Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Texas Congressman Ron Paul files for GOP presidential bid
kristv.com ^ | today

Posted on 01/11/2007 6:06:07 PM PST by Rodney King

Texas Congressman Ron Paul files for GOP presidential bid

HOUSTON -- Ron Paul, the iconoclastic nine-term congressman from southeast Texas, took the first step Thursday toward launching a second presidential bid in 2008, this time as a Republican.

Paul filed incorporation papers in Texas on Thursday to create a presidential exploratory committee that allows him and his supporters to collect money on behalf of his bid. This will be Paul's second try for the White House; he was the Libertarian nominee for president in 1988.

Kent Snyder, the chairman of Paul's exploratory committee and a former staffer on Paul's Libertarian campaign, said the congressman knows he's a long shot.

"There's no question that it's an uphill battle, and that Dr. Paul is an underdog," Snyder said. "But we think it's well worth doing and we'll let the voters decide."

Paul, of Lake Jackson, acknowledges that the national GOP has never fully embraced him despite his nine terms in office under its banner. He gets little money from the GOP's large traditional donors, but benefits from individual conservative and Libertarian donors outside Texas. He bills himself as "The Taxpayers' Best Friend," and is routinely ranked either first or second in the House of Representatives by the National Taxpayers Union, a national group advocating low taxes and limited government.

He describes himself as a lifelong Libertarian running as a Republican.

Paul was not available for comment Thursday, Snyder said.

But he said the campaign will test its ability to attract financial and political support before deciding whether to launch a full-fledged campaign. Snyder said Paul is not running just to make a point or to try to ensure that his issues are addressed, but to win.

Paul is expected to formally announce his bid in the next week or two, Snyder said.

Snyder said Paul and his supporters are not intimidated by the presence of nationally known and better-financed candidates such as Sen. John McCain of Arizona or former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts.

"This is going to be a grassroots American campaign," he said. "For us, it's either going to happen at the grassroots level or it's not."

Paul limits his view of the role of the federal government to those duties laid out in the U.S. Constitution. As a result, he sometimes casts votes that appear at odds with his constituents and other Republicans. He was the only Republican congressman to vote against Department of Defense appropriations for fiscal year 2007.

The vote against the defense appropriations bill, he said, was because of his opposition to the war in Iraq, which he said was "not necessary for our actual security."

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not b


TOPICS: Announcements; Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; antiamerican; awesome; bestrepublican; donquixote; electionpresident; liberal; rlc; ronpaul; sheehansfavorite; spiritofgoldwater; texas; truerepublican; weakonterror
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 421-440441-460461-480 ... 641-660 next last
To: FreeReign

Paul started out as a young Taft Republican -- not the former (recent) governor of OH, but that man's grandfather. currentyul


441 posted on 01/12/2007 6:58:31 AM PST by Theodore R. (Cowardice is forever!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: CWOJackson
I think I've finally found someone to serve as my new urinal target in the garage.

I want a urinal for my garage now.

442 posted on 01/12/2007 7:02:12 AM PST by jmc813 (Go Jets!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]

To: SomeCallMeTim
People in Paul's district (I used to be one) have become accustomed to "Dr. No's" sometimes whacked out views on foreign matters. They respect his domestic views.

It's a fun exercise in futility to ask the Paul haters for a domestic position which they disagree with Paul on. Without fail they always dodge the question and go back to his admittedly dumb views on the war.

443 posted on 01/12/2007 7:05:05 AM PST by jmc813 (Go Jets!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 143 | View Replies]

To: KevinDavis; CWOJackson
But according to the "true" conservatives here, Duncan Hunter is going to win..... I do have a question, who has heard of Duncan Hunter outside of FreeRepublic and his District....

In 1990, had you heard of Bill Clinton?

444 posted on 01/12/2007 7:07:07 AM PST by jmc813 (Go Jets!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 149 | View Replies]

To: Rodney King
..every Presidential race has its share of protest candidates, which span the political spectrum.

Dr. Paul, who is one of these, has some good ideas--he also has some bad.

We had better get serious folks, we only have a few months to get an electable candidate out there...

445 posted on 01/12/2007 7:08:54 AM PST by WalterSkinner ( ..when there is any conflict between God and Caesar -- guess who loses?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CWOJackson

446 posted on 01/12/2007 7:12:02 AM PST by traviskicks (http://www.neoperspectives.com/Ron_Paul_2008.htm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 197 | View Replies]

To: WalterSkinner

0.00 - 0.19% (yellow) 0.20 - 0.32% (orange) 0.33 - 0.63% (green) 0.64 % (purple)
This was when he ran as a libertarian in 88, I think got some 400k votes.
447 posted on 01/12/2007 7:17:48 AM PST by traviskicks (http://www.neoperspectives.com/Ron_Paul_2008.htm)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 445 | View Replies]

To: traviskicks

Useless.

Give us a quote in which Reagan says, I endorse Ron Paul's call to run from Iraq.

You say Reagan is gone, so he can't do that?

Exactly my point.

There is zero correlation between your old Reagan quote and the reality we face today.

Reagan also said, Do not speak ill of another Republican. Would you care to remind Paul of that before he goes on his next harangue against the Republican PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?

Thought not.


448 posted on 01/12/2007 7:18:10 AM PST by txrangerette ("We are fighting al-Qaeda, NOT Aunt Sadie"...Dick Cheney commenting on the wiretaps!!  )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 446 | View Replies]

To: Liberty Valance

That's not setting the bar very high.

I'm sure he's better than Hitler, too, but so what? :p


449 posted on 01/12/2007 7:21:03 AM PST by Constantine XIII
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: CWOJackson

Well, I appreciate you posting that. :p


450 posted on 01/12/2007 7:22:16 AM PST by Constantine XIII
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: All

*** DUNCAN HUNTER ***

Throughout this thread, any number of you have said you like Duncan Hunter, but you believe he cannot win and therefore, he should stay in the House of Representatives where he does such good work.

