http://www.twincities.com/ci_9427221?nclick_check=1


While McCain may have the nomination locked, I am curious what the chances are of Paul getting a substantial vote count in the General election.
This campaign season has truly showcased some of the problems with our Party system and the power/control games that the Party leaders seem so unwilling to forfeit. Paul's campaign was submarined by the GOP leadership that wanted Giuliani (oops), then Romney (oops, again), and then settled for McCain; he was never given credibility by the leadership, which allowed the media to then disregard him as well, other than writing about his internet fund raising success.

He got 24% in Idaho this week.

I see Ron Paul signs all over the place in my little part of PA.

I'd like to really see him put a dent on the numbers.. maybe garner 15 - 20%.. That would be very nice indeed. I will do my part.

I see Ron Paul signs all over the place in my little part of PA.


same here!

I hope he bows out gracefully at the convention. The little bragged about job purposefully left off my resume was the summer of 2000 I answered phones at Ralph Nader's campaing HQ. The last thing his career wants is to be seen as a spoiler as that'll hurt the rest of his career. We need a moderately intelligent congressman more than he needs 15 percent of the popular vote.

http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_9432534

The manner in which the GOP continues to attempt to marginalize Ron Paul and his supporters is only going to cost them voters in the long run, as these kind of tactics only end up alienating people. On the other hand, the GOP leadership may be the best thing to happen to the Independent Party.

I'd like to really see him put a dent on the numbers.. maybe garner 15 - 20%.. That would be very nice indeed. I will do my part.

If you really wanted to do your part, you'd stay away from Ron Paul. People of your ilk would just bring his campaign down a notch.

He got double digits in SD and NM recently too. It'll be interesting to see how much of a "spoiler" he'll be to McCain's already doomed prospects.

I know I still fully intend to write him in.

http://people.ronpaul2008.com/campaign-updates/2008/02/07/luskin-leaves-paul-for-mccain/

One of Ron Paul's economic advisors has moved over to McCain's team. Strange I'm reading this on Paul's website...

Luskin was very outspoken about getting us a strong dollar again.

I know I still fully intend to write him in.

That makes 2 of us

I know I still fully intend to write him in.
That makes 2 of us

Now what if he asks his supporters to support McCain or something? If enough people vote for him in the general, its going to be very easy for the Republican party to remove him from their caucus and he'll see funding and support dry up pretty fast ... he could wave goodbye to his House seat. As much as I or anyone would like to see him as President, its not gonna happen and losing him as a Representative would be worse.

I can't imagine he's afraid of the GOP at this point. A lot of the appeal of Ron Paul is that he doesn't play the politics as usual game that you're talking about there.

He's already burned bridges with the neocons anyway. They tried to unseat him with a local GOP mayor in the primary for his House seat and failed miserably. I'd anticipate that they'll keep trying and keep failing, regardless of what happens in the next few months/years.

That attitude that we should buy into a false choice between two candidates we don't want is so passe. We complain about our lack of good choices on the ballot, but buy into this notion that voting for who we really want is a wasted vote. Hence, we never get better choices (and do not deserve them).

Unfortunately, I don't believe McCain or his handlers will look at anyone not at least 20 years his junior, and also more than likely either a female or minority, in order to offset his emphasized weakness (age) and to attempt to draw some of those disaffected voters that are not yet decided on following a Democrat to the polls.

And so, Ron Paul getting the nod, which would bring a lot more voters to McCain, is not that likely to happen. He will instead draw many Independent minded folks, if his name remains on the ballot.

I really don't think Ron Paul would consider accepting a VP nomination from McCain. That would be about as good a match as you and Jedd running together.

I really don't think Ron Paul would consider accepting a VP nomination from McCain. That would be about as good a match as you and Jedd running together.

LOL

I can't imagine he's afraid of the GOP at this point. A lot of the appeal of Ron Paul is that he doesn't play the politics as usual game that you're talking about there.

He's already burned bridges with the neocons anyway. They tried to unseat him with a local GOP mayor in the primary for his House seat and failed miserably. I'd anticipate that they'll keep trying and keep failing, regardless of what happens in the next few months/years.

That attitude that we should buy into a false choice between two candidates we don't want is so passe. We complain about our lack of good choices on the ballot, but buy into this notion that voting for who we really want is a wasted vote. Hence, we never get better choices (and do not deserve them).

While I clearly don't know the guy or follow him all that well, he sponsors more legislation than most and he knows as well as you that if he runs and if he acts as spoiler for McCain he'll never get a Republican vote for any of his bills and will waste away in congress as a non-player. There is nothing for him to gain for running for President as a libertarian again but there is plenty for him to lose. (see: Ralph Nader)

While I clearly don't know the guy or follow him all that well, he sponsors more legislation than most and he knows as well as you that if he runs and if he acts as spoiler for McCain he'll never get a Republican vote for any of his bills and will waste away in congress as a non-player. There is nothing for him to gain for running for President as a libertarian again but there is plenty for him to lose. (see: Ralph Nader)

He won't run as Libertarian. He's made that pretty clear, and there's already a Libertarian nominee (Bob Barr). We were never talking about him running third party (hence "write in").

