| Yes, beating Rudy is a victory for Ron Paul. Good for him. It may end up saying more about Rudy than Ron, but who knows at this point?
It is looking like Romney has it sewn up. IMHO, if you have the support of the party establishment, you have the nomination. Rudy's wheels are still on, but I'm surprised at how shaky they've become. I think Thompson will tank. It's just a feeling I have.
The good news for Paul supporters are these early primary states. If Paul can win Iowa and N.H. and just a handful more, the momentum will go to him, no doubt.
RP supporters still have a huge amount of work ahead of them. If I were to offer advice to Paul supporters, it would be these little pieces:
- You need to avoid the echo chamber effect. This should always be a priority because it's both the easiest to forget and the easiest to be seduced by. Organize as best you can, keep active and connected on the internet, but don't fool yourselves into thinking that support for RP on the internet and in RP forums will automatically translate into wins in Iowa and N.H.
- If you can get out the word, do it. If you have a DVD burner, know someone who does, or are willing to host a meetup fundraiser to raise enough money to burn DVD's of a few of RP's best speeches, you should. Screen them, give them away, or mail them to Iowa and N.H. residents. Enlist the help of your churchgoing friends. If you can't give the DVD's away at the churches, try finding the restaurants the churchgoers go to after church, or go to any other place that church people gather. Ask your minister and host your own group candidate discussion/picnic. Then, discuss the candidates, summarize their positions, giving them the facts that they already don't like about the other candidates, and then cast RP in a positive light.
If you RP supporters dedicated yourself to getting RP speeches and info directly to the churchgoers, I think it would pay off for RP in spades like you simply wouldn't believe. Churchgoing folk are the key to winning Republican primaries anyway. Rudy is already not liked by them, and Romney is vulnerable, both generally as the front runner and more specifically as a Mormon. Whoever is in second place will be in the best place to take up the slack if the front runner falters. (I think Newt is out there counting on this to be true.) At the very least, if RP places a respectable second or even a strong third overall, he and people who support his philosophy will be in prime positions to influence Republican platforms in the years to come.
- Contact your local Republican leaders! Every single one, big and small. These are the people who are important on primary days. Getting their support is crucial.
- Know his record. Know his positions. Be ready to answer questions about why you support him. Be succinct. Engage people in conversations. Feel them out about their priorities, then try and pitch RP's most appealing aspects that apply to those priorities. | 
08-19-2007, 08:37 PM
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