Rand Paul Gets Snippy With Today Host

Accuses Savannah Guthrie of 'editorializing'
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 8, 2015 8:39 AM CDT

He's only a day into his campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination and Rand Paul has already gotten heated during an interview. When Today host Savannah Guthrie mentioned Paul's shifting views about Iran, foreign aid to Israel, and defense spending during an interview this morning, Paul responded, per Politico, "Why don't we let me explain instead of talking over me, OK? Before we go through a litany of things you say I've changed on, why don't you ask me a question, 'Have I changed my opinion?' That would (be) sort of a better way to approach an interview." Paul then accused Guthrie of "editorializing."

"I still agree with my original statement years ago that ultimately, all nations should be free of foreign aid because we shouldn't borrow money to do it," he later said. "But I also realize that things will have to be done gradually." Asked about his 2007 claim that Iran wasn't a threat, he added, "There has always been a threat of Iran gaining nuclear weapons, and I think that's greater than it was many years ago. I think we should do everything we can to try to stop them." The Hill reports the exchange brought back memories of another tense interview with CNBC's Kelly Evans in February. At one point, Paul shushed the reporter, before telling her to "calm down." (More Savannah Guthrie stories.)

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