The Moderate Voice - Latest Comments in Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jim_Satterfield — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 13:28:37 -0000

He won't tip his hat for any of the existing contenders and his supporters are swearing that they'll just write in his name. The ones that don't do that probably just won't vote come November. The only people voting for Ron Paul in a meaningful way come November will be those in his congressional district assuming he survives the primary challenge from another Republican that he's facing.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jill Miller Zimon — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:01:37 -0000

Thank you - I would say those are all kind of problems for me. :)

On a different note - to whom do you think he'd tip his hat, for his supporters, or will they just not vote?

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jim_Satterfield — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:11:08 -0000

They are so far over the top they can see the moon behind them, Jill.

Here's an article from Newsweek about one of Ron Paul's "interesting" ideas and yes, many of his supporters believe in this one completely. Then there's his desire to withdraw the United States from the United Nations which he refers to as the American Sovereignty Restoration Act. Then there's his belief in the elimination of public education. Some of his followers deny this one exists while many of them agree with it. But here's the web site of the Alliance for the Separation of School and State. Notice the names on the right hand side. I won't provide more links since I'm not sure what the limit is now but it goes on and on. The article Ron Paul wrote in favor of the Branch Davidians is "interesting" reading. The Ron Paul movement consists largely of conspiracy theorists, gold bugs who consider the Federal Reserve to be of questionable legality and people who are certain that they and only they understand what the Constitution means.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jill Miller Zimon — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:37:54 -0000

Jim, I think I was trying to be diplomatic. But what you seem to be saying between the lines is that maybe they're over the top? Or might be seen by some of us as over the top?

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jim_Satterfield — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 21:58:47 -0000

No, Jillmz, the Paulistas carry it way further than just being passionate in their beliefs. Conspiracy theories abound about why their guy isn't winning. And I do mean conspiracy theories.

From a commenter that's fairly typical when Ron Paul is criticized on Donklephant.

An independent bid, Justin? F-you ! This is our party, and we want it back. Why settle for Marx one side or Marx-lite on the other? Ron Paul Republicans will start in offices on the local level. Not going away.

That post or ones like it aren't that unusual and many are much worse. So no, I don't consider Paul supporters as people who are merely passionate about their ideals.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jill Miller Zimon — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:16:54 -0000

Paul you wrote: "It seems to me that a lot of folks who now want change and bipartisan progress would support efforts to increase the proportion of pragmatic, open minded representatives in government."

Yes - I've been thinking about that as a general idea a lot lately - I think of it in terms of feeding the pipeline but we have to figure out the conditions that will help grow and nurture the types of politicians we want to elect and can trust. It's such a symbiotic thing, I think.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

DLS — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:15:53 -0000

Plenty of us with normal American libertarian leanings just hope McCain's promises to reduce spending and waste are kept this time, if he is elected.

That's about all Americans can hope for. And it's a slim hope given how the GOP as well as Dem contingent in Washington loves to spend money and buy votes.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jill Miller Zimon — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 18:14:59 -0000

Well - Jim - I haven't see that, but I think I know what you mean - isn't that kind of the hallmark of any passionately focused single-issue group, though? Not that I like it, but, I do feel that it's kind of an expected mode of expressing support for different ideas.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jim_Satterfield — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 16:35:52 -0000

An army of Ron Paul supporters is a frightening thought. Paul, have you ever seen a Paulista swarm on a blog? You should go find one. They make Ann Coulter look sane and reasonable.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

PaulSilver — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 15:09:11 -0000

I don't see why their motivated army of libertarians can be as effective as other passionate groups. Often the effectiveness of a movement is seizing on an idea whose time has come as was the case with civil rights. It seems to me that a lot of folks who now want change and bipartisan progress would support efforts to increase the proportion of pragmatic, open minded representatives in government.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

Jill Miller Zimon — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:42:16 -0000

Do you think that they can make a dent? Not that saying no, they can't, would be a reason not to try.

Re: Ron Paul re-aligns himself

PaulSilver — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:11:27 -0000

Mr Paul said in his message: "there will be no third party run. I do not denigrate third parties -- just the opposite, and I have long worked to remove the ballot-access restrictions on them"

This would be a worthwhile mission for his followers - to campaign for ballot access and open primaries that would give them and other independents more of a voice.