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Rand Paul Talks Russia, Supreme Court at Western Kentucky Rally

Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul reaffirmed his support for his party’s nominee for president. Paul said ‘yes’ when asked if he supported Donald Trump at a campaign rally this week at Murray State University. Nearly 200 students filled the room to hear Paul address issues of racial injustice, gun control and foreign policy.

Foreign Policy

Rand Paul said it takes military backing to achieve peace with Russia.

“As far as how you achieve peace with Russia it can’t be a 'oh we let em do whatever they want' either. It has to be sort of a “Peace through Strength” but it also needs to be that we have a strong military, a strong defense and that they know they we aren’t a pushover but it also needs to be directed engagement.”

Paul praised Cold War negotiations between U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Union General Secretary Mikhail Gorbechev.

He said there should be dialogue and criticized the idea of a 'no-fly zone.'

“I think continuing that dialogue not doing silly things like a No Fly Zone. We have to really think through on our foreign policy and really frankly don’t think Hillary Clinton has shown that wisdom. I think that when you look at what she’s talked about hers is more of an Utopian vision of we’re gonna wipe out the bad guys in the middle east and we’re gonna be replaced by Thomas Jefferson and I think that’s a pretty naive notion.”

Democratic Nominee Hillary Clinton has proposed a no-fly zone as a means to protect Syrians and refugees.

Chris Mieles is a 23-year-old Junior at Murray State. He says he agreed with Paul on the need for a 'strong military backing.'

Supreme Court

Republican Arizona Senator John McCain promised earlier this month that should Clinton be elected president, the GOP would block anyone she nominates to the Supreme Court. When asked after the rally if he agreed with his fellow Congressman, Paul said there is a “Constitutional struggle” underway about the power of the President versus Congress.

"Our founding fathers truly believe that laws should be written by Congress and not unilaterally by the President. I will only vote for Supreme Court justices who believe in the separation of powers and believes that Congress writes the laws not the President.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said it’s the president’s constitutional right to nominate a Supreme Court justice and the Senate’s constitutional right to withhold consent. He also said “the vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.” Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died more than eight months ago. McConnell has blocked a Senate vote on President Barack Obama’s nominee Merrick Garland.

Millennials React

Millennials are as large a political group as Baby Boomers, according to data from the Pew Research Center and could be key deciders on November 8. Paul met an enthusiastic group of young voters at Murray State, many of whom lined up to have their photo taken with him.

Emily Grimes is an 18-year-old Freshmen supporting Paul for his views on abortion: “He believes in the sanctity of life and I really like that about him.”

Shelby Abbott is another 18-year-old freshmen who went to hear Paul speak. While she is pro-choice, she agreed with Paul on another hotly contested issue: “He vows to uphold our entire Bill of Rights including the right to bear arms.”

Not everyone who came to hear Paul speak agreed with him, including 24-year-old Patrick Hooks: “I don’t believe he supports education and the economic well-being of Kentucky and I think it’s the wrong choice."

Paul said the turnout at Murray State was "one of the best turnouts we've had" adding that the students "are intelligent and well-read."

Paul faces Democratic Challenger Lexington Mayor Jim Gray on November 8th. Both square off in a KET debate on Halloween, which will be broadcast on WKMS.

Ebony Clark is a student at Murray State University majoring in computer science. She was born in Brownsville, Tennessee. Ebony has served as a reporter for 4-H congress in Nashville, TN where she spoke with several state leaders and congressmen. Ebony enjoys writing poetry and spoken word and competed in Tennessee's Poetry Out Loud competition hosted by the arts council in Nashville,TN.
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