doesn't understand this threat," she said.
Paul's answer about Bachmann on Leno's show Friday night came amid a lightning round of questions from the TV host, who asked Paul to comment on each of his presidential rivals.
The Texas congressman gave a similar answer when Leno mentioned former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, a strong social conservative who frequently takes a strong conservative stance on gay rights.
Paul said Santorum doesn't like "gay people and Muslims."
And as for the current front-runners, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Paul gained laughs when he said the two candidates should go back to their old jobs.
– CNN's Chris Welch contributed to this report.
Also see:
Gingrich 'editing' his words as campaign acknowledges concern
Bachmann camp: Gingrich morphs positions based on 'who's paying'
From CNN Politics
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Well, what do you expect from Paul? He hates everyone that doesn't think like him...and so do his sycophantic followers.
Paul is always right and the muslim people are a threat to the world because of their belief of not muslim to kill you period. What kind of religion is that. So she is ok with her belief. This is america and freedom of speech rules. Remember that Lowes pulled its support and they demonstrated. Soon they will probably attack us again it is their way to practice their religion of violence and hate.
Who doesn't hate them?
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'd switch parties to the GOP indefinitely if Paul got the nomination. He is anathema to the obsolete establishment candidates the Republicans have continued to regurgitate our way.
Ron Paul is a hard left liberal who will destroy America.
At patrickt:
You are correct... to add to your statement, in Latin America the installing of brutal dictators is the legacy of Monroe and his gun boat diplomacy policies. Starting with Nicaragua all the way to Patagonia, Somosa in Nicaragua, various in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Chile (Pinochet), Argentina (helping Isabel Peron to organize the dirty war, thousands die many thrown from airplanes to their death ) etc.. Not a very pretty picture, and now Santorum would like to continue with the same policies, Santorum is a dangerous Nut..
Conservatives remember this: "Whoever says that they love me yet hate their brother is liar." That is what God says.
Conservatives are Pharisees people. That religion they exemplify is certainly not Christian. It has its own philosophy that in no way line up with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
If Ron Paul doesn't win the GOP nomination, I hope he does run anyway for the Presidency. The political atmosphere is so polluted right now that a third party has a better chance than ever of making headway. I think Paul will be pleasantly surprised by how many votes he get.
It's nice to see that the Republicans have at least one honest candidate.
I HATE warmongers as well, however I do have common sense. If Iran really poses a threat to US then we need someone in there to make sure we are protected at all levels we need to be in order to maitain our nation in every aspect. Do I want another king george dictator, NO! Do I want/like Bachmann NO! (hellfireanddayumnation who am I kidding, I don't want/like any of the GOP candidates right now) What I do want/like is someone who is in it not for themselves, not for other nations benefits, but for the UNITED STATES of AMERICA. I've yet to see that in ANY candidate, so guess what? Pres. Obama WILL retain his residency in 2012.... that is until someone is WORTHY enough to move in and evict him.
One other thing: Of course Iran is developing Nuclear weapons, and we will not find out until they have the capability.
If a super power invaded the country to the left of you, and then the country to the right of you, and you realized that the only countries that they do not invade or the ones that possess nuclear weapons, what would you do.
Common sense says that they are developing weapons. And the reason they are doing so is none other than G.W. Bush an crew. They are developing weapons for their own protection against an invasion from the U.S.
Use your minds people.
Let's not forget that not only were they all just about advocting a war with Iran, but they also want to go to war with Syria too. You have to ask why do these candidates want war so badly? It's either hatred for the people they won't to go to war with or for pure financial profiteering.
Ron Paul is the only honest candidate who isn't drinking the neocon koolaid. The GOBP deathcult has been hijacked by the neocons because a hidden elite is determined to attack Iran. Those bloodthirsty warmonger care nothing about the damage that will do to the global economy, to gas prices and the possibility of WW III. They don't care about dead Americans and they don't care about dead Iranis. They don't care about us. They are a vile un-American cabal of conspirators that form a cancer in our country and the world.
Doctor Paul should know better to argue with a woman LOL
Especially one with an clear mental handicap which causes her to see the world through GW's eyes.
Paul is right. Amazing to have a Republican that really does speak the truth and yet it appears he doesn't have a prayers chance. Romney or Newt seems to be the choices for GOP... which is very very lame. If Gingrich gets it... the countless affairs, taking tax payer money, the many quotes of insanity. The PACS will chew him up. Romney is best bet to beat Obama...but what real difference does that make anyway? Congress will still be a joke and our jobs will continue to outsource to the lowest bidder. I don't think Paul is really balanced enough for president... but I would vote for him simply because he is the one guy of all the bunch that is not bought and sold.
Very nicely put "The Veteran" - I agree.
my comment is awaiting moderation because CNN is part of the censored news network.
Wow, didn't like that Pipebomb of Truth much did you?
Wow, Im a Dem but I like Ron Paul !!!!!!!
Wow!!!
I am a Dem, but I really like Ron Paul. He tells it like it is period.
Being one who totally gets frequent intestinal sickness every time I see or hear any thing this so call Republican field says when they are supposedly debating shows me that Mr.Paul is the stand alone who will speak the truth. His statement about Bachman is correct, this woman would fit very well into a Nazi uniform. As for Congressman Paul he should separate himself from the Republican Party and create his own movement. I do like some of his ideas particularly the one that emphasizes less war.
Hes right this woman will try to lay waste to the Middle East.
The truth hurst, doesn't it Ms. Bachman. Bigoted against everyone who does not think or believe as she does. Come to think of it, that accurately describes the religious right as a whole.
the next american war will be there last war
Bachman as Commander-in-Chief? That's waaaaaay too scary.
The story of the SEC fining Mr. Mudd of Fortress Investment Group and formerly of Fannie Mae? Story disappeared from CNN! Amazing how that works! Wall Street and the big banks rule America...including the media, of course!