Paul is out

lew · 03-07-2008, 03:11 PM

Spokesman: Ron Paul will end presidential run - CNN.com

A spokesman for Ron Paul's presidential campaign said Friday that the Texas congressman is ending his run for the White House.

"We are acknowledging that Ron will not be the nominee and that we are winding down the campaign," said Jesse Benton, the Paul campaign's communication manager.

Paul hinted the end was near in a video to supporters posted on YouTube on Thursday.

"Though victory in the conventional political sense is not available in the presidential race, many victories have been achieved due to your hard work and enthusiasm," Paul said in the video.

His comments came two days after Sen. John McCain became the presumptive GOP nominee.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, announced Tuesday he was quitting the race after McCain victories in Tuesday's primaries, leaving Paul as his only opponent.

Benton said the campaign encourages supporters to continue to take part in primary process and that Paul would honor requests from supporters to speak.

"We still think we can influence the debate and build an organization moving forward that brings the GOP back to its roots," Benton said.

Paul, who ran for president as a Libertarian in 1988, is the sole Republican candidate to call for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. He is a distant fourth in the GOP delegate count, behind McCain, Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

"We must remember, elections are short-term efforts," Paul said. "Revolutions are long-term projects."

Paul's "Hope for America" campaign has been a grassroots effort, focusing on a "limited constitutional government, low taxes, free markets, and a return to sound monetary policies," according to his Web site.

"But even with the past year's achievements, we're still the early stages of bringing about the changes that this revolution is all about."

WickedLou9 · 03-07-2008, 03:15 PM

This really should not be a suprise. He has been effectively elimited from the running for months now.

Publius · 03-07-2008, 03:15 PM

I'm disgusted by some of the Paul supporters in Texas.. They're talking about trying to ram through a rule change that unlinks Texas delegates from the primary/caucus results, and attempting to pack the delegate pool with Paul supporters so they can ignore the primary/caucus results and still pledge themselves to Paul at the convention.

I'm sorry, but as much as it may be undesirable to accept, Paul just isn't what America wants. He may be what libertarian-minded people feel America needs, but Americans in general don't want what he is selling. It's unfortunate, but a reality. Circumventing the system to force him down America's throat won't make him president, it'll ultimately just weaken the whole process and tarnish his image.

Publius · 03-07-2008, 03:31 PM

Not to mention the fact that any sort of training they did for precinct work was specifically listed as "FOR REPUBLICAN PARTY MEMBERS ONLY!"

That sort of elitist attitude and shutting out of 3rd party supporters soured me on the whole thing. Paul may be different from many in Washington, but a lot of his supporters are the same old douchebags that have no REAL interest in a truly free country.

Fed Up · 03-07-2008, 05:42 PM

Yeah, kind of sucks when you have to work the sytem so your candidate, who just so happens to be running on the "old" repbublican platform, can make some headway with delegates who are part of the "new" republican platform.

It's the system.

If someone wants to get your candidate elected, they need to work the system. And since a 3rd party candidate, at this point in time, doesn't stand a chance because of the "system," then more power to those who know how to work it to their advantage.

They're not doing anything illegal.

I think we can both agree the sytem needs to be thrown out and this type of discussion is moot because we're both right.

Fed Up

Fed Up · 03-07-2008, 05:43 PM

Originally Posted by Publius

I'm sorry, but as much as it may be undesirable to accept, Paul just isn't what America wants.

I live in America. You don't speak for me.

Fed Up

Fed Up · 03-07-2008, 05:47 PM

What is it about Individual Liberty, Free Markets, Private Property, Sound Money, and A Non-interventionist Foreign Policy you don't like?

It's Not Too Late For Ron Paul!

Fed Up

kombayn · 03-07-2008, 06:22 PM

He bowed out gracefully. His message is out through the grassroots campaign. I'm glad he isn't acting as crazy as his followers and he should possibly focus on a 2012 campaign, he looks in great health and who knows how the world will be by then.

