Paul challenges Sanders to ideological debate

[think]

Paul challenges Sanders to ideological debate

By David Wright - Fri November 13, 2015

Washington (CNN)Sen. Rand Paul challenged Sen. Bernie Sanders on Thursday to a one-on-one debate on the merits of capitalism versus socialism, describing himself and Sanders as "really the diametric opposites of viewpoints in our country."

"We've been saying what a fun, dramatic, and informative debate it would be if Bernie Sanders and I could have an hour-long debate," said Paul during an interview with Iowa radio station WHO NewsRadio 1040.

"Can you imagine," he continued, "debating over what rights are versus what obligations are, and debating socialism versus capitalism?"

The two presidential candidates represent the ideological extremes of today's Republican and Democratic parties -- Paul, on the Republican side, is an avowed libertarian, while Sanders, running for the Democratic nomination, is a self-described democratic socialist -- and have premised their presidential bids on the need for a shift in their respective parties' philosophies.

Besides staking claims to ideas outside the political mainstream and serving as colleagues in the Senate, however, the two have very little in common...

Full article:
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/13/politics/rand-paul-bernie-sanders-debate-challenge/

[oberliner]

1. I think that would be pretty cool, actually

Much more enlightening than any of these pointless debates.

[think]

3. Bernie needs to takes him up on that challenge. For many American it would be extremely enlightening

[ananda]

41. Yeah! What an opportunity!

Sanity and intelligence vs. insanity and stupidity.

[LostOne4Ever]

6. I agree! nt

[Sherman A1]

2. I believe

that this would be an interesting debate.

[Hortensis]

4. Like THAT's going to happen! Paul's obviously desperate for attention.

Bernie supporters might also be concerned that Paul would manage to seduce them away. There are personality similarities between some of the supporters of each, and positions on issues can and do change.

[Art_from_Ark]

8. Paul isn't going to seduce Bernie supporters away

Certainly no one here is going to listen to Paul's siren song.

And while Bernie has left the kid gloves on for Hillary, I can see him sneaking in some brass knuckles for Paul.

[tazkcmo]

9. "Bernie supporters might also be concerned that Paul would manage to seduce them away."

I'm not at all concerned about losing supporters. I WOULD be concerned for anybody's mental health that supported Paul AFTER a debate with Sanders.

[Hortensis]

13. Well, it's been working the other way too: Paul has lost supporters to Sanders.

They both attract mostly white, enthusiastically anti-establishment crowds drawn to an iconoclaust who promises to sweep in from outside and fix everything. The fixes vary, of course, but their specifics are not the main attraction for many.

I was just poking a button to tease you guys a bit, though. Unless Paul could promise major national exposure with this event, what'd be in it for Bernie? Paul's offer to let Bernie help Paul get some attention is an indicator of which one is doing better, though.

In any case, I'm guessing Paul will have gotten all the attention he can expect with this announcement. Got noticed here, if nowhere else.

[tazkcmo]

14. I took no offense at your "poke".

After traveling the world and being exposed to so many different view points of Life, I've no doubt there are Sanders supporters who would make that switch. It takes ALL kinds of people to make this crazy world go and some of 'em "just ain't right in the head" as some have accused me of being.

You're second paragraph is a direct hit.

[trumad]

5. Bad idea

Bernie is already saddled with the term "Socialism".

[think]

7. IMO Good idea. Bernie is already unfairly straddled with the term "socialism"

This gives Sanders a chance to present what he really stands for to a broader audience.

Sanders is very effective in communicating his message if given the chance to present it.

[Dawgs]

11. Is "socialism" a bad word?

I know the tea party doesn't like it, but polls show "the Socialist" doing quite well in the GE.

[Rogue Democrat]

12. You keep using it like it's a bad word.

It's not, to me.

[bullwinkle428]

22. Amazing how a guy "saddled" with a term like that is kicking Republican ASS

in every head-to-head matchup.

[trumad]

23. Amazing how so many here on DU who should know American politics...

Think that a Socialist can when the Presidency.

[daleanime]

29. You got that right....

it's only a question of when, hopefully soon.

[GeorgeGist]

37. Definitely too many anti-social Americans for that to happen.

[Goblinmonger]

28. Those with Clinton avatars sure are eager to saddle him with it.

Don't mind that it's a right-wing talking point and not true.

Do you disagree with what Sanders defines as "Democratic Socialist"? Because it rings pretty progressive to me.

[Warren Stupidity]

38. Yes the American people shouldn't be confused by

a real political debate between two people with clearly different ideological viewpoints who also share significant common ground on policy issues.

