What Republicans should do if Ron Paul loses the nomination
A suggestion on what Republicans should do if Ron Paul loses the nomination. by Lazarus
(libertarian)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
The Republican Party has come a long way from promoting small-government and fiscal responsibility. At this point, excluding Ron Paul, the only options for President are a Democrat who will use the power and revenue of the government to promote liberal policies such as entitlement programs, or a Republican who will use the power and revenue of government to promote "conservative" policies, such as an interventionist foreign policy. Meanwhile we will continue to become further indebted to foreign governments.
For the record, I am a Ron Paul supporter. However, this article is not going to discuss Paul's chances of winning the nomination, nor how much our country would prosper under his policies. Rather, I write this article to suggest a course of action should Paul lose the nomination.
Reagan is credited with bringing together the three legs of the modern Republican Party - social conservatives, defense hawks, and small-government advocates (small L libertarians). The current party has abandoned the small-government individuals such as Paul. The question should be, for those who do not want to abandon the Party altogether: How do small-government Republicans force the Party to come back to its senses?
Political parties only understand two things - winning and losing elections. When they win they don't change their platform because that platform worked to get them into power. Losing parties adjust their platform in order to obtain more votes in the hopes of regaining power. That being said, it is usually a guessing game to determine what new platform will garner additional votes.
If Paul loses the nomination, and chooses to run as an independent, then the obvious answer would be to vote for him and not the Republican nominee. I realize that this would probably result in a Democratic victory (which could happen even if Paul supporters for the nominee), but it would force Republicans to take Paul supporters/small-government advocates seriously next time around.
If Paul loses the nomination and refrains from running as an independent, then I believe the best Paul surrogate would be the Libertarian party. It is generally recognized that many libertarian voters vote Republican (instead of Libertarian) because of the small-government platform in a "viable' party. So libertarian voters would be read to be dissatisfied Republicans. So if the Republicans lose to the Democrats and their margin of lose is less then the votes the Libertarians get, the Republican Party may realize that it needs to welcome us back into it's tent and promote a platform that meets some of our needs, lest it continue to lose elections.
While a Democratic win is not something a Republican normally advocates for, if that is the only way to ensure that sometime in the near future we have a Republican Party that believes in small-government again, so be it. I believe that a Republican victory under the current platform of big-government conservatism would only ensure that their platform does not change in the foreseeable future, which would mean that small-government advocates would have no home under either of the two big tents.
In summary: If Paul does not win the nomination vote for him as an independent or vote libertarian. This may be the only way to save the soul of the Republican party.
If anyone has any thoughts on this or other suggestions on how to reclaim a party that has abandoned some of its core principles I would welcome feedback.
Did you like this article? If you did, Thumb It! 104
thumbs so far
The views expressed
in this article are those of Lazarus only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Lazarus is solely responsible for the contents
of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated
with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
I have two options (regardless of how this presidential election turns out)-- My suggestion would be that we keep the Ron Paul Revolution network alive (all the hundreds of thousands of us Americans who desire to restore our freedeoms and the constitution) and:
1. Be a party within the party and start an internal revolt by working independently from the national party and work to get "Ron Paul Republicans" elected in the 2010 mid-term elections-- and continue to do so until we've taken back over and restored the Republican party to it's true roots. OR>
2. Keep all the Ron Paul supporters networked and defect en masse to the Constitution Party-- and again work towards getting as many "Ron Paulians" elected under the flag of the Constitution Party.
Great article, Lazarus.
And to you, "statist": enjoy your life of indentured servitude. As a free individual, I'll be sure to step on your head as I walk over the system you'll be chained to.
If McCain wins the nomination, Republicans need to decide if they want to vote to help McCain destroy what is left of the Republican party, or let Hillary galvanize the Republican party.
Why the Constitution party and not the Libertarian Party? I think that the perception is that a vote for Libertarian would have been a vote for the Republicans and so voting Libertarian would be the best way to send a message to Republicans. Also, Paul ran as a libertarian in 1988. And in reviewing the Constitution Party it seems to bring religion into its decisions and seems to agree that government should use legislation to promote morality (as defined by the bible) which I think Paul would oppose (not that Paul doesn't approve of moral behavior but that he would oppose the government legislating morality).