I'm hoping for that, but we'll see.

Fed Up · 03-07-2008, 06:34 PM

Originally Posted by kombayn

He bowed out gracefully. His message is out through the grassroots campaign. I'm glad he isn't acting as crazy as his followers and he should possibly focus on a 2012 campaign, he looks in great health and who knows how the world will be by then.I'm hoping for that, but we'll see.

One of the reasons I'm adamant about him taking it another 8 months, even though his chances are somewhat nil, barring a complet fall of the U.S. dollar....is that he's already 72 years old. This is his last hurrah and the time to strike to obtain more support for the revolution is now.

He'd be 76 by the next go around and that's not going to cut it. Besides, America will be toast by then anyway because there is no restrain on Congress or the Fed.

Fed Up

thomez · 03-07-2008, 07:53 PM

Originally Posted by Publius

Paul may be different from many in Washington, but a lot of his supporters are the same old douchebags that have no REAL interest in a truly free country.

I tried to work with the local meetup groups but, to be honest, most of them were morons. They had more interest in talking about 9/11 conspiracies, drinking water additives, and immunizations killing our children than anything else. If it wasn't that it was about the New World Order or the Council on Foreign Relations. As a group they generally just drove me fucking insane. I would imagine that this was the case with folks like me and you around the country.

hsmith · 03-07-2008, 08:54 PM

His supporters were his biggest help and his biggest weakness.

Fed Up · 03-07-2008, 09:59 PM

Originally Posted by hsmith

His supporters were his biggest help and his biggest weakness.

I think the media made this a bigger deal than what it was.

Sensationalism at its finest.

5% of the voters that checked his box and yes, some of them were wacked out, but the majority weren't.

I'm sure a higher percentage of war loving neocons exist but you'll never hear about them via the MSM. Heck, they even hire them!

Fed Up

kombayn · 03-08-2008, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by Fed Up

I think the media made this a bigger deal than what it was.

Sensationalism at its finest.

5% of the voters that checked his box and yes, some of them were wacked out, but the majority weren't.

I'm sure a higher percentage of war loving neocons exist but you'll never hear about them via the MSM. Heck, they even hire them!

Fed Up

Here's the thing though, Paul pointed out and spoke about how they were the neo-cons, his campaign failed because he didn't do the Obama hype and say, "I want to reach out to everyone." He went out and said "Government is being a fraud right now." It's too powerful of a message.

Trust me, almost every regular poster here knows our government has corruption. But there are still honest people in our government that want to make things right. Even the crazy politicians that are lobbied majority, still think they're doing what's right.

I just hate the pointing of fingers and the name-calling, it's great to debate. But this flat out hating sucks. I see it on YouTube when other countries post and hate on Americans about us hating on people, but yet there doing the same thing. A lot of hypocrisy right now.

Fed Up · 03-08-2008, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by kombayn

Here's the thing though, Paul pointed out and spoke about how they were the neo-cons, his campaign failed because he didn't do the Obama hype and say, "I want to reach out to everyone." He went out and said "Government is being a fraud right now." It's too powerful of a message.

Trust me, almost every regular poster here knows our government has corruption. But there are still honest people in our government that want to make things right. Even the crazy politicians that are lobbied majority, still think they're doing what's right.

I just hate the pointing of fingers and the name-calling, it's great to debate. But this flat out hating sucks. I see it on YouTube when other countries post and hate on Americans about us hating on people, but yet there doing the same thing. A lot of hypocrisy right now.

Paul was reaching out to everyone and criticizing Big government, not "hating" anyone or "name calling." Would like to see your examples of this accusation.

"Every regular poster here" may know our government has corruption, as you say, but this site is clearly not representative of the voting public. I've tried to debate many here on the issues that Ron Paul supported and there was silence sans a couple people.

