Rand Paul: Christie Part of 'Gimme, Gimme' Problem

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., fired back at New Jersey Chris Christie Tuesday, calling his fellow Republican part of a "gimme, gimme, gimme" group, seeking money for his state at the expense of the federal budget.

Christie had criticized Paul for bringing pork barrel spending to his own home state while voting against aid for Hurricane Sandy victims in New Jersey and other areas of the northeast. Paul said he favors giving the emergency relief, but wants it distributed on a year-to-year basis. He also wants foreign aid cut to match the spending.

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CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked Paul whether he would take the same position if Kentucky were hit by a natural disaster. Paul said he would.

"This is the king of bacon talking about bacon," Paul said, addressing the pork barrel charge. Kentucky has two military bases, he noted. "Is Gov. Christie recommending we shut down our military bases?"

Paul said he wants to ensure America has enough money for national defense, so he wants money cut in other places.

"Gov. Christie and others have been part of this gimme gimme gimme — gimme all this money," Paul said. Sandy relief could have been done more responsibly, he said, and that's why he voted against it. The bill added $10 billion to the amount of federal borrowing allowed for disasters.

Christie is making a big mistake picking a fight with Republicans, because the party is shrinking in the northeast, Paul said.

"I'm the one trying to grow the party by talking about libertarian ideas of privacy and the Internet," Paul said. "Attacking me isn't helping the party. He's hurting the party."

Both men are possible contenders for the GOP presidential nomination in 2016. Another Republican who has considered the race, Rep. Peter King of New York, has been tossing Paul's name around in a negative light as well.

King on Sunday called Paul part of the "fringe" of the Republican Party. Paul said Tuesday that King is part of the liberal wing of the party who isn't concerned with fiscal responsibility.

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