In fairness, Ron Paul’s vote intended for a limited scope operation in Afghanistan to get those responsible for the 9/11 attacks. It wasn’t for a full scale regime change, hence his later vote against Iraq and repeated calls for withdrawal from Afghanistan as Bush exceeded the mandate. HR 64 (107th) - 9/14/2001 “IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.” Paul was alleged to have been against the bill, however voted in favor due to its proximity to the 9/11 event itself, a mere 3 days. The language was uncomfortably vague, in the sense of what specific actions could be taken, but if interpreted in the narrowest context could mean the POTUS would only have a mandate to pursue the parties directly responsible for the “attacks.” Paul was also reported to have suggested to his staff the possibility that CIA and Bush were potential culprits in the attacks themselves within the first 48 hours. This would potentially make for an amusing, if symbolic, vote that would mean Paul gave Bush authorization to use military force against both the Agency and himself.