Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Should Ron Paul Stay Just to Speak at the National Convention? Hearing several readers claim that Paul Needs to Stay A Republican so he can Speak to the Convention, I must ask "To What End?"by EJ Moosa
(libertarian)
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
May it never be said I do not listen. So I intend to play along. It's September 1-4, 2008, and all the delegates have gathered at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Mn. kicking off the Republican Convention.
Before I ask you to read the list at the end of this column, can anyone name two of the speakers at the 2004 Republican Convention(excluding Bush)? The answers are at the end.
While the Mainstream Media has ignored Paul, his message has been there for the taking. Youtube has been an incredible medium for the spread of Ron Paul's message. Thousands upon thousands of Meet-up groups across the nation have canvassed communities and waved signs with unlimited enthusiasm. We could quadruple Paul's support in my state of Georgia, and he would have 12%. What we have tried so far is not working.
What sort of message would Dr. Ron Paul be able to deliver that would suddenly turn the tide of opinion? Honestly, Ron Paul has been so very consistent in his message over the last several decades, that he is not going to say anything earth-shattering or new. Are we hoping a McCain or a Romney or a Huckabee will suddenly see the light? The only thing they will know is their message got them there and Paul's did not. They will not care.
Second, we will have the drumbeat of fear growing louder as the Obama campaign or the Clinton Campaign takes shape. The Republican Leadership will be doing their best to scare us in to supporting their candidate EVEN if he is not perfect. We are going to hear the message of Unity Now drummed into our heads.
Third, September 5th will be too late to launch an effort for a National Independent Campaign. November 4th is the National Election. Sixty-one days.
Without being too cynical, I must ask if those that are wishing Paul stay a "good" Republican through the convention what they are really hoping to accomplish? Waiting until the convention only to have Paul given some unattractive speaking time slot, and then pushed aside as they have done for the last 12 months is not very appealing to me.
Finally, for those that speak of how long movements have taken in the past. I must apologize, but I do not have five hundred years. The Iraqi Occupation has lasted longer than the Civil War and longer than World War II. I can travel across the world in less than a day. I should not have to wait a century to get my freedom restored. Abe Lincoln did not wait a century to abolish slavery, and he did not let the Constitution get in the way, either.
Were you able to come up with any speakers from 2004? I did not even ask about the content of their speeches. No one remembers.
The views expressed in this
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Posted By: Walt Thiessen
Date: 2008-02-06 17:34:40
I think that hoping that Ron Paul will speak at the convention, particularly on TV, is a pipe dream.
Nevertheless, I do hope he stays in the race. Every day that he speaks, every small market article written about him, every website that writes about him makes it that much more likely that yet another U.S. citizen will re-learn that liberty is a pretty good idea and that we should be demanding it on every issue.
Paul should stay in the race to help build the revolution his candidacy has spawned.
If nothing else, to be the bad conscience of the Republican Party, a final reminder of why we're broke and they're out of power, a final eulogy over the remnants of a corrupt party apparatus that no Paul supporter will ever return to. So it can be recorded for posterity such that no man, no historian no well-meaning patriot can wonder why those of conscience abandoned the Republican Party, forever.
I think people forget just how far away that convention is. You are right, there is nothing new he is going to say that will change peoples minds. However, the events leading up to the convention just might. Especially in regards to the economy. I have thought from the start that when the economy started tanking, Ron Paul would get more and more support. Thus why I consider Super Tuesday to just be a measurement of progress.
See, the message is out. People might think Ron Paul is crazy, but they will remember little things here and there that he has said. When they go buy milk, and it's price is 25 cents more, somewhere someone is going to say - didn't Ron Paul mention this?
It's not the majority of people are bad or don't want freedom, they just don't understand what that means, or why Ron Paul is right. But once exposed then it's just a matter of time before things start sinking in. If you weren't made aware of Ron Paul being censored by the media, you probably wouldn't notice. But once you start to look and you see it, then it makes people go hmmm. It's happened with people I talk to many times, they call me crazy at first, but then they look and watch and eventually they say - hey you were right.
I think Ron Paul understands this, and understands that the economy is his biggest asset. So even if people disagree, if they hear what he says, even those small pieces in the debate it will pay off in the end. The truth always pays off in the end, the only thing they can try and do is extend the time to the end.
