Posted on 01/14/2008 2:28:06 PM PST by mnehring
It was supposed to be a revolution. Ron Paul was set to take America and the world by storm by winning primary after primary on his way to the White House. The supporters of the ten-term US Congressman from Texas were convinced that the money he raised would equal support at the actual ballot box. Now in the cold hard days of January, the truth has broken though.
So what has happened to Ron Paul? The answer isn't difficult; his support was never very large to begin with. It was magnified by a presence on the Internet (or the "Internets" if you prefer) and it would never push through into the real world of voting. This was never really anything more than an online revolution that could never come close to cracking the mainstream of political thought.
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For a dark horse candidate, he made all that he could out of his Libertarian philosophies. He brought forward a whole bunch of young folks that didn't really understand the political process and they are now excited and involved. Of course, Iowa and New Hampshire slapped many of them across the face and Michigan and New Hampshire will do the same. Come February 5 even the staunchest Paul political supporter will have to realize that it isn't going to happen.
The problem that many didn't really understand is that Paul wasn't preaching anything new. This was the same Libertarian Party line that had been regurgitated over and over in one form of another for election after election. I'm not certain why so many thought it might be "magical" this campaign season.
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There is a reason that the Libertarian Party exists in relative obscurity. Though many of us hold several of the ideas of the party dear to our hearts and believe them fully, once the movement of the fringe takes hold it is too much to bear for most people.
Many scoffed at the "mainstream" and believed they didn't need them as their man Ron Paul would rise above and dominate. They didn't believe the polls that showed little support and the true believers don't even believe the votes that have been cast at the ballot box. I'm not certain if Paul and his supporters will go away quietly, but one thing is certain, they won't win this election or even come close enough to move the political debate.
How can that be if Paul's support is only coming from the Left?
If Paul's support is only coming from the Left why should the GOP candidate be in any danger from him in the general election?
but youre not even good at it
Hmm...not familiar with that one...
The ones I’m thinking of hang out at qando.net...
Not promoting, just referencing...
It's funny (the sad funny) that the conservatives over here cannot (will not?) see what the Left plainly can.
Ron Paul supporters also have good vocabularies. ;-)
As opposed to the whack jobs who support paul that attack people with a savagery reminiscent of a rabid pack of wolves?
Those same whack job supporters of his who call those who do not support him “traitors” who should be “lined up and shot”?
The same whack job supporters of his who think the Israelis or our own government was behind 9/11?
The same whack job supporters of his who come up with excuse after excuse after excuse to cover his and their actions by trying to draw some sort of moral equivelancy between them and other groups?
The same whack job supporters of his that say that death threats are “no big deal” and even go as far as blaming their own actions on the “paul haters” who they claim are the “ones doing it to make paul and his supporters look bad”?
I saw a sign the other day that was in a moment the epitome of Ron Paul support: A large homemade white sign, probably tarp or bedsheet, with a spray-paint stencil slogan- “Take back the country, Ron Paul 08”. It was so nutroots I laughed out loud in the car.
[What Has Happened to Ron Paul?]
“My guess would be drugs”
My guess would be not enough of them.
(thorazine)
What happend to Ron Paul?
He looks and acts stupid in the Debates.
Really? Hum the ones I see daily here in Fred State are big ones {offical} professional done and at major traffic areas. Funny thing though nary even a Fred yard sign anywhere. Just a few window stickers on pickups thats it.
We're damned good looking too.
Don't you mean why are you stalking me?
Your opinion means squat.
Go back to cowering under your blankie and hoping big government protects you from cavemen terrorists.
Jealous of Bush? ROFL!
Sure he has. Actually, he was dragged somewhat kicking and screaming to run for President. He thought long and hard about it.
All of the support that generated for him didn't come from him. It came from the people who responded to his message. Think about it. He had virtually no media coverage and suddenly there's thousands of YouTube clips and Meetup Groups for him. But you knew that already.
Paul is a Republican, not a Libertarian.
Paul goes 3rd party, you guys would be crapping bricks.
Just like on this thread here:
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