Rand Paul gives Obama the royal treatment
(CNN) - Saying President Barack Obama is acting like a "king" by threatening to take executive action on gun laws, Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul cautioned the president to be ready for a fight on Capitol Hill.
"I'm against having a king," he said Tuesday in an interview in Jerusalem with the Christian Broadcasting Network. "I think having a monarch is what we fought the American Revolution over and someone who wants to bypass the Constitution, bypass Congress - that's someone who wants to act like a king or a monarch."
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Obama will announce proposals to curb gun violence Wednesday based on recommendations by Vice President Joe Biden's task force, which held meetings with multiple stakeholders in the gun control debate. The announcement comes just over a month after the deadly Connecticut elementary school massacre that left 26 killed, in addition to the gunman's mother.
According to White House Press Secretary Jay Carney, Obama "intends to take a comprehensive approach," including renewal of the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004, a ban of high-capacity gun magazines and closing background check loopholes.
Among the proposals are 19 executive actions that Obama could take without congressional approval, legislators briefed by Biden said Tuesday.
But Carney noted "there are limits on what can be done within existing law" and said Congress would have to act on certain proposals "because the power to do that is reserved by Congress and to Congress."
If the president does decide to make unilateral moves, however, Sen. Paul warned such action would spark intense backlash.
"I've been opposed to executive orders, even with Republican presidents," he said. "But one that wants to infringe on the Second Amendment, we will fight tooth and nail."
"And I promise you," he continued. "There'll be no rock left unturned as far as trying to stop him from usurping the Constitution, running roughshod over Congress. And you will see one heck of a debate if he decides to try to do this."
His argument falls in line with critics who say recent legislative pushes–both at the federal and state level–to amend gun laws mark an aggressive front against Second Amendment rights. The National Rifle Association on Monday posted to Twitter that gun owners are "under assault" and argued the White House and New York Politicians "declare war on the #SecondAmendment."
New York lawmakers, led by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, approved tough new firearm legislation Tuesday that represents the first gun control laws passed since the Newtown shooting.
Paul, a first-term senator, has not shot down potential interest in a 2016 presidential bid. His father, former Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, is widely considered a leader among libertarians and made three White House runs, including a 2012 campaign.
- CNN's Ashley Killough and Gregory Wallace contributed to this report.
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Mr. Paul, where was this scathing criticism when Pres. Bush signed a zillion executive orders???
This boy is seriously deranged. The President was elected to do a job. Didn't he learn the Presidency came with certain powers to do that job?
Funny, I don't remember Republicans (or Democrats for that matter) calling George W. Bush a king or a monarch when he used executive powers. So this is just another example of hypocritical Republicans grandstanding when they should be legislating. If they actually produced laws instead of hot air and rhetoric, maybe Obama wouldn't have to use executive powers to get common sense things done.
Our government is divided into three parts; the executive, legislative, and the Supreme Court. Each of them as well as each of us must do what is within our power to curb the violence.
I would say he would make a better court jester. His big ears and his changing dialect depending on who is audience is entertaining. His press conferences are hysterical for their lack if substance and flip flopping. Off with his head I say, if he can't make you chuckle.
70% of Americans do not want to put up with Rand Paul in any way, shape or form.
Dumber than Palin
Mr. Paul, you sir, have my respect and my vote.
Senator is absolutely correct
well looks like everyone needs a civics and history lesson the second amendment was not for slavery nor does he have the authority to change it it is was put there by the founding fathers of this country for protecting this country and the oath office for all government offices says to protect from enemies foriegn or domestic which is what all uniformed service members sign their names to so you people want a history lesson germany ww II need i say more and yes i am from kentucky and an independant
Does anybody still listen to this twerp or any of the rest of the teawipes anymore? Just taking up air till the next election when they say bye bye.
Rand Paul cannot seem to put his brain in gear before his mouth starts uttering nonsensical rants. There must be something in the water in the southern states.
Do you know what I want, I want Congress to try to get their approval rating up to 20% by the end of 2013.
Another history lesson for the Repubs, Obama has used the Executive order far less then any other prior presidents.
Rand Paul will be headlining at the Conservative convention where they will applaud making new laws to tell people who they can and can't love and marry, where they will applaud when someone talks about how God should be in every equation of our government and if God is not part of it then it is unamerican. They will applaude when he talks about not allowing a women to make a choice about carrying a child to birth even in the case of rape, incest, and life of the mother. And he is worred about a king?
sounds like you all want a dictator in chief...go to cuba
Mr. Paul needs to take a look at the survey of what Americans want. The President is only trying to do what's best for us. He's not worrying about the NRA lining his pockets. You Mr. Paul are another story. You have no interest in doing what's best for our country.
Amen bc runner! King George did unimaginable damage to this country by leading us on the path of division. President Obama was elected because King George lost millions of jobs and millions of taxpayers. King George stood around the flag pole and scared us into believing Iraq had WMD. Remember the 4000+ soldiers who died in Iraq? The redumblicans didn't raise sand over that. Instead because of the obvious hatred they have for president Obama they want hearings on four people killed in Benghazi. Redumblicans could have stood up when Cheney said deficits didn't matter, but he was a white man and that was ok. The redumblicans are so obvious. Ok to drive up deficits when you are a white redumblican but not if you are President Obama. Didn't see the tea party when King George was at the helm.
Rand Paul is a first class nut....just like his dear old dad.
The republicans are going crazy again....Glenn Beck is fuming,even though Al-Jeereza is shown in the UK, the Queen still isn't wearing a burqa....and they are still jealous that Mittens lost the election, so lets throw more mud at our President! If anyone believed in royalty, it was Mittens who thought he was King and forget the 47%. Well, the 52% dumped you and will continue NOT to believe in your extremist views! We have spoken and are tired of all of the T-party poopers liles and exaggerations!
it's time for the official passing of the tin foil hat from father to son. Luckily, if Rand the moron keeps running his pie hole like this (and does anyone believe he won't.?) he will remain safely at the fringe where he belongs....just like his loony father.
Call a gun nut all you want. Names don't hurt me. Rand is correct.
If congress would put the interest of the majority ahead of the special interest, there would be no need for Executive Orders.
We are all doomed politicians spew out propaganda and don t care about the truth and too many people believe it and none of them care about real solutions to our problems its a constant election cycle
It looks like the SHEEPLE have spoken.