Top quotes by Rand Paul

The Stamp Act was a direct tax imposed on the colonies by King George III. This act inevitably led to the American Revolution. Just as the Stamp Act did in 1765, Obamacare should act as a wake-up call. Chief Justice Roberts provides us with a similar call to action. Votes: 63

The history of African-American repression in this country rose from government-sanctioned racism. Jim Crow laws were a product of bigoted state and local governments. Votes: 33

As long as I sit at Henry Clay's desk, I will remember his lifelong desire to forge agreement, but I will also keep close to my heart the principled stand of his cousin, Cassius Clay, who refused to forsake the life of any human, simply to find agreement. Votes: 30

What I've always said is that I'm opposed to institutional racism, and I would've, had I've been alive at the time, I think, had the courage to march with Martin Luther King to overturn institutional racism, and I see no place in our society for institutional racism. Votes: 24

I have a question, a question for the president: Do you hate all rich people, or just rich people who don't contribute to your campaign? Do you hate poor people or do you just hate poor people with jobs? Votes: 19

The right to life is guaranteed to all Americans in the Declaration of Independence, and ensuring this is upheld is the Constitutional duty of all members of Congress. Votes: 18

The great and abiding lesson of American history, particularly the cold war, is that the engine of capitalism, the individual, is mightier than any collective. Votes: 16

The biggest thing I've learned from my dad is he's had adoring crowds of 8,000 at Berkeley, and 6,000 at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. That's an amazing feat to have people coming out in one of the most liberal universities and one of the most conservative. Votes: 15

The thing is I think vaccines are one of the greatest medical breakthroughs that we have. I'm a big fan and a great fan of the history of the development of the smallpox vaccine, for example. Votes: 15

I believe we should work to end all racism in American society and staunchly defend the inherent rights of every person. Votes: 13

A free society will abide unofficial, private discrimination, even when that means allowing hate-filled groups to exclude people based on the color of their skin. Votes: 13

The NSA should keep close watch on suspected terrorists to keep our country safe - through programs permitting due process, the naming of a suspect, and oversight by an accountable court. Votes: 12

I think it's a bad business decision to exclude anybody from your restaurant - but, at the same time, I do believe in private ownership. Votes: 11

I don't want my marriage or my guns registered in Washington. And if people have an opinion, it's a religious opinion that is heartly felt, obviously they should be allowed to practice that, and no government should interfere with them. Votes: 10

My great-grandfather, like many, came to this country in search of the American dream. Votes: 10

Really, having a gun registry and having to rely on the government to keep it secret, the government isn't so great at keeping confidences. Votes: 7

Most police officers are good cops and good people. Votes: 7

We live in a democracy, and people are free to sometimes choose the wrong leader. Votes: 7

The main thing I say on war is that we need to obey the law and formally declare war. Votes: 6

The Constitution's pretty clear. The Federalist papers are pretty clear... They very specifically delegated the power to declare war to Congress. They wanted this to be a congressional decision; they did not want war to be engaged in by the executive without approval of Congress. Votes: 6

Because Republicans believe that the federal government is limited in its function-some have concluded that Republicans are somehow inherently insensitive to minority rights. Nothing could be further from the truth. Votes: 6

The government can't even do a good job of something as simple as running the Post Office. How can it be expected to do a good job with something really important, like educating our children? Votes: 6

No American should be killed by a drone on American soil without first being charged with a crime, without first being found guilty of a crime by a court. Votes: 6

For too long, we've attached some mythic notion to government solutions, and yet, 40 years after we began the War on Poverty, poverty still abounds. Votes: 5

There comes a time in the history of nations when fear and forgetfulness cause a nation to hesitate, to waver, and perhaps even to succumb. When that time comes, those who love liberty must rise to the occasion. Will you lovers of liberty rise to the occasion? Votes: 5

To defend our country we need to gather intelligence on the enemy, but when the intelligence lies to Congress, how are we to trust them? The phone records of law abiding citizens are none of their damn business. Votes: 4

Washington has incentivized the militarization of local police precincts by using federal dollars to help municipal governments build what are essentially small armies - where police departments compete to acquire military gear that goes far beyond what most of Americans think of as law enforcement. Votes: 4

When you look at statistics for the white community alone, you see that we've become two separate worlds in which the successful are educated and wait to have children until they are married, and those in poverty are primarily those without higher education and with children outside of marriage. Votes: 4

Peace through Strength' only works if you have and show strength. Votes: 3

As a doctor, I will take it and make it my mission to heal the nation, reverse the course of Obamacare, and repeal every last bit of it. Votes: 3

I think public awareness of how good vaccines are for kids and how they are good for public health is a great idea. Votes: 0

The Ukraine has a long history of either being part of the Soviet Union or within that sphere. Votes: 0

Big and oppressive government has long been the enemy of freedom, something black Americans know all too well. Votes: 0

Whether you breach the Fourth Amendment 20 percent of the time or 100 percent of the time, it's still not the point. The point is whether or not you still collect millions of people's information with a single warrant. Votes: 0

I'm not questioning Dick Cheney's motives. There's a chance for a conflict of interest. At one point in time, he was opposed to going into Baghdad. Then he was out of office and involved in the defense industry, and then he became for going into Baghdad. Votes: 0

Opponents of civil liberties contend the NSA data collection has made our country more safe, but even the most vocal defenders of the program have failed to identify a single thwarted plot. Votes: 0

Washington is horribly broken. We are encountering a day of reckoning and this movement, this Tea Party movement, is a message to Washington that we're unhappy and that we want things done differently. Votes: 0

I think what happened during the Great Depression was that African Americans understood that Republicans championed citizenship and voting rights but they became impatient for economic emancipation. Votes: 0

The most important thing you will do is yet to be seen. For me, I found my important thing to do when I learned to do surgery on the eye, when I learned to restore a person's vision. Votes: 0

The sacrifice of our personal liberty for security is and will forever be a false choice. Votes: 0

In a free society, we will tolerate boorish people, who have abhorrent behavior, but if we're civilized people, we publicly criticize that, and don't belong to those groups or don't associate with those people. Votes: 0

I think young people of all races are interested in justice; maybe not so much taxes and regulations, but they're interested in justice and the right to privacy on the Internet. Votes: 0

I think every day we look at the mess of the chaos of the civil war in Iraq, I think every day people become more and more convinced that the war was a mistake. I think we have to learn from the mistakes of our past. Votes: 0

If you refuse to acknowledge that there is any waste that can be culled from the military budget, you are a big-government conservative, and you cannot lay claim to balancing the budget. Votes: 0

What I say is, national defense is the most important thing we do in Washington, but there's still waste in the military budget. Votes: 0

We woke up one day, and Pakistan had nuclear weapons. Votes: 0

You campaigned against rich people and you got enough envy whipped up in the country and you're gonna get 'em. You're gonna stick it to those rich people. But guess what? You may not get anymore revenue. You may not get anymore economic growth. But you can say, 'I stuck it to the rich people.' Votes: 0

The Supreme Court must strike down the government's illegal spying program as a violation of our Fourth Amendment right to privacy. Votes: 0

Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a gross violation of that nation's sovereignty and an affront to the international community. Votes: 0

Appalachia, my state, eastern Kentucky, has a large amount of poverty. Votes: 0

In our state, I'm really proud of the fact that the ones who overturned Jim Crow in Kentucky were Republicans fighting against an entirely unified Democrat Party. So I am proud to be Republican. I can't imagine being anything else. Votes: 0

I support engagement, diplomacy, and trade with Cuba, China, Vietnam, and many countries with less than stellar human rights records, because I believe that once enslaved people taste freedom and see the products of capitalism, they will become hungry for freedom themselves. Votes: 0

Throughout the 1970s, '80s and '90s, federal mandatory minimum laws were implemented that forced judges to deliver sentences far lengthier than they would have if allowed to use their own discretion. The result has been decades of damage, particularly to young people. Votes: 0

I support the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act. Votes: 0

I don't think I've ever used the word 'gay rights,' because I don't really believe in rights based on your behavior. Votes: 0

In 1979, the Supreme Court ruled 5-3 in Smith v. Maryland that a few days' worth of phone records for a single individual were not protected by the Fourth Amendment. The NSA today, though, collects hundreds of millions of phone records from hundreds of millions of Americans without an individualized warrant. Votes: 0

I want to collect more records from terrorists, but less records from innocent Americans. The Fourth Amendment was what we fought the Revolution over! John Adams said it was the spark that led to our war for independence, and I'm proud of standing for the Bill of Rights, and I will continue to stand for the Bill of Rights. Votes: 0

The West is in for a long, irregular confrontation - not with terrorism, which is simply a tactic, but with radical Islam. Votes: 0

If U.S. occupation is a primary recruitment tool and what inspires Islamic terrorists, are many of our current efforts overseas actually fighting terrorism and diminishing the threat? Votes: 0

