Paul slams Hillary, media at anti-abortion summit

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) on Thursday accused the media of “going after” conservatives on abortion while ignoring Hillary Clinton’s ties to foreign countries that do not protect Christians.

“They’re always going after us about abortion,” the newly declared presidential candidate said at the Susan B. Anthony List’s annual Campaign for Life Summit. “You ever hear them ask Hillary Clinton about this money she’s getting?”

{mosads}“Anybody hear a tough question to her so far? You know why? She’s not taking any questions,” he added, describing the media’s relationship with the former secretary of State as a “love fest.”

Paul said his new presidential rival has not been asked about her stance on abortion or about the dollars her foundation has accepted from foreign nations such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which he urged conservatives not to accept.  

“There is a difference in the way conservatives are treated versus liberals, and I say we have to push back,” Paul said in his remarks, which lasted about 10 minutes.

Paul also accused the media of oversimplifying conservatives’ position on abortion, ignoring the question of when life begins.

“The media puts us neatly in a box, and that’s where we are,” Paul said.

Paul’s remarks came about a week after he got into a heated exchange over his abortion stance with an Associated Press reporter, who pressed the presidential candidate to say whether victims of rape should be able to get abortions.

“I gave you about a five-minute answer. Put in my five-minute answer,” Paul told the reporter.

Paul, who has said “in general, I am pro-life,” has voted for abortion bans in Congress that provide exceptions when the mother’s life is in danger or in the case of rape. He has also supported abortion bans that don’t allow exemptions.

Republicans have come under criticism for struggling to define their position on abortion while also protecting victims of rape. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), a potential 2016 candidate, acknowledged in January that his party has a “definitional problem of rape,” when it comes to abortion law exceptions.

That same month, GOP House leaders were under pressure to pull a bill banning late-term abortion because of concerns within its own party that the legislative language would endanger rape victims.