A Tea Party Conservative's Defense of Ron Paul...and His Supporters

American Thinker ^ | 9/24/11 | Russ Paladino

[Bokababe]

I want to state at the outset that this essay is not intended to be an endorsement of Ron Paul. While I respect and admire many of his positions and his fidelity to the Constitution, I have strong misgivings about some of his stances on national security. If you could hear the debates between myself and my 20-year-old son, a passionate Ron Paul supporter, you would readily accept the sincerity of my disclaimer.

That said, as the political season has heated up, I've been surprised at the tone of the discourse as it relates to Ron Paul. In fact, I can hardly believe what I'm seeing and hearing from my fellow Tea Partiers and conservatives. My assumption that conservatives are more thoughtful and logical than my emotion-driven liberal friends has taken a bit of a hit....

[Bokababe]

No kidding.

[upsdriver]

Many of Ron Paul’s supporters are anti-war, blame America first, stupid wet behind the ears twenty-somethings. They have a lot of growing up to do yet.

[Gator113]

Bookmarked for later laughs.....

[noblejones]

Any recordings of Paul mouthing his truther beliefs?

[Marty62]

“I appeal to my conservative brethren to raise the level of debate and avoid the urge to use the same unfair tactics that our adversaries employ.”

Paul is NOT a Conservative he is a Libertarian. And as we have seen here, the Paulettes and Rombots are working hand in had to destroy Perry.

Check out the Libertarians for Romney:
Libertarians for Mitt is encouraging businessman, venture capitalist, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney to seek the Republican nomination for President. Mitt Romney is not a perfect libertarian, nor does he claim to be. He is an economic conservative and social moderate. But he is the most libertarian-leaning candidate who can defeat statist Obama in 2012.
http://libertariansformitt.wordpress.com/

[svcw]

You forgot to add which I think is the biggest problem is they actually do not know who he is or how he has voted in congress. He has become something they want him to be.

[Bokababe]

Many of Ron Paul’s supporters are anti-war, blame America first, stupid wet behind the ears twenty-somethings. They have a lot of growing up to do yet.

So you've got to make sure that they shut their ears to you as you are shutting yours to them, and they never, ever vote Republican. That's your plan?

[Bokababe]

I love it when you post an article and ten seconds later people try to prove how smart they are by posting comments and never reading it.

[jessduntno]

“Many of Ron Paul’s supporters are anti-war, blame America first, stupid wet behind the ears twenty-somethings. They have a lot of growing up to do yet.”

They’ll all be real solid citizens, though, once all drugs are legalized and we become an isolationist country.

[Baladas]

Wait, they think Mittens is libertarian? Romneycare IS statism defined. Check out some of those comments on the blog, there’s no way these nuts are going to vote for anybody but Ron Paul even if they have to write him in.

[Grunthor]

“A Tea Party Conservative’s Defense of Ron Paul...and His Supporters”

Marijuana overdose?

[Grunthor]

“And as we have seen here, the Paulettes and Rombots are working hand in had to destroy Perry.”

As we have seen in the debates, he does NOT need their help.

[Gene Eric]

Paul backs up his positions with explanations. His supporters either agreed with those positions beforehand, or adopted them in response to Paul’s arguments. Young adults can reason, but they’ll reject the mockery directed towards their candidate. Paul’s base should be viewed as students still willing to learn. The other candidates should take advantage of that.

I said it before, I’ll say it again: it’s not to the advantage of the candidates to mock Ron Paul. Paul’s bogus positions deserve a logical response the uninformed can understand. No sense alienating his supporters through ridicule. And the mockery is no substitute for expressing one’s understanding of the issues.

[upsdriver]

I only made an observation, nothing else. I don’t care if they vote Republican or not, that’s up to them. I just know that while, at that age, they think they know everything, they don’t.

My contention would be that many of them won’t vote Republican. They’re more likely to vote for the anti-defense liberal in the race and they’ll be quite smug as they do so. It’ll take life’s experiences to turn them around.

[Marty62]

Who knows maybe Romney campaign put up the site.

They seem to be all over the page on issues, just like romney.

But their attempts to intimidate and shut everyone else up. Not to mention the constant lies and smears make them more and more marginalized by serious voters.

[federal__reserve]

Actually I like us playing the role of world policeman.
If not us then who? China? Russia? Brics? No thanks!

However............we can’t play world policeman on borrowed money from China. For example we are fighting 3 wars in the middle-east to stabilize the region. Who is the main beneficiary? China! Why? Because China gets majority of their oil from middle-east. So we are going into debt FOR ETERNITY to China to protect oil supplies to China. Total stupidity!

Therefore, until our economy is fixed, our national debt is fixed, unfortunately I would have to go along with Ron Paul, at least on a temporary basis.