I don't want him to stay just to speak at the convention and agree with the views Walt presented, the road to the convention is the real prime speaking opportunities and if you attend a Ron Paul rally it's not something you forget.
I don't want him to launch some National Independent Campaign for sure! After the convention we need to help him regain the Congressional seat he's put in jeopardy by leading our fight nationally. We need his senior leadership within the Republican Liberty Caucus and his Dr. No attitude in the House. We need to let him do those things while we focus RIGHT NOW on finding local, state, and federal candidates to run in all our states no matter what party they belong to. If you've never run an Independent or third-party campaign you may not know what Ron Paul knows, it's too late already. There's better ways to invest our time, money, and efforts, IMHO.
I appreciate the fact you don't have 500 years. WE don't need that long. There are 469 Federal representative positions alone at stake THIS year. 468 more opportunities in 2010 and another 468, plus the Presidency, in 2012. We place as many like-minded candidates we can locally, at the state, and at the federal level we will be in prime position. The best thing that can happen for this revolution to only take four years is a Democratic victory. After four years of either Obama or Clinton a much larger number of voting citizen will be coming to the revolution, armed with their votes. Again, this is just presented IMHO.
Feb. 12: 116 Republican delegates, including 63 in Virginia and 37 in Maryland.
March 4: 256 Republican, including 137 in Texas and 85 in Ohio.
May 6: 96 Republican, including 69 in North Carolina. _____________________
Let’s do the math….
McCain has 613 delegates + states I think he will win
Maryland 37 Ohio 85
613 + 37 + 85 = 735
Let’s say McCain takes Texas and Virginia…
735 + 137 + 63 = 935
McCain is still 256 delegates short, and this delegate count is assuming these states are winner take all, but some are not. Even if McCain picks up North Carolina, he will still be 187 votes.
We are going to a brokered convention.
There is no possible way for John McCain to pick up the 1,191 necessary delegates to secure the GOP nomination.
Ron Paul will speak to the nation in St. Paul, MN.
He will have a national platform to introduce himself to America.
The old media cannot rig his speech. Ron Paul will use this national stage to launch the revolution into the stratosphere and take back the Republican Party.
MSM controls the people period. They tell people what to talk about and to care about. They tell people what to buy and what not to buy. They provide the entertainment and we indulge. This election process has set a new precedence in how they control and how we follow. Our culture has us so dumbed down and complacent that we abide by everything our government decides for us. We have completely lost our country of "We The People" and the law of our Republic that is meant to restrain the power of the government and protect the liberties of the it's people. The people are now open and welcoming the "nanny state", "Dear Government, here's my money, please take care of us."
Well just because the "mainstream" candidates are ahead and the status quo seems to be maintaining itself does not mean I am going to stop needing the truth and wanting the truth and feeling I need to take what steps I can to fix things. If all Ron Does is get more and more people to see the light then its worth it. I have been watching these crummy elections for 50 years and I think hes gotten further than most in making some inroads into the lousy path the powers that be have taken us down. They are not going to give up easy so we have to work twice as hard and never give up.
Good Lord, of course we want Dr. Paul to speak at the Republican Convention! Before the 2004 Democratic Convention, NOBODY outside of Illinois had heard of a state senator from Chicago named Barack Obama. But his keynote address galvanized the Democratic base, launched him into the spotlight, helped him win a Senate election that year, and now four years later he looks poised to be the Dem. nominee for president. Let's face it, Dr. Paul's best speeches are the ones he's worked on and have polished; not necessarily his off-the-cuff debate responses. If Dr. Paul is able to speak at the convention, there remains the chance he can get through to members of the Rep. party, as well as the GOP base, to remind them of some little things called the Constitution, freedom, liberty, etc.
Why not fight for a speaking slot? Even if it is on the first night, and not the prime spot of the night, why is that not a good thing? Every time a person hears the message is a good thing in my book. The objective is not necessarily to convert the party leaders. They are too engrossed in their own grip on power, their self-aggrandizement to listen to anything but the sound of their own voice. The point is to speak to the delegates, to speak to the media, to speak to all the people that are watching. Even if only part of the speech is broadcast, it is a victory. The powers-that-be will want to marginalize Ron Paul, but they will also want to keep at least some of his support loyal to the party. Ultimately, even if he is not given a speaking slot, the mere presence of Ron Paul and his delegates at the convention, whatever their number, is a victory. I know the type of party loyalists that attend the national convention, and the more they hear Ron Paul’s message the better. You cannot buy this kind of opportunity.
