Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
The Beginning of the End for Ron Paul He'll continue to make an impression, he's set records, but Super Tuesday was not super for Ron Paul.by William Westmiller
(Libertarian)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The only good news for Ron Paul after Super Tuesday was a distant second place finish against Mitt Romney in Montana. There was little consolation in West Virginia's convention, where Paul's delegates were released after the first ballot. They may have joined McCain delegates to give Huckabee a delegate win over Romney's strong effort. Supporters had high hopes for North Dakota, but his 21 percent left him in third place, adding only five delegates to his previous six. Alaska, frequently cited as a libertarian-leaning state, gave Paul the show position with 16 percent of the total vote. There are fleeting hopes in two remaining states, but it's no longer the end of the beginning. It's the beginning of the end.
McCain's victories on Super Tuesday may not have clinched the nomination for him, but he garnered more than twice as many delegates as Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee combined. At this point, Paul has only a dozen "soft-pledged" delegates and no victories.
That's a doomsday scenario, even for an "educational" campaign, since his name will not even be placed into nomination at the GOP National Convention in Minneapolis. Without a majority of delegates in at least five states, he won't even get the few minutes allowed for a token nomination speech. Delegates can vote for Paul, but those votes will simply be recorded as abstentions.
Huckabee might end up as a convention "broker" with six or more state delegations, but he probably can't demand more than the promise of some official position in a future McCain administration. Paul has nothing to trade and probably wouldn't take such a position in any case. He'll certainly be re-elected to Congress, with little competition in his Texas district. That's as close as he's likely to get to the White House.
Paul has said he won't abandon the campaign, feeling an obligation to continue for as long as he can communicate his message. He says he owes that to his supporters. And he may have enough cash-on-hand to make the rounds to the remaining primary states for rallies and speaking engagements. The media can set their criteria just high enough to exclude Paul from any future debates or prime media appearances.
As a Paul supporter, I'm delighted with what he's been able to accomplish. He's exposed millions of Americans to his libertarian ideals and principles. His rhetoric and style have drawn thousands of enthusiastic supporters to dozens of rallies across that country. He practically owned the internet. That's a huge accomplishment for him and his fans. Hopefully, the Paul campaign will only be the end of the beginning for the future of liberty.
---- Update 1: Results after Super Tuesday: XLS speadsheet.
"Paul had said earlier in the campaign that he would look at Super Tuesday as a gauge for his presence in the race. As long as the support and the fundraising remained, he said he would stay in it."
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2008 William Westmiller, all rights reserved.
Published: Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Last modified: Wednesday, February 6, 2008
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McCain isn't eligible for president - he is NOT a natural born US citizen. Romney is OWNED by the Mormon Church, and as a Bishop in that mind-control organization, he is obligated to do what his Mormon superiors order him to do. furthermore, all of these crooks are going to be hit with criminal complaints relating to 9/11 soon (hopefully). Paul still has a good chance. please broaden your vision before you try to gain fame with early doom and gloom predictions.
You're wrong on the citizen remark. McCain is the son of a Naval Officer, who is an American citizen and was on active duty. He could have been born in timbuktu, he would still be an American citizen. If you're pinning your hopes on that you need to give it up.
I'm all about Ron Paul, but that crap is just spurious nonsense.
Well let's see if we can't use the momentum he has created to start something new. I think the machine defeated him along with the media. He can still run as an independent in the election. I would still vote form him. I guess unless the citizens wake up they will have the same as before. I have to say I am definitely loosing respect for the population and now have really become cynical. I say on with it screw the people. They did vote Bush in twice.
If we're going to be defeatist we might as all go all the way. The fact that a grass-roots candidate this powerful can't make significant headway through the CFR controlled media and the party machinery says it all about the Republic. It's dead. The elite don't have to listen to the people at all and its only a matter of time before the tyranny we see today becomes naked. We live in 1930's Germany folks.
The only words of encouragement I have is that we have nothing to lose by fighting them to the death, because this beast means to kill us anyway. Besides that, this is the American heritage. Live free or die.
First of all, this is not an election, this is a revolution.
This rebulican crap is only for exposure.
So many people that want to vote for him cant vote for him now during this time around. It is the duty of the ones that know the truth about a chance for real freedom to spread the message and contiune to spread the message. When that day comes where Dr Paul is running as independant, we will be there along with all the others that continue to learn everyday. This is a fire that is spreading and the media will no longer be able to contain it. heads up men. I am so glad I was able to share the truth with so many people today. In my heart an abosolute victory today. Let's keep working towards the main goal here and keep awaking others day in and day out. We can do this.
