Libertarian Hero Ron Paul Launches 2012 Presidential Campaign

The Blaze ^ | 25 Apr 2011 | Emily Esfahani Smith

[mandaladon]

According to National Journal, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas will be running for president in 2012:

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, whose outspoken libertarian views and folksy style made him a cult hero during two previous presidential campaigns, will announce on Tuesday that he’s going to try a third time.

Sources close to Paul, who is in his 12th term in the House, said he will unveil an exploratory presidential committee, a key step in gearing up for a White House race. He will also unveil the campaign’s leadership team in Iowa, where the first votes of the presidential election will be cast in caucuses next year.

Paul, 75, ran as the Libertarian Party candidate in 1988, finishing with less than one half a percent of the vote. After more than a decade as a Republican congressman, Paul gave it another shot in the 2008 presidential election, gaining attention for being the only Republican candidate calling for the end to the war in Iraq and for his “money bomb” fundraising strategy, which brought in millions of dollars from online donors in single-day pushes.

[campaignPete R-CT]

well, it is debatable. Ron Paul got lotsa his minionistas in the teaparty up here. In HTFD, they control the teaparty.

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

1. His supporters are gaseous Rottweilers on conservative discussion forums but Chihuahuas when the votes are counted.

2. Not directly, except for the annoyance factor of having to wade through miles of dreck from his online trolling Sancho Panzas when trying to discuss the merits of other, you know, viable candidates.

[fieldmarshaldj]

It reminds me of the Howard Deaniacs. They have their loyal worshippers, but when it comes to actual votes, they don’t account for much of the party. In the end, it’s the votes that matter the most.

[fieldmarshaldj]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5KeGccP9Jk&feature=related

[A Balrog of Morgoth]

LOL

[campaignPete R-CT]

01:56:42

you 2 did a tie post. photo finish.

Paul did 9% in New Hampshire. Maybe less in ‘12?
Paul did 10% in IA. An irrelevant 10%.

[Impy]

Paul hurts Johnson’s chances of making a splash (not that either can win, they can’t).

Hopefully their presence can convince the other candidates to stick to fiscal conservatism.

I would guess Paul will see slightly increased support from last time. His fiscal message resonates strongly. And the wars have cooled down so people will be able to rationalize ignoring his foreign policy views.

It’s really too bad, I’d love to see a Libertarian type that wasn’t a social liberal (Johnson) or Foreign Policy Fringe guy who is going senile (Paul) run for President.