Outsider Ron Paul finds support for Fed audit

Yahoo ^ | 9/4/09

[FromLori]

After decades of pushing long-shot causes like abolishing the income tax and reinstating the gold standard, Republican Representative Ron Paul finds himself in an unaccustomed spot: on the cusp of legislative victory.

A majority of the libertarian-leaning Texan's colleagues in the House of Representatives support his proposal to increase congressional scrutiny of the Federal Reserve, and the measure could be included in a broader banking overhaul this fall.

But don't expect the House to take up Paul's other pet causes, such as pulling out of the United Nations. Experts say the success of his Federal Reserve Scrutiny Act reflects rising unease with the central bank's dramatic actions over the past year, rather than any increased influence stemming from Paul's quixotic 2008 presidential bid.

"He's finally found the right moment," said Sarah Binder of the liberal-leaning Brookings Institution.

Paul's spokeswoman Rachel Mills agrees: "His bill happens to be in the right place at the right time."

The former obstetrician has pursued unpopular causes in a political career that has earned him the nickname "Dr. No."

He's proposed abolishing an alphabet soup of government agencies and repealing federal drug laws. He has called for withdrawing from trade pacts and military alliances like NATO and pulling U.S. troops back from overseas bases.

He was the only member to vote against awarding congressional medals to Pope John Paul II and civil rights leader Rosa Parks.

Paul's 2008 presidential bid attracted a grass-roots following that hired blimps and swamped Web message boards

Many have continued their activism this year -- visitors to RonPaul.com can enjoy songs like "Audit the Fed" written and performed by supporters. His latest book, "End the Fed," is ranked #22 on Amazon.com's bestseller list. UNEXPECTED CLOUT

[SandWMan]

What a nut, actually thinking that the Constitution should be enforced...

[algernonpj]

I find it interesting and encouraging that Ron Paul seems to have a big following among those who are college age and in their twenties.

[drypowder]

Obamathug will throw anybody under the bus thus an audit of the Fed Reserve may be what he needs to distract public attention from him and his failed presidency. Wag the dog works too.

[Dem Guard]

Ya anyone that makes any sense at all in DC should be dismissed as a nut-case. They might mess something up.