It's time to not worry about those others anymore, get yourselves in order. Buy what you need and develop your networks. Shit's about to get real ugly.
I forgot to add, The Son's of Liberty do not give up to international bankers pupet's. We must continue to awake our fellow americans for when the day comes that we take america back. I call you coward if you give in now.
"One man with courage is the majority"
This CNN/CFR crap cannot divide us nor the message.
I turn the TV off and get to the streets. Where justice begins.
Dr. Paul woke up a lot of people but the media made sure not too many. He tried to talk America down off the ledge but she's jumping anyway. The campaign may be lost, but not the war. We still have hope that the collapse be slow enough to wake the sleepers before we hit the bottom. Hunger is a huge motivator. But if it comes quickly, better stock up on food, water, and ammo. Our families come first.
www dot nowandfutures dot com/great_depression dot html
A history review may be in order. Here is the 1929 edition review from a keen prespective. No reason this can not happen again, it is engineered by humans called bankers for their benefit. Must we do everything the hard way?
Paul woke millions to the libertarian ideals? Would that be the libertarian position of using state power to ban abortion? Would it be the "libertarian" position of using the force of govt to confiscate billions in wealth to build a wall on the border? To use state power to confiscate the private property necessary to build the wall? Paul was Pat Buchanan in libertarian drag.
Posted By: Peter from Australia
Date: 2008-02-06 06:25:17
Ron Paul has gained enourmous respect, and will probably contine to gain respect for what he has achieved. This might be a mixed blessing, many former politicians achieve more after their careers than they did during it. Jimmy Carter springs to mind, but there are others. I say Ron should continue to represent the people in whatever capacity he feels like. The people that support him, can still benefit from having him as their spokes-person. He still holds some impressive positions within Goverment.
I'm very proud of Ron Paul, his supporters and the message. It is a shame his message was not better broadcast to a wider audience. He name was never, ever mentioned on radio or TV in my country, but many of the others were.
I picked Ron Paul as my leader back in July. He will continue to be my leader until HE dicides it's over and it aint over yet! My vote is my small voice in an ocean of votes, but it is still MY voice. I will not give my voice to another candidate, ever again, that is not in line with what is right. Maybe my vote will not be counted for the lesser of two evils or along party lines, it will be a vote for what is right. Just as Dr. Paul said he cannot endorse any of the others if he does not get the nomination, neither will I! My vote will be counted as a protest vote or whatever name they want to attach to it. GW Bush broke me from voting with my fingers crossed, HOPING I was voting for the right person. I still feel guilt over that vote and my support of a man who in hindsight was clearly the wrong choice. I usrge all of you to keep voting for Ron Paul. Let the vote counters and powers that are see our protest and disatisfaction with this obscenely corrupted system. I am no longer part of the flock! Let your torch be seen, let your voice be heard.
It is now time to start endorcing and putting money into congressional races. Paul needs to continue to lead the movement and do so by getting those candidates with a good chance some exposure and campaigning with them to get them into congress.
Posted By: Brian From Scotland
Date: 2008-02-06 07:24:43
The Ron Paul rEVOLution is not all about winning the election (although it would have been nice). It is however all about the fight against Tyranny and it has woken many many people up around the world. That is why the fight will never be in vain. As Paul himself said, he is just the conduit/focal point for a movement which will continue long after the elections are over.
If there are Bush/McCain supporters who still believe that the world hates them because they are rich, then that is sad for the US, not to mention dangerous. Personally, I was in a position of hating Americans for what they have done in the last decade. Now though, I have changed my mind as Ron Paul has provided a platform for those peace loving Americans to be heard and it has restored my faith that there are at least a good number of good Americans left.
As far as the process is concerned, it is not in the slightest Democratic. Every part of the process favours the corporate funded candidates. The MSM is also a disgrace, it amazes me that there are so many Americans who buy the propaganda from Fox,CNN,ABC etc. I said long before the elections started that Hillary and McCain would win for their respective party's and I stick by that 100%
Just imagine that every American household was posted an A4 sheet for each candidate outlining the policies for that candidate and had to base their vote on that alone without any interference from corporations and the MSM? I bet the outcome would be completely different. As far as the process dragging on for over a year... to me that is just plain crazy. Surely 1 day is enough for an election?
In summary, I am afraid that Hillary will be the next president and will continue to follow the manifesto of the "Project For A New American Century" (Entitled: Rebuilding Americas Defenses), the wars will continue and the world will continue to be a far more dangerous place because of it and America will slowly go broke, dragging the whole world into a global recession as she sinks.
