Politics

Barry Manilow on Ron Paul: ‘I agree with just about everything he says’

Nicholas Ballasy Senior Video Reporter
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Grammy award-winning musician Barry Manilow told The Daily Caller that he agrees with “just about everything” 2012 Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul says, calling him a “solid” contender for the highest office in the land.

“I like him. I like what he says, I do. I like what he says. I think he’s solid,” said Manilow, who confirmed to TheDC in an interview at the Capitol on Thursday that he contributed to Paul’s last campaign for president.

“I agree with just about everything he says. What can I tell you?” Manilow added.

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Manilow was on Capitol Hill speaking at a briefing on atrial fibrillation or AFib, a heart disease that affects over 2.5 million Americans. Manilow, who has fought the disease for over 15 years, encouraged lawmakers to support H.R. 295, a bill that would advance AFib research and education in part by “encouraging education programs that promote collaboration among the Federal health agencies and that increase public and clinician awareness of atrial fibrillation, including risk assessment, screening, treatment, and appropriate clinical management.”

“The public needs to know — they need to know as much about atrial fibrillation as they do about cancer and diabetes,” Manilow told TheDC.

“Atrial fibrillation has been the low man on the totem pole and so we’re just trying to get more visibility about this particular disease and how dangerous this could be.”

Manilow was also asked if he is satisfied with what the federal government has put forth in the health care law signed by President Obama in March 2010.

“I’m not sure yet. I’m not sure. I have work to do,” he said.

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