Rand Paul: I Would Support A Muslim For Prez, But I Would Have Questions

Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

Republican presidential candidate and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) said Tuesday that he would support a Muslim for President — but he would have some questions for that candidate.

GOP rival Ben Carson, a retired neurosurgeon said he, “would not advocate that we put a Muslim in charge of this nation” on Sunday.

Paul discussed Carson’s comments on CNN Tuesday.

“There’s obviously nothing precluding a Muslim from holding office,” Paul said. “We do have several Muslims who I think are conscientious and well meaning in Congress and some who have worked on legislation of criminal justice reform.”

“But I do think there would be some questions to ask,” he added. “‘Do you believe literally that a woman should be stoned to death for adultery?’ ‘Do you believe that when someone steals something, their hands should be cut off?'”

Paul added that he would support a Muslim for President “if they support the things that made America great, constitutional principles, Bill of Rights, but some of those are inconsistent with the interpretation of the Koran that’s being put forward by particularly some folks.”

Paul had thought of more questions later in the interview to ask a potential candidate for President who was Muslim.

“These are important questions to ask if you have someone who is Muslim running for office. ‘Do you think violence is OK?’ ‘Do you think Shariah law should be the law of the land?’ ‘Do you think that the 9/11 bombings were OK?'” Paul said.

Latest Livewire
Comments
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Associate Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: