RSS 2.0 FeedRon Paul Is Running For President
by Doug MataconisIt became official this morning:
HOUSTON — Ron Paul, a nine-term Texas congressman who describes himself as a lifelong libertarian, announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination Monday.
Appearing on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal,” Paul said he was at first reluctant to run, but that “a lot of people want to hear my message and I’m willing to deliver it.”
Paul, who formed an exploratory committee in January, said he has raised more than $500,000 in the past month “with very little effort.”
“So far, the amount of money raised isn’t competitive with those establishment candidates who will raise $100 million, but with the Internet and the amount of money and enthusiasm, I think we can become very competitive,” he said.
Paul, who also ran for the White House as a Libertarian Party candidate in 1988, recently spent three days campaigning in New Hampshire. He is planning campaign trips to Arizona and Iowa, and said he expects to be included in any GOP debates.
An obstetrician-gynecologist from just south of Houston, Paul is ideologically far afield from the Republican mainstream. He has acknowledged that he has been largely shunned by the national party.
Among other differences with his party’s base, Paul has criticized President Bush for acting unconstitutionally in sending U.S. troops to Iraq and has said he would support an investigation into whether Bush “deliberately misrepresented” his reasons for doing so.
“I’m very confident the Republican party has gone in the wrong direction,” Paul said in his C-SPAN appearance. “We used to be the party of small government. Now we’re the party of big government.”
I’ve said in the past several weeks since Congressman Paul announced the formation of his exploratory committee that I don’t think he has a realistic chance of winning the nomination and I stand by that position. Nonetheless, I think his entry into the race is nothing but a net positive for the GOP. For once, there will be someone with real ideas who actually believes in the ideas that this country was founded upon in the race. Hopefully, that will bring some much needed attention and support to the libertarian wing of the GOP, which has seen much to be dissappointed about in the past six years.
Way back in 1988, Ron Paul was the first Presidential candidate I voted for. When the Virginia Republican primary comes around next year, I fully expect to vote for him again.
Update: Here is the video of Ron Paul’s complete appearance on Washington Journal this morning:
H/T: Lew Rockwell
Why not stop poo-pooing Ron Paul and support the man as if he will win? The world isn’t changed by people who think they’re going to lose before they even try.
People searching for information on Ron Paul find your articles on the web. Do you really want them to read how you support him but he’s going to lose anyway? Would you vote for a person whose supporters go in with such a fatalistic attitude?
Comment by Whatever... — March 12, 2007 @ 2:23 pmWhy ? Because I’m realistic, that’s why.
Ron Paul can still have an impact on the Republican Party without being the nominee. If things go well enough, he could get a lot of free media exposure out of this. That could translate into votes, but the more valuable thing would be if it attracted more libertarian-minded people into the GOP.
Comment by Doug Mataconis — March 12, 2007 @ 2:47 pmOr it could drive out moderate libertarians. There are many libertarian leaners in the GOP who disagree with Paul on foreign policy, the gold standard, immigration, trade, and his approach to governing. They may or may not vote for Paul and may vote for either Guiliani, Romney, Hagel, or Gingrich.
Comment by Kevin — March 12, 2007 @ 2:56 pmKevin,
Perhaps. The one caveat I’d add is that, after last week’s stories about Gingrich’s infidelity I do not think he will be running. I used to think that he would be able to overcome his considerable baggage, but know I’m thinking he won’t be able to.
Comment by Doug Mataconis — March 12, 2007 @ 3:02 pm“Why? Because I’m realistic, that’s why.”
So your choice for Republican candidate who is more in line with Libertarian beliefs above Ron Paul is whom?
Also, what makes you think any of the other candidates who adopts some of Ron Paul’s positions will actually follow throught with them? To date they all talk a good game but do an about face when in office. Ron Paul has a consisten track record of doing what he says. Even if I don’t agree with everything he has to say, I at least know that the things I do agree with he’ll follow through on.
I don’t know of another candidate who speaks so bluntly. If he’s going to lose, it’s because people are afraid of what he has to say.
Comment by Whatever... — March 12, 2007 @ 3:43 pmSo your choice for Republican candidate who is more in line with Libertarian beliefs above Ron Paul is whom?
If Ron Paul is in the race when the Virginia primary is held, I will vote for him.
If he’s not, then I’m not sure what I’d do. Newt Gingrich has intrigued me, but I seriously doubt that he will run given his personal history. Definiately not McCain or Giuliani. Romney is interesting but he’s also a flip-flopper and his record as Governor left much to be desired.
That doesn’t leave too many options for me I suppose.
Comment by Doug Mataconis — March 12, 2007 @ 3:54 pmSo then why not support Ron Paul with positive comments on your articles about him until he either wins or loses the primaries? Why not be positive about the man until it is certain he’s out of the race. It’s far more constructive for readers to read positive things about the candidate than the self-defeating “Well I like him, but he’ll lose anyway…” talk.