And when the time is right, I hope that African Americans will again look to the party of emancipation, civil liberty, and individual freedom. Votes: 0

If our freedom is taken, the American dream will wither and die. Votes: 0

The state doesn't own your children. Parents own the children. Votes: 0

The Palestinian Authority gets money from the American taxpayer. Votes: 0

I don't think it's hypothetical whether or not it's a good idea to topple secular dictators in the Middle East and hope to get a good outcome and hope that stability comes thereafter. Votes: 0

You know, when Republicans were in charge, we doubled the debt. But, now, our concern is the Democrats are in charge and they're tripling the debt. So, really, our concern is that we want smaller government. Votes: 0

I believe that in the historic and religious nature, marriage is between a man and a woman. Votes: 0

Stop spending money you don't have. Votes: 0

If you hear me out, I believe you'll discover that what motivates me more than any other issue is the defense of everyone's rights. Votes: 0

The Republican Party's history is rich and chock full of emancipation and black history. Votes: 0

The Republican promise is for policies that create economic growth. Republicans believe lower taxes, less regulation, balanced budgets, a solvent Social Security and Medicare will stimulate economic growth. Votes: 0

My budget is similar to the Penny Plan, which cuts 1 percent a year for five or six years and balances the budget. Votes: 0

If any Republican nominee wants to run on the idea that borrowing money and printing it up and sending it to foreign countries that often hate us and burn our flag and think it's a good idea, feel free to run on that issue. But it's not really popular with the people. Votes: 0

I would have voted 'no' on the Iraq war and 'yes' to Afghanistan. Votes: 0

To understand how Republicans lost the African American vote, we must first understand how we won the African American vote. Votes: 0

Every child in every neighborhood, of every color, class and background, deserves a school that will help them succeed. Votes: 0

The real debate is, when does life begin? When life begins, it deserves protection. Votes: 0

No one politician should be allowed to judge the guilt, to charge an individual, to judge the guilt of an individual and to execute an individual. Votes: 0

I think if you're forthright and answer a lot of questions, sometimes you'll get people who won't let you answer the questions, and that makes for a difficult answer. Votes: 0

American inventiveness and the desire to build developed because we were guaranteed the right to own our success. Votes: 0

I think people are hungry for someone who will stand up on principle. Votes: 0

Do you hate poor people or do you just hate poor people with jobs? Votes: 0

Putin must be punished for violating the Budapest Memorandum, and Russia must learn that the U.S. will isolate it if it insists on acting like a rogue nation. Votes: 0

I tell people I won't vote to go to war unless I'm ready to go or send my kids. Votes: 0

We should not have the U.S. government buying stock in American industries - the financial industry or any other industry. Votes: 0

You don't win as a party unless you become a bigger party. Votes: 0

We don't need bigger government. We need to shrink the size of government. Votes: 0

I would argue that you're only going to get the conservatives, particularly a Republican House, to pass immigration reform if we, as conservatives, are reassured that the border is controlled and that we get to vote on whether the border is controlled. Votes: 0

I'm for immigration reform. I think the system's horribly broken, and we need to do something about it. Votes: 0

I think the key to getting rid of illegal immigration, no matter where its coming from, is that you need to have a good legal apparatus for immigration. Votes: 0

We should not have drug laws or a court system that disproportionately punishes the black community. Votes: 0

We as Republicans have taken the easy way out a lot of times. Votes: 0

Each one of my budgets has taken a meat axe to foreign aid, because I think we ought to quit sending it to countries that hate us. Votes: 0

The world does not have an Islam problem; the world has a dignity problem. Votes: 0

How will we defend ourselves if the Patriot Act expires? Well, perhaps we could just rely on the Constitution and demonstrate exactly how traditional judicial warrants can gather all the info we need - and how bulk collection really hasn't worked. Votes: 0

Income inequality is worse in towns run by Democrat mayors than in towns run by Republican mayors. Votes: 0

I don't think you should have everybody's information from their bank. There should be some process: accusations and proof that you've committed a crime. Votes: 0

I've had an interest in politics since I was a little kid. Votes: 0

Everybody is looking for an election where they can do something and participate. Votes: 0

I ran for office originally as part of this Tea Party Movement because we were upset with Republicans who've doubled the debt. We were upset with Republicans that bailed out the banks. Votes: 0

I give thousands of interviews, and I'm probably about as open as anybody in Washington as far as access goes, so I'll continue to do that. Votes: 0

It is illegal for the CIA to spy on Americans and an affront to our Republic to spy on the Senate. Votes: 0

As president, I would promote a Fair and Flat Tax plan, known as the 'EZ Tax.' My tax plan would be the largest tax cut in American history, reforming individual, business, and worker taxes. Votes: 0

A Tea Party tidal wave is coming. Votes: 0

I've been accused of wanting to allow terrorists to have weapons to attack America. Votes: 0

I don't care if you're a Republican or a Democrat, there is something profoundly un-American about using the brute force of government to bully someone. Votes: 0

Individual warrants every day are used to arrest dangerous people. Votes: 0

People say America is exceptional. I agree, but it's not the complexion of our skin or the twists in our DNA that make us unique. America is exceptional because we were founded upon the notion that everyone should be free to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. Votes: 0

Republicans traditionally say, 'oh, we'll cut domestic spending, but we won't touch the military.' The liberals - the ones who are good - will say, 'oh, we'll cut the military, but we won't cut domestic spending.' Votes: 0

My tax cut would cut hundreds of billions of dollars. So to do it, you have to be willing to cut spending, too. But if you were to cut hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes, that money's left in communities. Votes: 0

After all the sacrifice in Afghanistan and Iraq, why do we find ourselves in a more dangerous world? Votes: 0

Laws don't really restrain people. Ninety-eight percent of people follow a virtuous course with or without laws. Votes: 0

I still say exactly what my original opinion is. Do you borrow money from China to send it to anyone? Out of your surplus, you can help your allies, and Israel is a great ally. And this is no particular animus of Israel, but what I will say, and I will say over and over again, we cannot give away money we don't have. Votes: 0

The vast majority of my time is traveling and talking about the issues. It isn't really calling and asking for money. Votes: 0

Still people want to topple [Bashar] Assad. And then there will be chaos, and I think ISIS will then be in charge of Syria. Votes: 0

I think that if you believe in regime change, you're mistaken. In 2013, we put 600 tons of weapons - us, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar - into the war against [Bashar] Assad. By pushing Assad back, we did create a safe space. Votes: 0

I think those who have wanted regime [of Bashar Assad] change have made a mistake. Votes: 0

I think that by arming the allies of ISIS, the Islamic rebels against [Bashar] Assad, that we created a safe space or made that space bigger for ISIS to grow. Votes: 0

The other thing I said is the great irony is you will be back fighting against your own weapons. Had [Bashar] Assad been bombed when he used chemical weapons two years ago, ISIS would be in charge of all of Syria now. Votes: 0

We should be proud that so many want to come to America, that it is still seen as the land of opportunity. Let's make it a land of legal work, not black-market jobs. Let's make it a land of work, not welfare. Our land should be one of assimilation, not hiding in the shadows. Votes: 0

Well, I think a handshake is something that honorable men do. Before we had contracts we had handshakes that expressed that we were making an arrangement that was based on our honor. And I don't think I can shake the hand of someone who shows and lacks honor by attacking a man's faith. Votes: 0

If congress refuses to obey its own rules. If congress refuses to pass a balanced budget. If congress refuses to read the Bills. Then I say, sweep the place clean, limit their terms, and send them HOME! Votes: 0

I'm a different kind of Republican. I've introduced a five-year balanced budget. I've introduced the largest tax cut in our history. I stood for ten and a half hours on the Senate floor to defend your right to be left alone.But I've also gone to Chicago. I've gone to Detroit. I've been to Ferguson, I've been to Baltimore, because I want our party to be bigger, better and bolder. Votes: 0

Should it be prohibited for private entities such as a church, bed-and-breakfast or retirement neighborhood that doesn't want noisy children? Absolutely not. Decisions concerning private property and associations should in a free society be unhindered. Votes: 0

According to this woman, who requested anonymity because of her current job as a clinical psychologist, "He and Randy came to my house, they knocked on my door, and then they blindfolded me, tied me up, and put me in their car. They took me to their apartment and tried to force me to take bong hits. They'd been smoking pot." Votes: 0

There was a conservative consensus for an amendment I put forward called Trust, But Verify that would have strengthened border security on both refugees, students and those coming here. And Marco sided and I guess was more sympathetic to Chuck Schumer and to the president than he was to conservative principles. Votes: 0

After ensuring border security, I then would normalize the status of 11 million undocumented citizens so they can join the work force and pay taxes...I would normalize them at a rate of about two million per year. Votes: 0

