Topic: Presidential Campaign 2008
Iowa: The Perfect Outcome For Ron Paul Things turned out well for Ron Paul in Iowa and here is why.by CT Johnson
(libertarian)
Friday, January 4, 2008
Things could have not turned out better for Congressman Ron Paul in Iowa for the Republican presidential race. Let's face it, at this time Ron Paul cannot yet win a one on one or three way contest in the Republican race. He is by far one of the most spectacular candidates to run in the Republican field in a long time. However, he is not some willy nilly thirty second soundbite politician. People need to become educated in more depth to understand his well thought out, solid, and logical positions. For many Republicans they have not had enough exposure yet. It is a long, hard, and tiring process to educate in depth the conservative electorate about traditional conservative principles and values.
Tonight just bought Ron Paul even more time to get out his message and to still place well in all of the upcoming states. Iowa will keep Huckabee in the race. Romney wasn't going to be exiting any time soon. Fred Thompson was thought to be dead, but just had new life breathed into his campaign. McCain was also thought to be dead, but got a rebound. And of course Iowa was irrelevant to Giuliani as he will stay in the race. Only Duncan Hunter may drop, but his support base doesn't seem likely to be a factor anywhere.
What does this all mean to Ron Paul? Well, Ron Paul has shown that in an ultra-religious conservative state that he can pull 10% of the vote...double digits. It has shown that he can pull close to the well known, stalwart of the Republican establishment, warhorse John McCain. He is literally within spitting distance of third place in a state that is not tailored to him. A state where he would not promise ongoing farm subsidies. This is a huge feat...one that cannot be discounted. What is more important though is that all of the neoconservative candidates will stay in the race with this outcome with maybe the exception of Duncan Hunter. This is very good for Ron Paul. Like I said earlier, at this time Ron Paul cannot win in a one on one or three way race...yet. This Iowa scenario ensures that Ron Paul will face a divided neoconservative field. I cannot overstate how good this is from a strategic standpoint. It gives Ron Paul time to continue to spread the message and gain more and more support while the neoconservative vote is split.
Come New Hampshire, Ron Paul will likely place in the top three. Romney, McCain, and Ron Paul will show well. Ron Paul has the funds, with more than $19.5 million raised in the 4th quarter, and is in for the long haul. As has been discussed across the internet...this may end up being a brokered convention...a very long and hard race. The more face time and the longer Ron Paul stays in the race the better. Unlike Ron Paul, many of the candidates cannot and will not show well in all states. Ron Paul's support is nationwide and he has the money, nationwide support, and fundraising ability to go the distance.
Folks...this is a marathon...not a sprint. Watch and see...the Ron Paul movement will continue to grow. The message will continue to spread. The people of Iowa are our fellow citizens, but they are not the end all. Their voice is important, but only a part of the voice of America. As Loub Dobbs mentioned on the eve of the Iowa election...there are only three populist candidates, and might I add Revolutionary candidates, that are for the middle class...and Ron Paul is the only Republican standing up for the average middle class and low income American! Not Huckabee...but Ron Paul.
The views expressed in this
article are those of CT Johnson only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. CT Johnson 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.
Only a Ron Paul robot could actually think that losing is winning. Ron Paul seems to be one of those kids who had a "to be like christ" ribbon, the one's you get just for being there.
"Hmm Bernard, I didn't know that they made 4th place ribbons."
"You know Jack, they make ribbons that go all the way up to 7th place."
Being a fully devoted Paul supporter who's maxed out on the legal amount one's allowed to contribute, I have to admit that I was pretty down today, but this article made me feel a little better. I know it was probably childish to pin my hopes for a total upset, but I'm 35 now and there has never been a guy like Paul seriously running before. After readind your article, I got to thinking more about the (dwindling) Republican field and something quite shocking occurred to me. -Hunter and Tancredo are the only other candidates who are solidly conservative and they didn't even place. What does that say? Are only ten percent of Republican voters conservative?
I never thought about it before because I lean libertarian and therefore am adamantly against the Patriot Act and the Iraq war. But I don't think anyone could argue that Hunter or Tancredo are not conservative. They both have great voting records and reputations for lower taxes, anti immigration, reduced federal government, pro gun, and anti abortion. -And they're both out of the race now. Forget the libertarian-constitution-independent angle for a second and think about this, -Is Ron Paul the only conservative in the race?