There are a lot of interesting and insightful comments. Thank you for taking the time to respond.
I just have to emphasize that there was no one at the previous convention who had any impact on this election cycle. To believe that 2012 will be affected because Ron Paul was at the 2008 Convention is a stretch for me.
When I couple that with the Louisana shenanigans and the New Hampshire vote issues, I have to wonder if Paul gives credence to the process if he shows up?
I hope everyone continues to ponder this issue. There are too many of us too intelliegent to have ourselves hoodwinked by these guys any longer.
What we have they cannot tax away, they cannot legislate away, they cannot confiscate. What we have is the power to think.
that is the true power of the people. The power to assemble behind the govt and plot for its de-regulation from within. The republican base is vulnerable right now people are leaving(incumbents, too) so right now they are waiting for a solidifying base to appear around someone. If the speech from Ron Paul isn't enough then tell me what I need to do to make that the last straw on the camels back, and we will see what happens. WE need to stand united around this for it to be played out. WE need to educate our selves to their system, get into it without being discovered and start turning heads, start mingling and discussing party politics and referencing the better days of the GOP, some will start remembering others, researching and who will they find. Ron Paul.
Posted By: Deva Winblood
Date: 2008-02-07 01:28:16
"We the sheeple or the United States of America"
"I pledge allegience to the flag of the United States of America, unto the republic, for which is stands, one nation, under big media, indivisible, with apathy and mind control for all."
LOL that was going through my head after I went to the caucus.
One thing I feel is strange as they count delegates. I am a delegate. I am for Ron Paul but, nowhere on the form I filled out did it ask who I represent.
I tried to warn my precinct as I was the chairman. I told them that voting for anyone but, Ron Paul would hand the vote to the Democrats because, many people wanting Ron Paul would NOT vote for any of the other republicans after the research we have all done.
Ron Paul came in second in my precinct by 1 vote. So, I guess I did not speak quite well enough. ;)
Notice how the "top-tier" candidates have been slowly been trading in their smirks for some of Ron Paul's phrases - especially after a few rough days on Wall Street?
I agree we're headed for a brokered convention, although probably with fewer than 4 candidates. And who knows what will happen to the market, in Iraq, maybe even in Pakistan, between now and the convention. I don't particularly want to see Ron Paul's prophesies come true anytime soon, a quick and enduring market collapse would essentially transform Ron Paul from "Chicken Little" to savior.
He definitely needs to speak at the convention not only to deliver his message at such a critical time to a large audience, but to aid him in his re-election contest. Speaking at the convention will carry some weight with his constituents, and they both should reap the benefits of his efforts.
Posted By: 1.63 cents worth and declining
Date: 2008-02-07 03:56:07
Clarification:
I don't particularly want to see Ron Paul's prophesies come true anytime soon, BUT a quick and enduring market collapse would essentially transform Ron Paul from "Chicken Little" to savior.
We often hear this is a battle of inches. We are just beggining anytime Dr. Paul speaks someone else has an opportunity to hear his message.
GO RON PAUL!!!
Anybody noticed that the media turned the lights out on Dr. Paul shortly after the New Hampshire Primary. How much exposure do you think he's going to get between Super Tuesday and the Convention. They've already annointed McCain as the frontrunner and they are in full swing trying to get the entire base to accept him. Hell, Romney and Huckabee and going to be ignored, so where do you think that leaves Paul? I just hope people still remember him when he strolls on stage at the convention after nearly a year of black out.
"Good Lord, of course we want Dr. Paul to speak at the Republican Convention! Before the 2004 Democratic Convention, NOBODY outside of Illinois had heard of a state senator from Chicago named Barack Obama."
-Bryan, I'm sorry, but your a little off on why Obama came to the forefront. I was hearing about his speech at the Dem. Convention before he even gave it. The powers that be annointed him already, he just had to show up.
and then there is three. my suggestion for the ron paul campaign: have someone hone RP's ability to speak in sound bites about his ideas when he has to use them. youtube is full of RP videos that are superbly made, yet his official campaign tv ads are, shoud I say, lame? look at how team obama run their campaign and steal a few tricks from them. A lot of people have not heard RP spoke or hear his message, so there is still time to figure out how to present him to the general public. It's all about image and slick marketing. mccain does not have either and everyone knows he will get crushed by obama or hillary come november
Things are looking up for Ron Paul, Romney quits the GOP race, 1pm EST, 02-07-08! Now watch the attacks on McCain by the media. Romney was the financial guy, Ron Paul is the financial guy. 2 more to go.