To put everyone in government housing and food stamps and bring them in from around the world I think is a mistake. To give of your own money, I've given to my church. My church has helped people that came from Bosnia. That's a good thing. Votes: 0

I will not vote to send my sons, or your sons, daughters, brothers, sisters or friends to fight for a stalemate. Votes: 0

If we believe [Obama] to be a good man who would never kill noncombatants in a cafe in Houston, sitting out in a sidewalk cafe, smoking - oh, that's right you're not allowed to smoke cigarettes anymore. Votes: 0

As our voices rise in protest, the NSA monitors your every phone call. if you have a cell phone, you are under surveillance. I believe what you do on your cell phone is none of their damn business, Votes: 0

I want to see the original long-form certificate of Donald Trump's Republican registration. Votes: 0

When you couple this militarization of law enforcement with an erosion of civil liberties and due process that allows the police to become judge and jury-national security letters, no-knock searches, broad general warrants, pre-conviction forfeiture-we begin to have a very serious problem on our hands. Votes: 0

People who want to come to this country don't have constitutional rights. Once they get here, they do. But coming here is not a constitutional right. So with do, as a nation, have the ability and should have the ability to decide who comes here and when they come here. Votes: 0

I think it's a conundrum. If we have no laws on this, people take it to one extension further, does it have to be humans, you know? Votes: 0

The GOP of old has grown stale and moss-covered. I don't think we need to name any names, do we? Our party is encumbered by an inconsistent approach to freedom. The new GOP will need to embrace liberty in both the economic and the personal sphere. Votes: 0

On the Gang of Eight bill, there was no provisions really for extra scrutiny or safety for refugees. At the time the bill came up, two Iraqi refugees came to my home town, Bowling Green, Kentucky. Their fingerprints were on a bomb from Iraq. They were in the database, but we didn't pick them up. Votes: 0

I will speak until I can no longer speak. I will speak as long as it takes, until the alarm is sounded from coast to coast that our Constitution is important, that your rights to trial by jury are precious, that no American should be killed by a drone on American soil without first being charged with a crime, without first being found to be guilty by a court, Votes: 0

If someone has Ebola at a cocktail party, they're contagious and you can catch it from them. Votes: 0

No president has the right to say he is judge, jury and executioner Votes: 0

The president began this program by executive order. He should immediately end it by executive order. For over a year now, he has said the program is illegal, and yet he does nothing. Votes: 0

This flirtation with isolationism in the Republican party is over. It's giving way to a more muscular foreign policy than I've been advocating. But I'm also advocating building up others. Build a small schoolhouse in Afghanistan to help a poor young girl have a say about her children will destroy the ideology more than a bomb. Votes: 0

Foreign aid goes from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries. Votes: 0

Foreign aid is not something the vast majority of Americans support, but definitely not conservatives. Votes: 0

The Fourth Amendment was what we fought the revolution over! Votes: 0

If you are going to kill the families of terrorists, realize that there's something called the Geneva Convention we're going to have to pull out of. It would defy every norm that is America. Votes: 0

We need to get insurance out of the way and let the consumer interact with their doctor the way they did basically before World War II, Votes: 0

My first choice had always been my father. He's still my first pick. Now that the nominating process is over, tonight, I'm happy to announce that I'm going to be supporting Governor Romney. Votes: 0

The source of the problem is in Syria. Raqqa is the headquarters of ISIL, which is a lethal terrorist organization, now army. If you don't go after them over there, they're going to hit us over here, and there's no substitute for that in my view. Votes: 0

We live in a world, a medieval type of world, where someone can accuse you - through gossip and hearsay, and all of a sudden you're supposed to respond to specific charges from people you don't know, are not aware of who these people are, and you're supposed to respond to their specific allegations? Votes: 0

I can tell you who's planning terroris attacks. The leaders of ISIL. And I can tell you where they're at. They're in Raqqa, Syria. So for God's sakes, Mr. President Barack Obama , change your strategy. Come up with a ground force to go in and destroy the caliphate before we get hit here at home. That would be my advice to you. Votes: 0

ISIL is not the JV team. I cannot stress enough that there's a terrorist army in Syria and Iraq that wants to attack the homeland and we're not doing anything about it. So how do you defeat the ideology? Build up others? You reject Rand Paul. Votes: 0

Gun control is not part of a strategy to defeat radical Islam or take ISIL down. However it is a problem back here at home. A million people have been adjudicated a danger to themselves or to others at the state court level. Votes: 0

I think if we want to defeat terrorism, I think if we truly are sincere about defeating terrorism, we need to quit arming the allies of ISIS. If we want to defeat terrorism, the boots on the ground - the boots on the ground need to be Arab boots on the ground. Votes: 0

Let me be clear: I support the Civil Rights Act because I overwhelmingly agree with the intent of the legislation, which was to stop discrimination in the public sphere and halt the abhorrent practice of segregation and Jim Crow laws. Votes: 0

We shouldn't have a program where we just say that we're going to take care of the world's refugees. Nobody in the Middle East is doing anything. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait - all the Gulf nations are doing nothing. Votes: 0

I think ultimately that the rules that you make for gun control, people who are intent on killing themselves aren't too concerned with the rules. Law-abiding citizens are. Votes: 0

I do believe people ought to be left alone. I don't care who you are or what you do at home or who your friends are or where you hang out, what kind of music you listen to, what you do in your home is your own business. That's always been who I am. I am a leave me alone kind of guy. Votes: 0

I am running for president to return our country to the principles of liberty and limited government. Votes: 0

Democrats in Louisville were led by Courier-Journal editor Henry Watterson and were implacably opposed to blacks voting. Votes: 0

I've heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines, Votes: 0

Any time someone tries to tell you that metadata is 'meaningless, don't worry, it's just who you call, it's just phone records, it's not a big deal' - realize we kill people based on metadata. So they must be pretty darn certain that they think they know something based on metadata. Votes: 0

I love the Mexican people; I respect the Mexican leaders - but the leaders are much sharper, smarter and more cunning than our [American] leaders. Votes: 0

I never, ever cheated [in medical school]. I don't condone cheating. But I would sometimes spread misinformation. This is a great tactic. Misinformation can be very important. Votes: 0

I don't want to live in a nanny state where people are telling me where I can go and what I can do. Votes: 0

The Founders never intended for Americans to trust their government. Our entire Constitution was predicated on the notion that government was a necessary evil, to be restrained and minimized as much as possible. Votes: 0

I think we've made the collection haystack so big, no one's ever getting through the haystack to find the needle. What we really need to do is isolate the haystack into a group of suspicious people and spend enormous resources looking at suspicious people, people who we have probable cause. Votes: 0

I will not let the Patriot Act, the most unpatriotic of acts, go unchallenged. At the very least, we should debate. We should debate whether or not we are going to relinquish our rights, or whether or not we are going to have a full and able debate over whether or not we can live within the Constitution, or whether or not we have to go around the Constitution. Votes: 0

There comes a time, there comes a time in the history of nations when fear and complacency allow power to accumulate and liberty and privacy to suffer. That time is now and I will not let the Patriot Act, the most unpatriotic of acts go unchallenged. Votes: 0

We will not cut one penny from the safety net until we've cut every penny from corporate welfare. Votes: 0

The Republican platform specifically says we don't believe in bailing out private business, and yet we did. Votes: 0

Giving someone a one-time stimulus check, or a one-time tax cut that expires doesn't allow the predictability that business needs. Votes: 0

I am encouraged President Obama now says he will fulfill his constitutional obligation to seek authorization for any potential military action in Syria. This is the most important decision any President or any Senator must make, and it deserves vigorous debate Votes: 0

Inherent to socialism is the absence of choice. If I want to choose my own pretzels or books or iphones, they prevent me - they fine me, or imprison me. And those systems, not infrequently have historically, have developed into systems where there are pogroms. Votes: 0

I think the vast majority of the American people say you shouldn't be able to collect my phone records if I'm not suspicious, if you don't have probable cause. Votes: 0

Out of regime change you get chaos. From the chaos you have seen repeatedly the rise of radical Islam. So we get this profession of, oh, my goodness, they want to do something about terrorism and yet they're the problem because they allow terrorism to arise out of that chaos. Votes: 0

Toppling secular dictators in the Middle East has only led to chaos and the rise of radical Islam. Votes: 0

I think Saudi Arabia often finances radical Islam and the teaching of hatred to the West and hatred of Americans. I think it is important that we know that. It's important that we know that there is a threat within and a threat without. I think we can stop it with more aggressive use of actual constitutional tools. Votes: 0

So if we announce we're going to have a no-fly zone, and others have said this. Hillary Clinton is also for it. It is a recipe for disaster. It's a recipe for World War III. We need to confront Russia from a position of strength, but we don't need to confront Russia from a point of recklessness that would lead to war. Votes: 0