Instead we should continue the Republican Krazy Klown Kar "debates" about who can hate better and also continue to not have the non-existent Democratic debates

[JHB]

10. Frankly, Bernie should treat Rand like something that...

...needs to be scraped off his shoe. Sanders doesn't need Paul's help to explain his positions, but Paul needs a gimmick to keep from sinking.

This would be like one of those "debates" with a creationist. Paul's not interested in an actual debate, just in grandstanding for his crowd.

[Smarmie Doofus]

15. I say Bernie should take him up on it.

The concept of a "big ideas" debate. Unencumbered by the canned, cliched pieties of the other 15 or so perennial professional candidates.

I'd watch it... that''s for sure..

But, I'm pretty sure DNC rules prohibit Sanders from participating.

[daleanime]

30. Don't you mean....

DWS rules?

[gordyfl]

16. Ron Paul is Getting Desperate

He needs something to get his campaign moving.

If I'm not mistaken, Bernie is not allowed any debates outside the Democratic Party, as per Wasserman.

I do remember Ron Paul and Ralph Nader coming on TV together to discuss the issues. It was interesting.

A Debate between Sanders and Paul won't happen unless Rand Paul gets the Republican nomination. It won't happen.

It would be very interesting to see a Trump / Sanders Debate. A more likely scenario.

[oberliner]

17. Rand, not Ron

Ron's been pretty quiet lately, or so it seems.

[HughBeaumont]

18. This reminds me of the Anarcho-Capitalist's demand that Paul Krugman debate Robert Murphy.

IOW - THEIR idea of a "real economist".

The thing is, like that sort of debate, Rand Paul would consider it a victory if Bernie even accepts. It's why you never debate creationists, cranks or anarcho-capitalism. They don't want a debate, they want a platform for their toxic narratives and the veneer of legitimacy.

[Javaman]

19. Bernie has nothing to gain by agreeing

and ayn rand paul has everything to gain.

If I was Bernie, I would respond by saying, "why should I help him?" then laugh.

[jwirr]

33. +1

[muriel_volestrangler]

20. Paul needs a publicity stunt far more than Bernie does

Current odds offered on each winning the presidency:
Sanders 10/1 (4th place, overall)
Paul 125/1 (about 13th place, behind Michael Bloomberg)
http://www.oddschecker.com/politics/us-politics/us-presidential-election-2016/winner

[WaitWut]

21. Man I would pay per view this!

But I believe it would also violate the DNC rules for debates.

But since they are both senators there are some good examples already out there.

http://truthinmedia.com/rand-paul-bernie-sanders-debate-socialism-capitalism/?utm_content=buffer80d90&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Waitwut(the other one.)

[joeybee12]

24. I'd like to see that...BUT....

It would only give Randy Paul the attention he so desperately needs to save his floundering campaign

[Nye Bevan]

25. I would definitely watch it (nt)

[KamaAina]

26. Bernie would never do such a thing

He'd be fighting a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

[Reter]

27. Hopefully, they will debate several times next year

I think you guys know what I mean.

[HassleCat]

31. Great idea

We would all be intimately familiar with Atlas Shrugged after an hour of that.

[MADem]

32. HA GOODMAN's head would explode!

That little tool is a Rand lover who pretends to tout for Sanders to divide the Democrats!

[maxsolomon]

34. Win the nomination and you'll get your shot, Squirrel-top

And it's not "Capitalism vs. Socialism", either, dipshit. Democratic Socialism is the political construct in which Capitalism's amoral excesses are controlled.

[brooklynite]

35. Speaking of which, what happened to Sanders' seminal speech of Democratic Socialism?

[mmonk]

36. Would be great. However, Bernie doesn't represent an ideological expreme.

He is the ghost of the Democratic Party.

[kentuck]

39. I think Bernie should take the challenge.

Capitalism vs Socialism?

Or crony capitalism against democratic socialism?

[Johonny]

40. Paul would find Bernie's "socialism" is what most Americans believe is good capitalism

whereas Paul's capitalism is what most Americans see as economic disaster. I see no indication Bernie supporters have trouble understanding this, while Paul's supporters don't appear to exist at any significant level. Paul will be gone by the end of January.

[DFW]

42. A guy polling about 4% in his party wants a one-on-one with a guy polling 30% in the other party?

OK, let me ponder who has something to gain out of this, and who doesn't?

(That's a rhetorical question meaning, "nice try, Rand.&quot