Topic: Ron Paul
Paul Congressional Campaign Not Panicking According to a news story first released by the National Review Online, Ron Paul's congressional campaign manager, Mark Elam has given evidence that Paul's seat in Texas is quite secure with just 12 days left before the primary.by Walt Thiessen
(Libertarian)
Friday, February 22, 2008
Writing at the National Review Online, David Fredosso reported yesterday that the Paul campaign is not running behind challenger Chris Peden in his Texas congressional campaign race. As a matter of fact, campaign manager Mark Elam is apparently claiming that Paul is well in front in all four polls that the campaign has placed in the field so far, running 40 points ahead of Peden with the support of roughly 60% of likely Republican voters.
So why were there so many reports that he was running behind, and that this was the real reason he had to scale back his presidential campaign? Nick Bradley of lewrockwell.com is suggesting that the previous incorrect news is a "NeoCon smear by Roger L. Simon." Simon is the CEO of Pajamas Media, which put out the original story that was carried by other media outlets over the past few days. Bradley's column suggests that Simon is behind the "smear" because he believes that gay marriage and the war on terror are linked. The basis for Bradley's claim is this article by Simon where he wrote:
"Those of us concerned about human rights, about the separation of church and state, about gay rights and women’s rights, about democracy itself, have bigger fish to fry – the War on Terror. And here is the connection in my belief system.
"Because I am such an adamant adherent of gay rights, women’s rights, human rights – the values that evolved out of the Enlightenment – I have to vote for the candidate I think will best carry forth that war (by whatever means appropriate at the moment) to defend those Enlightenment values."
Is Bradley right? Was Simon smearing the good doctor? I'm not convinced. Yes, Simon certainly appears to favor the war on terror, and yes Dr. Paul has urged against pursuing it as part of a larger plan to police the world. But when I read the original Simon article, it was clear that he was basing his conclusions on what Peden, Paul's challenger, said. Excuse me, Mr. Bradley, but I believe that's called news reporting, not smearing.
I disagree with Simon on the war on terror, while I generally agree with him on what he calls "englightenment issues," so perhaps my own bias is showing. I am a strong supporter of Dr. Paul's candidacy, and Simon is not. Simon may have liked the news he was reporting, and I didn't like it, but that doesn't mean that Simon was smearing Dr. Paul.
One of the things that I've noticed most in this campaign is that Paul supporters often have very thin skins. The thin-skinned supporters need to toughen up a bit. I'm not suggesting that Paul hasn't been treated badly by the major media, the pundits, and the Republican Party leadership. He has been treated badly by all three, but there's also such a thing as recognizing fair play. Just because someone opposes your candidate doesn't mean they're smearing him.
On a lighter note, the good news coming out of all this is that Dr. Paul's seat in Congress looks to be pretty safe at this point. I'm sure he's not going to assume that's true and will continue to campaign hard to win re-election, but I also hope that this means his supporters will begin to realize that the revolution hasn't ended merely because he took time off from the presidential campaign in order to win reelection of his congressional seat.
Nor should the revolution be considered ended even when the presidential campaign is finally history. This is an ongoing revolution, and it should be treated as such. Revolution is a process that results in a change in thinking by a large segment of society. When the change reaches a tipping point, it becomes the "new" viewpoint for most in that society. Revolution is not violent overthrow; that's rebellion. Revolution is about changes in ideas, not the aiming of weapons. Our job is to continue to push toward that tipping point where the population begins to adopt the ideas that Paul has advocated during this campaign, and I have no doubt that he will continue to do what he can to help the new revolution succeed.
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2008 Walt Thiessen, all rights reserved.
Published: Friday, February 22, 2008
Last modified: Friday, February 22, 2008
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Well that's good to hear. And I'm really glad I didn't respond to the breathless request for campaign donations just a few days ago. I have mouths to feed closer to home. I wonder when they first knew he holds a double digit lead?
Posted By: Jeremy D. Young
Date: 2008-02-22 17:33:51
I'm a Ron Paul supporter, and agree with most of your article, but be careful about trying to push redefinitions of words.
revˇoˇluˇtion [rev-uh-loo-shuh-n] - noun
1.
an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed.
2.
Sociology. a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure, esp. one made suddenly and often accompanied by violence.
3.
a sudden, complete or marked change in something: the present revolution in church architecture.
So, are we a rEVOLution? Maybe not. Maybe we're just a movement.
moveˇment [moov-muh nt] - noun
10.
a series of actions or activities intended or tending toward a particular end: the movement toward universal suffrage.
11.
the course, tendency, or trend of affairs in a particular field.
12.
a diffusely organized or heterogeneous group of people or organizations tending toward or favoring a generalized common goal: the antislavery movement; the realistic movement in art.
Yes, the good news IS that Ron Paul isn't as in danger of losing his seat, if at all, from his lying-ass challenger Peden. Thank you for this article, you're right on about thin-skinned Paul supporters. And thanks to Mark Elam for setting the record straight, I hope it's accurate and that we can at least count on Ron Paul getting his congressional seat back.
You know when I saw the Headline I thought it was "spoof" those guys write some funny stuff, This guy whats his name? Oh ok you are a better choice than Ron Paul how? As for me I am headin down to Nicaragua for a month, Some sic deals on hotels and fishin spots, he he he, Just vote for the man you would want your son to be, A stubby little troll like creature, Or Ron Paul, It is a simple answer, Ron Paul 08
It was inconvenient to contribute several times to Ron Paul's Presidential campaign, and it was inconvenient to contribute more than once to his current Congressional campaign (now, as many times in those past campaigns when he had opposition).
Inconvenience is far down on the list of commitments that may be required adequately to water the tree of liberty. None of us ever have been required to make the decision about the blood to which Mr. Jefferson referred in that context and my expectation is that we never will. Especially after what the Congressman has already accomplished in this election cycle alone.
To my dismay I couldn't get a straight answer from anyone I phoned anywhere about the rumors surfacing that Mr. Peden was a credible challenger within Dr. Paul's constituency.
Given the abuse that the campaigns have received this year, without my faxing notarized copies of receipts for past contributions as well as my own bonafides, I can't say I expected substantive responses. It wasn't appropriate for anyone associated with either of the Congressman's campaigns to provide information that in the hands of someone indecently disposed possibly could have been twisted or misued to the Congressman's detriment.
I will be much happier once I learn that the theoretical threat, like that of the soundbyte idiot ex-mayor of NYC, proves to be sheer ignorant paper tiger bravado, but this update will make a good space filler in the meantime.
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2008 Walt Thiessen, all rights reserved.