What my bill would do would be only for refugees going forward. So I haven't taken a position on sending anyone home. But I have taken the position that we have a lot of problems here in our country. And that one of the things that we do - charity is about giving your own money. Charity isn't giving someone else's money. Votes: 0

There is often variations of evil on both sides of the war. What we have to decide is whether or not regime change is a good idea. It's what the neoconservatives have wanted. It's what the vast majority of those on the stage want. Votes: 0

Whether or not regime change is a good idea or a bad idea. I don't think because I think the regime change was a bad idea it means that Hussein was necessarily a good idea. Votes: 0

We had people coming to our Foreign Relations Committee and saying, "Oh, we need to arm the allies of Al Qaida." They are still saying this. It is a crazy notion. This is the biggest debate we should be having is is regime change a good idea; has it been a good idea. Votes: 0

I think it's a huge mistake. I think regime change in Syria, and this is what - I've been saying this for several years now. In 2013 when we first went in, I said, you are going to give arms to the allies of al Qaida, to radical jihadists? That's crazy. Votes: 0

The Republican Party is an empty vessel unless we imbue it with values. Votes: 0

I would introduce and support legislation to send Roe v. Wade back to the states. Votes: 0

What gets lost is that the Republican Party has always been the party of civil rights and voting rights. Votes: 0

If you have 'too big to fail' for cities or for states, and they believe they'll be bailed out, they'll continue to make unwise decisions. Votes: 0

Do we fear terrorism so much that we throw out our Constitution, and are we unwilling and afraid to debate our Constitution? Votes: 0

Although I was born into the America that experiences and believes in opportunity, my trips to Ferguson, Detroit, Atlanta, and Chicago have revealed that there is an undercurrent of unease. Votes: 0

Was anybody else bothered by the sight of mine-resistant vehicles and guns pointed at unarmed men in Ferguson? Votes: 0

I, for one, will remain constantly vigilant of a government that admits its transgressions of liberty only when they are caught lying. Votes: 0

Even under Obamacare, there are people that get subsidized insurance. But that has a $6,000 deductible. What do you think they do with that $6,000 deductible? They are still a nonpayer. Votes: 0

All issues of crime are better addressed at the state level. Votes: 0

I'm not against the NSA. I'm not against spying; I'm not against looking at phone records. Votes: 0

It isn't hard to find injustice around us, but we must not let injustice smear the good deeds that do occur everyday. Votes: 0

One of the things, one of the things that really got to me was the thing in Houston where you had the government, the mayor actually, trying to get the sermons of ministers. When the government tries to invade the church to enforce its own opinion on marriage, that's when it's time to resist. Votes: 0

As a Christian, I believe in redemption. And I believe in second chances. Votes: 0

I've repeatedly voted for sanctions against Iran. And I think all options should be on the table to prevent them from having nuclear weapons. Votes: 0

I believe the answers to most problems that confront us around the world can and should be approached by engaging both friend and foe in dialogue. No, I don't naively think that dialogue always works, but I believe we should avoid the rigidity of saying that dialogue never works. Votes: 0

The power to tax and spend is restricted by the enumerated powers. Votes: 0

I don't think Edward Snowden deserves a death penalty or life in prison. I think that's inappropriate. I think that's why he fled, [because] that is what he faced. Votes: 0

You wonder why your government's completely broken? We lurch from deadline to deadline, and it's on purpose really. We do deadline to deadline because ... 'we've got to go. It's spring break, we're going to be late for spring break, and we've got to go, so we've got to finish this up before we go.' Votes: 0

[I]f you think you have the right to health care, you are saying basically that I am your slave. I provide health care. ... My staff and technicians provide it. ... If you have a right to health care, then you have a right to their labor. Votes: 0

If you force legislators to balance, at the end of the day, if it has to be balanced, then they step up and they become legislators and can find out where to cut. Votes: 0

I read all of Ayn Rand's novels when I was 17. Votes: 0

You know, you look at term limits, you poll term limits, 70, 80 percent of Republicans or Democrats are for it. Votes: 0

I think the over-militarization of local police forces is also true of the over-militarization of the federal government, so I don't really run and hide from the comment that I think there are 48 federal agencies that have SWAT teams. Votes: 0

The Paris attack was highly sophisticated, well-planned, very clever, took months in the making, very much like 9/11. And there is a 9/11-style attack coming to America. Votes: 0

Does the owner of the restaurant own his restaurant? Or does the government own his restaurant? Votes: 0

In America, as opposed to the old country, success was based on merit. Votes: 0

Some Libertarians argue that Western occupation fans the flames of radical Islam; I agree. But I don't agree that, absent Western occupation, that radical Islam 'goes quietly into that good night.' Votes: 0

Communism can't survive the captivating allure of capitalism. Votes: 0

I don't think you will meet anyone in Israel who will ever burn the American flag. Votes: 0

I've been fighting amidst a lot of opposition from both Hillary Clinton as well as some Republicans who wanted to send arms to the allies of ISIS. ISIS rides around in a billion dollars worth of U.S. Humvees. It's a disgrace. We've got to stop - we shouldn't fund our enemies, for goodness sakes. Votes: 0

America is a world leader, but we should not be its policeman or ATM. Votes: 0

You can't have it both ways. You can't tell me that you're taxed enough already, and that you want constitutional government and then in the next breath say, 'Bring me home some bacon.' The pig has been picked clean. Votes: 0

I'm a different kind of Republican. I've introduced a five-year balanced budget. I've introduced the largest tax cut in our history. I stood for ten and a half hours on the Senate floor to defend your right to be left alone. Votes: 0

We still need to be conscious of the fact that Russia has intercontinental ballistic missiles. Votes: 0

I don't plan on being bashful. Votes: 0

I rode my bike to school every day from age five to age fourteen. It was a small town - you could go anywhere. Votes: 0

We must always embrace individual liberty and enforce the constitutional rights of all Americans-rich and poor, immigrant and native, black and white. Votes: 0

I've gone to Detroit. I've been to Ferguson; I've been to Baltimore, because I want our party to be bigger, better and bolder, and I'm the only one that leads Hillary Clinton in five states that were won by President Obama. I'm a different kind of Republican. Votes: 0

Conservatives have always wanted border security before we had immigration reform. Votes: 0

Bulk collection of phone records didn't find or stop the Tsarnaev brothers from the massacre in Boston. In fact, one might argue that all of the money spent on bulk collection takes money away from human analysts that might have noticed the older brother's trip to become radicalized in Chechnya. Votes: 0

If you go to prison, your child support adds up. Votes: 0

The government has a history of not treating people fairly, from the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II to African-Americans in the Civil Rights era. Votes: 0

No Republican questions or disputes civil rights. I have never wavered in my support for civil rights or the civil rights act. Votes: 0

Of strong importance to me is the defense of minority rights, not just racial minorities, but ideological and religious minorities. Votes: 0

The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Many of those people deserve to be in prison; however, some of them do not. Votes: 0

Using taxes to punish the rich, in reality, punishes everyone because we are all interconnected. High taxes and excessive regulation and massive debt are not working. Votes: 0

I think a policy of isolationism toward Cuba is misplaced and hasn't worked. Votes: 0

I would support immediate construction of the Keystone Pipeline. Votes: 0

The problem is that in our country, they make it almost impossible for politicians to win anything. In England it's easier to win a libel suit. Votes: 0

I think a lot of things could be handled locally. Votes: 0

Mandatory minimum sentencing has disproportionately affected blacks, Hispanics and others who often don't have the financial means to fight back. Votes: 0

Government can supply bread, but it can't mend a broken spirit. Votes: 0

You can't solve a dignity problem with military force. Votes: 0

I have a message from the Tea Party, a message that is loud and clear and does not mince words. We've come to take our government back. Votes: 0

I grew up in a family that despised not only communism but collectivism, socialism, and any 'ism' that deprived the individual of his or her natural rights. Votes: 0

The Hepatitis B vaccine is now given to newborns. We sometimes give five and six vaccines all at one time. Votes: 0

I would rather not have contentious interviews. I'd rather do 30 minutes with Charlie Rose, laid back in a La-Z-Boy chair. Votes: 0

For most of our history, no one dared to tell Americans, 'you don't build that.' Votes: 0

The realization is dawning that government doesn't work. In Silicon Valley, they already get this. And they are bright enough to be asking what we can do to solve problems. Votes: 0

Just because a majority of the Supreme Court declares something to be 'constitutional' does not make it so. Votes: 0

The Life at Conception Act legislatively declares what most Americans believe and what science has long known - that human life begins at the moment of conception and, therefore, is entitled to legal protection from that point forward. Votes: 0

We should revoke passports from any Americans or dual citizens who are fighting with ISIS. Votes: 0

I think that ISIS is a threat to our embassy, to our consulate, as well as potentially to the American people. Votes: 0

