Ron Paul’s Impact on The Election (Semi Barf Alert)

Reuters ^ | July 24, 2007 | Ron Chusid

[2ndDivisionVet]

Yesterday I looked at the Ron Paul phenomenon as an expression of the anti-big government sentiments among some people in each of the major parties. Such voters have limited options among the other candidates this year. While the Paul supporters commenting vigorously disagreed, I also expressed the belief that Paul cannot win the Republican nomination. What if I am right? What will his supporters do?

It is hard to see Paul supporters being loyal Republicans and backing their party’s winner–which should be a matter of concern for the Republicans. If I was a GOP leader I’d be questioning Paul’s loyalty to the party and pressing him for a pledge to support the nominee and encourage his supporters to do the same should he lose. Of course it is questionable as to how many votes he could deliver to the authoritarian war mongers who dominate the Republican field should he be willing to do so.

I don’t even know that Paul would agree to support another Republican candidate. Would Paul jump ship and run as a Libertarian again? If not, will the Libertarian Party candidate benefit from what Paul has done? That will depend partially upon the candidate, but the LP will have the problem that many people are reluctant to vote for a third party which has no real chance of winning.

If they are reluctant to support a minor party, will many Paul supporters back the Democratic winner as the best shot of having an anti-war candidate win? That will depend a lot on the nominee. Richardson already has some libertarian support but remains a real long shot. Edwards will have a real tough time attracting any libertarian support, between his previous support for he war and Patriot Act when in the Senate to his current populist economic policies. Clinton will also have problems here, but I could see Obama managing to find a way to bridge liberal ideas with libertarian ideals as he has shown he is willing to avoid pandering to traditional Democratic special interests.

While I don’t think Ron Paul has any real chance of winning the Republican nomination, his candidacy is doing far better than might have been expected initially, and he very well may have a lasting impact on the race. Between the out right libertarians, as well as the more traditional conservatives who are becoming increasingly outraged by the current Republican leadership, there will be a number of Republicans looking for an alternative. Whether the Democrats can become a majority party will depend partially on whether they can attract a portion of these voters. To do so will mean not only opposing the war but showing they recognize that the 2000’s are not the 1930’s and their old New Deal coalition is long gone.

[2ndDivisionVet]

"..authoritarian war mongers" Yeah, that fair and balanced reporting we've come to know and love.

[elhombrelibre]

Yeah, very objective.

[vetsvette]

I’d never vote for Ron Paul as President, but I do love having him in the race.

[jveritas]

Ron Paul’s Impact on The Election

Absolute ZERO.

[Yorlik803]

Ron Pauls only impact would be on the price of tin foil{ For hats}

[elhombrelibre]

I intend to get a lot of laughs out of him and his more nutty supporters. In that sense, he’s comic relief.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Absolute ZERO.

So limiting the federal government & protecting our sovereignty doesn't mean anything to you, I guess.

If Paul wins a couple of primaries I'm going to laugh my ass off at FReepers' heads exploding.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Thanks for your comments. I too enjoy the fact that Paul is in the race, despite the wailing and gnashing of teeth from those who prefer to continue sucking on the government teat.

[traderrob6]

Ron Paul = Lyndon LaRouche

[ejonesie22]

When I first saw this title, why was the first thing popped in my head that old joke about “What’s the last thing that goes through a bugs mind before he hits a windshield”

[elhombrelibre]

Lyndon LaRouche had smarter followers.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

BUMP

[rineaux]

for someone who is going to have an absolute zero impact on the race, a lot of papers, blogs, chats are about him. kind of makes you wonder. someone must be afraid that all classes of people are starting to pay attention.

[elkfersupper]

Ron Paul’s effect on the election is to point out that there is one small-government conservative running.

[jveritas]

First do not fabricate things that I did not say. Ron Paul did not invent "limiting the federal government & protecting our sovereignty " those are well known conservative values and I totally support it.

Second, idiot Ron Paul is not going to win any primary, not even close. So I will keep laughing at you and all Paul supporters as I am doing now.

[jveritas]

In that sense, he’s comic relief.

You are right, that is Ron Paul effect on the elections :)

[elhombrelibre]

http://michellemalkin.com/2007/05/19/trutheriness-and-ron-paul/

[jveritas]

Yep, the Republican Party is terrified that Ron Paul is going to be the party nominee (extreme sarcasm).

[vetsvette]

“Ron Pauls only impact would be on the price of tin foil{ For hats}”

To the degree that his views are normal Libertarian views, his positions are worth considering and he does force, at some level, his ideas. He certainly has as much impact as Ralph Nader and that’s not an insignificant impact. Without Nader, we would have had that nutroot Algore as President.

[philo]

Ah, I see you pinged the the Paul(y) Walnuts crowd.
They should be here any minute now.