There seems to be one uniform consensus among all pundits on every media networkRon Paul cannot win the Republican Nomination. It's impossible, they say. From CNN to FOX News to MSNBC, those same words echo from every pundit's mouth. Interestingly enough, the words are often preceded by praise for Ron Paul having such a motivated group of supporters nationwide, or having raised more moneynearly $20 million dollarsthan any other Republican candidate in the fourth quarter. In addition to two single-day fundraising records set in November and December respectively, Ron Paul has also managed to be the only Presidential candidate to ever launch a blimp. Ron Paul's campaign wasn't behind any of these events; the Ron Paul "rEVOLution" was solely responsible. This diverse group of Americans, who call themselves the "Ron Paul rEVOLution", has managed to propel their candidate from a nationwide polling status of 0.5% to nearly 10% since Ron Paul announced his run for the White House back in early 2007. This makes me question how the pundits can be so certain that Ron Paul will not win the Republican Nomination.
Last night, Congressman Paul was included in the Fox News Republican Debate in South Carolina after being excluded from the Fox News Republican Forum that was held two days prior to the New Hampshire Primaries because he wasn't polling high enough nationwide. This was after Dr. Paul managed 10% of the vote in the Iowa Caucuses, beating ex-mayor Rudy Giuliani who garnered a mere 4% of the vote. In addition, Paul was polling above 10% in New Hampshire. Dr. Paul's campaign attempted to convince Fox News to allow him to partake in the Forum to no avail. Eventually, the New Hampshire Republican Party withdrew its support in the Fox News Forum.
It appeared that the Fox News moderators along with the other Republican candidates all ganged up on Dr. Paul last night. The congressman from Texas received very different questions than the other candidates most of the night, often prompting laughter from Mitt Romney and others. Within a few moments of receiving his second question, Dr. Paul's demeanor changed. It became apparent that this was not going to be a "fair and balanced" debate. The question was pertaining to some of Ron Paul's supporters being involved in a 9/11 truth movement. The moderator asked Dr. Paul, "Are you tonight prepared to either embrace that rhetoric, or ask those supporters to abandon it, or divorce themselves from your candidacy?" Dr. Paul responded, "I don't believe that; that's the only thing that's important." He then continued, "I don't endorse that, or believe that. So, please can I participate in the current debate?" It was obvious that Dr. Paul was not going to be a pushover in this debate. He went on to answer the earlier question posed to the other candidates. It was obvious why Dr. Paul was asked a different question. He went on to explain how the Reagan coalition is no longer around and how the Republican party has lost its way: out of control spending, taking away liberties, nation building and policing the world.
Before the debate was over, Ron Paul had been laughed at, ridiculed, and virtually embarrassed. However, Ron Paul was a different candidate last night. He wasn't passive when people attacked him. In fact, often times, he was on the offensive. At one point, Senator McCain was answering a question about whether the U.S. should be supporting the current dictator in Pakistan, and Ron Paul responded sharply, "We used to support Saddam Hussein and we used to be allies with Osama Bin Laden, and what I want to do is stop that! Who are our friends one day turn out to be our enemies! We finally got rid of Saddam Hussein and what are we doingrearming the Sunnis, the old henchmen of Saddam Hussein. What are they gonna' do with all those weapons that we are giving the Sunnis in Baghdad? So, look out! Believe me; that war is not over!" He finished by adding that McCain said that he was okay in being in Iraq for 100 years.
Overall, Dr. Paul did a great job of both defense and offense last night. I believe that Dr. Paul hit a homerun, though, when he was asked disrespectfully among laughter if he has any viability as a Republican candidate. Dr. Paul's answer put the laughter to a stop. He methodically explained how it was still early in the election, that only three contests had taken place and anyone still had equal shot at the nomination. Then he knocked the ball out of the park,
"But, you know, if you measured everything I've ever saidevery vote I've ever taken against the Constitutionyou know I'm a strict Constitutionalist. So, are you suggesting that the Republicans should write me off because I'm a strict Constitutionalist? I'm the most conservative member here. I have voted against more spending and waste in the government than anybody else. So you're suggesting that I'm not electable, and the Republicans don't want me because I'm a strict, fiscal conservativebecause I believe in civil liberties. Why should we not be defending civil liberties?" He continued with, "Mr. Republican Robert Taft didn't even want us to be in N.A.T.O., and you're saying now that we have to continue to borrow money from China to finance this empire that we can't afford? Let me see if I get this rightwe need to borrow $10 billion dollars from China, and then we give it to Musharraf, who is a military dictator who overthrew an elected government. Then we go to war; we lose all these lives, promoting democracy in Iraq. What is going on here?"
