Rand Paul: Democrats Trying To 'Manufacture' Controversy From Shooting In Arizona

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) accused Democrats Wednesday of attempting to "manufacture" the controversy that has arisen over "vitriol" and political rhetoric in the wake of the shooting in Tucson over the weekend.

"Well, these are the kind of things that I think some on the left decided to manufacture even before the events occur. I mean, this is part of the playbook of Rahm Emanuel where they say any crisis should be used to their advantage to further their agenda," Paul said Wednesday on the Fox Business Network, according to The Hill.

Paul denied allegations from some liberal pundits and a few lawmakers that the explosive language and imagery used by conservatives figureheads such as Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh, were catalyzing factors in the massacre in Arizona that took the lives of 6 bystanders and left Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in critical condition.

"I'm not surprised that they do it," Paul said of the supposedly forced connection between their rhetoric and the violence. "I do think they should be ashamed of themselves for doing it and [it] really just has no place in this discussion."

While Sarah Palin responded to the attacks against her on Wednesday in a defensive statement that ended up stirring more controversy in its claim that the media was exacting a "blood libel" -- a heavily charged and arguably anti-semitic term -- against her, President Obama spoke in Tucson later that evening in a memorial address that focused largely on the legacy of the victims.

Comments

[gevan]

01:26 PM on 01/27/2011

Is Rand Paul in favor of the Tucson shooting or against it? If he is against it then he is in league with the Democrats and there is no controversy. If he is for it I think I could get him a gun from some place so he could pop the junior Senator from Kentucky if he so chooses.

[bjs6620]

10:29 PM on 01/26/2011

Why is it that Rand Paul always looks like he just rolled out of bed?

[dbishop76]

12:48 PM on 01/17/2011

This seems to be their answer to anything the Dems do. Here's a clue, Rand....there IS controversy surrounding this, regardless of whether you want to acknowledge it or not. Sticking your head in the sand and pretending that something doesn't exist doesn't make it so.

I swear I think this is the M.O. of the republican party- pretend something isn't real, be it poor people or BP's responsibility in cleaning up their own mess or the need for any regulation of business whatsoever or pollution or, well, basically anything that might hinder them from doing whatever they want to do, whenever they want to do it in order to make money.

[GreenKate]

09:15 PM on 01/16/2011

The connection to Sarah's map was provided by the victim last March and the connection to the Tea Party was provided by her father on the day she was shot.

Rand Paul says "they should be ashamed of themselves." A new low, even for the right.

[indamiddle]

08:40 PM on 01/16/2011

Yes we all know....this kid listened to Limbaugh and Palin,,,LOL The Jump aaaaaay to soon on that bandwagon. Olberman even came to work on a Saturday to start that ball rolling,

[ShadowRedux]

08:12 PM on 01/16/2011

If you ever take the time to peruse the really extreme rightg wing site, this guy is their hero, just like his dad.

[ShadowRedux]

08:05 PM on 01/16/2011

This from a senator from the party that specilizes in manufacturing wedge issues, controversy and scandal. They simply have no shame.

[Erik Kartmann]

09:01 PM on 01/15/2011

Exactly how are you helping again Rand?

[ShadowRedux]

08:07 PM on 01/16/2011

Exactly. This republican/conservative/bagger, (who knows what to even calls these guys anymore) should be looking into legislative procedure and how to read and write legislation, rather than starting his smear cam,pagn of democarts before he even unpacks.

[EF3]

09:00 PM on 01/15/2011

Really Rand? Your own party has been manufacturing controversy for decades now, and to great success. I'm just sayin' people who live in glass outhouses shouldn't throw what's deposited there.

[ARKillackey]

08:44 PM on 01/15/2011

The caption below that photo should read, "My name is Rand and I am a Trekkie." I have not watched a Star Treck episode for three days....

[MMMMarilyn]

08:39 PM on 01/15/2011

Note to Rand:
Try manufacturing an intelligent thought.

[ShadowRedux]

08:09 PM on 01/16/2011

F&F.

[BodyShotz]

08:11 PM on 01/15/2011

Well, he should know. I wonder has he taken any recent hits off the Aqua Buddha B0ng.

[blurredmolly]

07:45 PM on 01/15/2011

OK, I wanna know RIGHT NOW who let THIS guy out of the locker?

[ShadowRedux]

08:10 PM on 01/16/2011

Good question. Who actually would vote for this clown?

[BeasleysMom]

07:31 PM on 01/15/2011

Look at this guy's eyes. He is high as a kite. You can hear it when he speaks, too. Yet, he will be part of our law making process. Gawd.

[jjgg5]

07:24 PM on 01/15/2011

Kentucky, you elected this a$$clown and you deserve him.