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 think it's more a function of the media sponsor than it is the GOP. There was a thread yesterday about how the Florida GOP insisted that Gary Johnson not be in tomorrow's debate. Fox News overrode the Florida GOP and Johnson will participate in the debate.
It's my opinion the media encourages the visibility of so-called "Republican" loonies, like Paul and Johnson, because it makes the GOP look stupid.
“Why isn’t he loudly echoed on any of the things we all know he is right about, by any of the other candidates?”
Because he isn’t needed to propagate his occasional good idea. He will ruin the reputation on any sane person, so it’s best to shun him. He’s not the only person in the country with those ideas. Every lunatic has a good idea now and then. Not good enough.
He’s 99% LOONEY.
A little Ron Paul ...
Ron Paul votes to homosexualize the US Military
Ron Paul: Ground Zero Mosque Opponents are “Islamophobes.”
Ron Paul wouldn't have approved Osama bin Laden operation
Ron Paul booed during Tea Party debate after Osama bin Laden answer
You know what’s strange? Every other candidate gets dissed for one, just ONE little bad piece of policy. Ron Paul is 99% loon with many bad policy ideas, but yet gets defended no matter what idiocy he comes up with because he gives lip service to the Constitution.
Big deal, he’s still an idiot with no credibility!
You want to push the Constitution, they have their own party. Join it.
Hell, Charles Manson probably had one good idea about society. So what?
If you ask a Paulistinian if they're happy with RPs performance as the Chairman of the House Domestic Monetary Policy Subcommittee, most of them will look at you with a blank stare. How's that hopey changey thing working out for them? :-)
Ron Paul cultists are just like Obama cultists. They will defend their gods no matter what they do.
It’s pathetic to see so-called conservatives this deluded.
I don’t have to reject ALL his ideas to reject the person. I reject the PERSON Ron Paul.
I don’t want to vote for him, I don’t want to look at him, I don’t want to listen to him.
I’m sure Rand is thrilled...
“you did not say Ron Paul, the GOP Front Runner, in your headline.”
Front Runner where? Straw Poll at Seattle’s Hemp Fest?
Ron Paul is a NUT! Anyone foolish enough to support or vote for him need to have their heads examined.
Ron Paul is a NUT! Anyone foolish enough to support or vote for him need to have their heads examined.
The jokes write themselves.
I'd put him in charge of the liquor cabinet - as long as his hot wife would serve the mixed drinks!
The only cabinet I’d put Kucinich or Ron Paul in was one I was going to nail shut and drop into a deep spot.....
Oh good grief....now there’s a match made in Looney-Land. ROFL!
How typical...those of us who don't go along with L. Ron's bizarre philosophies don't "think?"
What an arrogant POS - just like most of his looney supporters.
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