I’m willing to bet after Rand Paul appeared on the “Today” show earlier this morning and got testy with Savannah Guthrie, his campaign manager probably approached him and said, “Well, Senator, that could have been….better.”
Paul has always come across as the kind of arrogant and self-aggrandizing jerk who thinks he knows more than others and cannot stand to be asked a hard question by a member of the media.
This morning, Guthrie asked asked the Kentucky Senator about his past positions on matters related to national defense, Israel, and Iran. Specifically, she mentioned that it appeared the Senator had shifted his positions on the issues. At one point Paul actually tried to tell Guthrie how to do her job by saying:
“Why don’t you let me explain instead of talking over me, OK? Before we go through a litany of things you say I’ve changed on, why don’t you ask me a question, ‘Have I changed my opinion?’ That would sort of be a better way to approach an interview.”
I know Rand Paul went to medical school, but I didn’t realize he had also gotten a degree in journalism. He wants to tell a professional journalist how to do her job? Now that’s arrogance!
As Guthrie again attempted to get a word in edgewise about Senator Paul’s ideas on matters of foreign policy, he got hot under the collar and commented:
“No, no, no, no, no, listen, you’re editorializing.”
And you, sir, are attempting to dodge the question! Answer it and she won’t feel the need to keep asking.
Finally, Paul stopped squirming and pouting long enough to say he still stood by a remark he made about eliminating all foreign aid–including aid to Israel, the single largest recipient of American foreign aid–but said such a move would “have to be done gradually.” He then continued:
“If we are going to try to eliminate or reduce foreign aid, why don’t we start with the countries that hate us, that burn our flag.”
Paul has often been less-than-cordial with the press when asked tough questions. He even shushed CNBC reporter Kelly Evans, who was asking about his views on corporate taxes in February, telling her in a condescending tone:
“Let me finish. Hey, Kelly, shhh. Calm down a bit here, Kelly. Let me answer the question.”
When you run for President, you have to expect to be asked some tough, even silly questions at times. And the way you handle those queries–either with grace or with hostility–are part of proving your fitness for the highest office in the country.
Rand Paul, it would appear, is not ready to be President. And something tells me he never will be.
Watch Rand Paul Get Bent Out Of Shape!
This article was originally published by the same author at LiberalAmerica.org.