Rand Pauls vaccine claims under microscope
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) delivers remarks at the morning plenary session of the Values Voter Summit in Washington September 26, 2014. Pauls past statements about vaccination and other medical issues came under scrutiny this week. Photo by Gary Cameron/Reuters
DES MOINES, Iowa As a medical doctor, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul has a rare set of credentials at the intersection of science and politics. But the glare of the 2016 presidential race is searing, and under it, Paul had a rough week.
On Friday night in Iowa, Paul faced likely voters in the states leadoff nominating caucuses for the first time since answering questions about a measles outbreak centered in California. Paul said Monday that he had heard about many tragic cases of children who got vaccines and ended up with profound mental disorders.
That assertion has no basis in medical research, and Paul clearly was still upset on Friday about how his comments had been received.
It may be a little because Im a doctor, but really I think its inaccuracies fueled by reporters, he told The Associated Press. From my point of view, thats frustrating.
Pauls supporters in Iowa rallied around him, bestowing on him more credibility than other would-be presidential candidates on the issue, said former Iowa Republican Party co-chairman David Fischer, a Paul supporter.
But the episode probably took a toll on Paul, a libertarian who intends to try to highlight his background as a physician as an advantage if a possible White House campaign.
Republicans in Washington distanced themselves from Paul this past week, and none went out of his way to defend him.
As a doctor, I believe all children should be vaccinated, said Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., an orthopedic surgeon. It was a line he repeated several times when asked about the uproar.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who has said he would support a run by Paul, made no secret of his disagreement with Paul about the value of childhood vaccinations.
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Rand Pauls vaccine claims under microscope