Posted By: Ron Paul Supporter
Date: 2008-01-30 21:12:52
I support Ron Paul, but I am still voting for a Republican over a Libertarian or Democrat. I completely agree with most of what Libertarians have to say, but let's face it: they don't have a chance. I know that sounds terrible of me, but I am just being realistic.
I am a Ron Paul supporter, but I am willing to vote Republican to keep a Dem out of office.
My lone vote is my small voice, yet it is MY voice. I will not cast my vote into the ocean of other voices to support someone I do not feel is doing what's right for MY America. If I have to use my vote as a protest vote, so be it! Some will say that it would be a wasted vote. I say it is my small voice saying NO! to the others who would have me join them for "good" of the party. I will never stupidly vote for the lesser of two evils again. I will never go to the polls and vote with my fingers crossed, hoping I am voting for the "right" candidate again. I'll be voting for Ron Paul weather I have to check it, write it in or vote 3rd party.
The day is still young, figuratively speaking. I suspect that the "mainstream Republicans" (the TRIO) are going to have to reduce their presence (i.e., get leaner) before too long. The strategy of divide and conquer is working against them, now. I am getting no read on the electorate's will, other than responding to the "cult of personality" or interest group motivations that track with a particular candidate versus the Republican platform.
Interestingly, I saw some misguided analysis at National Review Online that suggested reducing the debate field to leave Romney and McCain. What? Certainly, get rid of one or two of the TRIO, but one has to leave Paul. He's the only counterpoint. What would McCain and Romney discuss, hair?
Meanwhile, there are significant elements of the electorate that are "huddled" somewhere--the anti-war voter, the fiscally responsible voter, the "change" voter, and so forth. One could surmise that they are less ideological, confused, or not quite sure on the positions of the candidates.
As for the Libertarians, I'm aware that they are retooling their platform. If that platform includes support for a millenial war, then it probably sinks.
It's far too early to tell where the mass votes of disaffection (war, fiscal policy, border control, etc.) go--that's the problem. At this point, I haven't seen a very good indicator of the popular will. There is much more disgust now than when Perot pulled in his 19% (or thereabouts). Where will these people go?
I support Ron Paul. I fear that, if Paul supports vote for Democrats, as Lazarus suggests, and if they win, then the Republican party won't try to pick up our votes next time; rather they will only become more like Democrats, even further blurring any remaining difference---doing "what's popular" in order to get more votes next time. This is why so many politicians claim to be "centrists"---to get voters from both sides of the isle. In fact, I don't think they actually care about any of the Founding Principles. I think they probably care more about power.
This is one of the reasons I support Ron Paul. He doesn't see this race for the presidency as a popularity contest. He's truly interested in the Principles, which have been abandoned -- for the sake of becoming more progressive like Western European nations (!?).
The Principles that guide Ron Paul seem to dictate that we still vote for him, even if he is a third-party candidate. As Americans, we cannot be silent in matters of our own safety, personal liberty and prosperity. As Americans, it is our will---the will of the People---that must be heard; and I will not "cast my voice into the ocean of other voices", as Michael (above) says. (Besides, how any any reasonable person cast a vote when the options are Stalin and Hitler?) Furthermore, what Ron Paul is doing now is likely not an attempt to seat himself (or the Principles) in the White House. He's sowing the seeds of Reason.
In the late 1800's, a was spectre haunting Europe. Today, there is a cousin of that spectre haunting these united states; that spectre is socialism. I will not play any volutary part of its gradual acceptance. I owe it to myself and my posterity. I never want to have to apologize to my children for letting the opportunity keep alive this revolution pass.
Given the Principles that I believe in, voting for either of the leading party candidates would be a compromise. So I ask myself what I think Thomas Jefferson would do. I think he would remind us of something he once said: "On matters of style, swim with the current. On matters of principle, stand like a rock."
"Resistance to illegal and unconstitutional usurpation of our rights is required. Each of us must choose which course of action we should take: education, conventional political action, or even peaceful civil disobedience to bring about necessary changes.