It's time to double our vote. If each of us commits to converting just one person -- friend, family, or acquaintance, we can double our vote. Holding signs is excellent and important -- but it's time we become missionaries to the apathetic and uninformed masses.
Romney's poor showing in Iowa is an opportunity for us to garner some more support. As a pro-business conservative, I was also attracted to the Romney campaign before learning about Dr. Paul. Now that Romney's campaign is floundering under the expectations of an Iowa win, some of his peripheral followers will be open to switching their support to other candidates. These are the issues we might highlight when talking with Romney supporters: -Ron Paul is a fiscal conservative who has dedicated his career to restraining federal spending. -Appeal to their business/economic understanding by discussing the declining US dollar and Dr. Paul's plan to strengthen the dollar -Dr. Paul supports reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses. -Dr. Paul is a dedicated to reducing taxes and has been voted as "The taxpayers best friend"
There is one thing that I would not recommending stressing greatly: Dr. Paul's opposition to the war. If this does come up, I would stress is on ECONOMIC grounds, not as much with the blowback issues. Romney Republicans are generally fiscal conservatives, but not as concerned with civil liberties as we are. They are willing to sacrifice to the nanny state in order to preserve our security. THIS IS NOT A GOOD ARGUING POINT WITH THEM.
-The last thing to emphasize is that, as Iowa showed, Republicans' vote cannot be bought; it must be earned. The broad-based support Dr. Paul has garnered as evidenced by his fundraising from individuals will appeal to their anti-special-interest views.
Posted By: what needs to be done!
Date: 2008-01-04 02:01:16
We need to spread the message to THE SMALL TOWNS!!! THIS IS A MUST!!!! Forget the big towns for now! The small town counties are KEY TO SUCCESS!!! YOU MUST CANVASS SMALL TOWNS! If you look at the counties that comprised the voters in iowa, THEY COULD HAVE BEEN WON by RON PAUL! and there is a LOT of them. And this is were Ron can take'em STATE WIDE!
It's nice to canvass large towns, but it is MOST important to canvass ALL the small towns in ALL counties. WORD SPREADS FAST IN A SMALL TOWN. convert a few people in a small community, get them some signs in their yard and the word will be out before you can get to the other side of town!!!
When you are confident in the canvassing of the little towns and you know that they have been hit up good. Then it's time to covert OP SIGN BOMB your larger towns to let thousands see the signs and then go knock on doors in that larger town!!!
But NOT UNTIL YOU HIT the small towns and counties.
THIS WAS IOWA'S BREAD AND BUTTER! NOW GET OUT THERE AND GET IT DONE!!!
GO RON!! He never gave up on his country and, we shall NOT!
Yes, this was actually a great result, considering Dr. Paul spent the least amount of time in Iowa (20 days) among all the major candidates. There was also a virtual blackout in the Iowa media and McCain got all the major paper endorsements.Â
Still, Dr. Paul finished #1 among Independents with 29%, according to entrance polls. Independents are THE KEY to electability in the general election. Those so-called 'electable' candidates, Romney and Giuliani got only 19% and 1% respectively. (Either Paul wins the nomination or you can say hello to Hillary or Obama as your next president.)
There is no clear favorite in this race. Huck has no money or organization, Romney has been declared "Phony" by the NH papers, all of McCain's apples are in NH, Giuliani will likely finish last again in NH.Â
"THAT WHICH THY FATHERS HAVE BEQUEATHED TO THEE, EARN IT ANEW IF THOU WOULDST POSSESS IT." Goethe: Faust
It is time television media, which professes to be the people's conscience, did some truly objective reporting on Dr. Ron Paul. Here is hoping that this Email does not fade into obscurity among many others because of preconceived notions that Dr. Paul is a "fringe" candidate. Dr. Paul is a Congressman for good reason. Rational Americans re-elected him time and again for his integrity and sound ideals - truly Republican ideals. We don't live in a democracy and never have. We bandy about the term and try to export it. We are a Republic. Dr. Paul appeals to very studious, informed mainstream Republican (and members of other parties) Americans, not "fringe" Americans. These are citizens taking the time to research and seriously study the issues plaguing the United States today. It is not about hype and Madison Avenue ads. Dr. Paul realizes the time for Aspirin is past; it is time for root canals. And a Nation, whose phlegmatic, obese, citizenry thinks ill-behaved, tattooed adolescent celebrities are worthy of front page news, is spiraling toward the drain.
