CPAC: Rand Paul to Obama: do you hate rich people?
An animated Senator Rand Paul gave a pointed address at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, DC, Thursday, asking President Obama both "Do you hate all rich people?" and "Do you hate all poor people?"
The Kentucky Republican answered his own questions and concluded that the answer was no -- he just hates some of them.
"The president doesn't really hate all rich people, just those who don't contribute to his campaign," Paul said.
Paul referenced an investor in green energy company Solynda, George Kaiser, who was a campaign contributor to the president. Soylndra received $535 million of government-backed loan guarantees before filing for bankruptcy last year. Republicans in Congress have launched a multi-pronged investigation of Solyndra and are pushing the White House to release additional documents or be issued subpoenas to appear before Congress.
"If you're a crony, if you're a buddy, just stop by the White House," Paul said sarcastically on Thursday.
At one point, Paul said he was going to be "serious" and said he doesn't think the president "hates" the wealthy or the poor. "But the president continues to roam the country blaming millionaires and billionaires," Paul said.Speakers at the conference are focusing their attacks on President Obama, a welcome message among the Republican activists here, most of whom are working to win the White House and Senate and hold on to the House of Representatives this year.
Senator Paul, whose father, Rep. Ron Paul, is a presidential contender, said this year's election is crucial. He invoked the "optimism" of Ronald Reagan, who he said "turned a whole generation of Democrats into Republicans."
Asked Paul: "Who will be that next Ronald Reagan?"