Ron Paul Continues His Controversial Comments

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Home > Politics & Policy > Ken Walsh's Washington > Ron Paul Continues His Controversial Comments

October 4, 2011 Print

Ron Paul shows no sign of backing off his controversial views, a trait which endears him to his admirers but makes him less acceptable to more orthodox Republicans.

The Texas congressman and Republican presidential candidate is now raising the prospect that it might have been an impeachable offense for President Obama to order the death of Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen who U.S. officials say was a terrorist plotter.

[See a collection of political cartoons on the 2012 GOP hopefuls]

Paul, a libertarian, didn't directly endorse the impeachment of Obama. But when asked at a Manchester, N.H. town hall meeting yesterday about last week's killing of the al Qaeda leader, Paul said the impeachment of Obama would be "possible" and he wanted to know more about the case.

Paul added that the killing was a step toward "tyranny" and said, "I put responsibility on the president because this is obviously a step in the wrong direction. We have just totally disrespected the Constitution."

Paul's comments are the latest example of how his views on foreign policy and national security seem outside the normal positions taken by GOP politicians. No other Republican presidential candidate has opposed the targeted killing of al-Awlaki even though he was an American citizen and did not receive due process. Some GOP candidates, including former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and Rep. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, have endorsed the killing.

[Washington Whispers: Ron Paul Says All Modern Presidents--Including Reagan--Stink]

Today's Washington Post-ABC News poll shows that Paul has the support of 11 percent of Republicans in presidential preference. Romney leads with 25 percent, Texas Gov. Rick Perry and businessman Herman Cain are tied at 16 per cent. Read about the Post poll here.

Tags:politics, 2012 presidential election, Obama administration, terrorism, Ron Paul

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