In 2011 , Sen. Rand Paul told CNN 's Wolf Blitzer that he would favor a halt of U.S. foreign aid , including assistance to Israel . In August , at the height of the recent Gaza conflict , the Kentucky Republican made headlines for declaring he never proposed ending aid to the country . Democrats and other critics seized on his sharp change in tune and blasted the likely presidential contender for flip-flopping . The criticism kicked off a wave of close scrutiny of Paul 's past statements . On Friday , Rand spoke with Blitzer again , saying he stands by what he told him in 2011 . `` Interestingly , they keep playing our interview , Wolf . So we had a great interview . But the interesting thing of it is I actually still do agree with what I told you . Ultimately , I think a country that 's $ 18 trillion in debt should not be borrowing money from China to send it to anyone , '' he said . What Rand Paul thinks is the 'biggest mistake ' for GOP . He 'd like to see an end to all foreign aid eventually , Paul said , reiterating a line he has used often . `` However , I think in the meantime ... I 've tried to put restrictions on foreign aid and I 've been unsuccessful . And so I 've come to the conclusion that maybe we should start by eliminating foreign aid from countries that burn our flag and hate us . And I think that would be a good place to start , '' he said . Pressed on whether he would continue to aid Israel in the short term , Paul said , `` yes . '' `` It 's an eventual goal , is to eliminate all aid , '' he continued . `` But we have so many -- we have such a resistance in Congress to even attaching any restrictions that my goal since I 've been in Congress and the bills I 've introduced have been to place restrictions on countries that either hate us , burn our flag or persecute Christians or other religious minorities . '' Rand Paul to CNN : ' I do n't want to create panic ' over Ebola . Paul has said repeatedly that he 's considering a run for president in 2016 and plans to make his decision in the spring . Asked whether he thinks he 's qualified for the job , Paul said the next president needs to be somebody with `` wisdom , somebody who thinks about issues , who is n't entirely beholden to partisanship ... And we need somebody who ultimately , if they were in charge of our nuclear arsenal , would not be rash , reckless or eager for war . '' `` And I think I do meet that criteria , '' he said .
Rand Paul tell CNN he would ultimately favor ending all foreign aid , including to Israel . Comment: