Posted on 12/30/2011 4:44:05 PM PST by dragnet2
Ron Paul often says that he has received more donations from active military personnel than the other GOP candidates combined. That's intriguing, given that Paul is the only candidate calling for significant cuts in military spending.
Pro-Paul veterans in Iowa explain why they support him.
A claim by Ron Paul's presidential campaign, and confirmed by the fact-check website PolitiFact, asserts that the Texas congressman has received more donations from active military personnel than the other GOP candidates combined.
That's intriguing, given that Paul is the only candidate calling for significant cuts in military (not defense, he says) funding, the closing of overseas bases, and the use of military force "very sparingly."
NPR photographer Becky Lettenberger and I headed to the Iowa State Fairgrounds this week to speak with members of the military attending Paul's "Salute to the Military."
Among the boisterous crowd of well over 500 people who gathered in the cavernous Knapp Learning Center to listen to Paul, we found an active military man and two veterans who told us why the candidate's military message resonated with them.
Army Staff Sgt. Abe Elam, 31, of Douds, who served two tours of duty in Iraq as a combat engineer, said he had never voted before 2007, when he started following Paul.
"His foreign policy is the only foreign policy that makes sense," Elam said. "If there's an immediate threat to our country, we'll deal with it."
Elam says his nonvoting days are over. "If I'm going to serve under a president and do their bidding, I'm going to make sure I've got a say in who becomes president," he said. "I respect [Paul's] love for the United States and his strong belief in the Constitution."
Ron Hurd, 57, of Urbandale, who served stateside in the Army from 1972 to 1975, said: "I don't think that we should be spending the kind of money we're spending overseas for military purposes. ... And Ron Paul is the only candidate really addressing the issue of taking care of our veterans."
Hurd, a registered Democrat who voted for Barack Obama in 2008, said he'll change his registration to Republican on caucus night next Tuesday to vote for Paul.
But will he return to the Democratic fold for the general election? "I don't know. There's a lot of time between then and now," he said.
Eric Grote, 54, of Hampton, a retired Air Force captain, combat medic and registered nurse, said, "I've seen what happens when things go wrong. ... I look at what's happening now and see us on the cusp of World War III."
Long a libertarian, Grote said he came back from Turkey, where he lives part of the year, to work and vote for Paul in the Iowa caucuses.
Military veterans and supporters observe a moment of silence during Texas Rep. Ron Paul's Salute to Veterans Rally in Des Moines, Iowa, December 28, 2011.
Retired Air Force Capt. Eric Grote attends a "Salute to the Military" event in Des Moines, Iowa, where Ron Paul spoke.
Salute to the Military Iowa video Video on right side of page
I did watch the video of this gathering and watched the two people screaming, being escorted out. I have no idea what their beef was as I was working, while watching and the audio was not good. I also watched the 84 year old vet, sing a patriotic song in front of this crowd...Not a great voice, but he tried and was obviously passionate about it.
For the politically hysterical out there, like Newt, I don't support everything this particular guy does or say, but some things, I feel he hits the ten ring.
This is from NPR-Obama. Its intent is to boost the stalking horse RuPaul and ensure Willard is the nominee.
None of this is “from” them, nor did they manufacturer this. They just reported about the event, and it was covered by others as well.
The democrats would love to see a lunatic like Paul get the GOP nomination. It would almost ensure four more years(shudder), could possibly give them some seats in the House and Senate, and would tear the GOP apart.
Says it all. The kind of shallow people who thought Obama would be great for this country are the same kind attracted to Ron Paul's candidacy. Boy, is that ever a surprise.
Er.. “Manufacture”...
Did they repeal the federal law that keeps the military and civil servants from participating in partisan politics?
Not sure 2DV.
I think it has something to do with acting in an official capacity, in uniform etc. Don’t know, haven’t looked at that for a long time.
I believe in the constitution and believe the only way this nation can survive as a free nation is to stick to the constitution, that is what it is all about, this is also what Ron Paul seems to believe in, so maybe he is not the nut.
Maybe the nuts are those who are willing to let America become a police state and if that happens and it will happen at the rate it is going, then what the hell difference would it make to us people who just want to be free if it is taken over by a foreign power or by our own police.
Paul and followers are Muslim appeasers who approved of the Victory Mosque being built near ground zero.
The strongest GOP candidate for a limited constitutional government as envisioned by our forefathers regularly trashed as a kook and a nut on FR. Not good. At the very least there should be civil dialogue concerning his ideas. He also happens to be one of the oldest “insiders” on the hill, with some wisdom to share when it comes to the ingrained propensities of DC to squander our lavish, God-given resources in exchange for a black eye.
Personal responsibility. Fiscal responsibility. Government accountability. A reconsidered stance on foreign meddling. These are not kooky or insane ideas. They derive from people with common sense.
Interesting. When you're the former Speaker, being an "insider" is anathema. When you are a backbench do-nothing nobody, being an "insider" is a source of "wisdom to share."
F*ing swee'peas never learn.
You gotta be the right kinda insider in my book. LOL!
While on the job, no. While on their own time, they are allowed to politic on a partisan basis. Between this pisspoor judicial precedent and the allowance for public servants to unionize, the poor taxpayer in this country is unmitigatingly screwed!!!
Eric Grote, 54, of Hampton, a retired Air Force captain, combat medic and registered nurse, said, “I’ve seen what happens when things go wrong. ... I look at what’s happening now and see us on the cusp of World War III
Wow. Of course this guy would be for Paul. He doesn;t even understand that WW3 started over 12 years ago!
Is that when WWIII was declared, or did they forgot to do that?
I don’t think that is correct. The Hatch Act for civilian federal employees was repealed, but active duty military are still prohibited from partisan activities. National Guard and Reserves are also covered while they are on active duty.
Federal law and DOD rules are very specific and strict.
GG
1. George McGovern/Neville Chamberlain foreign policy;
2. Cindy Sheehan's Code Pink military expenditure policy;
3. Planned Barrenhood's abortion policy;
4. Log Cabin "Republicans' marriage policy;
5. Obozo's judicial selection policy (at least on issues that count);
6. The late Robert Byrd's earmark policy; and
7. Al Qaeda's American poster boy and 9/11 Truther and a publisher of a newsletter fit for the Klan.
If that's your idea of "the right kinda insider," you are welcome to him so long as you don't inflict him on sensible folks or elevate him to assist the Mittwit's csndidscy for the GOP nomination.
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