"But let it not be said that we did nothing. Let not those who love the power of the welfare/warfare state label the dissenters of authoritarianism as unpatriotic or uncaring. Patriotism is more closely linked to dissent than it is to conformity and a blind desire for safety and security."--Ron Paul
In my opinion, McCain will win through a rigged election. McCain would be an ideal choice for those who seek to establish a North American Union and believe WW III would plausibly precipitate a loss of sovereignty in the U.S. Think about it. George Bush did his sardonic best to deliver fascist laws he borrowed from Hitler and Stalin while insisting that mystified voters associate those laws with the United States Constitution via a transmogrified right wing. So now how will the Bush crowd smash the Constitution permanently? Hitler the Second…..or Hitler, the Sequel. “You’d better not attack Iran,” Russian puppets tell us. “I’m going to attack it anyway,” the American puppet replies. Then Russia nukes the U.S., which supposedly had it coming. (9/11, the Sequel.) If you think anything less intelligent is going on, you’d better explain how a homegrown moron became the President of the United States.
To be clear, I did not suggest that Paul supporters vote for the Democrats to send Republicans a message. I am suggesting that they vote for Paul as an independent (if he runs) or vote libertarian as a Paul proxy to send a message to the Republican Party.
Think positive, a lot of things can happen that may change the political landscape before or during the Republican convention and would favor Ron Paul: McCain or Romney could make a disastrous mistake or somehting about their history or relationships could come to light that can selfdestruct them, the economic situation and "trust" in the Fed and Bush government could deteriorate further, the unrest situation in Iraq may deteriorate, making the war and US presence in Iraq even more unpopular etc. At the convention, if no one candidate between say McCain, Romney and Paul has the majority needed (or strong objection against the standing candidate), it would lead to a brokered convention, where another candidate like Mark Sanford of SC could be the leading candidate, with Ron Paul the running mate. If either McCain or Romney is appointed the Republican nominee, it would not necessarily further the cause if Ron Paul stands as an Independent candidate. If he would run as a 3rd party candidate, IMHO it would be counter productive to run with a small party like the Consitutional Party of Libertarian Party. The Ron Paul movement has grown into bigger than this. I mean there are also people like the Green Party that registered as Republican to support Dr. Paul. They may never want to vote for a Libertarian Party candidate. If you want to run as a third party candidate, maybe the Reform Party (that had the biggest success as 3rd Party with 19%) could be an option, or running as a Independent candidate and simultaneously plan for a new fresh party. Alternatively, as third party chandidates, even with 1 B USD to spend, rarely has a chance to win and the two party system still too strong, the best would be to abstain from voting or write Paul in, wait for the Republicans to implode with the election over Iraq and in such a situation, Paul could be appointed chairman of the Republican Party (as with Howard Dean) or an important position and bolster the reform of the Republican Party from within. The Ron Paul movement should in any case be a long term movement and Ron Paul will and should still play a major part of it, and be strenghtened by more governors and senator and congressmen and grassroot voter, create a stonger caucus, print a newsletter, strong online presence and fundraising (already started), possibly demonstrate against the Patriot Act and promote the Free State Project.
I think you all have valid points about the condition of the GOP and the different ways to hope to get it back on track.
On the protest vote route, could really have an unpresedented impact that will evoke immediate changes by the GOP IF these protest voters are organized and publisized as to WHY they're voting in such a way.
It's too early to say how this will all play out, but I believe no vote for John Paul will be wasted. Even if Lady Macbeth takes the Whitehouse, her Socialist agenda will drive the votes to a Republican congress and Senate: She'll be an island. So there should be no fear even if Ron Paul loses the Republican nomination. But it may sound the death knell for the credibility of the Republican party. It's becoming obvious that this is a game where the cards are marked - and the actions of the GOP and MSM (Pravda) are now out in the open to anyone who is net savvy, as increasingly more voters are. We have Google News, You Tube, and the candidates websites for voters smart enough to find out the unfiltered facts. It's the people glued to the networks that we'll have to worry about as well as the better informed but defeatist among us who'll vote for the lesser of two evils. That's what the power elite are banking on: stupid masses and public apathy - and they may in fact win. At least for now. Ron Paul has planted the seeds of reason and started the revolution, it's up to us who support his ideology to see that public awareness of his platform reaches critical mass with the electorate. Your vote for Ron Paul will NOT be wasted. Nor will your money be wasted.
Your vote for the "Good Cop Bad Cop team" that's been mugging the taxpayer for decades will only insure our imminent political and economic collapse. I think the United States was a good idea and so does Ron Paul. None of the other politicians do: They're all globalist CFR members and warmongers itching to pull the nuclear trigger on Iran. It won't matter if Ron Paul wins or loses - you've lost anyway if you vote for any of the other candidates: are all antipodes of the same entity: Neocon hucksters and their shills in the media. Even if we "lose" their marked cards will be on the table out in the open, be it biased media or electoral fraud (very,very likely). That will REALLY wake up the sleeping electorate and it's what we need to do.
