[rob777]

"His campaign has done more damage to libertarianism than anything else by connecting it with surrendering in the WOT and appeasement of Islamists rather than what that political movement should be known for -- limited gov't advocacy."


That has been my concern ever since it was announced that he was thinking of running for President. At first, I ignored the campaign for that very reason. Lately, I have been curious as to the make up of the movement he is attracting, so I did some research. Contrary to the standard assumption on this site that most of his support comes from the antiwar left, I have found that he draws a lot of support from those who believe that the GOP has betrayed the cause of limited government. Financially, he seems to be getting some support from the investment community, particularly the hard money investors. I have been desperately looking for a sign that the limited government movement still has some life within the GOP. The story of the Ron Paul campaign is going to be in what becomes of the movement he inspired after the campaign is over.

[rob777]

Ping

[Eric Blair 2084]

I have been desperately looking for a sign that the limited government movement still has some life within the GOP. The story of the Ron Paul campaign is going to be in what becomes of the movement he inspired after the campaign is over.

Well said. He is not going to "win" in the traditional sense of being sworn in as President in early 2009. Much like Goldwater, he can score a bigger "win" that will last decades by A. Forcing the statists in the GOP to get back to their roots of ltd. Gubmint in order to retain his constituency and B. Exposing young voters to the idea of limited Gumbint for the first time in their lives.