Libertarian-leaning Paul addresses liberal-leaning campus
Updated 9:30 p.m. ET, 3/19/2014
(CNN) - Sen. Rand Paul, who's become known for venturing into unfamiliar territory for Republicans, spoke Wednesday at the liberal hotbed of the University of California at Berkeley.
The Kentucky Republican castigated President Barack Obama for his continued support of the National Security Agency's phone metadata collection, saying the President should know better in part because of his race.
"The first African-American president ought to be a little more conscious of the fact of what has happened with the abuses of domestic spying," Paul said.
"Martin Luther King was spied upon, civil rights leaders were spied upon, Muhammad Ali was spied upon, antiwar protesters were spied upon," he added. "The possibility for abuse in this is incredible. So I don't care if there's never been any evidence of abuse with the (NSA)., they should not be collecting the data."
The domestic data collection program became public after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden leaked the tactic, as well as a hoard of other NSA spying techniques, to the media last year.
In his speech Wednesday at Berkeley, Paul also mentioned the recent controversy surrounding claims that the CIA has been spying on computers used by Senate Intelligence Committee. CIA Director John Brennan responded with a flat-out denial of any wrongdoing.
"I don't know about you, but I'm worried. If the CIA is spying on Congress, who exactly can or will stop them? I look into the eyes of senators and I think I see real fear," he said.
"Maybe it's just my imagination, but I think I perceive fear of an intelligence community drunk with power, unrepentant, and uninclined to relinquish power," Paul said. "I am honestly worried and concerned about who is truly in charge of our government. Most of you have read the dystopian nightmares, the dystopian novels and maybe, like me, you doubted that it could ever happen in America."
Paul announced last month he was suing the Obama administration, demanding that the phone metadata collection be declared unconstitutional and put to an end.
Read more:
Libertarian-leaning Paul addresses liberal-leaning campus
- Libertarian Party has the right platform to restore America -- Tim Johnson - Madison.com - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- Lyon Countys current sheriff will appear on November ballot as Libertarian candidate - Dakota News Now - September 22nd, 2024 [September 22nd, 2024]
- N.H. Libertarian Party encourages 'assassination' of Harris, drawing scrutiny from state, federal authorities - WBUR News - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Feds aware of' NH Libertarian Party's post glorifying killing of VP Harris - NBC Boston - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- N.H. Libertarian Party shares, deletes post on X endorsing the assassination of VP Harris - The Boston Globe - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Libertarian Party NH Posts Position on Political Assassinations - InDepthNH.org - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- New Hampshire Libertarian Party shares and deletes post that suggests assassinating Harris would be heroic - The Independent - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Lyon Countys current sheriff will appear on November ballot as Libertarian candidate - KTIV Siouxland's News Channel - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Libertarian Party of New Hampshires Post on X Urging Assassination of Harris Prompts Visit From FBI - The New York Sun - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Demands for investigation after NH Libertarian Party shares threatening Harris - AlterNet - September 19th, 2024 [September 19th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will not be on Iowa ballots after final court decision - KCRG - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Party appeals to Supreme Court to have names on ballot - WHO TV 13 Des Moines News & Weather - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Newscast 9.12.2024: Libertarian congressional nominees won't be on Iowa ballots; College enrollments up at all 3 Iowa public universities &... - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Libertarian will run write-in campaign - Southeast Iowa Union - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- New IMF chief negotiators leave Libertarian gov't reassessing the turf - MercoPress - September 14th, 2024 [September 14th, 2024]
- Meet the gay, gun-toting libertarian whos giving Trump a run for his money in swing states - Reckon - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will not be on Iowa ballots after final court decision - WOWT - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Congressional candidates say the race isnt over - KCRG - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Supreme Court: Libertarian candidates for Congress wont be on the ballot - The Gazette - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will be left off Iowa ballots after final court decision - Houston Chronicle - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Chase Oliver seeks to build Libertarian Party through White House run, targeting ballot access wins - 11Alive.com WXIA - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Supreme Court rules that Libertarian candidates can be kept off the ballot - The Center Square - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for Congress will be left off Iowa ballots after final court decision - The Caledonian-Record - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Libertarian Congressional Candidates Lose Bid To Be On Iowa Ballot - iHeart - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against putting Libertarian candidates on the ballot - ABC 6 News KAAL TV - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa Supreme Court rejects Libertarian Party bid to appear on November ballot - kwwl.com - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - News-Press Now - September 12th, 2024 [September 12th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - The Associated Press - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa Judge Rules Against Libertarian Candidates, Keeping Their Names off the Ballot for Congress - U.S. News & World Report - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - KCCI Des Moines - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - ABC News - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - Local 5 - weareiowa.com - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- OPB