Posted on 12/30/2011 12:41:42 PM PST by presidio9
With Representative Ron Paul performing solidly in Republican presidential polls – and near the top in Iowa – a recurring question nags at political wise-guys: Will the Texas libertarian’s corps of loyal and energized supporters be an asset to an eventual Republican nominee?
Or will they be a liability if that nominee is not named Ron Paul — meaning, they will vote only for Mr. Paul as a third-party or write-in candidate, or stay home altogether, which would probably help the prospective Democratic nominee, President Obama?
Based on discussion with a dozen supporters at candidate events across the state — including a Paul rally of about 500 here Wednesday night – the Paul Posse contains a considerable “Ron or I’m Gone” population.
Of those people interviewed, three said they would vote for the Republican nominee if it was not Mr. Paul, and two said they were not sure. But seven respondents said they would support only Mr. Paul in the general election – either as a write-in or third-party candidate (the latter of which Mr. Paul has not ruled out). Ideally, they said, he would be the Republican nominee.
“If the Republican Party is going to remain viable, it needs to nominate Ron Paul,” said Sean Curtin of Iowa City, who estimates that that “Libertarian-Constitutional” constituency that supports Mr. Paul makes up 25 percent of the Republican Party.
And if they don’t nominate Mr. Paul?
“I would not vote for anyone else,” said Eric Grote, who travelled to Iowa from Turkey, where he lives half the year,
(Excerpt) Read more at thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com ...
[If you are not prepared to vote for the Republican candidate (even Mitt Romney) to defeat Barak Obama, you don’t belong here.]
The conservatives don’t need the rino right to tell them how they should vote. Paul and Romney are liberal democrats and no conservative votes for idiots and liars and thives who do what Obama does.
Vote as you will, but I vote for conservatives and Rick Santoium is the best man their. I am sick of rino republicans and hate the communist islamic left and have come to the conclusion that Americans have defeated themselves through the arrogance of the sin they indulge in daily with respect to God and their fellowman.
A vote for a rino is a vote for Barack Obama as far as I am concerned. I will vote for one who will represent my views and not the rino liberal leftist the pubs choose to run.
[Where in The Constitution was the US federal government set up as a two party system?]
Good point, as so many liberal democrats now run as republicans who are controled by the hateful left also.
With Representative Ron Paul performing solidly in Republican presidential polls – and near the top in Iowa – a recurring question nags at political wise-guys: Will the Texas libertarian’s corps of loyal and energized supporters be an asset to an eventual Republican nominee?
Cult followers are not known for the art of compromise.
“It obviously needs to be repeated again and again on this conservative website: If you are not prepared to vote for the Republican candidate (even Mitt Romney) to defeat Barak Obama, you don’t belong here”
Wow. I thought everyone knew where Jim stood on Romney.
“if only because we won’t get three more Elana Kagens on SCOTUS under him.”
Really? So he has appointed nothing but pro-life strict constuctionists in the past?
Paul voters are not necessarily from this planet.
Gee....can't put one over the New York Times.
Is Ron Paul not a doctor? Has he not delivered thousands of babies? Did he not serve in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard as a flight surgeon?
He used to be. He's also a nut, but I don't use that honorific either.
Has he not delivered thousands of babies?
Maybe. I hope they got over the shock.
Did he not serve in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard as a flight surgeon?
So his dossier reads. The truther stuff didn't make it in there though.
Curious, that.
Only the most ardent Paul supporters have ever been under the illusion that he might actually win. Paul himself never has been. The problem is that his participation is mostly hurting the not-Romney candidates. This is as designed for Paul, as he makes very little political distinction between Obama and ALL of his Republican challengers.
If the Constitution was the only rule politics played by, can you name a recent president who should not have been impeached?
Not even close.
The man is, in fact, a medical doctor. If only he had stayed one...
“If the Republican Party is going to remain viable, it needs to nominate Ron Paul,” said Sean Curtin of Iowa City, who estimates that that “Libertarian-Constitutional” constituency that supports Mr. Paul makes up 25 percent of the Republican Party.”
First the term “Libertarain-Constitutional” is an oxymoron. Second, of voting registered GOP members, I doubt that less than 10% actually hold a Ron Paul libertarian view.
I think you misunderstood my point, so I will attempt to clarify. I can think of only two things worse than “President Mitt Romney.” They are “President Ron Paul,” and four more years of Obama. Unfortunately, the Paul candidacy, which has no intention of actually winning, is designed to ensure us the useless choice of either Mitt Romeny or Barak Obama. My point about that scenario was 100% correct: Given the choice of voting for one of those two candidates, a failure to vote for one is mathematically eqivalent to voting for the other. I can assure you that Ron Paul is very aware of this, and I can assure you that he makes very little distiction between Romney, and, say, Rick Santorum. I am just pointing out that continued support on this website for Ron Paul is helping us lead to that spot.
I didn’t misunderstand your point at all. You have made it clear that you are willing to vote for Romney if he gets the nomination. Others, including myself, have stated that Romney should not be supported under any circumstances, even the general election.
To Clarify... if Romney gets the GOP nomination. You will vote for Obama?
In other words, he votes for Obama without voting for anyone. Another winning strategy from the Purist crowd.
Unfortunately, standing on principle in the General Election will not stop Obama from stacking the Supreme Court and further stripping away our Liberty. Increasing Taxes, decimating the Military, increasing the National Debt and centralizing the Economy will be part of the Obama second term bonanza.
Right now I'm leaning Gingrich, but it doesn't really matter because I live in California. My Vote will have no impact in the Republican Primary or the General Election.
All I will be able to do is financially support the Republican Nominee, whomever that may be.
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