(After writing this article, I realized that a good portion of the debate has been cut out of the reairing on Fox News. This is the part where Ron Paul responds to the "Electability" question:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cucn32Eja3c)
After the Fox News debate, the attacks didn't stop. Frank Luntz's focus group claimed that Fred Thompson won the debate and Ron Paul lost. However, the text poll clearly showed that Ron Paul won the debate at 33%, with Thompson trailing at 22%. Of course, Sean Hannity attempted to claim that the text poll was being spammed, but it has been confirmed that the text poll only allows one vote per cell phone. It is obvious to me that Fox News, along with other media stations, have it out for Ron Paul. He receives the least amount of air-time than any other candidate in the Republican Party. He is often laughed at and called a kook for being so steadfast in his beliefs for liberty. So, what is wrong with America when an honorable man who is spreading a message of peace, liberty, and freedom is shunned and chastised for doing so? Are we so self-absorbed that we don't care about our children's futures? Everywhere you look, you can find absolute proof that economic collapse is imminent. Ironically, Dr. Paul is the only candidate in either party who is telling the people the truth about the economy. All of the others make it sound as if it will all be okay. Just ask any expert, not involved in politics, and you will see for yourself that it is a lot worse than the candidates are making it appear.
According to the Iraq Economic Costs Report, published by the Joint Economic Committee in November of 2007, the Iraq war alone will cost a family of four, $16,500. If the war in Afghanistan is added, the total goes up to $20,900. This is what the war in Iraq is costing every single household in America with four members--in other words, the average American family. Do you have a spare $16,000 dollars lying around? The bottom line is that the other candidate's economic proposals will only give the economy a shot of adrenaline, but it will inevitably collapse. When the economy collapsesAmerica collapses. Ron Paul's monetary policy is the only rational way to reduce the debt and prevent a total economic collapse. He admits that times will be difficult for a little while, but if we do nothing then America will fall. Part of his policy for saving the economy is to end the un-Constitutional war in Iraq. We cannot afford it. In order to maintain the war, we have to borrow money from communist China. Imagine when China comes wanting their loan repaid. In addition, he wants to eliminate unnecessary departments, such as Homeland Security, Education, and others. The main idea behind his policy, though, is to return to the gold standard. No more printing money out of thin air. No more inflation tax because America borrowed money from the Federal Reserve. This would drastically lower consumer costs of virtually everything and restore the dollar to a healthy level. So, I ask, why is Ron Paul not winning this election?
©2008 The Rising Phoenix, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Friday, January 11, 2008
Last modified: Monday, January 14, 2008
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Charles
Date: 2008-01-11 18:34:44
I think people should know that the part where Ron Paul answers the question about electability was edited out of the replay of the debate on Fox. Perhaps it resonated too strongly with the watchers, I think a lot of people will not be able to see that moment unfortunately.
Posted By: chichemo
Date: 2008-01-11 18:39:42
Ron Paul is not winning because we have a thoroughly corrupt media and political regime in place in our failing republic.
The disrespect aimed at Dr. Paul during the "debate" was sickening. This country is gone to hell, when a statesman is ridiculed for advocating Liberty, and speaking the truth.
God help us.
Posted By: Carlo
Date: 2008-01-11 22:13:01
I was online reading smear attempt after smear attempt, until I found this decent and truthful article. Ron Paul isn't winning for a combination of reasons, among them you'll find manipulated national polls, antagonism from the media, vote fraud and the fact that the average American is too distracted to take a hard look at what is happening to our country. Great post. Carlo Miami, FL
Posted By: Martin T. Font
Date: 2008-01-11 22:31:43
I think the underlying problem here is the current American mentality. If you go my what the status quo Republican candidates are saying, you are led to believe that America is always right and always justified in its actions. We, as a nation, are not ready to admit our errors. America is not willing to admit it needs the policies pushed by Ron Paul to survive.