Dr. Paul advocates serious surgery for this great nation. He is the only candidate unafraid to say these "self evident" things. The truth will out. If opinionated, talking heads were half as intellectual as their expensive suits, hairspray, and makeup try to make us to believe, they would listen to the loud, legitimate, voice that powerfully supports Dr. Paul despite the dearth of mainstream corporate television coverage.
Educated, intellectual people KNOW that this superlative nation is equipped with checks and balances. These are mechanisms already existent in our Republic. No one man can push through anything too extreme without support in the government. This means the executive, the judicial, and the administrative arms of our government must operate in concert. Therefore, we are perfectly aware that some of Dr. Paul's desired goals are very long term, and though the objectives in some cases seem drastic, they are realistic, but must be achieved incrementally, over time. This is the intrinsic beauty of our form of government.
We have become servants of our government. The status quo is exactly the opposite of the situation for which so many of our brave men and women have fought and died. We must reverse the tide, and Dr. Paul is eminently qualified to pull us from the bureaucratic quicksand, onto solid ground. It is time this beacon of leadership received serious coverage and time from the self-professed egalitarian fourth estate. With all deference to our capitalist economy, the television media is no longer a source of unbiased information for Americans to make sound political choices and decisions. The media has become a tool that serves sponsors, shareholders, and government interests. It does NOT serve its viewers and readers as our forefathers intended. Anyone who contests this fact is delusional.
It is a shame that intelligent, hard working Americans will be eclipsed more and more with each passing year, as the number of debt-ridden, ignorant Americans rises asymptotically, asking for more programs and "entitlements" each year that will be paid with fictitious money borrowed from the "illustrious" Chinese. This nation is NOT about "Hi-Def" TV and glam. It is about liberty, hard work, pursuit of happiness, and accepting personal responsibility.
We should collectively be ashamed of what we have done with our fore-fathers' inheritance. We must each, with integrity and honor, EARN the right to live in this great nation - every day.
Sincerely,
Carl Hurst
Excellent article. This is by far the best assessment I have read regarding Ron Paul's excellent showing in a state relatively unexposed and not particularly "tailored" to Dr. Paul's philosophy (at least not currently; let the revolution continue and watch America's heartland begin to understand!). Carl Hurst's comments are very astute as well. Dr. Paul's message is all about earning our "inheritance" and taking responsibility for ourselves, as well as reestablishing a sound new footing for everyone. He is indeed, proposing major surgery to the system; there is a cultural rot inside and it is not likely to just disappear on its own. This cultural malaise has been precipitated by toxic, predatory forces, and will cause demise if ignored. After surgery the healing can begin. Let what falls away, fall away; the healthy core will remain and rebuild. Corporate-controlled media is indeed the "smoke and mirrors" acting on behalf of special interests rather than for "WE THE PEOPLE"! Dr. Paul's difficult job, which he has had the incredible wisdom, courage and strength of character to continue despite organized and persistent opposition, is to WAKE UP those of us who can be awakened, prepare us for spreading America's true and uncorruptable message to others, and rebuild the national character. It is something akin to REHAB for this once-great nation, which had sunk to intoxicated depths threatening to extinguish its greatness. Things may get externally worse before they get better, but with a wise plan built upon a solid foundation, America can be greater than ever before. Again, this was a STRATEGIC VICTORY at the beginning of a MARATHON. The dogs may bark but the caravan rolls on. RON PAUL REVOLUTION 2008!
Yes, Dr. Paul can WIN! Double digits in Iowa, where Dr. Paul was only just starting to spike, is REALLY GOOD. The polls showed him at between 4-8%. He proved the polls wrong, and now you have guys like Wolf Blitzer saying that he was really in the running for 3rd place! He was! He was right in there! IF we MAKE PHONE calls to Iowa, and canvass in New Hampshire, we're going to give Ron Paul a 2nd or 3rd place. Even a 4th place will prove that Ron Paul is starting to move UP. We have to keep it up. Remember that supporting Ron Paul is not about RON PAUL, it's about a message that we need to PREACH like it's going out of style! The fact is, there is a direct, immediate, and substantial threat to the citizens of our country! We are on the verge of National Socialism (Corporatism/Fascism) and there are people in positions of power who want to kill our children. That's right. They don't care what happens to our children, as long as they make a buck. They believe in social evolution. They believe they are the fittest and thus they hold that only their oligarchy should be allowed to rule! As Bob Dylan put it, "For threatening my babies, unborn and unnamed, you ain't worth the blood that flows through your vains."
