YokelRidesAgain said:

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TRM said:

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Looks like Paul isn't going to back him.

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Nor should he. That was a ridiculous response. It is one thing to say you understand, intellectually, the reasons why someone chooses to act violently, but it is not hard to say that you condemn violence regardless. The comment about Paul's "character" was entirely out of line; more or less telling Paul he was "asking for it".

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I don't entirely disagree with you. But to be fair, it went both ways.

While Rand has every right to have his feelings hurt, about a comment Mullin made when Rand was attacked 9 years ago, it's neither here nor there with regards to this hearing and this confirmation. So while i dont disagree that there was unprofessionalism, it was from both sides.

I wish Rand would not have brought it up (much less focused on it), because it was personal and petty. I wish Mullin would have addressed it differently. And I wish the focus would have been why or why not he's fit for the position.

AgGrad99 said:

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YokelRidesAgain said:

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TRM said:

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Looks like Paul isn't going to back him.

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Nor should he. That was a ridiculous response. It is one thing to say you understand, intellectually, the reasons why someone chooses to act violently, but it is not hard to say that you condemn violence regardless. The comment about Paul's "character" was entirely out of line; more or less telling Paul he was "asking for it".

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I don't entirely disagree with you. But to be fair, it went both ways.

While Rand has every right to have his feelings hurt, about a comment Mullin made when Rand was attacked 9 years ago, it's neither here nor there with regards to this hearing and this confirmation. So while i dont disagree that there was unprofessionalism, it was from both sides.

I wish Rand would not have brought it up (much less focused on it), because it was personal and petty. I wish Mullin would have addressed it differently. And I wish the focus would have been why or why not he's fit for the position.

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Only a politician brings this up in that hearing to make a big deal out of it. In a business environment, the two meet, discuss, and if it stays contentious after, then work within the parameters required. It's Paul being a grandstanding politician. I've worked with several people I can't stand and don't care for at all, but I'm not going to broadcast it to the public and undermine the bigger goals. These are all unserious, egotistical people.

maverick2076 said:

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Really? He was effective? Did I miss Fauci being convicted and jailed, or anyone being punished or even censured for the Covid debacle? Have his calls for fiscal responsibility actually made a change in US fiscal policy?

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He did more than anyone else in DC to these ends. For that he should be commended. Biden blanket pardoned Fauci. I think Pauls calls for fiscal responsibility have provided awareness, but he is one man, the sheeple want their leaders to spend. Paul fights it, votes against it, but the other irresponsible bureaucrats vote for it.

Pretty weak point you are trying to make. But it sums up the perspective of most here.

Quote:

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Only a politician brings this up in that hearing to make a big deal out of it. In a business environment, the two meet, discuss, and if it stays contentious after, then work within the parameters required. It's Paul being a grandstanding politician. I've worked with several people I can't stand and don't care for at all, but I'm not going to broadcast it to the public and undermine the bigger goals. These are all unserious, egotistical people.

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Yep.

Could you imagine a project going to a co-worker you didn't like. So you spend the initial meeting berating him for something he said, about an occurrence 9 years ago, that hurt your feelings? You'd likely be out of a job.

If that employee, in return, blew up and verbally attacked you in front of the client/company? Again...likely fired.

It would be extremely unprofessional, and frankly embarrassing for all involved.

Unfortunately, that's what the hearing produced, but is par for the course.

FobTies said:

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maverick2076 said:

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Really? He was effective? Did I miss Fauci being convicted and jailed, or anyone being punished or even censured for the Covid debacle? Have his calls for fiscal responsibility actually made a change in US fiscal policy?

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He did more than anyone else in DC to these ends. For that he should be commended. Biden blanket pardoned Fauci. I think Pauls calls for fiscal responsibility have provided awareness, but he is one man, the sheeple want their leaders to spend. Paul fights it, votes against it, but the other irresponsible bureaucrats vote for it.

Pretty weak point you are trying to make. But it sums up the perspective of most here.

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He's SAID more than anyone else. But he's DONE basically nothing, because he refuses to compromise or work with his colleagues to advance conservative causes. He won't accept, work towards, or support an 80% solution, or even a 90% solution. It's all or nothing with Paul. And since there aren't 59 other senators who share his principles, he gets nothing. And so we, the citizens, get nothing.

Perfect is the enemy of good. It's a lesson Paul has never learned.

If only our politicians fought as hard for us as they do when being called out.......

maverick2076 said:

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He won't accept, work towards, or support an 80% solution, or even a 90% solution. It's all or nothing with Paul. And since there aren't 59 other senators who share his principles, he gets nothing. And so we, the citizens, get nothing.

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Your wrong. We got 40 trillion in debt because the majority of senators dont share Rand Paul's principles.

He votes against more spending, then filibusters about our debt (against BOTH parties). Thats exactly what we need more of in this country.

The dems have done a great job going off the deep end on woke nonsense, and the right is doing a great job war mongering. So maybe one day the duopoly will be fractured enough for a fiscally responsible option. Legacy media going extinct will help.

maverick2076 said:

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FobTies said:

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maverick2076 said:

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Really? He was effective? Did I miss Fauci being convicted and jailed, or anyone being punished or even censured for the Covid debacle? Have his calls for fiscal responsibility actually made a change in US fiscal policy?

