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Paul comments draw new scrutiny
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- Senate Republican candidate Rand Paul stayed off the air Sunday, but his comments on civil rights law drew fresh scrutiny on U.S. news programs.
Michael Steele, the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee, distanced himself from Paul's criticism of some provisions of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act.
"His philosophy is misplaced in these times," Steele said on "Fox News Sunday." "I don't think it's where the country is right now. The country litigated the issue of separate but equal. I think in this case Rand Paul's philosophy got in the way of reality."
On ABC's "This Week," Steele said he "wasn't comfortable" with Paul's remarks but had since talked to the Kentucky candidate and both agreed "our party stands four-square about moving forward on civil rights."
Paul, the 47-year-old backed by the Tea Party who won the Republican U.S. Senate primary this week, has faced widespread criticism since telling MSNBC's Rachel Maddow private businesses should have the right to refuse service to African-Americans.
He later issued a statement and said he supported the Civil Rights Act and wouldn't seek repeal.
On ABC, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine said Paul also has questioned the legitimacy of the Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Kaine said Paul's comments would help Democrats to win the Kentucky Senate seat left open by retiring Republican Jim Bunning.
On CNN's "State of the Union," Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Paul's comments "unfortunate," adding, "He sensed that and said he would have voted for that Civil Rights Act. His explanation was unfortunate how he got to that point."
Paul backed out of his scheduled appearance on "Meet the Press" on Friday. He had agreed to the appearance Wednesday, but an aide, explaining the cancellation, said he was tired, the network said.
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- Senate Republican candidate Rand Paul stayed off the air Sunday, but his comments on civil rights law drew fresh scrutiny on U.S. news programs.
Michael Steele, the first black chairman of the Republican National Committee, distanced himself from Paul's criticism of some provisions of the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act.
"His philosophy is misplaced in these times," Steele said on "Fox News Sunday." "I don't think it's where the country is right now. The country litigated the issue of separate but equal. I think in this case Rand Paul's philosophy got in the way of reality."
On ABC's "This Week," Steele said he "wasn't comfortable" with Paul's remarks but had since talked to the Kentucky candidate and both agreed "our party stands four-square about moving forward on civil rights."
Paul, the 47-year-old backed by the Tea Party who won the Republican U.S. Senate primary this week, has faced widespread criticism since telling MSNBC's Rachel Maddow private businesses should have the right to refuse service to African-Americans.
He later issued a statement and said he supported the Civil Rights Act and wouldn't seek repeal.
On ABC, Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine said Paul also has questioned the legitimacy of the Fair Housing Act and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Kaine said Paul's comments would help Democrats to win the Kentucky Senate seat left open by retiring Republican Jim Bunning.
On CNN's "State of the Union," Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty called Paul's comments "unfortunate," adding, "He sensed that and said he would have voted for that Civil Rights Act. His explanation was unfortunate how he got to that point."
Paul backed out of his scheduled appearance on "Meet the Press" on Friday. He had agreed to the appearance Wednesday, but an aide, explaining the cancellation, said he was tired, the network said.