Credit: Gage Skidmore / Foter / CC BY-SA
Ron Paul may technically be retired, but he remains as active and vocal as ever. The former 12-term Republican congressman is speaking out about the death penalty.
Today, the doctor formally endorsed Conservatives Concerned About the Death Penalty (CCATDP). The former presidential candidate had this to say about the organization:
I believe that support for the death penalty is inconsistent with libertarianism and traditional conservatism. So I am pleased with Conservatives Concerned about the Death Penalty's efforts to form a coalition of libertarians and conservatives to work to end capital punishment.
I spoke to Marc Hyden, CCATDP's National Advocacy Coordinator, who described Paul as a "significant political and thought leader" and explained that the organization is "ecstatic" to receive the doctor's endorsement.
"This reiterates that we already know," says Hyden. "From the grassroots to political leaders and conservatives to libertarians, there is a growing concern about the death penalty."
Although Paul campaigned on his consistent principles, his views on the death penalty seem to have shifted over time.
The congressman has said, "There was a time I simply stated that I supported the death penalty." However, he now notes that "believers in the omnipotence of state military power are enthusiastic supporters of the death penalty." Paul also cites concerns that capital punishment is unfairly implemented against minorities and low-income citizens.
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