Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Beyond Ron Paul What should the Doctor, and his supporters, do if we don't win next weekby Chris Future
(Libertarian)
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Despite the amazing support, my gut is telling me that the mainstream media and the political establishment will be successful in suppressing our grassroots effort to try and change the system from within, at this time. As I referred to in my previous column, the media has already selected their GOP candidate, and is well on their way to selecting their Democratic candidate.
What will happen to the Ron Paul Revolution? Will we simply allow ourselves to descend back into political apathy? Will we simply give up and just live our lives, do our jobs, and selflessly continue to see our freedoms and incomes eroded as Madame President or Mr. Vague Platitudes (Obama) continue to follow failed policies and drive the country deeper into debt and towards unlimited government growth?
No. I refuse to believe that the Revolution sparked here will die. There are many avenues, and we are a long way from the end.
Looking down the Future Hall of Predictions, which back in 2005 predicted a Hillary win, this is what I see:
If McCain wins the nomination and Obama wins the Democrat nomination:
Paul should not attempt to pursue the running mate role with McCain, his policies and ideals directly clash with McCain's. Therefore that match up is impossible. In fact, there is documented evidence that McCain actively mocks and derides Ron Paul's opinion; you only need to look at McCain's expression when Ron Paul speaks the truth in any debate.
Paul should attempt to pursue the running mate role with Obama. As Obama is billing himself as a uniter, having an ex-Republican as a running mate would truly make the Obama/Paul ticket unstoppable. However, those two ideologies may not mesh either.
Paul should run as a third party candidate, not that he can win by any stretch of the imagination, as the system is currently highly stacked against a third party candidate, but to further focus both the Paul base and any new recruits to the Paul cause. If he simply drops out of the race, then all of the energy gathered will dissipate, just like it did with Ross Perot's independent bid. It needs to remain focused. If he does run in the third party role, he should run as the Libertarian party candidate again, and not as simply an independent. Why? Without a solid party, a loss would also dissipate the support. At the same time, the Libertarian Party must be willing to enlarge the tent for all of us who are Libertarian Light.
If McCain wins the nomination and Clinton wins the Democratic nomination:
In this case, Paul should pursue a running mate role with McCain. He can always be rebuffed. If then, he can run as a Libertarian candidate, as above.
Whether or not any of the scenarios above happen, we, the supporters of freedom, fiscal responsibility and limited government, should get involved ourselves. Let's take up the mantle on our own, run and get elected, and continue to spread the message ourselves. We, who believe that we are the Commanders-In-Chief of the economy, should take on that role, and systematically work to reduce the size and scope of government at all levels. It seems ironic to join the government ranks to order to reduce the size of government, but apart from a real revolution, what are our options?
The views expressed in this
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Posted By: Christopher Espinal
Date: 2008-01-31 20:54:41
LOL....Statist....you sure are something else....But I agree. He will place ads all across the country....probably get some more delegates but nothing to make up for the attention John McCain is getting. Sorry, but every year a new small candidate has a vision....a vision that just couldn't lift off!
However, RP is partly to blame. He could've spent more money on good ads in NH to gain momentum. He has the money to BLAST people but he's too much of a wimp. His new ads aren't tough enough! To me, that's a signal that he will not be fierce enough like Reagan on foriegn policy!
Huge ron paul supporter. It sux but in reality the media bias is way too strong, Ron Paul is not going to win the presidency. What we need to do is move the rEVOLution beyond Paul. He is an excellent leader but even if at the end of the day he runs as a Libertarian / Independent he won't get elected that way either (he definely will help shape the election though). Regardless we need to form a banner such as 'Small-Government Republicans' and organize our base and tactics to elect more government officials who support our ideals into all levels of government. Just like the Evangelicals has their turn for the last 20-40 years, if the Small-Government Republicans organize effictively and efficiently, and use and spread our most powerful tool, the Internet, we can shape politics for many years to come.
It will only work if we keep the momentum and organize ourselves. If we become disenfranchised and discouraged, even if our favorite candidate (in this round its Ron Paul, but there are many more to come) does not get elected, then we will be at the mercy of all the other more organized groups forever
We could form our own party, or we could join the Libertarian Party. Either way, we need to stick together and start getting people elected. Why not drop a money bomb for a governor or a Senator, and just keep putting people in government that represent our ideals. Be organized! Stay organized. We learned alot through this campaign, and we know how to raise money, pressure media outlets, and be active. Why not carry this over to other candidates for other positions of government. Especially in places where the turnout is low, if we get a few passionate followers of a candidate in a low-turnout area, we can win easily. The LP wasn't organized or active enough to do this.
The name for the new party should be related to the Constitution, or "The Constitutionalist Party", or something similar. Any way, their members (us) will be persecuted and punished. The NWO will call us "terrorists". It will be no rights left after a short period of time, if RP is not elected.
