GOP will take off the gloves if Ron Paul wins Iowa

Washington Examiner ^ | 121811 | Tim Carney

[Fred]

The Republican presidential primary has become a bit feisty, but it will get downright ugly if Ron Paul wins the Iowa caucuses.

The principled, antiwar, Constitution-obeying, Fed-hating, libertarian Republican congressman from Texas stands firmly outside the bounds of permissible dissent as drawn by either the Republican establishment or the mainstream media. (Disclosure: Paul wrote the foreword to my 2009 book.)

But in a crowded GOP field currently led by a collapsing Newt Gingrich and an uninspiring Mitt Romney, Paul could carry the Iowa caucuses, where supporter enthusiasm has so much value.

If Paul wins, how will the media and the GOP react? Much of the media will ignore him (expect headlines like "Romney Beats out Gingrich for Second Place in Iowa"). Some in the Republican establishment and the conservative media will panic. Others will calmly move to crush him, with the full cooperation of the liberal mainstream media.

For a historical analogy, study the aftermath of Pat Buchanan's 1996

[Dahoser]

The idea of the RNC getting serious and playing hardball is about as comical as the notion of Ron Paul actually winning Iowa...

When it comes to anti-RINOs, the RNC is the meanest SOB on the block...so long as those anti-RINOs are Republicans. Against Obama, McCain and the RNC were following Lady Marquess of Queensberry rules; against JD Hayworth, they couldn't do enough kicking and gouging.

[goat granny]

They don’t need gloves they need ba!!s...

[John D]

We know that Ron Paul is not going to get the nomination. But, will his supporters rebel and stay home on election day or will they support the eventual nominee?

They will do what they always do, vote for the most anti-American that they think will legalize drugs. Like last time Obama.

[Rudder]

Ron Paul is to the GOP what Dennis Kucinich is to the Dems.

[BTCM]

Spot on. The Republican party gets my vote simply because it is more fiscally conservative than the others. But, I hang my head in shame at their woos attitude of defending themselves. They are so darn PC and anti attack that they always allow the Dumb-o-crats to define them.

[I_be_tc]

I also know 3 of them and they all voted for bimbo the last time.

[BfloGuy]

This was an OPINION, not a statement of purpose.

I think "complicated" is baked into the pie this time around.

[freeangel]

Face it—the elitist GOP will take off their gloves if anybody but romney wins that caucus.

[Designer]

"Paul is not a conservative."

Some folks wouldn't recognize a conservative if they tripped over one.

[wildbill]

“I am not sure what Paul’s political realm is. he is certainly an odd ball.”

Look up Lyndon LaRouche in old archives.

His young supporters remind me of the LaRouche acolytes of yore in their firm belief in their hero and their dismissal of any rational discussion of his excesses.

[Vision]

If 2012 comes down to Obama vs. Paul, I will reevaluate my life while coming to accept that America has failed. Like the Founders said, the Constitution is only for a moral and religious people, inadequate for governing anyone else.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

I really think all heck will break loose if Paul even gets close to winning the nomination. At this point, I am not sure people will put up with the GOP shoving Romney down our throats either. I do hope, for the sake of our country, people pull their heads out, and soon.

[Designer]

"McClintock was thrown away so the GOP, globalist occupied party, could run a globalist, Schwarzenegger, for California governor."

We conservatives were pulling for McClintock.

You are absolutely correct; the GOP will take the gloves off.

Gotta save the globalist advances of the past, and keep pushing for more.

[Designer]

"HE DID NOT SUPPORT THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN 2008."

The GOP saw fit to nominate John McCain instead of somebody who could actually win.

Will they repeat their mistake?

[Designer]

".. I have yet to meet one who WON'T sit out the election .."

What would be the point of electing a RINO?

[GlockThe Vote]

The GOP/Rino establishment loves the welfare/warfare/corporatist/TBTF/Nanny/Police State just the way it is.

Paul, for all his whackiness, is a major threat to the scum in the gop.

[Designer]

"If 2012 comes down to Obama vs. Paul, I will revaluate my life.."

You can't decide between a communist and a constitutionalist?

I feel sorry for your offspring.

[Designer]

"..is a major threat to the scum in the gop."

The only threat in this GOP field.

[svcw]

Good we agree then Paul is not and has never been a conservative.

[Designer]

"I do hope, for the sake of our country, people pull their heads out, and soon."

The mere fact that Mitt Romney is still in the running, and at or near the top in naitonal polls, indicates that people still have their "heads up..", with no evidence of them pulling them out anytime soon.