Posted By: Mark
Date: 2008-01-11 23:10:32
why is Ron Paul not winning this election? so far it would seem the voters in both Iowa and New Hampshire are brain-dead (completely incapable of critical thought), they vote for the candidate they are told to vote for by the local media (newspaper endorsments). that's the only explanation I can come up with, just makes no sense that the majority of people want endless war, inflation (gas at 4, 5, 6 dollars a gallon), increased taxes and declining freedoms, but that's what they voted for...
Posted By: buck
Date: 2008-01-12 07:40:09
great piece. please allow me to appeal to fellow "commenters". Though I can understand your comments about voters in Iow and NH, and wholeheartedly agree about the slanted media, but lets not be too critical, hopefully we need them again in a few months. Instead lets do all we can to push the movement as far as we can. Now, I've never been confused for a "rah-rah let's go get-um" cheer leader, and those who know me would say I sit as far to the right as anyone they know. But, complaining about these problems won't solve them. Ron Paul is the first person who has politically motivated this much. I'm not thinking about the losses in IA or NH, I'm thinking about winning SC, MI and beyond. thank you.
Posted By: No Name Supplied
Date: 2008-01-12 11:17:06
As a Ron Paul supporter I would like to encourage everyone not to assume the position of a victim. Just stand your ground and assume the position of a survivor. It will play much better with everyone. Go Ron!
Posted By: Stevo
Date: 2008-01-12 21:05:34
I still have a bit of faith. I think Ron will do better than 15% in both MI and NV. Let's hope this is the beginning of the snowball effect. Let the other hopefuls shoot their own feet and at each other. They will drag themselves down with the negativety. Nobody would find any dirt on Dr. Paul.
Posted By: Stefan
Date: 2008-01-13 02:04:16
Ron Paul can well still win, you should just believe in it and workd towards it and not blinded by IA and NH, which represents only 1%. Although we wanted to fare better in NH, NH is lately more Democratic and more undecideds than Independents.
Barry Goldwater Jr. mentioned that in 1964 his father not only lost in NH, he was barely on the radar also, and went on to win the nomination. The worsening economy and in Iraq will benefit Paul. Interesting parallels between Goldwater, Reagan and Paul with regard to independent conservative thought outside the (main) box , (false) racial comments to try to smear etc. Of course differences: difference set of circumstances and Paul was/is not as well known before as he was not a senator or governor. He is not as charismatic as Reagan, but he is much more intelligent/clear and smart than Reagan or any of the current candidates, apart that he is the only honest person. People can alsos ee he is honest, and this is a strong attraction.
Strategy to win: fare better than expected in MI (perhaps 3rd place) and grow momentum, can possibly win NV and/or SC then. If we are on 3rd place or better after Florida and before super dooper Tuesday, Ron Paul has real winning chances. He may well win also Alaska, Hawai, Montana etc.
SC is make or break fro Thompson: if he does not fare well and drop out (due to money problems also), his supporters will mostly vote for Ron Paul, although he may endorse McCain. Same with regard to Huckabee: if he implodes, the christian conservatives will go on to vote for Ron Paul, although he may well endorse another candidate.
Think positive and works toward a win.hatever the outcome, it will be worthwhile, as otherwise a base (also datalist with names and contact) will exist as basis to change GOP to the right roots.
Posted By: tquigly
Date: 2008-01-13 13:02:48
GOP debates: the lockerroom jocks jeer the nerd.
Just came back from the Paulapalooza in Las Vegas. The parade of Ron Paul supporters was a half-mile long and enthusiastic - lots of noise. Lots of flags and signs. Lots of honks from passing cars. Lots of literature given out (the guys on sidewalks handing out tittie-photos, got handed Ron Paul literature instead). Lots of fun.
A half-dozen staff cars plastered with Ron Paul signs kept pace with us as we walked and added to the honking, the noise and the celebration.
The times they are a changin'.
Ron Paul 2008 !!!
Posted By: spfldFT
Date: 2008-01-17 22:02:56
I am wondering how a guy that can get so much money raised can do so horribly in the 1st 3 states and be polling at 5th in SC. While Huckabee is poised to win SC after Iowa with a shoestring budget. He must be able to manage money very well.