Things are getting interesting. Paul does not have a tie to the rest of the NeoCons in the GOP. Ron Paul has a self funding campaign and can act independently. McCain must go.
This assumes he will even be allowed to speak. After what I have seen this election cycle from the Republican Party, I am not sure that will happen. Even if it does, he is sure to be met with boos from a very hostile crowd of delegates committed to the other candidates. The only ones watching will be the die hard Republicans who have rejected his message. So what outcome would Paul and his supporters be looking for?
After the treatment and total rejection of Ron Paul by the party, I would never consider voting for any Republican for president. They have to be made to understand the rejection of Paul is also seen by us, his supporter, to be a rejection of us. The party has made it clear they do not want Ron Paul or his supporters.
I think it is time for Ron Paul to leave the race and announce third party. This frees up his supporters to vote for Obama, where I am sure most of that support will go, and give him the push needed to defeat Hilary. Since no Republican endorses ending the war, I do not see how anyone who is a Ron Paul supporter could back any Republican. I hate to say this, but I think it is clear at this point that Ron Paul is not going to be the next president of the U.S. Therefore, it is time for Ron Paul and his supports to look first at the best way to get the message out and to consider the next best choice. It is also in my opinion important that we punish the Republican Party for their treatment of us by voting Dem in the primaries and if Paul does not run a third party, supporting a Dem in the general election.
No votes for any DemoSocialCommuCrats. Do not punish the Republican Party by voting Dem! Thats lame. Support Ron Paul! A movement of serious change is in the air. The Republican Party will have to take a second look at Ron Paul and his supporters and maybe, just maybe this can snowball into a more enlightened movement toward a more Constitutional form of our diminishing Republic. Write his name in! Let the party hear us and keep it going!
We need Ron to stay in the Republican Party and the race -- even IF the possibility of a brokered convention is virtually nil (it will NEVER be zero... McCain could easily have a stroke on the way to his coronation).
Because BEYOND November, after the GOP has committed a combination McInCain/Huckacide -- and the "liberal/compromise/insane-warmonger" faction will be utterly depressed, despondant and will leave or abandon the party in droves.
The worst of the neocons (Coulter, etc) will have LONG BEFORE already have left (to go home to the Clinton campaign as they are ALREADY doing).
So the party will essentially be "dead." BUT, the machinery will still be there and an in-place Liberty coalition will have a CHANCE then to sieze control and guide the party in a NEW direction -- back to the principles of the 76 Revolution, the principles of Liberty.
If Ron LEAVES the party for an independant run, then the RP "Liberty" faction will be used as a scapegoat for the GOP loss (much as the Nader faction was scapegoated by the Dems in 2000) -- and then the party will be truly dead, and the remnant will be UNABLE to take control.
Only one thing revolts me more than voting Dem and that is the thought of a President that has stated we may be in Iraq for 100 years. The end of the war is at the center of all that Paul talks about and we must make sure that McCain is not allowed to take the White House. We also best can get the attention of the Republican Party by showing them that we are now large enough to swing elections. Money and votes is all they understand, our words do not faze them. Paul and his supporters have been laughed at, ridiculed and mocked. Are we just to allow them to do this with no consequences for their actions?
We must ask ourselves are we really patriots. If so, how can we allow the White House fall into the hands of a George Bush carbon copy? We must help to make sure that the Republican Party hears us loud and clear. This can only be done by a resounding defeat in the general election.
We cannot demand that they embrace our vision of America but we can and must demand they give us the respect we deserve. They have rejected us and we must in return reject them.
Posted By: steven montross
Date: 2008-02-08 15:05:46
Without media support,none of RPs messages will ever gain majority acceptance.You will never soundbyte your way to fiscal responsibility unless an economic crash occurs and then,of course, it's too late.I was in another discussion somewhere and they were talking about alternative ways of spending the campaign cash and the subject of an infomercial type show was brought up. I thought this was rather clever outside of the box thinking. Better yet,maybe a cable channel. I have no idea of the cost involved but there ain't nothing like "joinin' 'em to beat 'em". Maybe i'm bringing this up in the wrong location.
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