[Gene Eric]

>> And as we have seen here, the Paulettes and Rombots are working hand in had to destroy Perry.

You can include some Conservatives in that alliance.

We haven’t been dealt the best hand, but I don’t think it’s a good reason to fold.

Being optimistic, hopefully the debates will help to shape up the weaker candidates with some long lasting Conservative views.

[hellbender]

Amen. The country is broke, and going deeper into debt every second. Our interventionist policies have simply led to greater disasters, starting with liberal fascist Wilson's involvement in WW I, which led inexorably to WW II, which led to the Soviet conquest of E. Europe and the Chicom conquest of China. The U.S. got nothing out of all that sacrifice.

The Founding Fathers urged us to stay out of Old World conflicts. There is nothing "conservative" about ignoring their advice.

[cripplecreek]

And in the end, Ron Paul will cling to a race he knows he can’t win but will succeed in helping to nominate a RINO one more time.

Frankly I’m starting to wonder if splitting the vote isn’t his goal.

[Marty62]

Money is the big equalizer in Politics.
Lets face it some of the candidates that should be higher CAIN for example are hampered by lack of funds.
Sad but true.
I am a Perry supporter but if he doesn’t get the nomination I really don’t have any idea if I could actually pull that lever for Romney. But we must get Obama and his minions out of D.C. So I will keep praying for Perry. We shall see. some of us are going to need to make hard decisions. If the ususal fringe elements that sit out elections don’t get a clue. We could be facing a disasterous 4 more years of ZERO.OMG.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Thanks for posting.

Though Freepers do so love their circular firing squads!

[Bokababe]

"Paul’s base should be viewed as students still willing to learn. ....I said it before, I’ll say it again: it’s not to the advantage of the candidates to mock Ron Paul.

I agree but I also think that these kids are very aware that it is their future that is really at stake in all of this and they are really the ones who will pay the highest price while most of us here are just worried about getting our Social Security check.

It's their generation who are going off to these wars because they can't find a job here -- and are coming back with the physical and mental wounds that all wars cause. It's their generation who is going to get stuck with the bill for all this useless spending long after we are out of the job market. These kids don't see the bright future that most of us once had, and squandered. They are far more afraid of that bleak, helpless moral and economic future in America than they are of Ahmadinejad or any Mullah halfway around the globe.

These kids have the energy that every successful Party and campaign needs -- and we are destroying it with this mocking and self-important silliness against Ron Paul. Address the issues and save the ad hominems for Obama.

Like I said before, even the most successful Repub candidate against Obama is going to need every possible vote to beat him. And even if the RP supporters are just ten-fifteen percent on the Republican side (more in the independents and converted Democrats), it's a number that the Republicans can't do without and still beat Obama. No sane reason to alienate them.

[Bokababe]

However............we can’t play world policeman on borrowed money from China.

I made that point five years ago and nearly got thrown out of here before some level-headed Reagan supporter came to my rescue!

[hellbender]

some of the candidates that should be higher CAIN for example are hampered by lack of funds.

Then quit being part of a self-fulfilling prophecy. Get off the collapsing Perry bandwagon. I just sent the Hermanator a contribution.

[John D]

there’s no way these nuts are going to vote for anybody but Ron Paul

Sure they will. They will vote for anybody who has anything close to Cynthia McKinney's policies. The Cynthia McKinney who the surrender monkey endorsed in 2008.

[Bokababe]

Actually I like us playing the role of world policeman. If not us then who?

Every notice the most popular guy in any room? The one every follows, hangs on every word, and tries to emulate? It's always the nonchalant rich one. Sure, the guy with gun will get attention for a while, until people resent him and figure out how to overpower him, but the rich guy will win in in the long term because he's the guy who has something that everyone wants and is willing to do things for. He's the real leader.

America needs to be that rich guy again. Let someone else be the policeman that everyone hates -- a policeman who was never there to protect our interests anyway. World cops are always there to protect the overseas business interests of the elite, the American people just get the bill for it and think its about protecting them. Screw the elite, let them pay for their own mercenaries. We, as a people, need to get busy getting rich again. We'll be better protected making things that everyone wants, with our own army at home protecting us than we will with them overseas dying for countries not their own in wars that are bankrupting us. We need to start being American nationalists again -- worrying about our own country and its needs.

[EasySt]

We hear precious little from any of the other candidates about reigning in an out of control Fed, Taking back control of our money from the world banksters, drastically cutting the size and scope of the Federal Government by eliminating entire agencies, or about simply taking the Constitution seriously when it comes to States rights and the power that is reserved to the people.

Only the kooks actually go there. None of the other candidates give any of that more than token lip service, and little, if any, actual observable action.

Why is that?

Why?

Even Sarah Palin, who will get my vote if she runs, doesn’t seem to be able to take the leadership of support for the Constitution from Ron Paul.