Yes, Dr. Paul can WIN! Double digits in Iowa, where Dr. Paul was only just starting to spike, is REALLY GOOD. The polls showed him at between 4-8%. He proved the polls wrong, and now you have guys like Wolf Blitzer saying that he was really in the running for 3rd place! He was! He was right in there! IF we MAKE PHONE calls to Iowa, and canvass in New Hampshire, we're going to give Ron Paul a 2nd or 3rd place. Even a 4th place will prove that Ron Paul is starting to move UP. We have to keep it up. Remember that supporting Ron Paul is not about RON PAUL, it's about a message that we need to PREACH like it's going out of style! The fact is, there is a direct, immediate, and substantial threat to the citizens of our country! We are on the verge of National Socialism (Corporatism/Fascism) and there are people in positions of power who want to kill our children. That's right. They don't care what happens to our children, as long as they make a buck. They believe in social evolution. They believe they are the fittest and thus they hold that only their oligarchy should be allowed to rule! As Bob Dylan put it, "For threatening my babies, unborn and unnamed, you ain't worth the blood that flows through your vains"
It is time to move out and spread Dr. Paul's message of freedom to people that do not get their information from the internet. No more preaching to the choir, its time to talk to people in person, to people who are not internet or computer savvy. Sign waving is great, but alot of people will not google Ron Paul. If we really mean business we have to put our shoe leather to the streets and start meeting people face to face. Fellow lovers of liberty, I am talking to myself here too...winning this is not going to be easy, liberty has always called for sacrifice. Now is the time!
I strongly agree with Max in WA. The best hope we have is simply to engage in conversation with others and let the truth be heard. Like he said, holding Ron Paul signs is a great sign of support, but a sign in favor of Ron Paul cannot convey his message alone, and it is Ron Paul's message that has the most power in getting the vote.
Just a few days ago, I mentioned Ron Paul to a friend who had never even heard of him. Within five minutes, he was sold. Of course, all people will not be convinced so simply, but I have succeeded in getting others to lean towards Ron Paul's idea, and the one friend who did become a supporter said he would spread the word to his friends and family. So don't tell one person, tell all the people you know. Engage in conversation, be honest, and let the truth be heard.
Information and knowledge will win the election for Ron Paul.
I am so glad for this article. I couldn't understand why everyone was so upset. I knew this was gpoing to be the case because that us what the headquarters predicted.
Everyone needs to realize that we need to stick together more than ever now. They are going to try to pull the movement apart. Don't let them.
Canvass in your precicnt and the precincts around you. Become deputy registrar and go to highschools and colleges in your area and tell them abot Ron Paul and get people registered. Remember to become delegates and work your precinct. Walk your neighborhood four times if you have to. This is going to be work. Are you willing to work a little for your future liberty, for your children's future liberty? Who ever told anyone this was going to be easy was working for the other side.
I am going to leave you with this quote:
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot
will, in
this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that
stands
now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like
hell, is
not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the
harder
the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
-Thomas Paine-
"
Don't lose hope everyone. The headquarters projected that it was going to be 5th. Don't be shocked, move on. Double digits is great. They didn;t think we were going to be able to do that. We beat their expectations. Now we have to keep the momentum going. If we get third in NH. They will have to take notice of us like they never have before.
Work in your state. Canvass your precicnt like your life depended on it. Go door to door, give out bumper stickers and take down people's names and numbers who said they will vote for Ron Paul so ont he day of the primary or caucus, you will call them and remind them or even give them a ride to their precinct voting place. Go to college campuses and register people to vote by becoming a voter registrar. Go to highschools and register 18 year olds to vote and give them dvd's and flyers about Ron Paul talking about the Ron Paul movement. They will want to get involved.
