Posted on 01/14/2008 2:28:06 PM PST by mnehring
It was supposed to be a revolution. Ron Paul was set to take America and the world by storm by winning primary after primary on his way to the White House. The supporters of the ten-term US Congressman from Texas were convinced that the money he raised would equal support at the actual ballot box. Now in the cold hard days of January, the truth has broken though.
So what has happened to Ron Paul? The answer isn't difficult; his support was never very large to begin with. It was magnified by a presence on the Internet (or the "Internets" if you prefer) and it would never push through into the real world of voting. This was never really anything more than an online revolution that could never come close to cracking the mainstream of political thought.
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For a dark horse candidate, he made all that he could out of his Libertarian philosophies. He brought forward a whole bunch of young folks that didn't really understand the political process and they are now excited and involved. Of course, Iowa and New Hampshire slapped many of them across the face and Michigan and New Hampshire will do the same. Come February 5 even the staunchest Paul political supporter will have to realize that it isn't going to happen.
The problem that many didn't really understand is that Paul wasn't preaching anything new. This was the same Libertarian Party line that had been regurgitated over and over in one form of another for election after election. I'm not certain why so many thought it might be "magical" this campaign season.
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There is a reason that the Libertarian Party exists in relative obscurity. Though many of us hold several of the ideas of the party dear to our hearts and believe them fully, once the movement of the fringe takes hold it is too much to bear for most people.
Many scoffed at the "mainstream" and believed they didn't need them as their man Ron Paul would rise above and dominate. They didn't believe the polls that showed little support and the true believers don't even believe the votes that have been cast at the ballot box. I'm not certain if Paul and his supporters will go away quietly, but one thing is certain, they won't win this election or even come close enough to move the political debate.
What credibility?
Remember on 3 Jan 2008 EEE "guaranteed" a top three finish in Iowa for Ron Paul.
Neither the candidate or his supports have any credibility.
"Stab in the back"???
Interesting way to describe Republican party support for a Republican instead of a Libertarian.
Is that found in a special Ron Paul supporter dictionary?
93 posted on 01/14/2008 5:39:28 PM CST by jmc813 (Don't screw this up, vote for Thompson.)
You're still bitter about how Jim chooses to run his forum. Get over it, broseph.
Pot, meet kettle! LOL
Another deflection by yet another Ron Paul supporter. You and EEE goto the same seminar?
This is a Ron Paul thread. Stick to the topic. Take your Bush criticisms to a Bush thread.
Because it is pinged publicly for all of us to view. As a freeper, you should not want anyone putting out inflated outdated information. If you are a Paul supporter I could see how you would take offense to someone pointing out truthful information.
Would an old-style Republican have favored the ever-growing encroachments of liberties necessary to wage the War On Politically-Incorrect Drugs?
I would suggest that a proper old-style Republican would have supported having some things be illegal, but enforce the laws against them only to the extent possible in a free society. If someone is openly using or selling drugs in such a fashion as to draw complaints, prosecute. But if someone is doing so in such a fashion that nobody is bothered, leave that person alone. The job of police should be to respond to complaints--not to track down every single lawbreaker.
Yeah, cause he loves the slander and lies directed not only at him but his family as well.
Ron Paul was "in this" because he fears for a dying America. Doesn't matter whether one personally likes him or not, he has a message that all Americans need to hear. Guess what? The slander and lying originated from the right, not the left. The Guiliani wing of the party dares not attack the message, so they attack the messenger. The messenger is Ron Paul.
This is the Republican party, and it needs shoveling. You don't need my vote? You won't get it. Enjoy your next POTUS.
Not a all. Please convince your savior to get the hell out of our party. The sooner the better.
You're still bitter about how Jim chooses to run his forum. Get over it, broseph.
Pot, meet kettle! LOL
With a few notable exceptions, I had no problem whatsoever with the enema that Jim gave this place. The fallout thread alone was golden.
Your name reminds me.
Someone here had joked that Ron Paul looks like the character Magneto from X men.
I think Ron Paul is more like Mystique.
He can change into any shape to suit his needs.
Now tell the truth here 3E.
You were laughing your a$$ off while you typed that, weren't you?
I have asked Triple E several times to show me how Paul could win the nomination, and he has been unable to do so.
Go McCain!!!! What a dreamboat.
I have always thought that Ron Paul was using the Republican Party to get into the debates. This affords him the opportunity to get name recognition and him ideas out, where running third party does not. He has stated several times that the two party system is sham because it’s not “democratic”.
At first I thought he wasn’t going to run third party, but now I think he is. Here in Michigan he doesn’t seem to be spending very much money and it’s an open primary where I would think he could get more support. Saving money for November?
Paul is not my first choice, but I am for a smaller fedgov and he sure does provide for some entertainment.
Hopefully Paul's lackluster performance in the caucuses and primaries (guessing the trend will go on) will shut up his posse on the internet soon.
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