Abandon hope of winning in '08?
Hillary is a conservative Democrat?
Posted on 05/30/2007 4:44:20 AM PDT by BGHater
As some readers of this column may know, the first "real" job I ever had was working for Rep. Ron Paul back in 1976. I went to visit the Texas Republican a few months ago and was pleased to see he had not changed much at all since the days when I was a legislative assistant on his congressional staff.
At that time, I did not know Ron planned a run for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. When I later learned of it, I thought he was being hopelessly Quixotic -- tilting at windmills. I thought Ron's views about limited constitutional government and nonintervention in the affairs of others nations were hopelessly out of step with the vast bulk of Republican primary voters.
On the war, these voters remain solidly in the George W. Bush camp -- willing to defend the war in Iraq to the bitter end and highly intolerant of anyone who raises doubts about its wisdom or continuation. Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani exemplified this attitude in the debate two weeks ago when he demanded that Ron apologize for his antiwar position.
However, significant cracks have developed in the wall of conservative support Mr. Bush enjoyed at the beginning of the war. Today, much is known about the lack of verifiable evidence of Saddam Hussein's possession of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), about how the White House bullied those urging caution into reluctant support, and thoroughly screwed-up the Iraq occupation. Even Arizona Sen. John McCain, still a strenuous war supporter, has become outspoken on Bush's poor management of it.
Consequently, more than a few conservatives have gone over to the antiwar side. Unfortunately for Ron, they are mostly former Republicans today, unlikely to vote in a Republican primary.
(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...
I fully expect Libertarians, Liberals and Libertines of all stripes to eventually build a statue to the guy.
Interesting set of "L" words you've got there. You know, "Liberty" is another word that shares the same root as your three. Perhaps you've heard of it?
Who should be inspired by this piece of history? Not only did LBJ withdraw but the Democrats subsequently lost the election. When they finally did win a Presidential election they elected Jimmy Carter, a man who was NOT from the Eugene McCarthy/George McGovern wing of the party. Sorry, I don't see the historical analogy holding up. Further, a foreign policy that advocates that we wait behind castle walls for the enemy to "come over the top" before doing anything is doomed to hideous embarrassment in today's world. Even Thomas Jefferson pursued the Barbary Pirates.
But the main reason that Conservatives are abandoning Bush is over his desire for immigration amnesty (plus his general wimpiness on other domestic issues and his more-and more apparent globalist leanings), and that 'colors' their support on everything he does and tries to do.
I can't say that I would not myself crumble under the never-ending pressure of the Dems in Congress, the media and the ignorant members of the general public.... But I had hoped for better from him.
Amen.
We tried that under Clinton.
Even Thomas Jefferson pursued the Barbary Pirates.
Yes, then he tried the passive route when dealing with the British and French and almost destroyed the United States with his embargo.
You have to wonder how Bartlett can be serious about Ron Paul when Paul is not serious about himself.
Its a “thanks for giving me a job” column.
Paul is DOA as a national REPUB candidate.
He should try another party more fitting his policies.
The same could be said of all the other Republican candidates on a far broader swath of issues than Dr. Paul.
Maybe more insult will win hearts and minds. Hey, it works for Pelosi and Rosie.
Except maybe Duncan Hunter.
Ron Paul is to the GOP what Dennis Kucinick is to the DNC.
Nuff said.
or the gops rosie
Abandon hope of winning in '08?
Hillary is a conservative Democrat?
Which presents us with an even greater irony....
Great way to highlight this clowns viewpoint.
If you’re looking for a big expansion of the entitlement system domestically...open borders and amnesty and an agressive, internationalist foreign policy (basically a continuation of the GWB policies) you can vote for Hillary or just about any of the Republican candidates (with the exceptions of Ron Paul (who’s the polar opposite of Socialist Hillary on virtually every issue) and, to a lesser extent, Tancredo (who’s good on immigration and trying to limit the domestic expansion of government) or Duncan Hunter (who’s good on immigration)
But...does it really make a difference whether its Romney, McCain, Rudy or Hillary?...not enough of a difference to waste the gas driving down to your polling place
ping
Ron Paul
Voted NO on prohibiting product misuse lawsuits on gun manufacturers. (Oct 2005)
Voted NO on prohibiting suing gunmakers & sellers for gun misuse. (Apr 2003)
Voted NO on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. (Jun 1999)
He’s apparently pro-frivalous lawsuits that would shut the industry down, and hold them responsible for mis use of their products by criminals. He supports suing the maker if a crook murders someone. That’s the voting record of a democrat with business ties to trial lawyers.
Isn’t this the guy that said conservatives should all vote for Hilary. First a liberal, now a Libertarian. I guess he supports anyone but a conservative.
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.