Ron Paul: the Candidate of Choice Among Military Personnel
What do statistics available from the Federal Election Commission demonstrate about the attitudes of military personnel toward the war in Iraq? by Jake Morphonios
(libertarian)
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Congressman Ron Paul, the candidate that has made a name for himself by denouncing the Iraq War, has received more contributions from members of the US military than all other Republican candidates COMBINED. This sends a clear message that members of the Armed Forces want out of Iraq - now.
Paul's campaign chairman, Kent Snyder, said "The latest numbers make it clear: the troops support Ron Paul. Dr. Paul has worked his entire career working for veterans, and has many awards and endorsements due to his dedication to their cause." According to official FEC statistics from the fourth quarter, Ron Paul received nearly three times the contributions of John McCain, the self-professed champion of military personnel. An additional point of interest, confirmed by www.opensecrets.org, is that the US Army, Navy and Air Force make up the top 3 contributors to Dr. Paul's campaign - while not one branch of the military appears in the top 20 of John McCain's contributors.
Ron Paul's message of peace with all nations resounds with members of the military who, while desiring to fulfill their oaths to protect our nation, wish not to be used for the dubious political schemes of the military-industrial-complex.
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For more information on Ron Paul's foreign policy:
The views expressed
in this article are those of Jake Morphonios only and
do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates.
Jake Morphonios 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.
This presumes that most of these serving military are single issue voters. While I believe the war is by far the biggest issue to many of these servicemen, there are probably a significant number who like Dr. Paul for the same reasons as many of us...his unequivocal stand for the Constitution. We should not simply lable all service members as desiring an immediate end to the war (though again, that probably has a highly positive relationship to their support), to do so is no better than those who would label all blacks as identifying heavily with Obama, or all women with Clinton.
I would advise some cautious review. The members of the military may not endorse an immediate pull out from Iraq, however we got there. I do believe that they (we) support a more Constitutional approach to how we enter a conflict, how we sustain long term involvement, and how we are prepared to bring troops home. Dr Paul's record recognizes the need for a strike. His record also expresses concern with nation building and long-term involvement without a declared war.
I cannot speak for Dr. Paul. I do encourage American's to read his own words, and decide for themselves. However, as a disabled Air Force veteran of the Vietnam and Desert Storm/Shield era, I can say he speaks for me.
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