Paul's supporters disappointed by results

Dallas Morning News ^ | September 2, 2007 | GROMER JEFFERS Jr.

[West Coast Conservative]

As the vote tallies were announced at the Texas Republican straw poll Saturday, at least one supporter of Rep. Ron Paul of Lake Jackson couldn't contain his frustration.

"Fix!" he yelled from the back of the ballroom at the Fort Worth Convention Center. "There's no way."

The congressman put a great deal of effort into the event in his home state, even paying to bus in supporters. They seemed to be the largest force in town. So it was a disappointment to those supporters when he came in third.

Some were convinced that Dr. Paul won.

"The results are totally wrong," said Jason Scarbrough, a Paul supporter who lives near Houston. "There were 10 times as many Ron Paul supporters here than anyone else had. There's just no way."

Though there were clearly more Paul people at the straw poll event, the congressman with the libertarian leanings had a much smaller base of support among those who could vote.

Even Dr. Paul conceded that he didn't think he could win.

"They made it very restrictive," Dr. Paul said at a rally Friday night. "But we're trying to build the party. If they want us to build the party, we can."

Saturday's vote disappointed Kathy Massey, a 45-year-old Houston woman who works in the petroleum industry.

She described Dr. Paul as a man of integrity who wants the Bill of Rights restored – and a political titan.

"Las Vegas oddsmakers say he's the only one who can beat" Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, Ms. Massey said, without offering proof.

[wpa_mikeb]

If I were you, I wouldn’t respond either.

[wpa_mikeb]

That’s great.

I think everyone should be voting “for” someone instead of “against” anyone else.

[who knows what evil?]

No wonder we don’t take the efforts of the Ron Paul types trying to take over the Republican Party and this forum very serious. You’re not so much conservatives as you are Libertarians, and not getting your way, and wounded pride will be your excuse for helping Hillary. We all knew this any way, so it’s no surprise.

Who the hell is "we"? Trying to take over, my ass...I've been posting on this forum for ten years.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Boy, that is funny. I am in tears here. And I'm slapping my knee too.

Not.

[who knows what evil?]

Feeling hurt?

Hurt? About what? I am only suggesting that the immature behavior around here is going to alienate a lot of potential voters come next November.

[sugarbabe]

He left the party to run in another party! He did not stay and fight, he did what was best for him politically! He came back when it was best for him politically. Being right on the issues is important, but loyalty is also important to me.

You are free to support him all you like but I don’t have to support him nor should I have to listen to his supporters laugh about 9/11. They should have been outside with Cindy!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

There would still be a State Department under Paul, and you can bet that it won’t be filled with leftover liberals from the Clinton administration under a Paul administration. I’m pretty sure they’d negotiate in good faith and keep America’s POV first. As far as answering your questions, no we shouldn’t withdraw immediately but yet we shouldn’t remain there for years, probably decades with permanent bases. We don’t have the money.

[OCCASparky]

EEE, a few nutjobs IS his whole base of support.

[elhombrelibre]

Oh really, your screen name shows you as getting here in 1999. Was it a Libertarian site then, ten years ago in 1999?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Yeah, let's talk about loyalty. The GOP establishment has always tried to undercut Paul in every one of his Congressional races, even supporting the Dim candidate against him.

So what if Paul ran as a Libertarian in 1988. BFD

[who knows what evil?]

As a person who didn’t vote for Bush in 2000, I know what you mean.

I voted 'against Gore' in 2000, but I gave up on that 'lesser than two evils' BS in 2004, and voted Peroutka. I am not supporting 'business as usual' in 2008, either. As far as the GOP goes; no conservative candidate, no vote.

[sugarbabe]

I have lived here a long time, I know his history. He was once my congressman and left to run for the senate. He then ran for President as a Libertarian, and that is when I stopped supporting him. He then came back to the Republican party so he could be reelected to Congress. I guess you could say I have a long memory. I agree with him on many issues, but I cannot get past how he deserted the Republican party when he did not like the presidential candidate. I will not be surprised if he does the same thing again. Someone should ask him if he will support the party nominee if he does not win the nomination?

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

EEE, a few nutjobs IS his whole base of support.

Sure, sure. Those thousands of folks campaigning for Paul on their own money and time, they must be some crazy muthafos then.

[sugarbabe]

I agree to disagree!

[elhombrelibre]

Just supporting him is a good sign of poor cognitive skills.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I will not be surprised if he does the same thing again. Someone should ask him if he will support the party nominee if he does not win the nomination?

He promised his wife that he won't run 3rd party or independent.

But don't look for any endorsements. Why should he help the GOP after the grief he's gotten from them?

[who knows what evil?]

Was it a Libertarian site then, ten years ago in 1999?

Ask yourself...you were here then.

[wpa_mikeb]

I’m curious.

Ron Paul hasn’t taken ANY earmarks during his term in Congress, right?

I thought I had read awhile back that Ron Paul would ask for funds for his pet projects and then vote against them. Nice trick if that’s what happened. But, as long as he actually refused the earmark money, I’ll have a different thought on it all.

But, if he actually accepted ANY earmarks.....I dunno.....

[OCCASparky]

Thousands--in a nation of HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS.

Hell, even 10 percent of adults think Elvis is still alive. You're even more marginalized than that.

[OCCASparky]

Why should he help the GOP after the grief he's gotten from them?

Because without the GOP, he'd be asking, "Do you want fries with that order?"

And the GOP hasn't supported a candidate in his district other than L. Ron since 1998, so do us a favor and put away the paranoia card, m'kay?