The fact is, most of his Federal scoped legislation already has no chance of passing our ethically bankrupt Congress. That's a non-issue.

Now what if he asks his supporters to support McCain or something? If enough people vote for him in the general, its going to be very easy for the Republican party to remove him from their caucus and he'll see funding and support dry up pretty fast ... he could wave goodbye to his House seat. As much as I or anyone would like to see him as President, its not gonna happen and losing him as a Representative would be worse.

I have to agree with Sanchek here, the GOP would have rather see him NOT have been a candidate from the beginning. I mean even in major debates they did not want him to take part.

From what I have seen and read about Paul, I do not see him asking his supporters to support any of the candidates, since none of them really see eye to eye with him. The one thing I really like about Paul is he is not the normal politician. He really stands up for what he believes in and backs it. To him it’s not about lobbyist or how to vote to make a quick buck. If people are really looking for a change and someone to shake up the government a little, Paul is where it's at!

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-06-17-campaign-funds_N.htm

More I hear about this the less I believe the hype that Ron Paul doesn't play the normal Washington games.

He's as dirty as the rest, let's not put him on a soap box he'll fall from.

That being said there's alot of good views from his camp. Staying in the race at this time however is not good for the Republican party imho.

Ron Paul paid his daughter $163k, and another $12-13k to three other relatives, over the period of six years. But, what was it for? Simply tossing out that figure to make him look dirty is dirty in itself, as it does not give any specifics to why the money was paid, which may not make any difference in terms of appearances, but does make a difference as to whether he was skimming off his campaign funds or actually paying employees performing valid work.

Like the one who was paying rent for office space to a husband's company, and hiring the husband's firm for accounting, fundraising and compliance accountability, the work may well be valid and with someone you trust. It is a good example of tossing out the baby with the bathwater; because some examples of paying relatives is a bad thing, all have to be?

He's as dirty as the rest, let's not put him on a soap box he'll fall from.

With even a cursory knowledge of his policies, it's ludicrous to suggest he's "as dirty as the rest". I can't imagine how you could possibly support that.

I'd be interested to see a breakdown showing what he paid his daughter for. $160k over the course of five years is peanuts if she was providing a real product or service in return.

We know Ron Paul doesn't throw money around. We're talking about the guy who has returned five figures of his budget back to the treasury, every year that he's been in office.

Well, since he's associated with the Rebublican Party, some people start frothing at the mouth. This guy is a true financial Conservative, and we need 100 like him in the Senate, and 434 more like him in the House.

Hell I heard the story from a heavily right leaning talk radio host.

Point was put across as why does he still run? It's a valid point, especially if he's paying family members from those funds.

One report has one of his male family members being paid a couple of K to manage Ron Pauls myspace.

So people should perform services for free?! I don't work for free.

One report has one of his male family members being paid a couple of K to manage Ron Pauls myspace.

I'd charge more than that. Sounds like a good deal to me, compared to hiring a marketing firm to manage it.

Hell I heard the story from a heavily right leaning talk radio host.

Point was put across as why does he still run? It's a valid point, especially if he's paying family members from those funds.

The neocon right wing guys hate Ron Paul. They're terrified of what he represents. I guess you can call them right wing, but they certainly aren't Republicans. Democrats might be closer to Republicans than neocons are these days.

The reason he continues to run is to continue getting the message out. Simple as that. He's been getting increasing numbers in the primaries, as it wound down, even though he hasn't been campaigning. His message is clearly resonating with more people.

I'm glad he is. It's a message that needs to get out before it's too late.

Nah it was Michael Medved, he's hardly a neocon tho he most certainly is right wing.

It was a talking point, and he is correct in that there is no reason for Paul to still be drawing funds to run as President. He'd make one hell of a VP selection imho.

Drawing funds from who? He still has a surplus from his private fund raising.

Is this guy claiming that Ron Paul is siphoning tax money off to give his kids or something?

FYI, Medved has guest hosted the Limbaugh show dozens of times. If he's not a neocon, then I must be one!

I should've known better to bring up a point about Ron Paul.

Does that mean, yes, Medved is falsely claiming that Ron Paul is spending tax dollars on his campaign? Simply untrue.

Whatever, let Paul be the Republican's albatross in this election. That'll certainly push forth their agenda. I think it's just as wrong for him to stay in the race as it was for Hillary.

He's not contesting McCain's nomination. The people voting for McCain won't care that Ron Paul is still on the radar, and the people who will be writing in Ron Paul wouldn't vote for McCain in a million years anyway.

The people that the GOP has lost are gone because of the GOP itself, not Ron Paul. Blaming Ron Paul for the GOP's troubles will be naturally unavoidable in the coming months, but is just cognitive dissonance at its finest.

You shouldn't let yourself be fooled by these guys on the radio spouting complete falsehoods. You're smarter than that.

http://www.twincities.com/ci_9546008?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com


It is nice seeing perseverance by those who want to see the GOP return to it's roots, and having only one option for a true conservative.