For starters, say bye to the 1st and 2nd amendments. Big Media is already showing how helpful will be in this aspect. MSM will be the right arm of our new impending tyranny.
F**k that! I will continue the fight until we are free again, this government BS, media BS, and the general BS this country has "learned" to tolerate is over. Apathy is no longer an option regardless of the outcome, I feel sorry for whoever makes an attempt to continue whats been goin on these days. They are not going to have as easy as the dipsh*ts who currently run the show have had.
Yes, many (not all) media has already "decided" who the Republican candidate would be, starting with the NYT BUT I think it is way too early to say the voters has already decided. Work full time canvassing, rather than speculationg about future possibilities if Ron Paul does not win the nomination or complaining about the obviously very biased media. Personal, not only internet, canvassing is the antidote , this way false perceptions by the media and ignorance and lack of name recognition can be combatted. In NH there are lately not so many Independents than before, more undecideds lately and they tend lately to vote Democrat. A lot of pro-choice also. Let us focus on now and the future.
A very good showing, preferably a win in Maine will provide a lot of momentum before Super Tuesday and hopefully Ron Paul gets more endorsements (Viquerie, Dick Amey, Dr. James Dobson? etc). One by Tom McClintock of CA will help a lot for CA (and will "neutralize" Scharzeneggers's endorsement of McCain). A very good showing and attracting of Independents and anti-war (and Clinton disliking) Democrats in border states in 2004 (and which Republicans lost in 2006) bby Ron Paul will help a lot, also for persuading the RNC that Paul is THE candidate can can make the appeal to Independents and Democrats needed by the Republicans to regain power in these states. It is the best that McCain and not Romney won in Florida, as Paul win profit the most from conservatives who dislike McCain in the republican Party and they will vote for him (even thow they may disagree about the Iraq war). Flip-flop Romney is also not so trusted everywhere among Republicans, and with him having positioned now at the traditional right, he does not have the apeeal to poor and middle class people and to Independents and Democrats that Paul and McCain have. Of course Paul would appeal to a different kind of Democrat than McCain. Although Paul is a year old than McCain, he not only looks, but also act much younger and still a very sharp brain. Paul should be a very trusted future for his domestic policy among conservative Republican, currently his appeal is with "nominal" Republicans etc. Huck can compete only a few states on Super Tuesday and due to fall out of the race after that, due to lack of funds also.
Paul will make his decision according to Super Tuesday performance, if -a s expected - there is no absolute dominant position after Super Tuesday, Texas may well be the decider and could catapult Paul into prime position, or in any case as the contender with McCain (or Romney?). (I hope Barry Goldwater Jr. and the grassroots can campaign hard in Arizona: it would be great fun if we could beat McCain on his home turf, building on the inherent unhappiness with him in the state). Paul is an economic and social/religious conservative (while Huch in practice, not theory, only a religious conservative). Although they disagree on Iraq, Paul could get most of Huck's support (also if the opportunistic Huck endorses McCain). (It would also be great if we could beat Huck in Arkansas, his home turf, where many are not happy with him).
Well, in any case, Paul's intention was not to send a message only, as in 1988, he wants to win the nomination and if that it not possible, build a strong small government basis in the Republican party to pressure them to the right direction.he will NOT dissapear form the map, and if he does not wint he nomination, continue to be a leader for quite some time, while building a younger team of congressmen, governors and senators among his positions. Support Murray Sabrin, for instance. We hope and pray for a brokered convention, where Paul could win the nomination, or act as runnign mate with someone like Mark Sanford (of SC) as the nomination of the Republican Party.
If he runs as an Independent or Libertarian on a basis where there is no possibility for him to win the presidency, the movement could disssapate after the election. In that case if will be like in 1988 , it will not lead to much more, int he present cirumstances. the system is based for two parties only. However, given a dynamic stituation with a lot of frustration with the current parties and possibly a run by Bloomberg-Obama and Ralph Nader, and/or the drastic deteriorration of the Iraq situation, economic situation etc, there could be a possibility for Paul to run as an Independent or Third Party candidate and win. Need a lot of funding by high net worth people, that can fund an active TV and radio campaign (Someone that had media connections, and they could also provide 2300 USD to say 1000 people plus if they want to make a big contribution). If he would run as a third party candidate, I personally would not prefer the Libertarian or the smaller COnstitutionalist Party, as they have limited appeal and perception: Ron Paul moverment is much bigger. It would be better that he run as the Reform party candidate, that did get 19% under Ross Perot, or he run as an Independent with a new party going to be formed some time.
I'm afraid that if you could bring Ronald Reagan back from the dead, he'd be vilified by today's GOP!
The Republican party says it's for lower taxes. It isn't. It passed the largest federal budget in history, and even after it controlled the White House and both houses of Congress, it failed to make a dent in the federal tax burden.