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He did more than anyone else in DC to these ends. For that he should be commended. Biden blanket pardoned Fauci. I think Pauls calls for fiscal responsibility have provided awareness, but he is one man, the sheeple want their leaders to spend. Paul fights it, votes against it, but the other irresponsible bureaucrats vote for it.

Pretty weak point you are trying to make. But it sums up the perspective of most here.

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He's SAID more than anyone else. But he's DONE basically nothing, because he refuses to compromise or work with his colleagues to advance conservative causes. He won't accept, work towards, or support an 80% solution, or even a 90% solution. It's all or nothing with Paul. And since there aren't 59 other senators who share his principles, he gets nothing. And so we, the citizens, get nothing.

Perfect is the enemy of good. It's a lesson Paul has never learned.

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How long has it been since Conservative Congresscritters generally favored fiscal conservatism?

Tony Franklins Other Shoe said:

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AgGrad99 said:

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YokelRidesAgain said:

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TRM said:

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Looks like Paul isn't going to back him.

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Nor should he. That was a ridiculous response. It is one thing to say you understand, intellectually, the reasons why someone chooses to act violently, but it is not hard to say that you condemn violence regardless. The comment about Paul's "character" was entirely out of line; more or less telling Paul he was "asking for it".

---

I don't entirely disagree with you. But to be fair, it went both ways.

While Rand has every right to have his feelings hurt, about a comment Mullin made when Rand was attacked 9 years ago, it's neither here nor there with regards to this hearing and this confirmation. So while i dont disagree that there was unprofessionalism, it was from both sides.

I wish Rand would not have brought it up (much less focused on it), because it was personal and petty. I wish Mullin would have addressed it differently. And I wish the focus would have been why or why not he's fit for the position.

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Only a politician brings this up in that hearing to make a big deal out of it. In a business environment, the two meet, discuss, and if it stays contentious after, then work within the parameters required. It's Paul being a grandstanding politician. I've worked with several people I can't stand and don't care for at all, but I'm not going to broadcast it to the public and undermine the bigger goals. These are all unserious, egotistical people.

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HR told us to not talk about it anymore, dude.

FobTies said:

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maverick2076 said:

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He won't accept, work towards, or support an 80% solution, or even a 90% solution. It's all or nothing with Paul. And since there aren't 59 other senators who share his principles, he gets nothing. And so we, the citizens, get nothing.

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Your wrong. We got 40 trillion in debt because the majority of senators dont share Rand Paul's principles.

He votes against more spending, then filibusters about our debt (against BOTH parties). Thats exactly what we need more of in this country.

The dems have done a great job going off the deep end on woke nonsense, and the right is doing a great job war mongering. So maybe one day the duopoly will be fractured enough for a fiscally responsible option. Legacy media going extinct will help.

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You are literally making my point for me. All Paul can do is play the contrarian. He doesn't caucus, doesn't cooperate, and doesn't build consensus. He will never get everything he wants, but instead of trying to work with others to build a coalition and get some of what he wants, he continues to tilt at windmills and accomplish nothing.

I'd love for America to have zero deficit. I'm realistic enough to know that won't happen..not anytime soon. But we could make responsible choices to slow deficit growth and start to slowly reduce it. But Paul isn't interested. He'd rather accomplish nothing and have his "principled" sound bites to throw out at election time.

The DNC and RNC have done an exceptional job at convincing their herds that a 3rd option on the menu is "useless".

Most women like going out on Valentine's day to a crowded restaurant, with reduced options on the menu, and higher prices. It makes no sense. But if your partner wants you to do it, you do it, the alternative is much worse. Thats the GOP. Stuck going along with the RNC, cycle after cycle.

We can always hope something will change one day. Hopefully it's not out of destruction from chickens coming home to roost on the debt.

Quote:

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and he did study at both Junior college and Okie State.

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So he studied at the same place twice. Got it.

Quote:

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Only a politician brings this up in that hearing to make a big deal out of it. In a business environment, the two meet, discuss, and if it stays contentious after, then work within the parameters required. It's Paul being a grandstanding politician. I've worked with several people I can't stand and don't care for at all, but I'm not going to broadcast it to the public and undermine the bigger goals. These are all unserious, egotistical people.

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Mullin did the same thing and then attempted to physically attack the person who was before the committee. All because his feelings were hurt. What Paul did during the confirmation hearing was tame in comparison.

FobTies said:

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The DNC and RNC have done an exceptional job at convincing their herds that a 3rd option on the menu is "useless".

Most women like going out on Valentine's day to a crowded restaurant, with reduced options on the menu, and higher prices. It makes no sense. But if your partner wants you to do it, you do it, the alternative is much worse. Thats the GOP. Stuck going along with the RNC, cycle after cycle.

We can always hope something will change one day. Hopefully it's not out of destruction from chickens coming home to roost on the debt.

