Posted on 09/21/2011 9:53:21 AM PDT by Sub-Driver
Ron Paul says he'd consider putting Dennis Kucinich in his Cabinet By Justin Sink - 09/21/11 12:02 PM ET
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) says he would consider putting the liberal congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) in his Cabinet if he wins the presidency in 2012.
Paul said his libertarian political philosophy helps him connect with some on the far left — including Kucinich, who shares Paul’s general anti-war stance.
Paul joked that if he brought the Ohio congressman aboard in his administration, he might have to create a "Department of Peace."
"You've got to give credit to people who think," he said.
"Being pragmatic is about forming coalitions," Paul said at a breakfast sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor. "I probably work with coalitions better than the other candidates. I don't think I've said anything negative here about the president."
Paul’s bid for the GOP nomination has yet to catch fire, though he enjoys perhaps the most passionate following in all of politics. He has had difficulty elevating himself to the top tier of candidates and complained that the media is not taking his campaign seriously.
But the congressman said he’s playing the long game, and values bringing political change over winning the presidency.
"Politics doesn't drive me as much as economic policy," Paul said. "We're in a big mess, personal liberty is under attack."
Paul said his presidential campaign is more about an "educational effort" of libertarian philosophies than a reflection of his personal ambition.
"There are a lot of people who just don't want to hear this," Paul said. "Very few people understand this, they don't have an understanding of how free markets work."
The congressman said the fact that other Republican candidates are talking about the Federal Reserve or rolling back entitlement programs like Social Security and Medicare are victories for his campaign. Paul also says his campaign — coupled with a financial crisis that has brought into question the stability of the American economic system — is changing the prevailing attitudes of voters.
"It requires a lot more education and a lot more inroads," Paul said. "But absolutely, I think the whole country has come this way."
And yet Paul continues to struggle in the polls, hovering around 9 to 10 percent of Republican primary voters. While his showing is consistently better than some candidates who have garnered more attention, he is unsure of how he will propel himself to the top of the field.
"The supporters believe it's possible, I don't know," Paul said. "There's no reason to rule out the fact this can explode. Something has to give here."
Paul attributed some of the problem to the media, arguing that significant campaign milestones and rallies were underreported. And he acknowledged that as a candidate, he is responsible for delivering his message in a way that voters can appreciate.
"It partially is my fault, and I think that's what I work on most, refining my message," Paul said.
But Paul rejected the idea that he should adopt a more pragmatic or conciliatory strategy that would enable him to either grow his base among those skeptical of some of his views — particularly in terms of non-interventionist foreign policy — or achieve smaller pieces of his domestic policy goals legislatively.
"If you give up your principles, you're not being very pragmatic," Paul said.
I’d put Dennis Kucinich in a Cabinet...
...provided it had a sturdy lock.
Okay Paul supporters let’s hear it. Ever notice you never see Ron Paul and Lyndon LeRouche in the same photo?
LOLOL .. Take that, Paulians!
And Barney Frank? Surely Bawney has a role in helping to legalize drugs.
See tagline. I’ve had it up for a few days. I despise libs. Of any sort.
Gonna need Nurse Ratchet to keep an eye on all of them.
Isn’t Kucinich a member of the Workers Party? A communist organization.
If this doesn’t finally once and for all rid us of the Paulites then what will it take?
Hey, Kucinich doesn't share Paul's position on war ~ he's actually FOR THE OTHER SIDE!
And, he hates Jews ~ all kinds of Jews ~ even Arabs ~ if they "look like" Jews.
Ron gets carried away with Jew haters every single time.
Don’t worry; they’ll be along shortly to tell you just how principled Paul is for such a statement, and that we’re just a bunch of Neocon fascist warmongers anyway.
Two peas in a pod-—like Forest and Bubba.
What more reasons do we need not vote for this loon?
The number one rule of political viability...
Best to keep your mouth shut and let folks wonder, than open it and remove all doubt.
At least Paul is brutally frank. He’s not viable, but at least he doesn’t mince words.
There you have it!
“Paul joked that if he brought the Ohio congressman aboard in his administration, he might have to create a “Department of Peace.” “
So much for the Constitution, keeping Govt within its limits, getting rid of useless agencies and fighting left-wing nuttery.
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