The Republican party says it's for limited government. It isn't. Not only has it failed to reduce the already ridiculous size and power of government, it has drastically increased it.
The Republic party says it's for individual liberties. It isn't. It created the biggest federal bureaucracy in history, and gave it all sorts of new powers to spy on, detain, silence, and otherwise harass Americans.
The Republican party says it believes in the Constitution. It doesn't. It has done absolutely nothing to try to correct the mangling of the "commerce clause" to allow the federal government to stick its nose in everyone's business.
And when someone came along who really IS for lower taxes, limited government, individual liberty, and a return to the Constitution, how did the Republican establishment respond? By smearing, demonizing, demeaning, marginalizing, and insulting him, and trying to silence him. Even though that man is a Republican.
My question is, just how stupid are Republican voters? Just how badly and how often do you need to be betrayed by the totalitarians in the GOP (masquerading as "limited government" advocates) before you stop SUPPORTING their collectivist crap?
"But the Democrats are even worse!"
No, they aren't. They are IDENTICAL. The only difference is in their rhetoric: the Republicans pander to those who want limited government, and the Democrats pander to those who want the nanny state to control and take care of everything. But in action, the two are THE SAME. They are two faces of ONE group of power-happy, war-mongering, fear-mongering, liberty-destroying nationalist/socialists. The suggestion that THOSE are your only choices is a classic tyrant trick. Unfortunately, almost all Americans still fall for it.
Personally, I don't believe in "limited government" any more than I believe in "limited murder," "limited rape," or "limited armed robbery." But for those "limited statists" out there who still believe in the Constitution, stop supporting its demise! If you must vote, and Ron Paul loses the Republican primary--which the Republican establishment is going to great lengths to ensure--vote for him anyway. I don't care whether he runs or not. Write in his name. If instead you hold your nose and vote for the establishment- appointed collectivist, YOU are the problem.
Yes, I am telling you to intentionally destroy the Republican party, because it is an absolute fraud. Of course, the Democratic power machine is equally fraudulent and evil, but by supporting either of them--instead of telling them BOTH to go to hell--you are ENABLING your own enslavement. Quit bickering over which crook is worse, and just STOP SUPPORTING CROOKS. "But then the OTHER guy will win!" So what? I would wager that NO ONE could tell, based only on the legislation passed during the Clinton administration as compared to that passed during the Bush administration, who was on the "left" and who was on the "right." The result is always the same: more power for them, less freedom for you. By supporting EITHER party, you prolong the lie, and assist in your own subjugation.
There is only one person running for President who actually believes in the Constitution, and look how hard his "own" party is trying to silence him. And look who they have running AGAINST him: several left-leaning, tax-and-spend socialists (Huckabee, Romney, McCain and Giuliani). Every one of them is far left of JFK! Is that really what "conseravtives" want? Who exactly is the Republican party "representing"?
Anyone with their eyes open can see that the Republican establishment doesn't CARE what Republican VOTERS want. They are still trying to milk the reputation of Ronald Reagan, while viciously slandering anyone who sounds anything like him. They are just as elitist as the Democrats, having nothing but contempt for your freedom and what YOU want. When thousands of you said "We want Ron Paul!" what did the Republican establishment say? "To hell with you!" Well, it's high time to return the compliment. Maybe the best thing to come out of a Ron Paul presidential run will be a long overdue unmasking and discrediting of the totalitarian elitists club calling itself the Republican party.
I believe what Ron Paul said in the beginning. The delegate will be elected on the convention floor. He knew what the media was going to do to him. I give him credit for taking on the problems he faced and not giving in. Florida has 57 delegates and he knows they are not all mccain delegates. The convention will be the finaly!!!
Are you kidding me? You're smokin' crack bro. Here's the way I see it.
The only way Paul should consider running as a 3rd party, is if it comes down to Mccain vs. Hillary. These are the two most hated and corrupt politicians in America. The MSM is just waiting for Mccain to get the nod so they can bash him over the head with the Keating Five scandal. As for Hillary... do I really need to explain?
Ron Paul COULD win 3rd party if those were the opponents. If Obama gets the nod, he might as well get comfy back in Texas. I'm hoping Mccain and Hitlery get the nod... then Dr. Paul can really kick some ass.
Ron Paul should not run as a third party. What his supporters should do is get behind competent people of similar integrity and beliefs and get them elected to Congress. I think its wonderful that so many of his supporters are becoming delegates, as they will have a voice in deciding the Republican's party platform. Even if most of the currently elected congressional Republicans can't seem to remember what was in the last one. Another thing I recommend is to stay involved. Keep researching the individual parts of Ron Paul's message. Keep nagging the local and national media to do a story about what a tragedy federal involvement has been in our schools, our environment, etc.,
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