I support Duncan Hunter for President of the United States. I don't need to support him for Congress; he's already there.

The issue is, who do we desperately need to step up to the highest leadership position in America at this critical moment? Either you think Duncan Hunter rates that high, or you don't - you see him at a much lower, albeit important, level.

Those who say he should stay in the House obviously don't see him as a much-needed Reagan, or for the WOT as a George W Bush.

I do see him that way. Damn the torpedoes and go for it, then. That's my hope and advice to him.

The good thing is that he's conservative on domestic issues and is not carrying the domestic baggage of McCain or Rudy.

I'm flexible enough to support someone else in the long run, if I am forced to.

Only if forced. Because I think he's the one we desperately need.

And in no way does he deserve to be lumped in with Paul, Keyes, Buchanan and Tancredo.



451 posted on 01/12/2007 7:35:01 AM PST by txrangerette ("We are fighting al-Qaeda, NOT Aunt Sadie"...Dick Cheney commenting on the wiretaps!!  )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: OBXWanderer
From the article
Government spending has always been a big issue for Paul in the time he has served in the House of Representatives. Much of the nation’s spending problems would be solved if so much federal money was not spent overseas, Paul said. “If we didn’t have this war, we’d have half a trillion dollars” to spend here, he said.
Sigh...yes but Rep. Paul, doesn't it just warm your heart to know Iraqis have purple fingers? Paul would be the right choice. Unfortunately in this day and age, when Republican faithful think they should receive just a few less government handouts than Democrats, a politician that would stand up and say you don't get squat is going to be a hard sale. Not that I won't vote for him if he's on the ballot. Otherwise, I'll have to do the write in thing or the Libertarian candidate again (not that the citizens of the respective states should have this of a direct effect on the Presidential election mind you)
452 posted on 01/12/2007 7:36:25 AM PST by billbears (Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it. --Santayana)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 428 | View Replies]

To: Rodney King

I see the haters of everything Conservative came out early! Good. Ron Paul and a Duncan Hunter mix should put them in quite the fit. There are meds for this though, so I do wish them well in their RINO contortions. Blackbird.


453 posted on 01/12/2007 7:37:38 AM PST by BlackbirdSST (Stay out of the Bushes, unless you're RINO hunting!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: elkfersupper
If Kinky is a "non-democrat" (I guess you mean he is NOT as democrat) what is he? I know he is a singer, song writer, novelist, humorist, stand up comedian, animal lover.

None of those things, including writing (and singing) the song "Waitress Oh Waitress Come Sit On My Face" gives him any idea how to govern a huge state. Had he been in government at any level (above dog catcher) or operated a successful business, been an educated professional in any field, he might have been more attractive than what he is, an a&& clown of the worst sort.

The man needed a job and he decided to apply for governor and some people were deluded enough to vote for him. Obviously you are related to some of those people, which doesn't surprise me at all. Does that mean I am crazy about Perry? No it doesn't.
454 posted on 01/12/2007 7:56:46 AM PST by Ditter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 429 | View Replies]

To: Ditter

Hi there, Ditter.

I appreciate your posts.

Supposedly (it was just stated by implication)) Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter are almost the Bobbsey Twins and anyone who dislikes either of them is a RINO lover and Conservative hater.

Beam me up, Scotty. Where's the intelligent life around here?

Duncan Hunter is great. I would put Ron Paul in a nut house if I could (but of course I can't). And on the WAR they could not be more opposite. Nothing is more important than THAT.

Thanks for the sanity.


455 posted on 01/12/2007 8:11:11 AM PST by txrangerette ("We are fighting al-Qaeda, NOT Aunt Sadie"...Dick Cheney commenting on the wiretaps!!  )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 454 | View Replies]

To: Rodney King
I have two thoughts on foregin intervention in general. We should be all in, or all out.

And that applies in Iraq as well. The President went in believing he could fight a PC war and win. As we found out before, that is not possible. We either go in an overwhelm the country, civilian casualties be damed, or we get the heck out. As you build fear of your military strength, the rest fallas into place.

456 posted on 01/12/2007 8:17:00 AM PST by Texas Federalist (Gingrich '08)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: CWOJackson
An odd question from someone who thinks cutting and running on the war is a conservative value.

Nice attempt at diversion, now can you answer the question?.

Cutting and Running? Your President said "Mission Accomplished" three years ago, Seems like it's "Miller time" to me.

457 posted on 01/12/2007 8:20:02 AM PST by Calvinist_Dark_Lord ((I have come here to kick @$$ and chew bubblegum...and I'm all outta bubblegum! ~Roddy Piper))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 150 | View Replies]

To: Rodney King

zzzzzz


458 posted on 01/12/2007 8:24:08 AM PST by EveningStar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: CWOJackson
As opposed to the cost of surrendering? No thanks.

Nice false dichotomy there. Any other logical fallacies you'd like to share?

459 posted on 01/12/2007 8:47:17 AM PST by JeffAtlanta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: CWOJackson
An odd question from someone who thinks cutting and running on the war is a conservative value.

As opposed to giving a half hearted effort that does nothing but cost American lives and piss off the grassroots Iraqis?

If we are going to fight a half hearted "war" then, yes most of America would like to see it ended. If Bush could sell the American people on a plan to ratchet up the war and explain to the people that innocents will die but that is the cost of war then I'd prefer that over anything.

Unfortunately, we both know that is not going to happen and we are basically stuck in a police action.

460 posted on 01/12/2007 8:59:23 AM PST by JeffAtlanta
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 150 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 421-440441-460461-480 ... 641-660 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson