In the latest round of the Peter King–Rand Paul squabble, the New York congressman doubted the Kentucky senator’s interest, or even ability, to have a reasonable debate on the issue of national security.

On Wednesday’s Morning Joe, King accused Paul of “expedience paranoia” by taking fears of drones and the National Security Agency to a “hysterical level.”



The threat of the Kentucky senator as a presidential candidate has triggered a barrage of criticism from King over the past year, even sparking King to mull a run in 2016 himself.

“I think he appeals to the lowest common denominator,” he said, comparing him to isolationists of the 1930s. “​We do need an intelligent debate, and I don’t think Rand Paul is capable of having that debate.”​