[mnehring]

I think I am doing a good enough job in defending some of Paul's better qualities....pro borders, pro life, great record on taxes....

Eric, here ist he problem, because Paul is so vocal about his anti-war, quasi-isolationist, pre-Wilsonian views, it caused a lot of us to look closely at how he stands (specifically votes) on other issues. We found that on, for example, borders, if he had any name other than Ron Paul, we would label him in the same league as Brownback. Paul has voted over and over against putting the military on the border and said the border fence 'wasn't that important'.

It is not just us. The American Conservative Union rated Paul 76% last year and the highest rating he has received from them is about 82%. If it wasn't for his speeches and wearing the Constitution as a hat, there would be no hesitation labeling him a RINO.

[Eric Blair 2084]

The guy votes against everything. He says he is against illegal immigration. The concept of the USA as a soveriegn nation is explicitly written into the Constitution.

You’ll have to tell me more about his border record.

[Gondring]

We found that on, for example, borders, if he had any name other than Ron Paul, we would label him in the same league as Brownback.

I don't know about that. From his website at http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/border-security-and-immigration-reform/:

Congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) is the leading advocate for freedom in our nation’s capital. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Dr. Paul tirelessly works for limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies. He is known among his congressional colleagues and his constituents for his consistent voting record. Dr. Paul never votes for legislation unless the proposed measure is expressly authorized by the Constitution.

Border Security and Immigration Reform

The talk must stop. We must secure our borders now. A nation without secure borders is no nation at all. It makes no sense to fight terrorists abroad when our own front door is left unlocked. This is my six point plan:

• Physically secure our borders and coastlines. We must do whatever it takes to control entry into our country before we undertake complicated immigration reform proposals.
• Enforce visa rules.  Immigration officials must track visa holders and deport anyone who overstays their visa or otherwise violates U.S. law.  This is especially important when we recall that a number of 9/11 terrorists had expired visas.
• No amnesty. Estimates suggest that 10 to 20 million people are in our country illegally. That’s a lot of people to reward for breaking our laws.
• No welfare for illegal aliens.  Americans have welcomed immigrants who seek opportunity, work hard, and play by the rules.  But taxpayers should not pay for illegal immigrants who use hospitals, clinics, schools, roads, and social services.
• End birthright citizenship.  As long as illegal immigrants know their children born here will be citizens, the incentive to enter the U.S. illegally will remain strong. 
• Pass true immigration reform.  The current system is incoherent and unfair.  But current reform proposals would allow up to 60 million more immigrants into our country, according to the Heritage Foundation.  This is insanity.  Legal immigrants from all countries should face the same rules and waiting periods.

I think one problem is that the way bills are packaged these days, it's difficult to get a very high "conservative" rating from the ACU and actually be a Constitutional conservative.