Hi Bill, I appreciate your article, as usual. I would however say it's not over until it's over. Ron Paul is still playing a delegates game in a GOP race that is stil wide open. The media said McCain was dead. Now he's back. Then they said Huckabee was toast but he's still winning states (unsurprisingly). Then Romney was no longer the front-runner but the man has his own cash and a powerful campaign, despite the media's fawning for McKill. I say we stay with Ron Paul until the bitter end. If he makes the jump to an independent run, we will be grateful for every day we pick up new supporters (even in the Super Tuesday states) as we roll this machine unto November.
If McCain wins the nomination, there are SO many more conservative republicans who will not vote, or will vote for someone else in spite, and an independent conservative Ron Paul is just the guy to vote for. They may not like it, but he will be the only true conservative choice.
Being a realist or a defeatist is not important. You are awake to tyranny! These "losses" are expected in the road back to a free republic. Come on, haven't all of you always wanted to be part of something from the beginning and watch it bear fruit. We are the seed. These setbacks are just the manure. I say, keep reaching for the light. Life never gives in. You must set your mind as if this is a scripted movie. Enjoy it. Your help in the production is what keeps it moving. The power of intention knows no bounds. Only doubt kills. Stay focused. Stay alive.
The handling of the majority of the corporate media in the US of the elections so far bears testimony to Ron Paul's observation during the "Meet the Press" interview about America drifting from freedom to (corporate) fascism. Being no conspiracy theorist, it has became crytal clear there is a "conspiracy" to avoid any positive mention of Ron Paul, his endorsements, his ideas, his extensive economic porgam to address the major problems in the US economy.
If the GOP would appoint McCain as their nominee, they should know with McCain they are doomed to loose the election against Clinton or Obama: the "100 years in Iraq" statement of McCain, his defense of the war and invasion in Iraq regardless of there were weapons of mass destruction or not, will be ruthlessly exposed and will cost him the election, together with his being an "economic imbecile".
Romney does not have the trust of the southern conservatives, and Huckabee has still a very limited power base, despite his better than expected showing.
A big issue is probably also the media-inspired scaredness and security "obsession" that the Bush-Cheney administration has succesfully managed to enforce into the minds of many Americans, witht he result that they do not take rational decisions.
Ron Paul has effectively won all the debates, but probably many people have not really followed it and it is perhaps often so that the debate-winner does not necessarily wins elections.
Paul did not fare well in especially the winenr takes all states that McCain won. One wonders whether some Paul supporters voted for McCain in order to be a delegate at the RNC in order to then vote for Paul at the convention, since they knew no one else would win AZ, NY etc? (9 of the 21 states)? In this case, Paul would have more representation.
A very strong campaign with the appointment of also security advisers and politicians like Barry Goldwater Jr, Gary Johnson (NM), Walter Jones (NC) etc. may help additionally. Paul can win WA and hopefully pick up a few states like Vermont (small states are good for him) and can still make a relative strong showing, leading to a brokered convention?
3rd party run or Indy is a no solution strategy, in any case at this phase. One needs a bugdet of 100 m USD. If McCain and Clinton are the nominees, Paul would have a lot of potential opening/possibilities from the conservative wing of the GOP, some Independets as well as anti-war (left wing? / Clinton disliking) Democrats. One can attemt such a run only with a realistic chance and expectation to win, not to make a (further) statement.
Paul has acted in effect as an opposition in his own party. If the US were in this situation via a Democratic administration (which was well possible, the Clinton 1 adminsitration started planning the Iraq war!), Paul would have easily rallied the majority of the Republicans.
However, the situation is still fluid with possibilities: the economy and/or the related Iraq invasion situation (like a new upflar ein violence) as well as a possible scandal or sue against Bush-Cheney (also from Europe) that would put Bush in a very bad light, are all factors that could lead to Paul being appointed as the GOP nominee of choice and as the stongest against the Democrats (he has appeal to Independets and certain Democrats as well, while Romney would be very limited to Republicans only). Alternatively the GOP - if they want to win - may appoint another candidate like Mark Sanford to run (with possible Paul as running mate, or an important position in a cabinet?)... If not, the Democratic candidate win probably win far, which would open the position for Paul to take control of a GOP that urgently need a repositioning and direction in order to solidify. In any case Dr. Ron Paul still will be the leader and should build a strong team around him in congress. He has achieved a lot already and the message has already reached millions.