I would never belong to any club that excluded anybody for race. Votes: 0

William Lloyd Garrison was up there with Frederick Douglass being thrown off trains and going through what happened in the 1960s in 1840 in Boston. Votes: 0

Michael Brown's death and the suffocation of Eric Garner in New York for selling untaxed cigarettes indicate something is wrong with criminal justice in America. Votes: 0

I think if you have a two-story office and you hire someone who's handicapped, it might be reasonable to let him have an office on the first floor rather than the government saying you have to have a $100,000 elevator. Votes: 0

General Hayden knows full well the powerful and invasive nature of metadata. Votes: 0

I have heard of many tragic cases of walking, talking, normal children who wound up with profound mental disorders after vaccines. Votes: 0

If I had been told to get out of the street as a teenager, there would have been a distinct possibility that I might have smarted off. But, I wouldn't have expected to be shot. Votes: 0

The Democrats promised equalizing outcomes through unlimited federal assistance while Republicans offered something that seemed less tangible - the promise of equalizing opportunity through free markets. Votes: 0

Some people say I chastise the Republican Party too much. Votes: 0

Evil can and is overcome every minute of every day. Votes: 0

People don't like to vote against something that's so incredibly popular. Votes: 0

Marriage has always been a state and local issue. Votes: 0

I'm not someone who's sort of still trying to figure out what I believe in. Votes: 0

Judges can determine fair justice far better than any inane federal mandate. Votes: 0

, I'm going to reserve judgment on [Rex] Tillerson. But I'll ask him the same question I've asked the others: do you understand the historic lesson that the Iraq war was a failure, a strategic mistake, that's what Donald Trump says. Votes: 0

[John] Bolton was an advocate for regime change in Libya, so was Hillary Clinton actually. And Donald Trump said it was a mistake. I agree it was a mistake to do regime change in Libya. We became more endangered and actually worse people took over afterwards. Votes: 0

[Marco] Rubio says we should collect all Americans' records all of the time. The Constitution says otherwise. I think they're both wrong. I think we defeat terrorism by showing them that we do not fear them. Votes: 0

2007 was a long time ago, and events do change over long periods of time. Votes: 0

40 percent of people who come to visit America on a visa overstay their visa and we have no idea where they are. On 9/11, at least 2 of the hijackers were here on visa. They were traveling back and forth to the Middle East. And we really had no idea where they were or what they were doing. And they were overstaying their visa. So there are problems I think in the immigration system that need to be fixed for our safety. Votes: 0

Al Qaeda has been placed on the run, but not destroyed. Votes: 0

America's not the world's policeman. Terrible things happen across the globe and it is beyond our means to right every wrong. But when, with modest effort and risk, we can stop children from being gassed to death and thereby make our own children safer over the long run, I believe we should act. Votes: 0

Any time we give people the ability to use force, we have to be very careful. It's sort of like the people who spy on us - you've got to watch the watchers. Votes: 0

Any time you make an analogy to horrific people in history, Mussolini or Hitler, people say, 'Oh, you're exaggerating, you're talking about, it's hyperbole.' Maybe it is. ... But I would say is that if you are not concerned that democracy could produce bad people, I don't think you're really thinking this through too much. Votes: 0

Are you so afraid that you are willing to trade your freedom for security? Votes: 0

As commander-in-chief, I will do whatever it takes to defend America. But in defending America, we cannot lose what America stands for. Votes: 0

Benjamin Netanyahu said that ultimately, they will be stronger when they're independent. My position is exactly the same.We shouldn't borrow money from China to send it anywhere, but why don't we start with eliminating aid to our enemies. Votes: 0

Bipartisanship is not what is missing in Washington. Common sense is. Votes: 0

Both sides of the aisle - Republican and Democrat - have been unwilling and afraid to address the deficit, and someone's got to. Votes: 0

Congress shall pass no law that exempts themselves! Votes: 0

Cut defense spending as part of cutting all federal spending. Votes: 0

Every chance at destabilizing [Bashar] Assad... the bombing campaign causes a flood of refugees into Jordan, there's already half a million in Jordan. I think a bombing campaign - I think it's hard to argue that a U.S. bombing campaign is going to cause less refugees. And I think it causes more refugees and more of a humanitarian disaster. I think it causes, or allows, the risk of Israel being attacked with a gas attack to go up, if we attack Assad. So there's all kinds of bad things. Votes: 0

Every gun regulation that President [Barack] Obama has advocated for, California has already. And it didn't stop terrorism. Votes: 0

Fear & complacency allow power to accumulate & liberty & privacy to suffer Votes: 0

For example, the use of chemical weapons [in Syria]- some on the Democrat side have said well, this encourages the North Koreans to use chemical weapons against our troops. Votes: 0

For liberty to expand, government must shrink. For the economy to grow, government must get out of the way. Votes: 0

Hardened terrorists are coming here to hit us hard if we don't hit them first. Votes: 0

How did the party that elected the first black U.S. senator, the party that elected the first 20 African American congressmen, become a party that now loses 95 percent of the black vote? How did the Republican Party, the party of the Great Emancipator, lose the trust and faith of an entire race? During the Great Depression "¦ African Americans understood that Republicans championed citizenship and voting rights, but they became impatient for economic emancipation. Votes: 0

How much liberty do with want to give up for a false sense of security? Votes: 0

How would you possibly sell 700 companies in a fire sale and hope to get what they were worth?It's just an unrealistic sort of standard they're trying to hold [Donald Trump] to. Votes: 0

I also think regime change in Syria is a bad idea. And that's an ongoing question. It's one of the things I like about Donald Trump, one of the reasons I endorsed him is he thinks regime change is a mistake. But John Bolton thinks completely the opposite. They are diametric opposites. Votes: 0

I am pleased though that there's a possibility of a diplomatic solution [in Syria]. I remain somewhat skeptical, but I am pleased that it's a possibility and I think people like myself who've been arguing for delaying this bombing, have allowed this diplomatic possibility to occur. Votes: 0

I believe people ought to be treated fairly under the law. I see no reason why if the marriage contract conveys certain things that if you want to marry another woman that you can do that and have a contract. But the thing is is the religious connotation of marriage that has been going on for thousands of years, I still want to preserve that. And you probably could have both. You could have both traditional marriage, which I believe in. And then you could also have the neutrality of the law that allows people to have contracts with another. Votes: 0

I believe we should work to end all racism in American society and staunchly defend the inherent rights of every person. I have clearly stated in prior interviews that I abhor racial discrimination and would have worked to end segregation. Even though this matter was settled when I was 2, and no serious people are seeking to revisit it except to score cheap political points, I unequivocally state that I will not support any efforts to repeal the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Votes: 0

I call myself a constitutional conservative. Votes: 0

I do not yet know if I will find a Romney presidency more acceptable on foreign policy. But I do know that I must oppose the most recent statements made by Mitt Romney in which he says he, as president, could take us to war unilaterally with Iran, without any approval from Congress. Votes: 0

I don't know about [Rex] Tillerson, but I do know that John Bolton doesn't get it. He still believes in regime change. He's still a big cheerleader for the Iraq war. He's promoted a nuclear attack by Israel on Iran. He wants to do regime change in Iran. So, I think John Bolton is so far out of it and has such a naive understanding of the world. If he were to be the assistant or the undersecretary for Tillerson, I'm an out automatic no on Bolton. Votes: 0

I don't like the idea of telling private business owners - I abhor racism. I think it's a bad business decision to exclude anybody from your restaurant - but, at the same time, I do believe in private ownership. But I absolutely think there should be no discrimination in anything that gets any public funding. Votes: 0

I don't think he fully analyzes the situation. If you destabilize [Bashar] Assad and punish Assad, you do embolden terrorists. You embolden al-Qaida because al-Qaida is on the other side of this war. So, one side wins if you destabilize the other side. So, he will be emboldening al-Qaida and the Islamic rebels. And I'm not so sure they're better than Assad. Votes: 0

I don't think I'm really open to having Washington change me. Votes: 0

I don't think we're actually using the constitutional tools that we have in an appropriate fashion. Votes: 0

I don't think we're doing an adequate vetting process of those who are coming to our country. Votes: 0

I don't want my marriage or my guns registered in Washington. Votes: 0

I hate that Mosul is falling, but I also think that for 10 years we have supplied the Iraqis and they can't stand up and do anything to defend their country, and it is all up to us? Votes: 0

I have allowed the president to pick his political appointees"¦But I will not sit quietly and let him shred the Constitution. Votes: 0

I just can't vote to go to war unless I think there's a real clear-cut American purpose in the war, that we're going to win and that we're not going fight for stalemate. Votes: 0

I need to be very careful about going on certain networks that seem to have a bias. Votes: 0

I really think that discrimination and racism is a horrible thing. And I don't want any form of it in our government, in our public sphere. Votes: 0

