Rep. Steve King: Ron Paul would be 'dangerous' president

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) said Thursday that he agreed with The Union Leader's assessment of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). Namely, that Paul's views on national security were "dangerous."

“He’s not dangerous unless he’s president,” King told Politico. "I mean, I served with Ron Paul in Congress for nine years and I'm thankful for the role that he's played -- he's pulled us back to the Constitution."

Paul has gained an enthusiastic and dedicated following for his strong views on limited government, free market economics and isolationist foreign policy. In the 2008 Republican presidential primary, his views clearly made him an outlier, but — thanks in part to the tea party movement — many of his economic positions have now been adopted by mainstream Republicans.

"But on the foreign policy side of this, I don't think that the Paul supporters have really stepped back and think about what would happen if Ron Paul were operating out of the Oval Office and as the commander-in-chief of our armed forces, King added.

King noted that Paul has consistently said he would close down U.S. military bases across the world.

While calling for military cuts, Paul often touts his high support among service members and veterans.

King said that withdrawing U.S. military forces worldwide would create a power vacuum, which would be filled by the enemies of the United States. "It would alter the course of the United States' destiny irreparably," he claimed.