How did seriously following the Constitution become the new third rail in this country?

How did we let Ron Paul become the primary owner of that political position?

[giotto]

Any recordings of Paul mouthing his truther beliefs?

Why don't you post a link? Please do find a recording of Ron Paul "mouthing his truther beliefs." I'd like to hear that.

Let me know when you find one.

<crickets>.......................................................................</crickets>

[rbmillerjr]

This essay boiled down to raw facts is just a tepid assertion to cowtow to the ideology of Northeastern Liberal and Moderate Republicans.

Their rallying cry is:

“We want our money and smaller Constitutional Government.
But send the Neo-Cons (anybody who believes in “Peace through Strenght”)....and send the Social Conservatives home.

We Conservatives don’t accept Mitt Romney, who is at least sane when it comes to fighting terrorists and having a sound Foreign and Military policy.

But we should accept Ron Paul, who’s radical beliefs are to the Left of Obama on many issues in the NatSecurity and Social Issues area?

Sorry, if they want to come along in the Conservative / libertarian / Independent coalition...as with Reagan, fine.

But I will not entertain the lie that they are conservatives or any more acceptable than NE Liberals in the GOP.

[Bokababe]

there’s no way these nuts are going to vote for anybody but Ron Paul Sure they will. They will vote for anybody who has anything close to Cynthia McKinney's policies. The Cynthia McKinney who the surrender monkey endorsed in 2008.

Your hatred of Ron Paul is pathological, worse than any hatred of Obama. Crap like this, that isn't even true, is all you ever post. Take a chill pill.

[John D]

Crap like this, that isn't even true, is all you ever post. Take a chill pill.

What is not true? Did he not endorse Cynthia McKinney? Are his views not the same as Cynthia McKinney? Are his followers not anti-military, pro gay, pro queer, anti-Americans? Where did I go wrong?

[John D]

Your hatred of Ron Paul is pathological, worse than any hatred of Obama

While I do not hate the man, as I have never met him, I do hate his ideals. My father served during WWII, I served during Viet Nam, my son served in Iraq, and an IED almost killed him. I do not like anybody who blames every problem in the world on America. We did not cause the bombing of Pearl Harbor, but the surrender monkey would have said it was our fault. Just like we did not force his allies (the mooslimes) to attack the Trade Center, but the surrender monkey had no trouble blaming America.
Even King Obama knew it was good for us to get rid of OBL, Cut and Run disagreed.

[Bokababe]

"Did he not endorse Cynthia McKinney?"

Of course not. He endorsed Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution Party in 2008.

He did however bring attention to all the third Party candidates that the media completely ignores via a Press Conference, and McKinney was one of them.

Think about the media's and two Parties choices for president in the last twenty years: GH Bush against Clinton: Clinton against Dole; GW Bush against Al Gore; GW Bush against Kerry; Obama against John McCain. And name me a single one of those choices who is a small government Conservative. Waiting.....

The only way that we are going to have any real choices is to force the Parties and media to open up the field. Otherwise we are going to be forced to choose between worse and worse. That's the way the GOP likes it; that's the way the Dems like it; so they can feed you any crap candidate that they want to. Maybe you want to open wide, the rest of us don't.

And please don't tell me about this "we must all pull together behind whoever in the GOP to defeat Obama" while you are trashing Ron Paul worse than you trash Obama.

[Marty62]

Because I believe Perry is the best Person for the Job.

I am tired of OJT Presidents. Bush 2 never actually had government experience and relied on RINOs to tell him what was good. (BIG Mistake)
Zero has ZERO experience in Gov OR Business. A twofer NO NO.
clinton did have governor experience but he was not interested in really doing anythin great for the country. It just expanded his dating life.
Bush 1 was a BUREACRATIC. A BIG NO No.
His ignorance of the true conservative fiscal policies, started us on this path to destruction. HOWEVER, WHETHER HE WAS PART OF IT OR NOT. I believe that his adminstration is the first that brought out the long knives on Wall Street.
His policies ar not unlike Zero if you take a close look. Tax and Spend.
Although I really Like Cain I would gladly support him for VP or a Cabinet Position.
But I prefer a candidate that has the experience and understands the problems of Leading in Gov. Perry is his own man and the one thing I really like about Perry is he listens to the will of the people. If his position is not acceptable he will accept the judgement of the people.
Unlike the last string of Pres, that think THEY are God almighty and us brainless peons can go to H.

I believe Perry will pull the nomination out and eventuallwin the WH. I am not a fair weathe supporter. I wait and look at all the candidates. I have made up my mind for Perry and unless he withdraws he has my vote.

And hopefully it will be a Perry-Cain tickit.

[Bokababe]

How did seriously following the Constitution become the new third rail in this country? How did we let Ron Paul become the primary owner of that political position?

