How Paul Could Change Race

WSJ ^ | Dec. 04, 2007 | By SUSAN DAVIS

[jdm]

Manchester, N.H. -- After shocking the Republican Party establishment with a surge in online support, Rep. Ron Paul is trying to translate his Internet revolution into real votes, particularly in New Hampshire.

The Texan's latest campaign swing through the early-primary state shows it is going to be a tough climb -- though he could have an impact on the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

"As a realist and as an experienced political person, I know that it's extremely unlikely he is going to get the nomination," says Keith Murphy, who runs an unofficial Paul campaign headquarters at his Elm Street bar. "Having said that, if he can win in any state in the nation, it's New Hampshire."

New Hampshire seems a natural fit for Mr. Paul, whose libertarian strain of Republicanism, fiscal conservatism, opposition to the war, and pro-gun record play best here. He also boasts spirited grass-roots activism and a healthy campaign bank account that, spent wisely, could potentially shake up the Jan. 8 primary.

This past Saturday evening, as Mr. Paul arrived at Murphy's Tap Room, the supporters erupted in a chant: "What do we want? Liberty!" Murphy's provides free wireless Internet access, an indispensable tool for a campaign largely organized on the Web.

[svcw]

Hey, but RP thinks ALQda is afraid of submarines.

[piytar]

We hate him because of too many wacko ideas (admittedly along with some good ones) and too many ties to wackos, which could result in alienation of voters for the GOP as a whole. In addition, he will pull many less informed libertarian leaning primary voters, effectively Ross Perotting the primaries and guaranteeing a RINO candidate wins.

[Wallace T.]

Duncan Hunter will not be seeking re-election. I understand his son is running for that seat. For that matter, Tom Tancredo is retiring as well. I understand that Ron Paul has an opponent who could pose a strong challenge.

[Katya]

Paul is not going to run as an independent in the general, so his running in the primaries is exactly what primaries are all about. People with differing opinions hashing it out.
I even think it’s great he’s getting support from outside the party.

Why? It means that there is NO democratic candidate these people can see fit to support. Do you think they’re going to turn around and vote Hillary? NO.
Instead, we have an audience of people who would normally never even listen to republican ideas drawn to a republican candidate. So what if it’s based on one issue? On most other issues he is a staunch right winger...

We should all be happy they are sending their money to him.

[matthew fuller]

The time frame under discussion is 6 months (from now, I assume) meaning May 3, 2008. My assumptions are sometimes wrong ;)

[Clintonfatigued]

IMHO, if the sub-prime mortgage mess becomes a major crisis, the Ron Paul candidacy would be a beneficiary.

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

How exactly is he going to bleed off GOP votes in November by running in the GOP primary now?

[Hoodat]

Key phrase: in November.

‘In November’ does not equate to ‘now’.

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

But now is when he’s running - he’s only running in November if he wins the GOP nomination.

[Hoodat]

He’ll be running as an Independent come November.

[Nonstatist]

How exactly is he going to bleed off GOP votes in November by running in the GOP primary now?

Maybe he's inadvertently softening up the "soft" Republicans and conservative leaning independents for a run by Bloomberg or some other nanny state politican.

Theres no question Paul's being propped up financially by Soros / Move on . org sympathisers, et al. There probably a reason for that.

[Nonstatist]

Buchanan’s primary run in ‘92 was a necessary precursor to Perot’s run 2 months later. Thats how the MSM/liberal interest groups “work” the system. Divide and conquer

[april15Bendovr]

I live in NH and the people I talk to think his stance on the Iraq war is pathetic.

They may like his position on the WOD because this state is filled with potheads.

[MinnesotaLibertarian]

Maybe he's inadvertently softening up the "soft" Republicans and conservative leaning independents for a run by Bloomberg or some other nanny state politican.

That wouldn't make a whole lot of sense, since Ron Paul is the furthest thing from a nanny state politician possible.

Theres no question Paul's being propped up financially by Soros / Move on . org sympathisers, et al. There probably a reason for that.

Who says there's no question? I myself have donated, as have many others I know, without reimbursement from Soros or anyone else. That baseless rumor has been floating around to try and smear Dr. Paul, but the fact is he has received many small donations from a large group of people. How exactly could Soros have anything to do with that?

[Mr. Mojo]

He’ll be running as an Independent come November.

He claims he won't be, but it wouldn't exactly be shocking if he went back on his word.

[Nonstatist]

he has received many small donations from a large group of people

Mostly because of his surrender stand on the War. Are you denying that? Read the sympathetic posts on the lefty blog sites and check out the comments on his website and elsewhere. Soros directly subsidizes Move on. Org and Daily Kos and they got plenty of money, as do their "supporters".

You are deluded if you think its because he's for lower taxes or abolishing the Dept of Commerce.. And, BTW, Buchanan was at least 150 dgrees away from Perot but both signified disaffection with the reigning "Bush" , and the first clearly led the way to the second, IMO.. You're just a dupe if you can't see that possibility.

[MEGoody]

Just an honest question - why does everyone hate him so much?

I don't hate him, but I sure would never vote for him. His absolutely looney positions on a couple of pretty key issues override any valid positions he may hold.