Ron Paul Has a Favorite in the Democratic Presidential Primary

"If we had to pick one of them to be our president, I think she would be giving us the best chance for bringing about peace."

Ron Paul likes at least one candidate in the upcoming Democratic presidential primary. On Thursday, the former Texas congressman (and 1988 Libertarian Party presidential nominee) singled out Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D–Hawaii) for praise.

"Tulsi Gabbard is by far the very, very best," he told RT.

Paul noted that he and Gabbard had some differences on economic policy. For example, Gabbard has co-sponsored large spending bills, such as Medicare for All, while Paul is a spending hawk. But her relatively non-interventionist views on foreign policy earned Paul's seal of approval.

"She's the most intelligent," he said. "If we had to pick one of them to be our president, I think she would be giving us the best chance for bringing about peace."

Gabbard announced her bid for president in January, and she has put foreign policy at the center of her campaign.

An Iraq War veteran, Gabbard has regularly criticized America's perpetual wars. Prior to running for president, she criticized former President Obama for his interventions in Syria. She's also worked with Republicans—including Paul's son, Sen. Rand Paul (R–Ky.)—to push legislation to stop arms sales to Saudi Arabia.