Rep. Ron Paul, R-TX, Says GOP Won't "Invest" in His Campaigns for Congress

Mass mailing to author | 07-14-03 | Theodore R.

[Theodore R.]

Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas Republican who often votes "No" on popular liberal legislation, says that the GOP won't "invest" in his campaigns because "they know I can't be bought or bribed. They think giving money to me is a bad investment that won't pay off for them." Paul left Congress in 1984 to seek the Republican senatorial nomination, losing out to future Senator Phil Gramm. Now he is serving his second stint in the House, representing a district southwest of Houston which includes the Democrat city of Victoria. He is seeking reelection in 2004 and is soliciting campaign funds from small donors.

Paul said some of his colleagues "understand and appreciate my votes for limited, constitutional government. The National Taxpayers Union has year-after-year named me 'The Taxpayers' Best Friend in Congress' for my consistent votes to cut taxes and spending. And this year I have received their award again."

Paul continued: "However, it is not always easy being a lone voice in such a hostile political environment where success is usually measured by how many big-spending bills you can get passed with your name on them, or how much pork you can bring home to the constituents.

"And I've had some tough votes while in Washington, to be sure. I remember getting calls from my old friend President Ronald Reagan (who I supported when he first ran for President in 1976) urgently asking me to vote for a spending measure he wanted passed through Congress. And I had to tell him 'No.' If I refused to vote for such bills when the Democrats were in charge, I told him, how could I be hypocritical and vote for such an unconstitutional measure when 'our' man was in the White House."

Paul said that colleagues sometimes tell him, "Ron, I really agree with you on that vote, but if I voted that way, I'll never get reelected."

Paul explained; "But you see, I wasn't sent to Washington to do 'whatever it takes' to get reelected. Anyone can compromise with unprincipled politicians. Anyone can vote to spend money that doesn't belong to them. But it takes a fortitude and the courage of one's convictions to stand up and say, 'No.'"

Paul said that he measures success by the "millions of pro-liberty, pro-Constitution, pro-sovereignty Americans nationwide who understand and support what I am working to do in Congress: to protect and defend freedom and liberty . . . not only for our generation, but for all those generations to come."

RonPaulforCongress.com 1-800-766-7285 837 W. Plantation, Clute, TX 77531

[basil]

Note to self: send money to Ron Paul campaign.

I was really disappointed when they messed with Ron Paul's district, and took me out of it--but I really like this guy.

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[My2Cents]

Just out of curiousity, how safe is Rep. Paul's district? Could it be that the Rep. Cong. Campaign Comm. won't invest in his campaign because he's in a safe district?

[Catspaw]

Why would he want money from the Republicans in the first place?

[CCCV]

Paul explained; "But you see, I wasn't sent to Washington to do 'whatever it takes' to get reelected. Anyone can compromise with unprincipled politicians. Anyone can vote to spend money that doesn't belong to them. But it takes a fortitude and the courage of one's convictions to stand up and say, 'No.'"
A statesman for sure...

[Theodore R.]

He has had a few close calls, but the district is now "safely" Republican. Indeed all but one of the GOP district NOW are "safely" Republican. Paul, however, understands that "the democracy" never sleeps and will oppose him actively again and again. It's kind of like fire ants returning to a lawn in TX even after they are supposedly exterminated. Paul sought the presidency as an "anti-abortion libertarian" in 1988, and the Bush family has been hostile to him since.

[Theodore R.]

Governor Bush supported Paul in 1996 after he unseated an incumbent Republican in the primary. That incumbent had been elected in 1994 as a Democrat but switched parties.

[TheBigB]

Greg Laughlin, if I'm not mistaken.

[My2Cents]

Thanks. I suspect that the GOP views his independence as "not-being-a-team-player" and have intentionally given him the cold shoulder, and the empty hand.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Rep. Ron Paul, the Texas Republican who often votes "No" on popular liberal legislation, says that the GOP won't "invest" in his campaigns because "they know I can't be bought or bribed. They think giving money to me is a bad investment that won't pay off for them."

ROFLMAO. What a moron. He spends most of his time sniping at his fellow Republicans and at mainstream voters, then gets his powdered wig all askew because nobody that he has insulted will see to it that people write him checks.

He's toast. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[Theodore R.]

Small donors among conservative Republicans constitute his base. He goes to his base for contributions.

[Theodore R.]

I don't know what Democrat is planning to challenge Congressman Paul. It may be that the Democrat candidate will not be particularly strong, but he is raising money early. In fact, our primaries come up in March.

[Catspaw]

That's what I thought about his fundraising--it's from his base, not from the GOP.

[Theodore R.]

The "he" is Paul, not the Democrat candidate. My usage error.

[Theodore R.]

Yes, Laughlin was a Democrat-turned-Republican. Gingrich convinced him to switch in 1995. As I recall, he was an abortion backer, and Paul is prolife.

[JohnnyZ]

Fewer Ron Pauls, fewer Sherwood Boehlerts, more conservatives please.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Baghdad Ron may well find himself having to work for a living again after the primary. I can imagine that there are sane Republicans ready to challenge him.

He's said some pretty stupid things the past year.

[Catspaw]

Well, Paul was awfully cozy with the far far left over Iraq, wasn't he?

[Theodore R.]

I had not even thought of Paul being vulnerable in a primary. I don't know who might be challenging him, but I would think he can win a primary nomination with modest effort.