Paul says Obama being too tough on BP
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/05/21/art.oil.gi.jpg caption="Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul is taking aim at President Barack Obama's handling of the oil crisis off the Gulf Coast."](CNN) - Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul is taking aim at President Barack Obama's handling of the oil crisis off the Gulf Coast.
The president, Paul told ABC, is being too tough on BP - the oil giant that controls the well that has been leaking thousands of barrels of oil a day in the Gulf since late last month.
"What I don't like from the president's administration is this sort of 'I'll put my boot heel on the throat of BP,'" said Paul who overwhelmingly won Tuesday's GOP Senate primary in Kentucky and is a favorite of Tea Party activists. "I think that sounds really un-American in his criticisms of businesses."
"I've heard nothing from BP about not paying for the spill," Paul continued. "I think it's part of this blame game society in the sense that it's always got to be someone's fault, instead of the fact that sometimes accidents happen."
Since capturing the Senate nomination, Paul has faced a barrage of questions over his past criticisms of several federal regulations that intrude on the private sector, including provisions of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the national minimum wage.
"When does my honeymoon period start?" said Paul when he was again asked about his past statements Friday. "I had a big victory. I thought I got a honeymoon period from you guys in the media."
Democrat Jack Conway, Paul's opponent in the Kentucky Senate race, released a statement Friday slamming Paul over his comments on BP.
"Rand Paul apparently has a deeply held conviction that corporations should be allowed to do what they see fit without oversight or accountability. He even goes so far as to say that that criticizing corporations when they hurt taxpayers and working families – as in the case of the massive BP oil disaster – is 'un-American,'" Conway said.
From CNN Politics
- READ: Notes from December 2020 phone call between Trump and Justice Department officials
- Sinema strikes big bipartisan infrastructure deal and suffers a Democratic backlash July 31, 2021 12:16 am
- Eviction moratorium to expire Saturday as House leaves town without passing extension July 30, 2021 11:58 pm
- Biden administration announces new sanctions on Cuba while eyeing further actions July 30, 2021 10:43 pm
- The week in 14 headlines July 30, 2021 10:34 pm
- Biden administration sues Texas over Gov. Abbott's migrant transport order July 30, 2021 10:23 pm
This good Dr. Paul... We are looking forward to having a Democrat Senator from KY – all because of you! Thank you so very much!
Really Rand? You think that as long as BP pays for the clean-up we should leave them alone. Should we just keep our fingers crossed that they learn from this?
Hey Rand! When you start making stupid statements from day one you don't get a honeymoon period.... "HERE'S YOUR SIGN"
Rand Paul be nice. Obambi only says and knows what the teleprompter tells him.
Silly, silly Paul Rand won a senate primary and now wants to be seen not as GOP/TP Kentucky Senate candidate, but more as a presidential candidate running against President Obama.
Get a grip, dude. You are but one of many GOP hopefuls wanting to *bring it on* in 2012 . . .
Perhaps it'd be better for Rand to focus more on his Senate bid and less on stoking his personal ego.
What?! I think the federal government has been TOO patient with BP. This is a true disaster and BP has not been at all forthright about the extent of the damage caused and has been way too slow about resolving the problem.
Maybe he hasn't been informed of the number of violations cited, for safety.
Dude- no honeymoon when you're still playing the field and shooting off wild comments – with the big win comes big responsibility and your lack of preparedness to respond wisely is showing. If this keeps up, expect a divorce before November.
Paul is an ignorant extremist. I fervently hope that his political career lasts no longer than November 2nd.
The idiotic liberal media just couldn't wait to get their claws into someone who offers thoughtful, principled and conservative philosophy and solutions to the big problems this country faces. More and more, I'm becoming persuaded that there is indeed a conspiracy of elites to use the media to bolster or tear down people who support/don't support their agenda. America, wake up to what's happening here–Rand Paul is not a racist, the vast majority of people in the Tea Party are not racist. They care about the direction of this country and don't want Americans to be monetarily enslaved by the Establishment. The amount of debt we have and dependence on government will indeed enslave us. Don't be fooled by Obama–he's just as much a puppet of the Establishment as GW Bush was!
Cant this guy get a real job?
So, Rand Paul thinks it's just fine and dandy for one mega-corporation, BP, to destroy thousands of small businessess along the Gulf Coast. Not to mention the entire fishing industry. Too bad Kentucky can't make a profit off this mess, right, Rand? Thanks for finally showing us what you really believe in, you selfish bigot. I look forward to November.
we are watching a train wreck in progress. lol!
Does Mr.Paul realize that this could have been prevented by BP making a $500,000 investment in equipment that most other off shore drilling companies consider standard? Were those cost cutting measures for increased profit worth it?
How are those tea party choices workin out for ya?
And Kentucky nominated this clown.
The war between Ohio and Kentucky.......
Kentucky was throwing sticks of dynamite over the Ohio River; Ohio was lighting them and throwing them back.
From his comments I'm not sure how this guy got elected...
Is there a recount in the works?
I just love this idiot, they can't shut him up can they, first he exposes the tea party for the racists they really are, now he is defending BP, Rand if it is not their fault who's fault is it. Not only is he racist he is stupid too, that's right racism and stupidity goes hand in hand LOL!!!
The GOP has elected another loser!
you must be kidding,the biggest environmental disaster in history and he's worried about bp, good luck if he's elected
One, there is no honeymoon period anymore, especially when it comes to civil rights. Two, Yes, BP has been paying, but they have also been misleading the public about how much oil is leaking into the gulf. One little white lie negated anything positive BP tried to do. They should have known that info would eventually get out. Three, the President wants this taken care of now. It has been a month and we haven't even see the full extent of the damage to come. He is not going to sit back like G. W. Bush did on Katrina and throw the gulf states under the bus again.
Here we go... an intelligent politician...only if he uses his talent in Positive way like Obama. Paul should rather use his talent to American Cause under Current President rather than Being a BIG mouth just to get attention and Not support President. Fool if he dont.
""When does my honeymoon period start?" said Paul when he was again asked about his past statements Friday. "I had a big victory. I thought I got a honeymoon period from you guys in the media"
You have a lot to learn about the media, young man. Let's make a deal, how about you get the same "honeymoon" as President Obama got? Deal?
Screw you Rand Paul. Since Kentucky doesn't have any beaches to spoil, no fishing, shrimping, oystering, or tourism industries to be ruined, this disasterous oil spill won't affect you or your state, but we Floridians will most likely feel its impact for decades. Once again you open your mouth only to show your ignorance. Though this may well be an "accident" as you call it, it is BP's legal and moral responsibility to clean up the mess THEIR oil spill is causing. You want a honeymoon from the press but you continue to say one stupid thing after another.
Paul is right, accidents happen. Look at the accident of electing Obama president. Just face the situation and solve it. Being unprepared to solve it, this is the problem.