Understanding why Paul inspires Americans by Sunny Miss
(libertarian)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
In the midst of media blackouts, smears, debate exclusions, possible voter fraud and sundry other underhanded tactics, Ron Paul has managed to obtain another second place finish in Nevada and again (even possibly first) in the Louisiana caucuses. The first was a little publicized second in Wyoming (according to CNN.com). And we are reminded of why we support the good doctor.
Dr. Paul has handled these negative tactics as a gentleman, much to the fury of his hardcore supporters. Most couldn't understand why he wouldn't demand a recount of New Hampshire, speak more strongly about unbecoming newsletters or stomp his feet for more attention. The answer lies in the man himself, and his philosophies.
Hundreds of thousands of people watched the YouTube videos that showed Dr. Paul winning in a landslide. Why wouldn't he want a recount? Take a look at the bigger picture. The best case scenario would have him as a landslide winner, but you never plan for the best case. The statistical analysis showed that even with flawed diebold machines, he may only pick up one position for that race. Add in the apparent political taboo of a recount, and I can understand why Dr. Paul did not request a recount. Even if he was truly a landslide winner, Dr. Paul could only stand to gain a percentage of about twenty-two delegates out of two thousand four hundred five total, about 0.83%. The math shows that there is no real benefit to the time and resources that would need to be spent for a recount. Our man does not like to gamble.
Dr. Paul is an intelligent man who has been playing this game we call politics for nigh 20 years. He is well versed in the tactics that have been used against him, and it appears he has his had his defense planned for some time now. Dr. Paul knew these attacks were going to happen and that he would have to decide how to handle them well in advance. We, the people, were taken aback by these events, but Dr. Paul's response couldn't have been more appropriate; give any credence to these events and "they" have won. When you acknowledge them, they will know they have affected you and they will continue to harass you. Dr. Paul gives them no such pleasure. He refuses to acknowledge the rubbish they spew and takes the high ground.
And then you can look at the campaigns themselves. No one has any money left except Dr. Paul. The news this morning reported McCain being $4.5 million in debt. Mitt Romney has been repeatedly loaning his own campaign money from his personnel finances (one hopes that he will continue this trend if he becomes president; several million donated back to the treasury may put a tiny nick in the national deficit). Huckabee's next money bomb seems ludicrous in the face of the current economy: "Max out for Mike?" Counter productive? In the current economic state, people can't afford to pay their mortgages, so how will they be able to pay for their credit cards too? And shouldn't they be spending that extra money in stores, revitalizing the economy? In the meantime, his staff is walking away because he can no longer afford them. What ever happened to candidate loyalty? Well, I guess all those people support Dr. Paul. Virtually all of his campaign support and funding comes from grass roots that you couldn't pay to leave.
Dr. Paul, in keeping with his minimalist philosophy, has managed to run a campaign on pennies. I have seen comments mentioning that in Michigan, he only ran one radio ad. While his finish there wasn't spectacular, about fifty-four thousand people apparently thought he was worth listening to. But while he may not have had the press or adequate advertising coverage, his meet-up groups worked hard to fill in the gaps, just as they have in every other state.
Indeed, it is common knowledge that the grass roots is the true strength of Dr. Paul's campaign. His campaign, dubbed "the revolution" could not be called so without these individuals. These are the people that helped him beat fund raising records. Men like Albert Howard, a humble chauffer who stood up against the possible voter fraud in New Hampshire. The Granny Warriors. Vijay Boyapati. Nelson Linder. Jane Roe. The Ron Paul meet-up leader for a precinct near my home is a legal immigrant that can't even vote. Comments on articles are left by Paul supporters from England and Austrailia and other countries across the globe (think John Mappin). Even John McCain said that Dr. Paul was the most honest person in Washington before they were political rivals.
Dr. Paul believes in small government and giving the power back to the people. This fits neatly with how his campaign has run. It is the people who have banded together to help him win this fight. It is the people that have policed internet websites and left comments correcting misinformed articles, and flooded Rupert Murdoch's email box with protests over debate exclusions. It is the people who have donated the pennies needed to push Dr. Paul's fundraising to record breaking levels. It is the people who are going door-to-door, asking for votes. It is the people are who have made this possible. And, slowly, the people are winning.
In essence, to trust in Ron Paul is to trust in ourselves and in the power we have as a people to control our own lives.
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I to agree with Dr Paul's ignoring all of the childish acts against him!
Our new Governor in Alaska, Sarah Palin, was faced with the same tactics during her primary campaign. During one debate when faced with a similar behavior, she replied, "I won't dignify that comment with a response' and simply moved on. She won the primary in a very big way over an incumbent governor and went on to become the governor by defeating a two term, former democratic governor with the same sort of grass roots support that Ron Paul has. Sarah Palin has stood up to her promises and uses the line item veto and although she is not appreciated by all of our state reps she has the support of the voters with an approval rating of over 90%!
My hat's off to Ron Paul for the above board campaign he is waging and the gentelman that he is. I'd expect no less from our future President.
