Sen. Rand Paul called for a “revival” in America Friday and a re-examination of how the country is involving itself in the affairs of the Middle East.
The country, he said, is in “a full-blown crisis, a spiritual crisis” — and it doesn’t need another politician or more promises.
“What America really needs is a revival,” he said. “America needs to revive tradition. American needs to revive virtue.”
Mr. Paul, like Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, another potential 2016 contender who spoke earlier Friday at the 2014 Values Voter Summit, devoted a significant part of his speech to talking about Meriam Ibrahim, a woman who refused to recant her Christian faith even under threat of death in Sudan.
Mr. Paul also spent much of his time on the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. He reprised some of the arguments he employed in a recent floor speech outlining his opposition to President Obama’s plan to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels as part of the president’s plan to combat the Islamic State terrorist group.
“Where will the Syrian Christians go when [this] civil war breaks down their door?” he said.
Mr. Paul also drew applause when he reminded the crowd he has pushed to cut aid for Palestine until the country’s government recognizes Israel.
The crowd also responded positively to the portion of his speech he spent talking about his pro-life stance.
“I believe that no civilization can long endure that does not respect life from the not-yet-born to life’s last breath,” he said.
An introductory video also played up Mr. Paul’s pro-life credentials with clips showing some of the senator’s past speeches on the issue, including his promising that “I will always take a stand for life.”
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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