Paul Broun

Paul Broun: 'Well, I Think My Tweets Were Civil' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 28, 2011, 12:07PM

Soledad O'Brien and Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA)

In an appearance last night on Anderson Cooper 360, Rep. Paul Broun stood by the live-tweets that he made from his office during the State of the Union address -- most notably the one that declared, "Mr. President, you don't believe in the Constitution. You believe in socialism." But not only that, he said there was nothing uncivil about it.

Substitute host Soledad O'Brien grilled Broun about the accuracy of the tweets. She also pointed out that poll data shows Americans have unfavorable views of both parties, and she speculated that people could be fed up with a lack of civility on Capitol Hill. "What's your strategy for turning that around?" O'Brien asked. "Because with the tweets -- not so civil -- doesn't sound like aiming for more civility is what your strategy's gonna be."

"Well, I think my tweets were civil," said Broun. "I was just stating the truth, that this president has a socialistic type of philosophy and agenda. I believe that very firmly. And -- and, so, it's not uncivil. I was just stating the truth.

"And I think we can do -- I think we can work together. And we should work together. I have worked with Democrats on many issues. And I will continue to do so.

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Paul Broun

Broun: GOP Is 'The Party Of N-O Against Socialism'

Jillian Rayfield | January 27, 2011, 10:02AM

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) in his office

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) is tripling down on his President Obama-is-a-socialist live-tweeting during the State Of The Union, this time drawing in Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid as well: "But we are the party of N-O against socialism and that's what Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Barack Obama have been proposing is a greater take over of everything and human endeavor in America."

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Paul Broun

GOP Rep. Paul Broun: 'I Stick By That Tweet' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2011, 6:33PM

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) in his office

In an interview this afternoon with CBS News, Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) stood solidly by the live-tweets he sent out from his office during President Obama's State of the Union address -- most notably the one that went, "Mr. President, you don't believe in the Constitution. You believe in socialism."

"Absolutely. Everything he does is bigger government, more central control from Washington, D.C," Broun said today. "That's not what our founding fathers envisioned the government to be."

He also added: "Mr. Obama believes in a big central government, where the federal government controls everything in our lives. That's socialism. And so I stick by that tweet."

The interview went on. And most notably, Broun said a lot of things that would commonly considered to be vitriolic, but all of it very calmly -- without the slightest hint of rage or aggression in his voice.

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State Of The Union

Paul Broun's Other Response To The SOTU

Eric Kleefeld | January 26, 2011, 4:09PM

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA)

Here is an interesting follow-up to the story of Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA), who live-tweeted a running commentary on last night's State of the Union address that included such messages as, "Mr. President, you don't believe in the Constitution. You believe in socialism."

It turns out that right after the address, Broun put out an official statement -- as if he hadn't made his statement already -- that wasn't anywhere near as vitriolic.

Sure, the statement was strongly worded on the subject of the deficit, but it wasn't anywhere near as harsh as the stuff Broun posted on Twitter. Broun tweeted a link to the press release earlier today, and I was shocked to see what I found there:

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Paul Broun

GOP Rep. Paul Broun Heckles SOTU On Twitter

Eric Kleefeld | January 25, 2011, 11:12PM

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) in his office

Rep. Paul Broun (R-GA) appeared to be giving his own response to the State of the Union -- during the address itself, in the form of tweets that were posted right on his account as the speech went along.

Earlier today, Broun teased on his Twitter account:

Please join me tonight at 9 - I'll be live-tweeting my thoughts and reactions during the #SOTU address.

And the man known for warning in the past that Obama's health care reform would leave "mama" dying in bed in agony, and who boldly declared that "you're not going to eat this rotten stinking fish that is -- Pelosi health care!" -- did not disappoint this time.

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