Because he's the only one who has been willing to take the heat for it. I wish that weren't true too. God Knows it would be a whole lot better to have a younger, prettier candidate who espoused those values and put their careers on the line with it, but am still waiting for that candidate -- and he/she is nowhere in sight.

[John D]

And please don't tell me about this "we must all pull together behind whoever in the GOP to defeat Obama" while you are trashing Ron Paul worse than you trash Obama.

I will support whoever we decide upon, EXCEPT the surrender monkey, but I do not think we have to worry too much about him winning the Republican nomination. He would have a much better chance with the dimwits. His views are much closer to theirs.

[Bokababe]

I will support whoever we decide upon, EXCEPT the surrender monkey, but I do not think we have to worry too much about him winning the Republican nomination. He would have a much better chance with the dimwits. His views are much closer to theirs.

Never worked in an election before have you? Any "dimwit" vote for a Constitutional government, a balanced budget and freedom is actually a vote against Obama's socialism. If he can pull it off, we could afford to lose a dimwit or two to pick up many more.

[BfloGuy]

Many of Ron Paul’s supporters are anti-war, blame America first, stupid wet behind the ears twenty-somethings. They have a lot of growing up to do yet.

I agree, but it's somewhat heartening to see them supporting Paul instead of Obama. Look on the bright side!

[noblejones]

How’d that Florida Straw Poll go for you today? Hmmnn?

[John D]

Never worked in an election before have you?

Yes, but I only work for Republicans, who value our freedom. Cut and run is a surrender monkey who feels that if we appease our enemies enough they will leave us alone. It does not work that way. Look at what happened to England under Nevile Chamberlain.

[John D]

Any "dimwit" vote for a Constitutional government, a balanced budgetBR>

Has the surrender monkey ever done anything except talk, blame America, and stuff every bill possible with earmarks?

[rabscuttle385]

I just know that while, at that age, they think they know everything, they don’t.

This young one knows that his paycheck next week is getting ravaged to pay for Big Government™ in its many forms - Big Military™, subsidies to Big Business™, welfare for foreign dictators and hostile governments, Ponzi schemes such as Socialist Insecurity and Mediscare, etc.

Of course, according you, this young one - like his peers - is naught but a "stupid wet behind the ears twenty-something" - your words, not mine.

Oh, and by the way, not only is this young twenty-something sick of watching his peers get shipped off to foreign countries to die for corrupt politicians - he is sick of going to work each day to pay for the weapons used to kill them (instead of saving the money for a house, getting more education, getting married, and starting a family)!

So, I'll blame America first right here. I'll blame all the arrogant, treasonous, un-American idiots on both sides of the political aisle (many of whom are far older than me) who for decades ran amok around the world, playing one side against each other, thinking that they could play God without having to deal with the consequences of their choices - and who now believe that others (including their fellow citizens) should pay for their folly at home AND abroad.

It's long past time for the bullsh-t to stop, it's time for the United States to regain her stature on the world scene as a Republic (rather than as an Empire) and as the world's last bastion of freedom and liberty (rather than as a police state consumed by useless regulations and zombie bureaucrats) - hopefully before she falls apart and descends into the dustbin of history - and the only generation that has the power to put an end to the bullsh-t is the one that you are openly denigrating right here.

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[giotto]

Very well, thank you. I like Cain. In fact, after Paul, he would be my first choice.

[trisham]

Imho, Ron Paul supporters are spoiled children, regardless of age, who don't want to serve in the military and want legal access to drugs.

Paul himself is an old fool.

[John D]

Imho, Ron Paul supporters are spoiled children, regardless of age, who don't want to serve in the military and want legal access to drugs.

Well. who else would support the surrender monkey? Except queers, and I am sure they do too.

[wagglebee]

Imho, Ron Paul supporters are spoiled children, regardless of age, who don't want to serve in the military and want legal access to drugs.

Don't forget about porn and hookers.

[trisham]

My apologies. Porn and hookers as well.

[wagglebee]

And abortion, death panels and sodomite "marriage," we can't forget about that.

[trisham]

Paul is for abortion?

[lentulusgracchus]

Well. who else would support the surrender monkey? Except queers, and I am sure they do too.

Actually, hyperaggressive gay liberal Sascha Cohen went after Ron Paul in his latest film a couple of years ago.

Cohen did a series of "setups" with famous people in which he tried to ambush-interview them (rating a loud and impatient "FO" from Harrison Ford) or create some really embarrassing guerrilla-theater encounters.

Think of a Michael Moore film and then gay it up about 9,000,000% and you're there.

For Ron Paul, Cohen set up a hotel-room massage/gay-seduction tableau. Paul was polite, but when he realized what Cohen was up to, he got up and left like a normal person.

I didn't see the whole film. I left not too long after the scenes with Ford and Paul.