I want to leave you with this quote, maybe it will inspire to go out there and work even harder:
"These are the
times
that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot
will, in
this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that
stands
now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like
hell, is
not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the
harder
the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."
-Thomas Paine-
Posted By: Grandma for RP
Date: 2008-01-04 17:34:18
I live in Iowa and we are not an "ultra religious conservative state", as the article says. We are a liberal state. We have a very liberal Governor and the preceding one was also a liberal. We do, however, have a core of conservative evangelicals who came out in droves to vote for Huckabee. Inspiring them was a Christian drive time talk show host on a Des Moines radio station. He is a huge and unshakable Huckabee fan. I am a Ron Paul fan and had to quit listening to him!
Ron Paul placed 4th or higher in 40 out of 99 counties in Iowa.
1st:
Jefferson
2nd:
Davis
Osceola
Pocahontas
Van Buren
3rd:
Allamakee
Appanoose
Calhoun
Cedar
Decatur
Greene
Harrison
Henry
Jackson
Johnson
Keokuk
Mitchell
Muscatine
Story
Wapello
4th:
Benton
Boone
Buchanan
Clarke
Clayton
Dubuque
Franklin
Grundy
Guthrie
Iowa
Jones
Lee
Monroe
Montgomery
Page
Ringgold
Taylor
Warren
Washington
Wright
Hey, awesome article. Would it be hard for you to make a "printer friendly version" of your articles available? Nothing like reading & re-reading good hardcopies...
Thank you,
Posted By: Bill McCaskill
Date: 2008-01-04 20:20:35
Somebody please get the word out that if anyone but Dr. Ron Paul wins this election we are in for a depression that will make 1929 look like a walk in the park. Think about that for more than one minuet.
Thanks for putting it all in perspective! I was actually pretty happy with the Iowa result, especially the part about beating Ghouliani, and from the videos I've seen, Dr. Paul looked pretty happy about that too! I believe he will be in the top 3 in New Hampshire, with at least 20%, as, IMO, the people of New Hampshire are much more informed about the critical condition of our country than are the people of Iowa.
However, I think it will take some time for most people to understand Dr. Paul's platform, especially if they are not very well informed on the current disasterous state of our country and the world, thanks to the disinformation provided by the mainstream media. Some things I think people have trouble with are his positions on Social Security and Medicaid/Medicare. I have read several comments written by people who mistakenly think he plans to take these away from them, when they have paid into the system their entire lives. I would like to suggest that he clarify this if it ever comes up in an interview, that he has no such intentions, and if anything will strengthen those programs by cutting the federal budget in other areas where vast amounts of money are being wasted, which could be used to take care of our own people. The unnecessary wars of aggression for corporate profit are perhaps the best example of this, along with having troops spread all around the world for no apparent reason other than to keep the Military Industrial Complex rich.
If you have not already seen it, please watch this wonderful video made by a soldier that tells the truth about the wars, and why the troops support Ron Paul above all other candidates:
The Federal Reserve is another concept that is difficult for people to grasp because most people think it's part of the government, and have no clue that their income tax dollars go almost exclusively to pay the interest on the debt the government owes to that private central banking monstrosity, which is owned by the powers that be...that's how they got their power and maintain it. According to the Constitution, the government is supposed to print the money, not have to borrow it from a private bank that illegally usurped that power nearly a century ago, and pay them interest. People do not understand that if you eliminate the Fed, you can then eliminate the income tax.
The average American is not very well informed about what is really going on, they have no clue the other "viable" candidates are all members of the Council on Foreign Relations, which is run by these same elites, and controls our government and the media to the great detriment of the vast majority of us. These CFR candidates will say whatever it takes to get elected, and then do as they are told by those who really hold the power behind the scenes. Just remember, "read my lips, no new taxes" for a perfect example.
Dr. Paul also speaks about eliminating the Department of Education, which some people may assume will end public schools, when what he really intends to do is to return control over the schools to the state and local levels, where it is supposed to be, again according to the Constitution. The education system will greatly improve without federal mandates and regulations.
The Federal Government has usurped many powers it was never granted in the Constitution, which is really designed to limit the power government has over the states and over us as individuals.
Â
If we can help Dr. Paul educate the masses on these and other critical issues, the rEVOLution will be won!
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