FRANKFORT —
Kentucky U.S. Sen. Rand Paul said he has spoken with Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan about the “inevitability” of defense cuts to balance the federal budget — “but it’s a work in progress.”
Paul, the son of Congressman Ron Paul and a tea party favorite, parts ways with many in his party on how to solve the budget deficit and bring down the federal debt. Paul agrees with Ryan, the leading Republican voice in the U.S. House on entitlement reforms, but he says Republicans need to come to grips with the need to cut military spending, too.
Ryan’s running mate, Republican nominee Mitt Romney, has said he will strengthen the military and if needed increase spending.
Paul was here to attend Thursday’s debate between Ryan and incumbent Democratic Vice President Joe Biden. He said he’s spent some time with Ryan and has talked to him about the need for military spending restraint.
“That’s a work in progress — for a lot of Republicans,” Paul said of those talks. “But I think it’s also an inevitability that we’ll have to look at military spending and I’m going to keep beating the drum on that and to keep us out of war if we can.”
Paul expected Ryan to do well against Biden.
“I have a lot of confidence in Paul Ryan,” he said. “He’s one of the brighter minds on Capitol Hill. He knows every detail of where the money is spent, how it’s spent, how we should fix it and so I think he’ll do a great job.”
Paul especially credits Ryan on proposals to rein in spending on such entitlement programs as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.
“I think he’s been bold enough to talk about entitlement reform and I think any elected official who isn’t willing to talk about entitlement reform really shouldn’t be in office, because entitlements are going to consume the entire budget within a decade and if we don’t reform them, there won’t be any money left for anything else,” Paul said.
Paul said he’s pleased with recent polling which showed Romney either narrowing the gap between himself and President Barack Obama to nearly a dead heat or in some polls a lead over Obama. But Paul said he’s not sure how much stock to put in polling which has been so volatile during this campaign.
“Certainly, there is a lot of momentum for us,” Paul said. “But what fascinates me is that one week it all goes in one direction and the next week it all goes in our (Romney’s) direction.
“But it’s certainly a good place to be right now with the momentum on our side.”
RONNIE ELLIS writes for CNHI News Service and is based in Frankfort. Reach him at rellis@cnhi.com. Follow CNHI News Service stories on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cnhifrankfort.
Local News
Paul says defense cuts ‘work in progress’ with Ryan
- Local News
-
-
Fun with paint after a hard week
After a week of state testing, one local elementary rewarded their fifth graders with a surprise visit from the Pottery Place. Oakview Elementary students were able to design and paint a ceramic tile with the help of instructors.
-
Work on Judd Plaza flagpole base begins
A group of third generation bricklayers is more than willing to give back to the Ashland community this week.
-
Ashland man arrested on heroin charges
An Ashland man was arrested Monday night on charges of trafficking in heroin, according to a release from the Ashland Police Department.
-
Crews dig through night after deadly Okla. twister
Spotlights bore down on massive piles of shredded cinder block, insulation and metal as crews worked through the night lifting bricks and parts of collapsed walls where a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood. At least 51 people were killed, including at least 20 children, and those numbers were expected to climb, officials said Tuesday.
-
Principal's demotion hearing to be public
An appeal hearing for demoted Wurtland Elementary School principal Barbara Cook will be open to the public at Cook’s request.
-
AT&T to hire 140 workers at East Park
For the next few months, AT&T officials have announced they will hire 20 people per month until they have filled 140 customer-service positions at the East Park Call Center in the industrial park between Grayson and Ashland.
-
Boards close to agreement on students
The Greenup and Russell school districts are close to an agreement on families that want to send their children to school out of their own district.
-
Memory Days to start Thursday
Memory Days volunteers invite everyone to “Come to Grayson to remember and be remembered,” during this year’s 43rd annual festival Thursday through Sunday.
-
Man arrested for using forged checks
The following information was taken from Ashland Police Department reports:
-
What's happening: 5/21/13
Cruzin on the Plaza will be Friday through Sunday at Pullman Plaza.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Fun with paint after a hard week
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Slow Pokes: Acupuncture Helps Sick Turtles
Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm
Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened
Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out
Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado
Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado
OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
