Responses To Rand Paul's Budget Plan, 2012 Talks And Senate Relationships

Kentucky Senator Rand Paul has made a few headlines (including this one) over the last week.The freshman Republican discussed his possible interest in running for the president. He also introduced a plan to cut $500 billion from the federal budget.Like everything Paul does, these latest steps have brought out commentaries that run the gamut from enthusiastic support to fervent detraction. It's the budget plan, though, that's drawing some of the most varied criticism. The blog Barefoot and Progressive (if the name doesn't give it away, the site is often critical of Paul) has documented several of the most recent criticisms from inside Paul's own chamber of congress. First, Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-MD) sent Paul a letter saying the proposed cuts to the FAA would block modernization efforts, among other things. Next,Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) said he disagrees with Paul on foreign aid.The Hill has a rundown of Paul's changing relationship with his colleagues. He'll introduce one of those colleagues, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at the Jefferson County Republican Party's Lincoln Days dinner Saturday night.