We don't give up if Ron doesn't win the Republican nomination. And we don't vote for some Libertarian party candidate that will never get elected. We do a massive draft Ron Paul for president on an independent ticket.
Do you know of any single potential candidate that can even come close to Ron Paul?
This is the way to go, think about it. We'll have 9 months to get his name out all over the place. People don't have to be registered Republicans to vote for him.
Also, with the massive vote fraud in this country, register in a liberty district where there are no electronic voting machines. Check it out!
Posted By: Linda Inveninato
Date: 2008-01-31 07:35:22
In the deep south we have a serious problems with non-verifiable voting machines. There is no trail at all... We are told that our votes are recorded on another area of the machine for reference, if needed. If any of you believe that, I've got a bridge.... This is another area where we need to remain vigilant. In all deep south states there are legal procedings to change the current voting machines.
"I can understand gambling on a football team because you think it'll win. I don't understand voting for a candidate based upon your notion that he's the most likely to win." -Doc, January 24, 2008
If/when RP is denied the Republican nomination, his message must continue. It is not the man. It is the moment. It is not the candidate. It is the message. This Revolution is greater than a few dissillusioned voters. It is a paradigm shift of national proportions. The internet generation is coming to power. It is a revolution of ideas not images. Kennedy won because the public saw him as cool and cute. Nixon was sweaty and intellectual. The TV generation went for handsome and young. The newest generation is begining to hold information as sacrosanct as images once were to their parents. Thank God. It's about time we eschewed the shallowness of who is pretty for the depth of who holds the ideals of liberty and common sense. The Power Brokers are finding that the Revolution has seen through their fog and the truth will come clearly into view when information trumps image. RP is only the begining. More digging will take place no matter who else gets elected. There will be no more free passes handed out by the generation who can begin to think for themselves. This concept of Liberty has taken root and it WILL continue to grow. Never give up the effort as it may not pay off in '08; it may be '12, it may be '16, but it will pay off. The days of being spoon fed information and taking for granted that what was hidden will remain hidden from the public are over. Viva La Revolution!
I too am a dedicated Ron Paul supporter. I'm also a veteran and someone who has been inspired by Dr. Paul's candidacy, advocacy of both the Constitution and individual liberty. I plan to vote for Dr. Paul whenever that is a choice. However, I will not hesitate to vote for a party other than the Republican party, read Libertarian, to send a message that I am not satisfied with the status quo. Our duty as citizens is to vote for what we believe is right for the country, not to vote for who appears most likely to win. We shouldn't be afraid to lose the election to a democrat, if it comes to that. Nor should we be afraid of taking votes away from the republican party. Voting for our conscience is the only way to have our message be heard.
Republicans sold out to money and used the christain lip-service to gain votes. Even the last 2 years of Reagan and Bush senior sold out our country to corperations leaving behind the true american ideals they originally espoused. that's the difference with Ron Paul, he's the real thing and therefore is appealing to the mid and lower pay scale americans in droves; poor people who remember their history lessons on the founding fathers and who believe in freedom. I personally am praying for and supporting Ron Paul until the very end because no matter what, with the nearing end of liquidity in the market, massive debt, the end of civil liberties and a world elite poised to run the globe through tyranny, America is going down the drain anyway. email:nitai_lila@yahoo.com for free survival plans 101. Thanks.
Personally, i wish I had more time to save more money to give Ron Paul. I've given him the limit already but had I known about him, say... 3-4 years ago, i would have put aside a fund that would grow just to finance him in this election. We've done an amazing job for him, but imagine if he had 200-300 million. Imagine if he was able to afford to advertise significantly in every state and fund a much larger grass roots campaign. I'm not loyal to Democrats or Republicans. I'm an independent that believes in Ron Paul's message.
So, if he doesn't win, here is what I'm GOING to do. Immediately I will start a non-profit organization who's sole purpose will be to begin expanding the network and raising funds for next election in 4 years. Compounded interest can do wonders on large sums of money. I have a small network of friends and family (about 100) that I'll get to contribute monthly. And I'll get more. Luckily I've had some success in life so I'll dedicate a significant amount of time recruiting and building the network.