Going further, why not encourage people to contribute to his campaign. I’ve never contributed a dime to a politician before, but I will for the first time ever for Ron Paul. We need more support for his campaign and less talk about losing before the first debate is even held.
Comment by Whatever... — March 12, 2007 @ 4:38 pmI will be contributing to his campaign as well. It’s refreshing to hear someone speak so clearly about the issues and really mean what they say. Ron has my vote AND my money! We need severe change in DC and Paul is the only one with the guts to change it. No other candidate even comes close. This is the modern day version of voting for Thomas Jefferson.
Comment by John — March 12, 2007 @ 6:03 pm“This is the modern day version of voting for Thomas Jefferson.”
I think that’s an excellent way to sum up supporting Ron Paul.
Comment by Whatever... — March 12, 2007 @ 7:29 pmDr. Ron Paul’s candidacy gives hope to those who vote for principle over pragmatism, and do not make such decisions employing “situational ethics.” May the sheeple take note this time.
Comment by Ronald Goldwater — March 12, 2007 @ 7:49 pmFor the first time since JFK died, I feel there is reason to hope for a better future for my country! I’ll be working my butt off to help Ron get the nomination and then win the election. Please, everyone, study up on what Dr. Paul has done in the past and join the effort, support him as generously as you can, and tell everyone you know to do the same. No other candidate is even worth a second thought by comparison!
Comment by Pat — March 12, 2007 @ 8:44 pmDid I just hear Ron Paul endorse the Fair Tax? By the way, he’s absolutely right cutting spending has to be priority number 1.
Comment by Kevin — March 12, 2007 @ 8:44 pmHmmm…
Pro life Republican who wants small limited government, balanced budget, no nation building & foreign adventurism and getting out of Iraq – never should have been there in the first place…
Get rid of taxes – get rid of spending…
Sounds like a winning Republican position in the primaries.
Comment by Craig Purcell — March 12, 2007 @ 9:41 pmYou want Ron Paul to get mainstream media coverage? Do what all the big money front runners do, Controversy !!! and lot’s of it. That’s all Dr. Paul needs. Say something bad about someone else and then cover with the real Issues. people love drama, mainstream love’s drama. Can anybody say TV ratings! Obama, Clinton, Giuliani, McCain, Let them bang each others heads with there drama. I have a better idea straight out of Bill Clinton’s book of tricks. Who needs the mainstream media when you got : The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, The Colbert Report, Jay Leno Late night show, David Letterman, BET, VH1, MTV…….. write a new book or something. My point is you need to make waves to win. Call somebody a name or something.
Comment by James — March 13, 2007 @ 2:44 amIf the other candidates really paid attention to Ron Paul, looked at his voting records, read his congressional speeches and writings, and if they were honest, they’d have to say “Let’s forget about this race and all get behind Ron Paul, he’s got to be the next president, the country needs him desperately”.
Comment by Suzuko — March 13, 2007 @ 3:57 amHere’s some sobering news for Ron Paul supporters. Liz Mair, libertarian Republican at http://www.gopprogress.com and Columnist with the NY Sun is reporting that latest survey data from 3 huge states — Michigan, Florida and South Carolina — show that Ron Paul is polling 0%.
That means survey participants were asked about his name. And nobody chose him.
Problem with Ron Paul is his image. He’s too old (like McCain), and comes across as a cranky fringe character. He’s got the same problem that that LP candidate in Montana Stan Jones had in 2006.
Remember Jones? He was included in all the debates; got statewide TV coverage. But young people in the audience after seeing him thought he was a nut, and laughed at him.
If the hardcore Libertarians really wanted to make an impact in the GOP primaries, they should have picked someone who comes across better on TV, with more of a youthful image, and is less of a fringe sounding person.
Why do you all think McCain is tanking so fast?
He looks like an old man, plain and simple. Nobody wants to admit that. But that’s why John McCain is doing so poorly.
Ron Paul is the same age as McCain. Think about it.
Eric Dondero, Former Senior Aide
Comment by Eric Dondero — March 13, 2007 @ 9:52 amUS Congressman Ron Paul
1997-2003
Eric,
You mean the same Stan Jones who managed to get a high enough percentage of the vote to have an impact on the election ? Yea, I remember him.
Age has nothing to do with it. Look at Reagan for one example. Bush 41 for another. And there seems to be a boomlet developing for Fred Thompson.
The reason John McCain is doing so poorly has nothing to do with his age and everything to do with his ideas.
Comment by Doug Mataconis — March 13, 2007 @ 11:14 amEric – McCain is five years older than RP. Anyway like Doug says, age isn’t the issue.
Comment by Pat — March 13, 2007 @ 11:21 amI agree McNasty is getting knocked for his ideas.
That poll isn’t surprising since those guys get the most attention from the infotainment industry. It is like music. Mediocre music is usually popular and good music doesn’t sale. Hopefully Americans can recognize a good product this time. All the interesting candidates are 1% or less.
Comment by uhm — March 13, 2007 @ 12:07 pm