Sen. Rand Paul questioned GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump’s commitment to limited government Sunday and said the business mogul’s stature has been artificially inflated by “American Idol”-type polls that kick up a flurry of media exposure.
Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the Kentucky Republican particularly noted Mr. Trump’s willingness to use eminent domain to secure someone else’s private property for his casino businesses.
“I think he’ll get wiped out in a general election,” said Mr. Paul, a libertarian who has lagged behind Mr. Trump and his fellow Republican senators, Marco Rubio of Florida and Ted Cruz of Texas, in polling on the 2016 race for the party’s nomination.
Mr. Paul also heaped criticism on Mr. Cruz, saying the Texan walked back his support for a path to legal status for certain illegal immigrants and has wavered on the U.S. government’s snooping powers and President Obama’s trade authority, depending on his audience.
“I think on a number of issues he wants to have it both ways,” he said.
Mr. Paul said his campaign will “shock” pollsters once voters begin to weigh in next year.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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