The Ron Paul 2008 campaign is dead in the sense that "God is dead." It is clear to me now the fight for freedom must be an insurgant retaking of the people's power. Let's take Congress back for the people and get this great Nation on a reverse course toward Freedom. We need "Ron Paul" candidates in congress ... the Dems managed a takeover and so can we!
I'm not reading the doom others appear to in your words. I would caveat Dr. Paul's Congressional seat is NOT a given. The elite GOP want him out and his district is in their crosshairs. He needs cash to run and cannot use any funds from the Presidential campaign to do that.
David from OH!! Thanks!! You get a key to long haul victory...there are 469 opportunities to begin electing like minded people to Congress. Without control of Congress there is a limited amount a Pres. Paul can do aside from using a very loud bully pulpit. Folks, support Ron Paul, find candidates for office at all levels, local, State, and Federal...the fight is not over, the future of our grand children is at stake. We either restore the great experiment or slide to socialism under oligarchy rule...IMHO
Posted By: Chris Pakrhurst
Date: 2008-02-06 11:25:09
I am a Ron Paul supporter and I have to agree with you.Paul had the right message but was the wrong person delivering. He had a difficult time speaking to the level of the average voter when explaining his positions.Talking about the "inflation tax" does not mean anything to 95% of the electorate.His uncompromising stance on issues is both his biggest asset and his greatest weakness.At the last debate he talked about how Reagan was a big supporter of the gold standard.While that is good to know, the majority of voters are not supporting a candidate based on monetary policy.
Paul supporters must realize that waving signs and damning people who criticize Paul is NOT how to get votes.We must be rational individuals and explain the mainstream ideals that Paul has lived.Stop talking about the NWO, the NAFTA superhighway and other conspiracies, that while they may be true, are difficult for many Americans to accept.Talk about Fair trade vs. Free trade, the Patriot Act, how our overseas empire is bankrupting us, the border and immigration, his pro-life views, why the Dept. of Ed. is bad, why the national debt is unsustainable, how lower taxes are good for everyone, how regulation has hurt our healthcare system.Sorry to ramble but WAKE UP Paul supporters.
PEOPLE PLEASE READ THIS SO YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT WE CAN WIN THE NOMINATION AND STOP LISTENING TO THE MSM FOR YOUR INFO!
The MSM is not reporting how to become the nominee in a situation like this so i will tell you to stop gettin g your info from the MSM.
I know many of you are bummed about yesterday BUT THAT IS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE ELECTION SYSTEM WORKS : Let me explain to you the reality of how to become the nominee.
First stop looking at who wins each states popular vote for most of these states the vote by the people is really nothing but a straw poll and have no real bearing on who will become the nominee. The only way this matters is if 1 person receives 1192 delegates that are bound by state rules to be commited to that candidate. So if a candiate like Mccain has 600 delegates now and he doesn't reach 1192 most of the delegates the state awarded him mean nothing and keep in mind in most of the states most of the people that represent the 600 for Mccain are actually Ron Paul supporters. NOW there is no possible way that anyone in the race can achieve this goal now because of the major split in state wins by the candidates.
So what happens now you ask? You look at the number of delegates that Dr. Paul has that are uncommited to the other candidates and will support him. these delegates are not decided by the popular vote ie: straw poll of the people. Since no one will have enough delegates to skate them through to the nomination we now must look at how many delegates NOT VOTES but delegates Dr. Paul has that are 100% uncommited to the other candidates and will be 100% for Dr. Paul and are free to vote for whom they wish.
This race will go all the way to the convention for there is no other way for someone to receive the nomintaion untill the convention.
The RNC will convene its annual Winter Meeting - and voters will continue to cast their ballots in the nation's primaries and caucuses. Candidates for delegate and alternate delegate to the convention will be elected - and thousands of convention participants and guests will begin planning their trips to Minneapolis-Saint Paul The first week in September 2008
SO WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
This means that all of the people that registered to become a deligate for Dr. Paul can go to the convention and cast thier vote for Dr. Paul, now think about what i just said : Do you think for one second that all the people that voted for Dr. Paul and filed to become a deligate will not show up at the convention to vote for the good Doctor? Of course they will just like they battled the rain and the sleet and the 15 below zero winter weather to knock on doors and wave signs spreading our message.
Now i assure you that even though we didn't win the popular vote in many states WE DID PICK UP THE MAJORITY OF DELEGATES THAN ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES IN MOST EVERY STATE EXCEPT A FEW. So yes they won the straw poll and we won what counts which is delegates.
Doesn't Dr. Paul need to WIN 5 states to be on the ballot at the convention for the nomination?
