Posted on 12/14/2007 10:58:50 PM PST by neverdem
Ron Paul is no compassionate conservative. His supporters love him for it.
If there's been a phenomenon in this Republican presidential race, it's been the strength of a fiery doctor from Texas and his message of limited government. As the GOP front-runners address crowds of dispirited primary voters, Mr. Paul has been tearing across the country, leaving a trail of passionate devotees in his wake.
Paul rallies heave with voters waving placards and shouting "Liberty! Liberty!" Money is pouring in from tens of thousands of individual donors--so much cash that the 10-term congressman recently admitted he wasn't sure he could spend it all. A fund-raising event on Guy Fawkes Day (in tribute to Mr. Paul's rebel persona) netted his campaign $4 million, the biggest one-day haul of any GOP candidate, ever. He continues to inch up in the early primary polls, and even bests Fred Thompson in New Hampshire.
Mr. Paul isn't going to be president. He trails in national polls, in no small part because his lack of a proactive foreign policy makes him an unserious candidate in today's terror world. But his success still holds lessons for the leading Republican candidates, as well as those pundits falling for the argument that the future of the GOP rests in a "heroic conservatism" that embraces big government. Mr. Paul shows that the way to many Republican voters' hearts is still through a spirited belief in lower taxes and smaller government, with more state and individual rights.
It helps, too, if voters know you mean it. In nearly 20 years in the House, Mr. Paul can boast he never voted for a tax hike. Nicknamed "Dr. No," he spent much of the time Republicans held a majority voting against his own party, on the grounds that the legislation his colleagues were...
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...
I think the good doctor will crack the $20 million level tomorrow, much to the hater's chagrin.
Paul recently voted to promote Islam as the religion of peace, calling for ending discrimination against the poor muslims.
BUT, yesterday there was a vote for the same support for Christianity. Dr. Paul didn’t bother to vote for that one.
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2007/roll1143.xml
H RES 847 2/3 YEA-AND-NAY 11-Dec-2007 7:02 PM
QUESTION: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Agree, as Amended
BILL TITLE: Recognizing the importance of Christmas and the Christian faith.
At least, being that it is the main thing on which they agree. I can’t speak to what else they may find favorable about the Dr as I’ve not asked them because I tend to stay away from people who wear patchouli, but given that there are a lot of Conservative Freepers that agree with him on that issue I think it is safe to say that there are those on the left who agree with him on others.
The photos don't tell the whole story. Unfortunately, a lot of people oppose the war and want the troops to come home. Should they have the right to speak out on it? Yes. Are they going too far with the "9/11 was an inside job" and "Impeach Bush" crap? Yes. But does Paul has control over this? Of course he doesn't. He cannot dictate how his supporters can organize and rally. He'd be contradicting his entire message.
Those supporters know who their man is, from Barry Manilow to David Duke, Paul attracts a type. His supporters may be political opposites, but they all share a psychological similarity that brings them together for this quirky man that accepts all of them in his embrace.
Well, you just answered your own statement. Paul's message of freedom speaks for everyone. That includes liberal Manilow, disgusting white supremacists such as Duke and Don Black, the conspiracy truther nuts, and the Nevada brothel owner that "endorsed" Paul. The thing you need to understand is what these people do with their freedom is THEIR business, not Paul's.
Paul denounces none of their conflicting goals, he appears to support all of them and accepts their money and whatever power their radicalism gives him
He has repeatedly denied involvement or supporting 9/11 conspiracies and in fact last night on his PBS special he denounced support from white supremacists.
I’ll ask again, WHY? Why are these people supporting him? He can disavow these folks all he wants, that dosn’t negate the fact that something he is preaching is appealing to them.
The same reason why other Americans from different political backgrounds are supporting Paul: Freedom. The fact that they're white supremacists are irrelevant.
And, when will Ron Paul denounce the support given by these groups?
Last night on his PBS special, he said he doesn't welcome support from white supremacists. When a transcript appears, I'll post it.
Listening to the voters, priceless.
You're supposed to believe that they do.
2008 is the exception. The Republican nominee MUST win over independents, libertarians, and populists while retaining the traditional GOP base that has shrunk since 2000. Ron Paul, and Fred Thompson to a certain extent, are the only GOP candidates who can do this.
Considering that the majority of the fighting in Iraq is against Al-Qaeda, that is now the major front in the W.O.T. Supporting are actions in Afghanistan is not irrelevant but not supporting our actions in Iraq is detrimental to the overall W.O.T.
We can disagree and we can also agree. But everyone can be susceptible to overreacting, myself included. It sure is nice to see a fellow FReeper interested in promoting liberty as long as it is done correctly.
I just bought a book based on a recommendation I heard on a podcast. Since I just bought it yesterday, on-line, i have not had a chance to look at it and cannot make the same recommendation. Though you may wish to check it out because I think, seeing what you've written, that you may enjoy it.
So the Truthers and Lefties and other scum just love Freedom, thanks for clearing that up. :-)
I just heard Ron Paul yesterday in a PBS interview telling the lady that he doesn’t want White Supremicist supporters and certainly doesn’t agree with them. It really is just a ploy to discredit him by the media and people like you.
She said they were supporting him because they liked his limited government platform.
Well, I guess no one should be in favor of limited government because White Supremicists might agree with you and you would be tainted!
How do you know most of the combatants in Iraq are Al-Qaeda?
” The Republican nominee MUST win over independents, libertarians, and populists while retaining the traditional GOP base”
But not opposites.
The winner will pull many, but not all from each one of those camps, here at FR for instance we are conservative independents, conservative republicans, and conservative libertarians, but (almost) none of us share anything with many, many of the Paul supporters.
That is a lot different than Paul attracting you, along with the people in the picture, and StormFront, and David Duke’s organization, and the truthers, and Hollywood leftists, the Paul phenomena is not the same and you cannot ignore the totality of the group movement that you have joined with.
“I just heard Ron Paul yesterday in a PBS interview telling the lady that he doesn’t want White Supremicist supporters and certainly doesn’t agree with them. It really is just a ploy to discredit him by the media and people like you.”
Oh BS! I didn’t put the Ron Paul for President Banner and link for campaign contributions up on Stormfront.
So far his campaign has not taken action to get these banners and links removes so don’t try to blame this on the media or ‘people like me’.
So far his campaign has refused to return campaign contributions from know neo-nazis even when the specific donations and sources have been provided so don’t try to blame this on the media or ‘people like me’.
His campaign is directly at fault for failure to take action.
BTW, when will Ron Paul tell the world that he doesn’t want support from the ‘truthers’?
“She said they were supporting him because they liked his limited government platform.”
More likely they like think that Ron Paul will do away with the agencies that have been most successful in prosecuting the White Supremicists, ie, IRS, Justice, EEOC, etc.
The Free Market Network News.
I wouldn't be so quick on the minus slavery part. Paul said himself the Civil War never should have been fought and the North should have simply bought all the slaves from the South. Of course, that means it still would be legal for one man to own another and a man to be a commodity that can be bought and sold. No wonder Stormfront and David Duke like him..
Insofar as “burden of proof”, my experiences are not proof of anything, no more than yours are proof of anything. Just our anectdotes to further our argument. However, I do believe if folks take the time to visit with some Pablocito supporters, they (you) will find what I have. Pablo and his supporters (present company excluded) are wacked.
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