I say not one penny more to countries that are burning our flag. Votes: 0

I say the phone records of law abiding citizens are none of their damn business! Votes: 0

I support local solutions to illegal immigration as protected by the 10th amendment. I support making English the official language of all documents and contracts.. Votes: 0

I think [Donald Trump] has to do everything he can to set up a firewall between him and his businesses. But I think it's unrealistic for people to be saying, oh, he should just sell all of his businesses. Votes: 0

I think if Russia is really an honest signatory to the chemical weapons ban, if Syria wants to be, ultimately someone has to be responsible for killing civilians. And that's the hard part out of this. Votes: 0

I think if we ban certain religions, if we censor the Internet, I think that at that point the terrorists will have won. Votes: 0

I think it's a little premature to talk about response until we know exactly what happened, but we should know what happened. And we should know how to defend [against hackers attacks] ourselves without question. Votes: 0

I think most people, in their lifetime, have seen somebody who has the ability to use force lord it over other individuals. I see a lot of those videos, and I am disturbed by people being yanked out of their cars, and it seems to be a disproportionate amount of young black men. I'm disturbed by it. Votes: 0

I think my dad has helped me tremendously. Votes: 0

I think really that you shouldn't run as a conservative if you're not. Votes: 0

I think Republicans will not win again in my lifetime ... unless they become a new GOP, a new Republican Party. And it has to be a transformation. Not a little tweaking at the edges. Votes: 0

I think that most manufacturing and mining should be under the purview of state authorities. Votes: 0

I think that we have to be very careful about who comes here from the Middle East. Votes: 0

I think that, most importantly, when I see issues of war, I see them in a personal vein, and I am reluctant to go to war unless there's a real, valid American interest because I've seen the wounded soldiers. Votes: 0

I think the entire world knows, and North Korea knows, that if they used any weapons on our soldiers they would be obliterated. And it would be an overwhelming response. Votes: 0

I think there is some overreach in the sense that the EPA now says: if Congress doesn't pass greenhouse emissions regulations or testing, we'll simply do it on our own. I think that's an arrogance of a regulatory body run amok. Votes: 0

I think there's a racial outcome to a lot of what goes in America, but I don't think race is always the reason. Votes: 0

I think there's evil on both sides [of Syria], and I think that's one reason I don't want to be involved in civil war. I see things in personal terms. I just can't see sending one of my sons - or your son or daughter - to fight in a civil war, where on one side we have a dictator, who in all likelihood gassed his people. Votes: 0

I think this sets a very bad precedent, the president unilaterally on his own starting war without any consent from Congress. Votes: 0

I think we can all agree [Bashar] Assad is a bad and evil actor, but I'm not so sure that we want the Islamic rebels to be in charge of Syria either. Votes: 0

I think we can't be naive in dealing with the Russians or dealing with the Syrians. But at the same time, I think we could try to encourage - and I think this is what diplomacy should do - encourage the self-interests of all parties to believe that it is in their best interest to get evil actors or rogue actors such as Syria or Iran, if you try to have less belligerent and less bellicose behavior. Votes: 0

I think we defeat terrorism by showing them that we do not fear them. Votes: 0

I think we have a Tea Party mandate, and that Tea Party mandate is for good-government type of things, things like term limits, things like a balanced budget amendment, things like read the bills for goodness sakes, things like that maybe Congress should only pass legislation that they apply to themselves as well. Votes: 0

I think we need to get to the bottom of it. And I think there should be an investigation [of hackers attacks] because in order to defend ourselves against other adversarial countries, we have to protect our information. Votes: 0

I think we need to treat everybody with dignity. Votes: 0

I think we ought to quit sending [help] to countries that burn our flag. Votes: 0

I think we're never fully protected, but I think we need to do everything we can to stop threats to us. Votes: 0

I think what we've had in the past is the government has said, "Well, we need to collect the whole haystack." And the haystack is Americans' privacy. Every Americans' privacy. We have to give up all of our privacy. Votes: 0

I think when people voted for Donald Trump, they realized he owned a lot of stuff with his name on it. I think the concern over conflict of interest seems to be higher in the media than the public. People saying, oh, he has to sell all of his stuff. Votes: 0

I think when we think about the judgment of someone who might want World War III, we might think about someone who might shut down a bridge because they don't like their friends; Votes: 0

I think women have come a long way. Women are in positions not because they're women, they're in positions because they're intelligent and they should be equal to their counterparts and treated equally. Votes: 0

I think you'll find that these are measures that have great bipartisan support, and so I expect, not only did we do well in the primary, I think we'll win by a wide margin in the fall because we're going to get a lot of independents and conservative Democrats coming to us. Votes: 0

I was told I got 10 measly minutes, but just in case, I brought 13 hours worth of material. Votes: 0

I went to my first national convention in 1976, when my family supported [Ronald] Reagan over [Gerald] Ford, so we've always been Republicans, but we've always wanted the Republican Party to be the party of fiscally conservative, limited-government types. And I think, sometimes, we haven't done that as well. Votes: 0

I will advocate for Kentucky's interests, Votes: 0

I will continue to fight for legislation that forces Congress to read the bills! I will fight for a vote on my bill that calls for a waiting period for each page of legislation. I will continue to object when Congress sticks special interest riders on bills in the dead of night! And if Congress refuses to obey its own rules, if Congress refuses to pass a budget, if Congress refuses to read the bills, then I say: Sweep the place clean. Limit their terms and send them home! Votes: 0

I will not let the patriot act, the most un-patriotic of acts, go unchallenged. Votes: 0

I will tell , though, that Donald Trump got 70 percent in eastern Kentucky and I don't think it had anything to do with the Russian. He got 70 percent because in eastern Kentucky we didn't like what President [Barack] Obama or Hillary Clinton wanted to do to our coal jobs. It didn't have anything to do with the Russians. Votes: 0

I won't support any budget, whether it's a Republican or a Democrat budget, that doesn't lead to balance. Votes: 0

I worry that the Senate is working to consider a series of little-noticed provisions in comprehensive immigration reform that may provide a pathway to a national ID card for all individuals present in the United States - citizens and noncitizens, Votes: 0

I would argue that the objective evidence shows that big government is not a friend to African Americans. Votes: 0

I would have handled it differently than the mayor of Baltimore, that's for sure. I think it's a mistake to say, hey, guys, you can pillage the city for a while and we'll let that go, and we'll be sort of standing back. I think it's also important to know some of the underlying causes of why there's unease in our country. Votes: 0

I would have never released the sanctions [for Iran] before there was consistent evidence of compliance. Votes: 0

I would pay to have those adjudications enrolled into the federal background system so we could detect people who are mentally ill before they buy a gun. That is a real problem. Votes: 0

I would prefer the [USA] government to be the policeman and not the businessman. Votes: 0

I would set aside all these budget cuts that are going to devastate the F.B.I., the C.I.A., and the N.S.A. Sequestration, cuts, are not only gutting the military, they're gutting the F.B.I. So if I were president, I would set these cuts aside. I would reinstate the N.S.A. program as robust as possible within the constitutional limits. Votes: 0

I`m here in Whoopi Goldberg`s office trying to choose some shoes. We`ve seen [Marco] Rubio has those cool new boots and I don`t want to be outdone. Votes: 0

I'm not for profiling people on the color of their skin, or on their religion, but I would take into account where they've been traveling and perhaps, you might have to indirectly take into account whether or not they've been going to radical political speeches by religious leaders. It wouldn't be that they are Islamic. But if someone is attending speeches from someone who is promoting the violent overthrow of our government, that's really an offense that we should be going after "” they should be deported or put in prison. Votes: 0

I've never argued against any technology being used when you have an imminent threat, an active crime going on. If someone comes out of a liquor store with a weapon and fifty dollars in cash, I don't care if a drone kills him or a policeman kills him. Votes: 0

If Americans were attacked, it does change the equation. The problem is, is that with regard to this is there've been horrendous killings of civilians with conventional weapons. Votes: 0

If I have a weakness, it's that I try to live by the rules. I try to live by the rules, no matter what they are, and I was brought up that way as a kid. Play by the rules. Votes: 0

If Senator Rubio were doing his job and in Congress more, he might know that the program [phone records of a potential terrorist cause] continues. It's been ongoing for the last six months. So the Paris tragedy, this tragedy happened while we were still doing bulk collection, all bulk collection. Also in France, they have a program a thousand-fold more invasive, collecting all of the data of all of the French. Votes: 0

If there are few conservatives in the senate wing of the Republican Party that will say no to a budget that never balances, we could have the power to say to the leadership, you know what, need a better budget. Votes: 0

If there were an ounce of courage in this body I would be joined by other senators"¦ saying they will not tolerate this. Votes: 0

