Posted on 12/20/2011 8:22:05 AM PST by mnehring
Pat Paulsen was a nondescript comedian and satirist who gained fame in the 1960s television show “The Smothers Brothers” and who “ran for president” during every election from 1968 through 1996.
Paulsen’s mock-candidacy was so brilliant that many people did not get the “joke” and actually voted him in as write-in candidate. In some primaries (both Democrat and Republican) his name actually appeared on the ballots as an “official” candidate.
Sadly, Paulsen died in 1997.
After the comedian’s death, Tommy Smothers commented: “[Pat Paulsen] always had this powerful sense of commitment when he ran [for president]. There was no joke about it, though there was the joke underneath it. He never let on that it’s a joke, which is amazing. Whenever I’d walk around with him, people would yell, ‘Hey, Mr. President.’”
However, I believe Paulsen has been reincarnated… and his name is Ron Paul.
Aside from having a startling physical resemblance to Paulsen, the homely, rubber-faced Paul would also appear to be a “joke” candidate -- although his rabid core supporters don’t seem to get the joke.
Ron Paul has no hope of getting the presidential nomination, much less ever becoming the chief executive. His “campaigns” for president have become a once-in-every-four-year joke.
His loyal supporters (who basically remind of me the mindless adherents of some cult) claim that Paul is for “freedom” and espouses so-called “libertarian” principles.
From what I can ascertain, Paul’s central core belief is that the government is too large and must be substantially reduced, thereby lowering the financial burden on taxpayers.
But consider what that really means – Paul wants to, among other things, eliminate the Federal Reserve, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, and the IRS, among many other arms of government. He seeks to drastically cut foreign aid, and withdraw from NATO and the United Nations. He opposed the government’s campaign to assassinate Osama bin Laden and generally dislikes almost any kind of foreign intervention. He was adamantly opposed to the Patriot Act and didn’t want federal money to pay for airline security (instead, he suggested that pilots should be armed).
At one point, Paul suggested eliminating the income tax, then recently he proposed a flat 10 percent tax.
It’s hard to pin down Paul according to ideology – he seems to adhere to no coherent political philosophy. He is, to put it simply, all things to all people. Some conservatives like Paul because he is (he claims) opposed to abortion and illegal immigration. Some liberals like him because he opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan; and has also made statements that the federal government should not have a say over marijuana use or same-sex marriage.
Thus, one has to wonder why Paul bothers running in presidential elections at all? Is it to satisfy his ego? Does he really think that some of his extremist fringe political views will actually spill over into the mainstream Republican platform?
He and his supporters know he has no chance to win – but every four years they go through this bizarre, pointless, futile, and wearying exercise.
And, most importantly, if Paul hates and fears the federal government so much (i.e., it’s too big, unwieldy, intrusive and powerful), then why on earth does he want to lead it as the President?
I also wonder if there may be some kind of conspiracy afoot – that is, perhaps the ‘mainstream’ Republicans are using Paul as a stark contrast to their more electable candidates. It’s rather like Paul is a sideshow in a circus act and the GOP is saying: “Compared to that crackpot, our regular candidates are far more acceptable and sane.”
Perhaps Paul should simply admit that he’s a joke and then I would enjoy his performance as a ‘mock-candidate.’ Then, he’d really become a real-life Pat Paulsen!
More like Lyndon LaRouche
Amen!
>>>More like Lyndon LaRouche
Dittos to that.
Paul will never be president of the United States, NEVER. He knows it. On the other hand I didn't think the PRESENT occupier of the WH would be either.
I'm making myself sick, may God have mercy on us all.
Ditto
The commentator in that video sure sounds like Henry Fonda...
We need his STAG PARTY more now than ever, Straight Talk about American Government. Pat was Funny and made you think, Ron Paul is scary and makes you want to head for the exits.
Modern Republicans are so trying to find the perfect candidate that even Jesus wouldn’t get the nod. (No wife, Long hair, crazy ideas, Dresses funny, All the talk of Love, also way to religious).
The GOP is heading back to defeat—with all of our flags flying. Our best hope is that the Dems will dump Obamy and select Hillary as the next president. That or 4 more Years of the Poser in Chief and after that no more election as Obama will be made President-for-life, to rule by decree.
How’d you snap that pic before he disappeared?
...besides, it’s clear Ron Paul can’t read minds.....
That's sure the truth. OUR ENEMY IS OBAMA.
""" The GOP is heading back to defeat""""
Inside job via Ron Paul, first began by Perot and Nadar. Our party is getting scarier by the minute, more scary that the occupiers, at least we KNOW who and what they are.
This must be what it was like in the Jefferson vs. Adams election.
The people have had enough of political posturing and deficit spending. If the Republicans want Ron Paul to disappear, they can do it easily. All they have to do is field a credible candidate who will pursue the party platform as written.
No more Washington business-as-usual. The time for that, if there ever was one, is long past.
Ron Paul = demented old circus monkey
It is.
Interesting. The video had some pretty good production values. I also saw Carol Channing in it...
Man, I’ve never seen so many people get their panties in a bunch as I’ve seen here on FR with all these hysterics about Ron Paul. It would be pretty funny if it wasn’t so pathetic. Who does the GOP have? Newt? An over fed washed up political whore that’s sold his soul to every corrupt/liberal organization that I can think of (big bankers, eco-nut, etc., etc.). Perry? A psycho ex-Democrat that seems to be one step above a retard. Mitt? A liberal that actually admits that he likes Obama-care. None of the “front runners” is worth a bucket of warm piss but damn if we can’t get down right PMS crazy about Ron Paul and work up a really good hate fest on him.
Ron Paul is not my ideal candidate but right now he’s probably the only one that will have the guts to take on the current elite oligarchy that runs this country and at least try to set our financial house in order before it entirely collapses. The rest of the GOP line-up are just a bunch of RINOs that won’t do jack once in office other than pass a few meaningless “feel good” laws. In reality they’ll just continue the policies of Bush Sr./Clinton/Bush Jr/Obama and totally screw us, but by golly at least he’ll have an “R” after his name, even though it doesn’t mean jack.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.