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Rand Paul and his libertarian buddies and supporters are the right side equivalent of Democrat Socialist of America / Bernie Bros.

If the libertarian (or true conservative as some like to hide behind) were a popular position, then there would be more than a couple of representatives, one senator, and a handful of posters on f16.

The comparison to a price fix menu is not apt, it's nonsensical. Places do that purely for efficiency to handle the hours on hours completely full sittings. It's not the day for Miss Marsha to customize her experience. For me, if it's a fixed menu and I don't like it, then the wife and will go to Applebees on a date night, have one shake with two straws.

If you wanted to actually change anything, eliminate political parties and political donations.

flown-the-coop said:

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If the libertarian (or true conservative as some like to hide behind) were a popular position, then there would be more than a couple of representatives, one senator, and a handful of posters on f16.

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Not really. Both parties convince their herds that a vote for a L ensures victory for the opposition. Debate rules and other obstacles in the media exist too. There may one day be a good enough POTUS candidate to break thru that, but the RNC and DNC have been very effective at keeping 3rd options off the menu. That force is pretty undeniable.

Being fiscally conservative and socially liberal is the vast middle ground and philosophy of much of the country. COVID showed us Libertarian principles are alive and well when shyt hits the fan. We are also recently seeing large swaths in both parties concerned about getting entagled in costly foreign conflicts.

FobTies said:

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flown-the-coop said:

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If the libertarian (or true conservative as some like to hide behind) were a popular position, then there would be more than a couple of representatives, one senator, and a handful of posters on f16.

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Not really. Both parties convince their herds that a vote for a L ensures victory for the opposition. Debate rules and other obstacles in the media exist too. There may one day be a good enough POTUS candidate to break thru that, but the RNC and DNC have been very effective at keeping 3rd options off the menu. That force is pretty undeniable.

Being fiscally conservative and socially liberal is the vast middle ground and philosophy of much of the country. COVID showed us Libertarian principles are alive and well when shyt hits the fan. We are also recently seeing large swaths in both parties concerned about getting entagled in costly foreign conflicts.

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I think the rise of social media has accelerated political multi polarity, however the structures right now are so institutionalized it's really hard to break them apart.

Just to put a bow on this thread:

🚨 IT'S OFFICIAL: Markwayne Mullin has just been CONFIRMED as President Trump's DHS Secretary in a 54-45 vote

The Democrats who crossed over:
- John Fetterman (PA)
- Martin Heinrich (NM)

RAND PAUL (R-KY) voted against

The chamber ERUPTED in applause! pic.twitter.com/4yuOAVIksD

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) March 24, 2026

Don't worry. I'm sure Rand Paul can sleep well tonight knowing he once again accomplished nothing.

He's principle you know. Very Republican first. No compromise, even to secure our nation. Thanks Randie, never lose that inner Lake Jackson fight you got!

What a *****.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin gives Bernie Sanders a masterclass

Markwayne: "God forbid we change and go after and try to fix our broken system. Anyways, I ranted too long."

Sanders: "Yes, you did."

Markwayne: "I'm sorry, I didn't ask your opinion on that. And if I cared about you, I… pic.twitter.com/z2ofuUgK7O

— JOSH DUNLAP (@JDunlap1974) April 5, 2026

Sounds like a Ricky Bobby type name. I have heard good things though.

I get tired of the ridiculous partisan cut downs on both sides. You're adults. Speak to each other like adults. "If I care about you which I don't" sounds like something my high school girlfriend would have told me

I can't take him seriously. But it's mostly because I hear him referred to (by his supporters) as either a 'UFC legend' or an 'NCAA wrestling legend' and he certainly doesn't try to dispel either of those ridiculous claims.

Most of the stuff I've seen of him is very much middle school level exchanges, but he's catering to a large part of the US who also thrive at that level.

Republicans used to speak like adults. To people who called them Hitler and impeached them for breathing.

Nope.

Sweep4-2 said:

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I can't take him seriously. But it's mostly because I hear him referred to (by his supporters) as either a 'UFC legend' or an 'NCAA wrestling legend' and he certainly doesn't try to dispel either of those ridiculous claims.

Most of the stuff I've seen of him is very much middle school level exchanges, but he's catering to a large part of the US who also thrive at that level.

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You're right, liberal thrive on rage bait and have very little use for facts, truth, or details. So to hear this guy calling out their lying **** bag Democrat politicians really makes them rage.

All politicians are lying, manipulative, self promoting dirtbags. It's a requirement of the job (to be successful anyway).

That being said, it the 'meet me at the bike rack after school' exchange was pretty funny.

Kind of amazing the level of butthurt from highly educated folks who are quick to find fault in the guy and somehow manage to overlook all he has accomplished.

Reminds me of my PhD brother-in-law lives off the generosity of his very conservative father-in-law, all the while happy to explain the evils of capitalism and proudly proclaiming if he had chosen a different career path, he too could have been wealthy. And of course, he thinks it would have been easier because government jobs are so demanding.

Ellis Wyatt said:

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Bachelors degree has nothing at all to do with intelligence.

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This.