If you are accused of being associated with terrorism, which could mean you are an Arab- American and you've sent e-mails to a relative in the Middle East, you should get your day in court, and I think you should get a lawyer and a trial, and I think most Americans agree to that. Votes: 0

If you give up your rights now, don't expect to get them back. Votes: 0

If you're white and you're rich in the USA, if you get busted for drugs, you get a good attorney, and you in all likelihood serve no time. But if you're poor, black, Hispanic, or poor and white for that matter, you can get put in jail. Votes: 0

I'll do anything to try to prevent John Bolton from getting any position, because I think his world view is naive. He believes we're going to spread democracy. We're going to topple governments everywhere and they're going to elect Thomas Jefferson. That's not the way it works in the Middle East. Votes: 0

I'll tell you what a weakness is of this country [the USA]: there are a lot of people who are sick and tired because Washington does not play by the same rules that the American people have to play by. Votes: 0

I'm a Reagan conservative. Reagan did negotiate with the Soviets. But you have to negotiate from a position of strength. Votes: 0

I'm an internationalist. I want to help others, not just kill terrorists. Votes: 0

I'm being unfairly targeted by a bunch of hacks and haters. Votes: 0

I'm in favor of everything with regards to ending institutional racism. Votes: 0

I'm not accusing anybody of being [Hitler], Votes: 0

I'm not in favor of any discrimination of any form. Votes: 0

I'm not opposed to letting people work and labor in our country, but we shouldn't provide an easy route to citizenship. We're the only country I know of where a person can come in illegally and that baby becomes a citizen and I think that should stop also. Votes: 0

I'm the leading voice in America for not arming the allies of ISIS. Votes: 0

I'm the third of five children. Votes: 0

In 1997, I, along with 200 other young ophthalmologists formed the National Board of Ophthalmology to protest the American Board of Ophthalmology's decision to grandfather in the older ophthalmologists and not require them to recertify. Votes: 0

In a free society, we will tolerate boorish people, who have abhorrent behavior, but if we're civilized people, we publicly criticize that, and don't belong to those groups, or don't associate with those people. Votes: 0

In a reality, what we should be doing is having quiet diplomacy with the Russians to convince them that it's in their self-interest to have a more stable Middle East because trade enriches us all. Votes: 0

In battle, combatants engaged in war against America get no due process and may lawfully be killed. But citizens not in a battlefield - however despicable - are guaranteed a trial by our Constitution. No one argues that Americans who commit treason shouldn't be punished. The maximum penalty for treason is death. But the Constitution specifies the process necessary to convict. Votes: 0

In the aftermath of 9/11, the Patriot Act was rushed to the floor. Several hundred pages. Nobody read it ... But people voted because they were fearful and people said there could be another attack and Americans will blame me if I don't vote on this. Votes: 0

Is Donald Trump a serious candidate? The reason I ask this is, if you're going to close the Internet, realize, America, what that entails. That entails getting rid of the First amendment, ok? It's no small feat. Votes: 0

It is impossible for African-Americans not to feel like their government is particularly targeting them. Votes: 0

It's a little different when you spend 30 years developing all these companies that we just ask [Donald Trump] to sell them. So I don't think that's a fair request. Votes: 0

It's curious that only in Washington can you spend $2 billion and claim that you're saving money. Votes: 0

I've introduced legislation to say, "For right now, let's stop it," from about 34 countries. Votes: 0

I've put pencil to paper and I've said I would cut spending, and I've said exactly where. Each one of my budgets has taken a meat axe to foreign aid, because I think we ought to quit sending it to countries that hate us. Votes: 0

I've thought for some time that the answer to a lot of problems in the Middle East, including Iran, include an active role with Russia. And I think, in some ways, we've taken show votes in the U.N. that are guaranteed to failure before we take them. Votes: 0

Join us in the fight to defeat the Washington machine. It's fun and easy to get started. You can make a difference and change the direction of our country! Join today. Votes: 0

Just because a couple people on the Supreme Court declare something to be 'constitutional' does not make it so. Votes: 0

Let's make the haystack smaller. Let's say for a while, until we can figure out who's coming, who's going, and who's overstayed their visa, let's have extra scrutiny and figure out what's going on, because there's a whole segment of the world that is intent on sending people here to attack us. Votes: 0

Let's means-test benefits - let's means-test Social Security and Medicare and make the rich pay more for these benefits. Votes: 0

Let's say tomorrow that there was a president, that we elected a president that eliminated the bulk collection of data. Let's just say it happened. What do you think would happen? People are like 'the sky would fall. We would be overrun with jihadists.' Maybe we could rely on the Constitution. Maybe we could get warrants. ... If you make the warrant specific, there's no limit to what you can get through a warrant. Votes: 0

Let's start that conversation by acknowledging we aren't going to deport 12 million illegal immigrants. If you wish to work, if you wish to live and work in America, then we will find a place for you. Votes: 0

Many states and even many people who are in support of the death penalty question their support of the death penalty because of the imperfection of our courts. Through DNA testing, we don't always get it right, even with that. Votes: 0

My belief has always been that national defense is the most important thing we do, but we shouldn't borrow to pay for it. Votes: 0

My goodness, what we want in a leader is someone with judgment, not someone who is so reckless as to stand on the stage and say, "Yes, I'm jumping up and down; I'm going to shoot down Russian planes." Russia already flies in that airspace. It may not be something we're in love with the fact that they're there, but they were invited by Iraq and by Syria to fly in that airspace. Votes: 0

My grandfather would live to see his children become doctors and ministers, accounts and professors. Votes: 0

Nobody ever was fired for 9/11. Instead of firing the people who didn't do a good job, we gave them medals. The guy who did a good job, I don't know what happened to him. And what we did was we decided we'd just collect everybody's information. That we'd sort of scrap the Bill of Rights. Votes: 0

On vague wording of drone strike criteria: "Are you going to just drop a hellfire missile on Jane Fonda? Are you going to drop a missile on Kent State? That's gobbledygook. Votes: 0

One of the things that came out of the campaign, as I recall, was a high ranking [Hillary's] Clinton official, I believe, sent their password via email. We also need to learn how to protect our own information. And I think that's important as well. Votes: 0

Our legislative victory - an end to earmarks. Votes: 0

Overall do I believe exchange with other cultures is good, people going back and forth is good, trade is good. Yes, all of these things are good. But I think you have to make sure the system's working. We need to know, virtually 100 percent of the time, when you come and when you leave. It's called entry and exit. Votes: 0

Parents own the children, and it is an issue of freedom and public health. Votes: 0

Perhaps it is time to be more careful what we ask government to do, and where we allow it to become part of our lives. Votes: 0

Really, while gas is an awful thing to watch - the death is painful - to even watch these deaths - it's also bad to die from a bullet, a hand grenade, or a machete. Votes: 0

Republicans who criticize the use of two languages, I think, make a great mistake. Votes: 0

Roll back federal spending to 2008 levels. Votes: 0

Secretary [John] Kerry has called Civil War [in Syria] an unbelievably small war that we're going to get involved with. Votes: 0

Some in Washington say that you have to trade your liberty for security. Votes: 0

Someone is an ignoramus who would say that, 'Oh, we had three hurricanes this year. This proves that somehow the climate is warming.' The earth is 4.5 billion years old, and you're going to say that we had four hurricanes and so it proves a theory? Votes: 0

The 11 million, I think, are never going home, don't need to be sent home, and I would incorporate them into our society by giving them work visas and making them taxpayers. Votes: 0

The Bill of Rights existed long before President Obama was elected, and as long as I'm a U.S. Senator, I will fight to protect the basic rights and liberties that belong to all of us as American citizens. Votes: 0

The callous use of general warrants and the disregard for the Bill of Rights must end. Forcing us to choose between our rights and our safety is a false choice and we are better than that as a nation and as a people. Votes: 0

The coarsening of our culture towards violent death has more consequences than war. Tragically, this same culture has led to the death of 50 million unborn children in the last 40 years. I don't think a civilization can long endure that does not have respect for all human life, born and not yet born. I believe there will come a time when we are all judged on whether or not we took a stand in defense of all life from the moment of conception until our last natural breath. Votes: 0

The Constitution was not written to restrain the citizen's behavior, it was writtne to restrain the government's behavior. Votes: 0

The current budget that the Republicans are looking at never balances. How can that be fiscally responsible? And how can we look at the public with a straight face and say yes we ran on balanced budgets. Votes: 0

The First Amendment says keep government out of religion. It doesn't say keep religion out of government. Votes: 0

The fundamental reason why Medicare is failing is why the Soviet Union failed -- socialism doesn't work, Votes: 0

The GOP of old has grown old and moss covered. Votes: 0

The government has investigated our program of collecting through a generalized fashion, everyone's phone records in the country. And they found that no terrorist case has been thwarted through this. Votes: 0

The greatest threat to our national security is our debt. We borrow a million dollars a minute. Votes: 0

