Posted on 07/29/2007 6:22:19 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Yesterday I looked at the Ron Paul phenomenon as an expression of the anti-big government sentiments among some people in each of the major parties. Such voters have limited options among the other candidates this year. While the Paul supporters commenting vigorously disagreed, I also expressed the belief that Paul cannot win the Republican nomination. What if I am right? What will his supporters do?
It is hard to see Paul supporters being loyal Republicans and backing their party’s winner–which should be a matter of concern for the Republicans. If I was a GOP leader I’d be questioning Paul’s loyalty to the party and pressing him for a pledge to support the nominee and encourage his supporters to do the same should he lose. Of course it is questionable as to how many votes he could deliver to the authoritarian war mongers who dominate the Republican field should he be willing to do so.
I don’t even know that Paul would agree to support another Republican candidate. Would Paul jump ship and run as a Libertarian again? If not, will the Libertarian Party candidate benefit from what Paul has done? That will depend partially upon the candidate, but the LP will have the problem that many people are reluctant to vote for a third party which has no real chance of winning.
If they are reluctant to support a minor party, will many Paul supporters back the Democratic winner as the best shot of having an anti-war candidate win? That will depend a lot on the nominee. Richardson already has some libertarian support but remains a real long shot. Edwards will have a real tough time attracting any libertarian support, between his previous support for he war and Patriot Act when in the Senate to his current populist economic policies. Clinton will also have problems here, but I could see Obama managing to find a way to bridge liberal ideas with libertarian ideals as he has shown he is willing to avoid pandering to traditional Democratic special interests.
While I don’t think Ron Paul has any real chance of winning the Republican nomination, his candidacy is doing far better than might have been expected initially, and he very well may have a lasting impact on the race. Between the out right libertarians, as well as the more traditional conservatives who are becoming increasingly outraged by the current Republican leadership, there will be a number of Republicans looking for an alternative. Whether the Democrats can become a majority party will depend partially on whether they can attract a portion of these voters. To do so will mean not only opposing the war but showing they recognize that the 2000’s are not the 1930’s and their old New Deal coalition is long gone.
That makes sense. It is the same old drivel.
Under current circumstances, it might be best if you weren’t a total shill for GW. It is going to cost you and your children and grandchildren big time. Other than that you might try learning to read, learn a thought process, actually learn a bit about what you are about to vaporlock over.
Say what you want about Ron Paul’s position on our forays into wars we need not be in. I was in Saigon during Tet in ‘68. Were you?
Actually, I think they copy/paste their old stuff from previous threads, then slap each other on the back as though it’s funnier each time.
LOL. you are a classic
elhombrelibre posted the exact same thing twice in posts 94 and 103. Cut and paste job in the same thread. Is this a new record?
Your remarks always calms my soul.
Some of the posters here at Free Republic are real trouble makers and love to cause friction among us...
“Now they post their very own thread just to get a full bashfest going and we pick up several new pinglist members who are interested in following Dr. Paul’s campaign. LOL.”
I’ll second that LOL.
The message of freedom and personal responsibility always shines through slogans, mantras, and B.S.
I suppose that if the poor thing starts spamming himself with his own posts, we’ll be forced to notify the mods to call the Men In White Coats. LOL.
you ar a funny s/o/b
Less than a fly speck.
a little bold isn’ it?
I would like smaller federal government on the radar this election season.
So limiting the federal government & protecting our sovereignty doesn’t mean anything to you, I guess.
Rather than dealing with the question you ...speak nonsense.
How about yes limiting the federal government and protecting our sovereignty,,,as well as supporting our friends...wait Paul does not do that hence his continual non support for Israel and his blaming America first attitude. He is a weasely anti-semite.
“Lyndon LaRouche had smarter followers.”
Do you consider yourself smart?
That’s because laws pertaining to marriage are NOT under federal jurisdiction and Paul felt that giving the feds that kind of power could turn against social conservatives under the wrong President and wrong political party (i.e. Democrats).
That’s because laws pertaining to marriage are NOT under federal jurisdiction and Paul felt that giving the feds that kind of power could turn against social conservatives under the wrong President and wrong political party (i.e. Democrats).
His recognition of the separation of powers is precisely what makes him a conservative since most of us don’t want Washington involved in the regulation of marriages. The unintended effects of giving it that kind of power are unthinkable under Obama and a Democratic Congress.
As for now, I'm loading my IPOD in preparation for the 17+ h our trip from H'ville, Alabama to COB --------, Iraq. Wheels up Sunday, August 5th.
“but when a pro-Constitution Republican runs....HE’S A KOOK!” Riiiiiggggghhhhhhhhhhtttttttt! It isn’t the fact that he courts 9/11 Truthers that makes him a kook -— it is the fact the supports the constitution! ~snicker~ You know, the first step in getting better is to acknowledge the problem, dear.
Thanks. Wanted to have departed two weeks ago. Passport was a real pain. Murphy’s Law intersected with the Peter Principle. Gosh was it ever ugly.
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