NO THIS IS NOT TRUE for people were just confused on how it actually works.
We only need the majority of delegates from 5 states to be put on the ballot NOT THE POPULAR VOTE OF 5 STATES and i assure you we have picked up the majority of uncommitted delegates for Dr. Paul in more than 5 states.
Do any of you remember seeing posts by myself and many others that said BECOME A DELEGATE? There is still time in most states to become a delegate for the convention and we are picking up more of them every day.
So please STOP you worry too much because you do not understand how the election system works and you thought we lost didn't you?
The fact is Dr. Paul is a genius in his strategy and we are further ahead in delegates than you think and we can win the nomination.
I hope this gives a better understanding of how we have been winning even though most of you thought we were not.
I am afraid I have to point out that the McCain ineligibility argument is correct. I happen to know for a fact that it is, because of the case of my own mother. She was born overseas to U.S. Military parents (well, a military father, anyway-- U.S. Army), and she was NEVER considered a "Natural-born" U.S. Citizen. I remember well the fight we had over her California teacher's credential in the 1970's, and the issue came up as recently as 2001, when we had to get her a passport. There are excellent arguments already posted on the net concerning this issue, but the arguments don't matter, because the fact remains that she NEVER ONCE had that "Report of a U.S. Citizen Born Abroad," paperwork accepted by ANY government agency as proof of "Natural-Born" status. She was treated as a "Naturalized" citizen by every state and federal government office she ever dealt with. Children born to U.S. Military parents overseas are citizens, indisputably-- but they are naturalized citizens, NOT native born.
I agree it might be almost impossible to win a meaningful court case on this issue, but it's the perfect thing to sow doubt in the minds of the voters... because it happens to be perfectly true.
Bill, glad to see that you're being honest about Paul's prospects.
Wouldn't it be great if we could take all that Ron Paul supporters energy and devote it to electing libertarian Republicans to Congress in 2008. That's where I hope the movement goes in the coming months. It would even unite libertarians who didn't support Paul with those who did: A positive effort for everyone.
I am afraid I have to point out that the McCain ineligibility argument is correct. I happen to know for a fact that it is, because of the case of my own mother. She was born overseas to U.S. Military parents (well, a military father, anyway-- U.S. Army), and she was NEVER considered a "Natural-born" U.S. Citizen. I remember well the fight we had over her California teacher's credential in the 1970's, and the issue came up as recently as 2001, when we had to get her a passport. There are excellent arguments already posted on the net concerning this issue, but the arguments don't matter, because the fact remains that she NEVER ONCE had that "Report of a U.S. Citizen Born Abroad," paperwork accepted by ANY government agency as proof of "Natural-Born" status. She was treated as a "Naturalized" citizen by every state and federal government office she ever dealt with. Children born to U.S. Military parents overseas are citizens, indisputably-- but they are naturalized citizens, NOT native born.
I agree it might be almost impossible to win a meaningful court case on this issue, but it's the perfect thing to sow doubt in the minds of the voters... because it happens to be perfectly true.
A true Ron Paul supporter wouldn't be this short sighted. What if Ron Paul loses the election? If we only support him when winning is a sure bet, we are not really supporting him, are we?
Posted By: Fielding J. Hurst
Date: 2008-02-06 20:43:33
Very disappointed today. I expected more, but am afraid that Lesser Evil Voting is alive and well ...
FJH
http://brushfires2008.com
"It does not take a majority to prevail ... but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men." - Samuel Adams
Why the long face Bill? WIth Romney out it is a 3 way race. If Ron still averages under 7% in primaries and under 15% in caucuses in a 3 way race that will be disappointing, but it has not happened yet. If Huck does poorly in the next few contests he may pull out too. If Ron cannot get his primary numbers above 15% in a 2 way race, that will be disappointing, but it hasn't happened yet.
Or were you just trying to cheer up "Lucky Eric" after the latest victim of his endorsement pulled out of the race? You are a nice man to care about the little guy. And he loved this peice. He has posted it and your picture prominently on LibertarianRepublican.blogspot.
With the withdrawal of Romney, the Paul organization has the opportunity to get a majority position in Nevada. Paul came in second at 14% to Romney's 52%. However, with Romney's exit, and based upon the sheer number of Paul delegates that are in the process to select county and then state delegates to the national convention, there is great hope that this accomplishment can be duplicated in other states (such as Montana and Minnesota) to get RP 3/5ths of the way to the 5 state majority.
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2008 William Westmiller, all rights reserved.