The key to winning any general election in the USA is to excite your base and then expand your base - get independent voters and voters who haven't been voting for your party to come to your party. Votes: 0

The more we can have peaceful trade both with Russia, with China, and with others, you know, there's a self interest in this for everyone. Votes: 0

The one way, possibly, out of this is for [Bashar] Assad to abdicate and plead, perhaps to Russia or somewhere else. Would save another wave of civilian casualties if we could get him to abdicate. Votes: 0

The only way to save Social Security is to raise the retirement age. Votes: 0

The other thing to realize is that almost all these shootings, including this shooting [in San-Bernardino], happened in a government building where people are not allowed to defend themselves. While it's not the ultimate answer, the ultimate answer would be no violence, part of the answer is saying, "We need to allow people to defend themselves." Votes: 0

The people who get the ability to use force have to be watched carefully by civilians to make sure they don't use it excessively. Votes: 0

The president wants more tax money in Washington. I want more money left in the communities, particularly poor communities, particularly communities that have high unemployment. Votes: 0

The president's rattling the saber and beating the drums may have an effect. Votes: 0

The question is, how do we keep America safe from terrorism? [Donald]Trump says we ought to close that Internet thing. The question really is, what does he mean by that? Like they do in North Korea? Like they do in China? Votes: 0

The question's whether or not there's an American interest in the Civil War [in Syria]. The question is whether or not a military strike on [Bashar] Assad will cause him to be encouraged to use more weapons or discouraged. It's easy enough to say - and the president [Barack Obama] says though this will teach him a lesson - but his military strike is intended not to target him individually, not to bring about regime change. Votes: 0

The U.S. should never get involved where we have no clear national interest. We should not intervene militarily in a country like Syria, where we can't separate friend from foe and might end up arming the very people who hate us the most. Votes: 0

There comes a time, in the history of Nations when fear and forgetfulness cause a nation to hesitate, to waver and perhaps even to succumb. When that time comes those who love liberty must rise to the occasion. Will you? Will you lovers of liberty, will you rise to the occasion? Votes: 0

There is nothing conservative about bailing out Wall Street. Likewise, there is nothing progressive about billion dollar loans to millionaires to build solar panels. Votes: 0

There's 150,000 students here from the Middle East. If 40% of them have overstayed their visa, don't we need to know where they are, what they're doing, are they obeying our rules? Votes: 0

There's a sense of urgency that the president does not possess, that there is a 9/11 in the making. Votes: 0

These attacks prove one thing for certain: the liberal establishment is desperate to keep leaders like me out of office, and we are sure to hear more wild, dishonest smears during this campaign. Votes: 0

This is an ongoing threat from a variety of sources around the world. And actually I think it works both ways. I'm not privy to it, but I think all of the various country that have the ability are invading each other's computers all the time. But we have to protect our data. It's very important. Votes: 0

This whole sort of 'war on women' sort of thing, I'm scratching my head because if there was a war on women, I think they won. Votes: 0

To me, there is no greater threat than our debt. I'm the only fiscal conservative on the stage because I'm willing to hold the line on all spending. Votes: 0

Unless you really stand for something, people aren't motivated to go out and vote for you. Votes: 0

We all either work for rich people or we sell stuff to rich people. So just punishing rich people is as bad for the economy as punishing anyone. Let's not punish anyone. Let's keep taxes low and let's cut spending. Votes: 0

We are borrowing $40,000 per second. Votes: 0

We didn't create ISIS - ISIS created themselves, but we will stop them, and one of the ways we stop them is by not funding them, and not arming them. Votes: 0

We do not project power from bankruptcy court. We're borrowing a million dollars a minute. Votes: 0

We have 11 million people said to be in our country illegally. Forty percent of them are said to have overstayed their visa. Do we know where they are? Votes: 0

We have a lot of politicians who have really small brains and really big hearts. Votes: 0

We have Islamic rebels [in Syria] who've been eating the hearts or organs of their enemies. We have priests that have been killed. We have Christian villages that have been razed by Islamic rebels. We have Islamic rebels who say they don't recognize Israel and would just as soon attack Israel as [Bashar] Assad. So really, I see no clear-cut American interest, and I'm afraid that sometimes things unravel, and the situation could become less stable and not more stable. Votes: 0

We have to decide whether our fear is going to get the better of us. Once upon a time we had a standard in our country that was 'innocent until proven guilty.' We've given up on so much. Now, people are talking about a standard that is 'if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.' Think about it. Is that the standard we're willing to live under? Votes: 0

We have to have a more realistic foreign policy and not a utopian one where we say, oh, we're going to spread freedom and democracy, and everybody in the Middle East is going to love us. They are not going to love us. Votes: 0

We have to think before we act. Votes: 0

We must protect ourselves from jihadis without losing ourselves. Votes: 0

We need a Republican Party that shows up on the South side of Chicago and shouts at the top of our lungs, 'We are the party of jobs and opportunity! The GOP is the ticket to the middle class. Votes: 0

We need a revival in the country," Paul said. "We need another Great Awakening with tent revivals of thousands of people saying, 'reform or see what's going to happen if we don't reform.' Votes: 0

We need to be fearful of companies that get so big that they can actually be directing policy. Votes: 0

We should understand the limitations of war. We should understand the sacrifices our young men and women go through losing lives and limbs. And they should only do it for the highest of purposes. Votes: 0

We shouldn't be fearful of freedom, we shouldn't be fearful of individual liberty. Votes: 0

We still need to secure our southern border. The other thing I would say is we need to secure who visits us in the country. Votes: 0

Well, let's be clear I'm the only one on the stage who actually has a five-year budget that balances. Votes: 0

Well, there's 10 "” there's 10 different "” there's 10 different titles, you know, to the Civil Rights Act, and nine out of 10 deal with public institutions and I'm absolutely in favor of. One deals with private institutions, and had I been around, I would have tried to modify that. Votes: 0

We're for the balanced budget amendment and yet the budget we're going to introduce, that we're going to repeal Obamacare with never balances. Votes: 0

We've had presidents that have put their stock into account and they didn't know what their stock mix was and I like that. And I think Donald Trump has agreed that he would do the same on his stock. He's either sold it or will do it. Votes: 0

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.' I think that sounds really un-American in his criticism of business. I've heard nothing from BP about not paying for the spill. And I think it's part of this sort of blame-game society in the sense that it's always got to be someone's fault instead of the fact that sometimes accidents happen. Votes: 0

What is immoral for an individual to do, is immoral for a government to do Votes: 0

What most Americans don't realize is there is an unholy alliance. They come together. There's a secret handshake. We spend more money on everything. And we are not stronger nation if we go further into debt. We are not projecting power from bankruptcy court. Votes: 0

When I asked the president [Barack Obama], can you kill an American on American soil, it should have been an easy answer. It's an easy question. It should have been a resounding and unequivocal no. The president's response, he hasn't killed anyone yet. Votes: 0

When the government tries to invade the church to enforce its own opinion on [gay] marriage, that's when it's time to resist. Votes: 0

When we toppled [Muammar] Gadhafi in Libya, I think that was a mistake. I think ISIS grew stronger, we had a failed state, and we were more at risk. Votes: 0

When you ask yourself, whoever you are, that think you're going to support Donald Trump, think, do you believe in the Constitution? Are you going to change the Constitution? Votes: 0

Who gets to decide who's an enemy combatant and who's an American citizen? Are we really so frightened and so easily frightened that we would give up a thousand-year history? Votes: 0

Why don't we see any questions from the press? Why don't we see anybody from the media saying, 'Mr. President, it's illegal, you started it, you are performing a program that is collecting all of the phone records from all Americans, it's been declared illegal from the second highest court in the land, why don't you stop?' Votes: 0

With regard to the idea of whether you have a right to health care, you have realize what that implies. It's not an abstraction. I'm a physician. That means you have a right to come to my house and conscript me. It means you believe in slavery. It means that you're going to enslave not only me, but the janitor at my hospital, the person who cleans my office, the assistants who work in my office, the nurses. Votes: 0

You can be strong without being involved in every single civil war around the world. Votes: 0

You can not be a conservative if you're going to keep promoting new programs that you're not going to pay for. Votes: 0

You can send a clear message to the establishment Votes: 0

You can tell a person's religion 85 percent of the time from their phone records. Votes: 0

You don't go into politics unless you want to win. Votes: 0

You don't know who the next group is that's unpopular. The Bill of Rights isn't for the prom queen. The Bill of Rights isn't for the high school quarterback. The Bill of Rights is for the least among us. The bill of rights is for minorities. The bill of rights is for those who have minority opinions. Votes: 0

You either believe in the Constitution, or you don't. Votes: 0

You need to have people within your own party that have the wherewithal to stand up to you. Votes: 0

You shouldn't have one opinion when you're running and another when you're president. Votes: 0