Sometimes I just feel like we don't have enough time and I will NOT let that happen again if he doesn't win. We all know what money can do. Huckabee and McCain both had momentum but their resources are limited and it really does effect their campaign.
Whether it is Ron Paul again in four years or someone else that Ron endorses that can carry the mantle, it doesn't matter. It is the message that needs to be heard and these parties win because of their resources and vast network.
My goal will be to get 30,000 people donating an average of $30 per month. For about 40 months, if it was only 5% compounded annually there would be about $108 million.
Personally, I think it's way to early to predict anything. The only thing that we absolutely know for sure is that Ron Paul will remain in the race as long as he still has the financial where with all that allows him to. If he runs out of money, that's the end. So, with this in mind, it's imperative that we as supporters of his campaign make sure he is continues to be well financed.
Secondly, no matter how the primaries go, there's still a whole lot that can happen between now and the GOP convention. And as we've already seen, it doesn't take much to tip the scales. Just one REALLY stupid remark or action from one of the other candidates that even the mainstream media can't cover up is all it will take to create a shift in the thoughts of the public. Or, an event that legitimizes (in the eyes of the undecided) Ron Paul's stand on the issues. Such as a major decline in the dollar, or the stock market, a deepening recession, higher than normal inflation (like that isn't happening already) or a worsening situation in Iraq. (Just to name a few) Any one of those events could sway voters towards Ron Paul in a heartbeat.
So, there are still a lot of "if's" out there to contend with. If Huckabee drops out of the race from lack of money. The races changes. If there is no really clear winner by the convention, who knows!, the GOP could throw them all off the ticket and nominate Newt Gingrich. Again, yet another "if".
I have every confidence that Ron Paul knows exactly what he's doing. I can only speculate what his intentions will be if he doesn't get the nomination, but I've decided not to. For lack of a better term, I believe there is a 'method to his madness". (It's just a cliche')
He's been in this "game" a long time and knows how the system works better than you or I ever will. The one thing I DO know is that as long as he has the money to be in the race, come hell or high water, he'll be in the race to the general election.
I will write in Dr. Paul if he does not get the monination. I an guessing most of the "patriots" will as well. Unless Dr. Paul gets the nomination, a democrat will be in the white house come January. The religious and neocon republicans need to realize this. Maybe they do. As it is right now, The dems are by far outraising the Reps. In fact, some papers are saying (and I paraphrase), "we (the dems) have this thing won because the best fundraiser in the rep party was the kooky Ron Paul and he has absolutely no support."
The reality is, it's either Dr. Paul or you will be handing your paychecks to Pres. Hillobama.
Posted By: Chris Coughlin
Date: 2008-02-01 14:57:56
The Ron Paul Revolution is in the process of taking back a hyjacked nation. After the election, every supporter must become active in local and state politics. Take over at the grass roots level and maintain the tremendous momentum that Ron Paul and his supporters have developed for freedom and true Constitutional government. In a decade, the entire political face of the nation will change, if Ron Paul's supporters continue their continue their fabulous contributions and commitment to Constitutional government.
Posted By: Frederick N. Brier
Date: 2008-02-02 07:36:02
I have not given up yet either. But, I too will write in "Ron Paul". If you are in a state which requires jumping through hoops to be allowed to write in a candidate, jump.
Posted By: Christine Smith
Date: 2008-02-04 16:25:25
For all offices: Vote your principles. Vote your conscience. Always be a voter of integrity. Cast your vote as if it would decide who will hold that office. Let not your vote be swayed by probability or polls...let it be determined as your values and principles are most reflected in a candidate regardless of political party.
If you want to resign yourself to someone else's depressing version of "reality" then by all means vote for some douche you havn't supported for the last year. Yeah that sounds like what you are encouraging us to.
I support Ron Paul because he is the only one who is even close to what I envision an American to be. I will vote my conscience, because that is the only way to really "support" MY candidate! I certainly will not vote for some other turd just to "be in the popular party", or "to win".That being said, if his name isn't on my ballot come November of this year, I'll write it in in my own blood!
If we do not elect Ron Paul, we will get the country that sheep like us DESERVE!!! Get up, Go to work, repeat until dead-That will be the mantra of the New Americans!
