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.
He's the only Republican who has actually walked the walk though. His record speaks for itself.
Second, idiot Ron Paul is not going to win any primary, not even close. So I will keep laughing at you and all Paul supporters as I am doing now.
Paul is polling strong in N.H. and it's possible he could come in 2nd in Iowa, after Tommy Thompson. He has a wide, cross-section of dedicated supporters. Although he may not win the nomination, it's possible he could win a primary or continually place 2nd or 3rd and go deep, which will have an impact on the front-runner. The GOP would have to let him speak at the convention, and whoever's the front-runner would no doubt court Paul's supporters.
“Thanks for your comments. I too enjoy the fact that Paul is in the race, despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth from those who prefer to continue sucking on the government teat.”
I’m a standard issue Libertarian and he’s a little off the wall for my taste — but I do agree with some of what he says and, beyond my personal views, I think that all points of view should be heard and discussed. What’s the downside of listening to everyone? I even like having Gravely in the Dim race and hope that Nader joins the fray as well.
paul=rosie
Ron Paul’s impact is non-existant.
He is an irrelevant expelling of gas which only the DBM has taken note outside the internet and then only for an effort to construct the illusion of “division in the ranks”.
Keep in mind that the national GOP is scared of Paul. They have undermined him and cartblocked him in every one of his Congressional elections.
Paul has his own network of donors and he doesn't need the establishment's help. Perhaps instead of bashing Paul, the GOP needs to court him and co-opt a couple of his issues. Because if Paul's not in the race, who do you think his supporters are going to support? They're going to stay home or vote 3rd party as they always do since they feel they're not represented by either the GOP or the Democrats.
Apparently, FReepers have no problem with a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual liberal Mayor running as a Republican, but when a pro-Constitution Republican runs....HE’S A KOOK!
Well it is really not supposed to be.
Reuters picked it up from a Blog “Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought”
But it is just the sort of writing they prefer.
Any thread with Ron Paul should be titled a Major Barf Alert. ;)
Thanks man!
Ok, this time I really was just kidding...
Man, you have a HUGE Ron Paul ping list! hehehehe
What’s amusing is that Ron Paul draws better than Hunter.
....is a “semi-barf alert” kinda’ like when the vomitus comes half the way up and then kinda’ goes back down due to reverse peristalsys?
http://www.ontheissues.org/TX/Ron_Paul_Drugs.htm
EEE you are really delusional.
Second that one JV!
Third.
He is a Kook because he wants to surrender in the war on terror and he blames America for 9/11. He is not only a kook but also a defeatist and a traitor.
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