Asked for further clarification, Jesse Benton, a spokesman for the Paul campaign, confirmed that Paul does in fact think the Federal government should have the power to ban private businesses from commiting racial discrimination.As GS notes:
That's a reversal from what Paul said last night on Rachel Maddow's show. Maddow asked Paul to clarify his previous expressions of doubt about parts of the Civil Rights Act, querying: "Do you think that a private business has the right to say we don't serve black people?"So first we have Randy Paul saying that he thinks the Civil Rights Act goes too far and subsides in areas that local governments should control. Then he "clarifies" those remarks by saying he supports the Civil Rights Act but only for the "public sphere." And now he is saying that he fully supports the federal government and its power to ban private businesses from committing racial discrimination. Three very different answers indeed. This guy is a perfect Republican. They couldn't have chosen anyone that sums them up better than Rand Paul. I hope he stays in the race.
"Yes," Paul answered, repeatedly decrying racism but saying he was reluctant to "limit their speech."
*Update:
Greg Sargent is also sure to mention that it was only after a "raging national media controversy" did Paul finally admit that he thinks the federal government has the right to force private businesses to serve black people, or other non-whites. This is very accurate. And this is what I meant yesterday and earlier today when I said make Paul talk issues. Make him talk policy. Let's have this national debate about the fundamental powers and role of the federal government. In the end, Paul can only do two things. He can either lie about how he really feels, which is what he's doing with what is now his third statement trying to clarify, or he too can enter the debate and see how many voters will agree with him that the federal government has no role in ensuring civil rights. If he's so sure of his ideology he'll gladly debate it. But right now, he is on record as supporting the federal government's power over Main Street USA.
**Update:
Gets even better for Rand Paul. Goes on CNN and decides that he would have voted for the Civil Rights Act had he been around back then. Complete circle for the self-professed conservative-libertarian, all within 24 hours. According to Rand, just a few minutes ago, everything he said on his appearance on the Rachel Maddow Show last night was a lie. Moreover, even though he has stated numerous times that the Act went too far and that the feds should not intervene in instances were matters can be handled locally, he would have voted for a bill that did the very thing he thinks should never happen. Brilliant! Welcome to politics Randy.
***Update:
Given Paul's complete 360 today on the powers of the federal government, this debate isn't about to disappear any time soon. By coming full circle, Paul has at least allowed his campaign to continue for the time being. One thing I'll add is the problem with Paul's stance that government cannot regulate private business stems from the very same wrong line of reasoning most libertarians use all the time, the understanding of freedom. Paul seems to confuse freedom with discrimination and outright racism. The federal government telling private establishments that they can't discriminate is, to Paul, limiting their freedom. But discrimination is not freedom. It is the element used to take freedom away from others. Living his entire life as a white, wealthy, son of a congressman, it's a part of sociology that Rand Paul knows nothing about. That's why it's imperative government upholds those rights Paul so loves to enjoy to those less fortunate than himself.
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