Politics Now: Why Oregons Republican Party is so focused on the tiny Libertarian Party - Oregon Public Broadcasting - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Libertarian Candidate for State Treasurer Hopes to Give the People a Window into the Treasury - Arkansas Money & Politics - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - The Caledonian-Record - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa court heart arguments over Libertarian candidates ballot access - ABC 6 News KAAL TV - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - Globe Gazette - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - LocalNews8.com - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Iowa judge rules against Libertarian candidates, keeping their names off the ballot for Congress - Oil City Derrick - September 8th, 2024 [September 8th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates argue to judge to get back on Iowa ballot. When will a ruling come? - Des Moines Register - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates in Iowa fighting to place their names on the ballot - WQAD Moline - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- I want to provide an alternative to voters: Libertarian nominee Chase Oliver | The Hill - NewsNation Now - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Current Lyon County Sheriff allowed to appear on ballot as Libertarian - KCAU 9 - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Current Lyon County Sheriff allowed to appear on ballot as Libertarian - KELOLAND.com - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Judge gives Libertarian Party a court win, temporarily halting ballot certification - KGAN TV - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Hearing held for sheriff to be allowed as libertarian candidate - Dakota News Now - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Party granted a temporary injunction on ballot approval - UI The Daily Iowan - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian Sid Daoud might be an election spoiler. He doesn't care. - Daily Inter Lake - September 6th, 2024 [September 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for US Congress removed from November ballot in Iowa - The Associated Press - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate confident he'll be on the ballot in November - KCRG - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Libertarian candidates for US Congress removed from November ballot in Iowa - Globe Gazette - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Chase Oliver on His Libertarian Party Presidential Bid - C-SPAN - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- State objection panel votes to remove Libertarian candidates off the ballot - KGAN TV - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- In 2-1 vote, state objection panel votes to remove Libertarian candidates off the ballot - KGAN TV - August 29th, 2024 [August 29th, 2024]
- Pavel Durov, the libertarian 'Robin Hood' of the Russian Web - Le Monde - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Liberland: A libertarian blueprint for the future of governance - The Times of India - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Libertarian candidate for governor to visit the Tri-State - Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW) - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- Libertarian Nominee Chase Oliver to RFK Jr: If You Were Worried About Being a Spoiler, Why'd You Run? - IVN - Independent Voter News - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- The Impatient Libertarian: A New Book from The Man Down Under - Foundation for Economic Education - August 18th, 2024 [August 18th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - KWQC - August 18th, 2024 [August 18th, 2024]
- Montanas Libertarian candidate for Senate says GOP is a sending message to drop out - KUOW News and Information - August 16th, 2024 [August 16th, 2024]
- Libertarian Chase Oliver wants the federal government to spend less and let people make their own decisions - Iowa Public Radio - August 14th, 2024 [August 14th, 2024]
- Rising influence of Libertarian PACs and dark money transforms Wyoming's legislative races - Wyoming Tribune - August 14th, 2024 [August 14th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - WOWT - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - KYOU - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian candidate for Congress ready to fight ballot access objection - KCRG - August 11th, 2024 [August 11th, 2024]
- Libertarians in a Quandry Does the State, or the National Organization get to Name their Presidential Pick on the Colorado Ballot? - The Ark Valley... - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Libertarians Back Florida Cannabis Legalization, $5M From Hemp Execs To GOP: Green Waves In Red States - Benzinga - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Kennedy campaign says they have 30,000 signatures more than enough to make the Colorado ballot - Colorado Public Radio - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Trump's Veep: Better Burgum Than Vance or Rubio - Reason - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Libertarians in standoff over presidential ticket in Colorado; divided Republicans plan dueling meetings over Dave Williams; Social Security can be... - July 15th, 2024 [July 15th, 2024]
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will appear on the Colorado ballot under the Libertarian party - Colorado Public Radio - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Libertarian party vice presidential candidate wants to be 'disruptor' in November election Oklahoma Voice - Oklahoma Voice - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- How the Libertarian Party Lost Its Way - Reason - June 30th, 2024 [June 30th, 2024]
- Iowa Libertarian Party condemns IUB verdict on eminent domain for private pipeline - Globe Gazette - June 30th, 2024 [June 30th, 2024]
- Opinion | What Chase Oliver, the 2024 Libertarian Candidate, Believes - The New York Times - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- Meet Chase Oliver, the presidential nominee you've never heard of - NPR - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- It Didn't Start With Trump...or Libertarians - Reason - June 24th, 2024 [June 24th, 2024]
- David Boaz, leading voice of libertarianism, dies at 70 - The Boston Globe - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]
- David Boaz, a Leading Voice of Libertarianism, Dies at 70 - The New York Times - June 12th, 2024 [June 12th, 2024]