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.
“Yesterday I looked at the Ron Paul phenomenon”
Right off the bat this story is in trouble. I think to reach “phenomenon” status, one must actually REGISTER support in polls. Usually a number big enough that you aren’t sharing 5% with 4 other candidates.
Back at you JV! Always a pleasure to see you.
He’s a rare breed; he’s both a RINO and LINO, since if you check the record you’ll see he does waste government money for his district. I’ll find that.
Do you honestly think someone like Paul's caliber really care if he loses his seat?
Why do you think there are lots of folks supporting Paul? People are fed up with Washington. All of these federal government programs and taxes and sticking our noses into other countries' affairs are causing all the problems we're having today. Don't you get it?
No EEE, you are delusional for thinking that the GOP is afraid of Ron Paul, get real man, he is absolutely no one and the GOP is not losing sleep afraid that Ron Paul and his folks will take over the party.
What are you referring to?
“If Paul wins a couple of primaries...”
I’ll expect snow in Death Valley.
Yep, spying on terrorists is a bad thing according to Ron Paul.
He's 72, I doubt he cares. He was frail when I met him in 03.
Besides, republicans have a history of supporting the democrat over Ron Paul in his Congressional races.
voted no on deterring arms....
thats good because if he had voted yes, w may not have been able to have westinghouse sell nuclear technology to china. we want to stop iran and yet we are selling them reactors. 5-8 billion dollars.
like clinton like bush.
So many Paul haters. They behave like liberals.
And some people here consider him the “soul of conservatism”!
“Paul is polling strong in N.H. and it’s possible he could come in 2nd in Iowa, after Tommy Thompson.”
From where to you get this info?
Not a Federal matter.
Ron Paul has been a Republican for a long time.
LOL... as I said before you are really delusional.
He’s a RINO!
Yeah, that's why the RNC has consistently supported his opponent in almost all of his races, and they supported the establishment hack over the real conservative in Georgia, who won BTW.
The GOP will embrace liberal turds like Giuliani or Specter but they'll kick the guy who actually carries out their beliefs to the curb.
Sure he is. Ron is the most conservative candidate in the race.
Ron Paul has been a LIBERTARIAN a long time. He uses the Republican party to give legitimacy to that.
He is NO republican. He is a Libertarian posing as a republican to get elected. He is a RINO and his days are numbered as such.
“Apparently, FReepers have no problem with a pro-abortion, pro-homosexual liberal Mayor running as a Republican”
I may be a newby but I saw the tail end of the Rudy wars a couple months back and given that they are few and far between around here these days I’d have to call bullsh*t on that statement.
I know JR; but his supporters are a sad case of extreme delusion.
I actually have more respect for liberals than I do for conservatives who trash other conservatives.
Yes JV they are. The enemy is within the gates.
He's not what the RNC socialists want because he is too conservative, but he has been a Republican for a long time.
george w is turning out to be a real conservative. he will do a dog and pony show for the republican base, but the reality is, he wants the clintons back in.
who wrote the patriot act? written under clinton, delivered by w.
immigration (amnesty) bill. he has arlen pushing for it again. he really is losing his base. that is why many in his corner are hoping for another attack on this country. how sick is that??
The only reason Ron Paul is getting so much ink is because he has embraced “blame America” rhetoric in his foreign policy speeches. That viewpoint does not reflect the overwhelming majority of Libertarians.
Indeed I do.
The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government, are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite. The former will be exercised principally on external objects, as war, peace, negotiation, and foreign commerce; with which last the power of taxation will, for the most part, be connected. The powers reserved to the several States will extend to all the objects which, in the ordinary course of affairs, concern the lives, liberties, and properties of the people, and the internal order, improvement, and prosperity of the State.--Federalist 45
I know some of these ideas come as foreign to those that play at federalism, but marriage falls under 'lives, liberties, and properties of the people'. It is an institution that is recognized by the separate and sovereign states and not something intended to be a federal matter.
He’s a hypocrite, and his followers don’t care how many of their principles he breaks. It’s become a cult of personality.
Have you contacted your Representative and told him you don’t want any local funding from the Feds? Call him tomorrow and let him know that you are totally opposed to any federal spending in your district.
LOL... so much for a “fiscal and small government conservative”. Man, you really did your homework on Ron Paul :)
And is a good thing.
if there is a paul pinglist sign me up
He's a big phony duping his fan club, or cult as I call it.
“...leads the Houston-area delegation in the number of earmarks, or special funding requests, that he is seeking for his district. He is trying to nab public money for 65 projects, such as marketing wild shrimp and renovating the old movie theater in Edna that closed in 1977 — neither of which is envisioned in the Constitution as an essential government function.”
Many folks are paying attention to the size and power of the federal government, our sovereignty, and ongoing meddling in foreign affairs. This is why Paul has the support he does.
But in the end, Paul said, he would likely vote against the spending bills even if they included earmarks he sought.
LOLOL!! Tell us another one!!
“”I don’t think they should take our money in the first place,” he said. “But if they take it, I think we should ask for it back.””
yep...lib
Your premise is mistaken.
Anybody who is seriously interested in limiting the federal government and protecting our sovereignty would be making a huge mistake in vesting his support in a fringe candidate who wouldn't capture a single district outside the bounds of Victoria County, TX.
Paul has approximate zero chance of winning the nomination (and less than zero of winning the election, should he run as an independent). Consequently, he will be unable to ever do a damn thing about limiting government and protecting our sovereignty.
I'm not calling him a nut. Nor do I believe his supporters are nuts. But they are sure as hell smoking the good stuff.
Those look the positions of a small-government conservative to me. What’s your point?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.