Rand Paul's turn to question John Kerry

[Pressing-On]

Listened to the full hearing yesterday - Rand Paul was the star - bar none!

“I don’t know what the decision is,” Kerry answered, “but I’ll tell you this … [President Obama] still has the Constitutional authority and he would be in keeping with the Constitution.”

Paul disagreed, saying he doesn’t believe the president has the authority to order military action in a foreign country — especially after Congress votes against it:

“[James] Madison was very explicit when he wrote the Federalist Papers,” Paul said. “He wrote that … the Constitution supposes what history demonstrates. That the executive is the branch most likely to go to war and therefore the Constitution vested that power on the Congress.”

“It’s explicit and runs throughout all of Madison’s writings,” he continued. “This power is a congressional power and is not an executive power.”

If we do not say that the Constitution applies, if we do not say explicitly that we will abide by this vote,” the senator lectured, “you’re making a joke of us. You’re making us into theater. And so we play Constitutional theater for the president.”

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/vid...president.html

[n david]

I watched some of the hearing, but didn't see Paul's question. Last night, I watched the clip he posted on his FB page. It was good, though I was disappointed he didn't confront Kerry about his glowing reviews of Assad back in 2009 and 2010, or during the W administration when Kerry blasted W for condemning Assad. Paul kind of beat around the bush about it when he mentioned this should have been confronted years ago. But he didn't call out the hypocrisy.

I'm very disappointed with what I'm reading and what I saw in the part of the hearing I watched. It appears the Senate and House will give the WH authorization to launch attacks against Syria. I've read Rep. Amash's and Sen. Paul's posts and tweets about the town halls they've had and the overwhelming opposition to any military strike in Syria; yet it doesn't matter.

Meanwhile, McCain's on his phone playing poker, cause he really doesn't care about the debate. He's been to the WH with his BFF Graham, and knows the strike will happen regardless of what the "wacko birds" say or do.

Reid, Pelosi, Boehner, Cantor have all stated they will support it; McConnell appears to be giving a little resistance. It will be interesting to see how the 2014 election plays into this. I won't vote for anyone who authorizes force. The only chance the American public has to stop this is to threaten to vote the bums who vote for the WH resolution out of office.

Unfortunately, I think it's too late.

[Pressing-On]

David, As you know, they are given a specific allotted time to speak. Listening to all of what Rand Paul said to Kerry, it was exactly what needed to be said yesterday. That was the only time that Kerry became visibly upset.

Rand's comment on being "Constitutional theater for the President" was priceless! He, Cruz and Lee keep the Constitution at the forefront - very impressed with the Gang of Three!

On a side note, at the beginning of the hearing, a protestor was shouting about not going to war and Kerry used the opportunity to soften his past history by saying at her age, he felt the same way and he respects anyone's opinion on the subject. LOL! I thought, pretty quick thinking and smart of you dude! It gets people's minds more off your lying hide during the session. LOL!

The second session hasn't begun, but everyone is getting assembled today - viewing on c-span.

McCain playing Poker is only reminiscent that he knows the ropes and doesn't have to be totally engaged in the conversation. He already knows this is only a formality. Hilarious that old goat got caught red handed. LOL!

[Pressing-On]

Now in session -House Foreign Affairs Committee Meets on Syria www.c-span.org

[Pressing-On]

McCaul from Texas asking the important question - "WHO are these rebels? When I get briefed, it gets worse and worse."

Kerry is denying it is Al-Qaeda.

McCaul is saying that his briefings are showing that the rebels are over 50% and they are not coming in as Moderates.

Hagel refuting that as true.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

McCaul from Texas asking the important question - "WHO are these rebels? When I get briefed, it gets worse and worse."

Kerry is denying it is Al-Qaeda.

McCaul is saying that his briefings are showing that the rebels are over 50% and they are not coming in as Moderates.

Hagel refuting that as true.

I've been watching the past 30 minutes or so...

Kerry says only 15-20% of the 100,000+ rebels are extremists, but McCaul says his briefings say over 50%. That's a HUGE difference! And we need to have this clarified before giving any weapons or support to these terrorists.

It's really hard for me to listen to Kerry and Hagel talk. I keep thinking about them running to every Sunday show they could, back when W was President, to bash W for his foreign policy decisions....including W's denunciation of the Assad govt.

Has Justin Amash been up yet? I missed the beginning.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by n david

I've been watching the past 30 minutes or so...

Kerry says only 15-20% of the 100,000+ rebels are extremists, but McCaul says his briefings say over 50%. That's a HUGE difference! And we need to have this clarified before giving any weapons or support to these terrorists.

It's really hard for me to listen to Kerry and Hagel talk. I keep thinking about them running to every Sunday show they could, back when W was President, to bash W for his foreign policy decisions....including W's denunciation of the Assad govt.

Has Justin Amash been up yet? I missed the beginning.

No, he hasn't been up yet. I think McCaul and Poe from Texas have asked the best questions.

But, yesterday, Kerry was more irritated by Rand Paul than anyone. LOL! They must really feel threatened by him is my impression.

[Pressing-On]

Marino from PA is questioning Kerry as to why he was against going after Saddam when he used chemical weapons on his own people and now is pushing that with Assad. Good for him!

[Pressing-On]

Duncan asking about Benghazi. Rep. Duncan slammed his fist on the table. Saying to Kerry "There are no good guys over there!"

Holding up photo of Navy SEAL killed during Benghazi.

[Pressing-On]

Is Kerry Botoxed or is that plastic surgery?