Posted on 12/12/2011 5:06:42 PM PST by americanophile
WAVERLY, Iowa -- Iowa Republican voters are taking Ron Paul very seriously.
So seriously, in fact, that few would be surprised if he finished a strong second - or even won - the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses.
The 76-year-old Texas congressman's potential is evident in recent statewide polls that show him in or near second place, trailing former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich and in a virtual tie with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Paul's strength is also apparent anecdotally - he draws big, diverse crowds, like one recently in this small northeastern Iowa town.
People in the audience at the community library last week shoehorned themselves into the meeting room, listening intently to the libertarian Republican presidential candidate, as have people in meeting halls and college auditoriums all over the state.
They were sympathetic to his no-frills message of dramatically smaller government and a scaled-back foreign policy - a message he's long preached, but one that now has wide mainstream appeal. And they appreciate how he's engaging Gingrich, accusing the front-runner of "serial hypocrisy."
Paul draws no big cheers; his audiences are serious and polite. They applauded in Waverly when he told them that the U.S. government can't possibly continue spending at its current pace because the world economy is on the brink of chaos.
"The solution is that we have to decide what we want from our government," Paul said.
Paul is attracting three kinds of Iowa voters.
There's his cadre of longtime supporters, who helped him finish fifth with 10 percent in Iowa in 2008. And this year two other types of voters have joined the Paul army: Young people, and those simply fed up with the government and eager for drastic change.
(Excerpt) Read more at miamiherald.com ...
I always respected Ron Paul, and I really like his son, Rand. But his comment about the Bush administration being “gleeful” after 9/11 to justify the Iraq war absolutely disqualifies him from any consideration for my vote. That was an outrageous, unforgivable lie. You can disagree with the policy but he went too far.
Libertarian foreign policy is not isolationist. It is a defensive posture with trade with everyone. Libertarians will protect and defend the US but will not get involved in the wars of others. I can live with it.
The thought of this country having real Civil Defense again and real weapons and armorys and patroled borders and waters would gladden my heart.
The focus on freedom that libertarians provide would give our counrty the needed capital boost we need. The hatred of crony capitalism that libertarians have would clean out our governments.
I recommend the book by Charles Murry called WHY I AM LIBERTARIAN as well as the UNCLE ERIC SERIES.
“On foreign policy he is outright lunatic.”
Good thing only congress can declare war and approve treaties.
You missed the best part of that speech. He doubled down on the ‘gleeful’ comment with this:
“The PATRIOT Act was written many, many years before 9/11, the attacks simply provide an opportunity for some people to do what they wanted to do.”
We've done it again. By eliminating Saddam Hussein, we opened up the Middle East to Iranian domination. As in the past, the eastern elitists led this disastrous policies. So who is it who doesn't "learn from history?"
With regards to Ron Reagan, i don’t think we will see anyone with his leadership ever again. Sad.
Yeah, then probably you agree with this guy:
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I dont think he would bother, but I might check it out
Lame meme. Lame.
The PA was written during the Clinton years. A response to the Oklahoma City bombing.
To many of us, Clintons rein felt like many, many years.
RP foreign policy makes me Ill. however, his domestic policies are rock solid. I will vote for him in the primary and A B O in the general no matter what.
What do you expect? Look at his posting history— every other post is a rant about “globalist bankers” and other idiotic conspiracies. Libtards come in many flavors.
That’s a wide swing you got there. I don’t believe being “honest” with myself is taking Ron Paul serious.. he is a nutjob, and NO, I am not going to prove my allegation, there has been plenty on this forum, as you say.
re: GW and BO.
The progressive lite always paves the way for the name brand progressive.
We get Newt next (progressive lite) and the next name brand progressive will make BO look like Reagan.
Ron Paul’s position, although I don’t fully agree with his foreign policy...I pretty much agree with just about anything else he wants to do and the major changes he would like to see would only strengthen America in the long run.
Until we get back to liberty and individuals our country will never prosper.
Wonder if Iowa has been introduced to some of that kook’s racist nutty newsletters?
Do they listen to any of the conspiracy nut shows that the kook patronizes and how he encourages the crazies?
Are the people anxious to see drugs legalized?
Has Iowa learned that he believes North Korea and Iran are no threat?
Is the state of Iowa infected by nutcase truthers?
Have they read about his comment a few days ago: “Just think of what happened after 9/11. Immediately before there was any assessment there was glee in the administration because now we can invade Iraq,” Ron Paul Dec 8, 2011
Maybe Iowa doesn’t know that he’s nuttier than their Christmas fruitcake.
“Unacceptable” is not a word I would use to describe RuPaul’s foreign policy.
I would use:
“suicidal”
“antisemitic”
“Chamberlain-esque”
There are a few others, but getting the ZOT! is not on my to-do list today.
:)
And what in all the time Cut and Run has been in Washington has he done, other than talk, blame every problem in the world on America and collect as many earmarks as possible,(the ones he says he is against?
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