Bipartisan Anti-War Lawmakers On Board at New Ron Paul Institute

By Julie Ershadi Posted at 7:31 p.m. on April 17

Reps. Walter B. Jones, R-N.C., and John J. Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., and ex-Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, will help steer the direction of the newRon Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity as members of its board, they announced Wednesday at a Capitol Hill event.

Its a natural instinct for people to want peace and prosperity, ex-Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, the institutes CEO, said during the event. The institute is a nonpartisan educational organization aimed at capitalizing on the groundswell of young people who have supported Pauls presidential bids and anti-war position.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who also spoke at the event, counted himself a member of that young population and said Pauls appeal stems from his honesty and principles, particularly in the votes he took as a congressman.

More than once weve stood on the floor, I think, since Congressman Paul left and wondered, What would Ron Paul do in this situation? Massie said.

Duncan discussed the pressure he faced to vote for authorization of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, including a White House briefing with then-National Security Adviser CondoleezzaRice, CIA Director George Tenet and CIA Deputy Director John McLaughlin. Duncan said that at the time, they could not convince him that Saddam Hussein was a threat to the United States.

I think it is so sad what weve done through the years, so Im in very strong support of what Dr. Paul is trying to do here, he said.

Daniel McAdams, executive director of the Ron Paul Institute and foreign policy adviser to Paul during his time in Congress, said the institute will monitor lawmakers votes and issue assessments in the form of a Peace and Prosperity Scorecard.

The institute will also award student writing on foreign affairs and hopes to launch a Peace and Prosperity summer school, McAdams said.

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Bipartisan Anti-War Lawmakers On Board at New Ron Paul Institute