As far as the "honest" "neo-con" people in government, tell me how they voted here on HR1955 GovTrack: H.R. 1955: Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007 (Vote On Passage)

or sent our men and women in uniform off to war without a declaration HR114:

HOUSE

U.S. Senate: Legislation & Records Home > Votes > Roll Call Vote SENATE

The "neocons" are the ones who have taken over the Republican Party from what its platform used to be. This is undeniable. It is what it is.

The warmongering party platform it has become lost the House and the Senate in 2006 and will lose the Presidential election in 2008 unless they try to pull a stunt like waging war with Iran or something similar that preys on the fear of the sheeple to say "we need them to protect us!"

This is right out of the Straussian/Kristol/Insertneoconhere playbook.

At least Paul exposed some of this nonsense the Republican Party has become by saying "they've changed, he hasn't." There's your hypocrisy!

Fed Up

kombayn · 03-08-2008, 07:42 AM

I'm sorry, I'm a Ron Paul supporter but labeling people neo-cons is "name-calling". Such as Mr. Joyner a fellow poster here told us how he had signs outside that said "REPUBLICANS ONLY" in primary elections and felt it was an elitist stance, I figured it was more RNC than him but who knows. Ron Paul isn't perfect, admit that at least.

Fed Up · 03-08-2008, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by kombayn

I'm sorry, I'm a Ron Paul supporter but labeling people neo-cons is "name-calling". Such as Mr. Joyner a fellow poster here told us how he had signs outside that said "REPUBLICANS ONLY" in primary elections and felt it was an elitist stance, I figured it was more RNC than him but who knows. Ron Paul isn't perfect, admit that at least.

neocon is a legitimate term...it is short for neoconservatism...

Neoconservatism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

yes, I admit Ron Paul isn't perfect... he has chosen to drop out rather than run as a 3rd party and take the rEVOLution to its fruition to garner more troops in support of his message. he's chosen an ill-prepared "next phase" at present...

It's Not Too Late For Ron Paul!

Fed Up

Publius · 03-08-2008, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Fed Up

I live in America. You don't speak for me.

Fed Up

Originally Posted by Fed Up

What is it about Individual Liberty, Free Markets, Private Property, Sound Money, and A Non-interventionist Foreign Policy you don't like?

It's Not Too Late For Ron Paul!

Fed Up

Perhaps you didn't bother looking at voting returns? As a whole, the American people just don't seem all that interested in buying what Paul is selling. It's an unfortunate fact, but when your candidate doesn't even come close to winning even 100 delegates in the primary it's impossible to ignore.

And if you read any of my posts you'd know that I'm a Paul supporter and obviously more in tune with Paul's views than most of the people (at least in Texas) that were actually supporting him. I take great insult from your insinuations that just because I'm being realistic I'm somehow less of a friend to liberty.

Obviously I'm more of a friend to liberty than most Paul supporters, because while I wish fervently he had won the nomination I'm not willing to infringe upon the liberty of those who voted for the party nomination by working to make their vote meaningless just so I can get Paul into the general election.

motivez · 03-08-2008, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by Publius

I take great insult from your insinuations that just because I'm being realistic I'm somehow less of a friend to liberty.

Yeah, it's really annoying to have that sentiment aimed at anyone who disagrees on any level

Fed Up · 03-08-2008, 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by Publius

Perhaps you didn't bother looking at voting returns? As a whole, the American people just don't seem all that interested in buying what Paul is selling. It's an unfortunate fact, but when your candidate doesn't even come close to winning even 100 delegates in the primary it's impossible to ignore.

And if you read any of my posts you'd know that I'm a Paul supporter and obviously more in tune with Paul's views than most of the people (at least in Texas) that were actually supporting him. I take great insult from your insinuations that just because I'm being realistic I'm somehow less of a friend to liberty.

Obviously I'm more of a friend to liberty than most Paul supporters, because while I wish fervently he had won the nomination I'm not willing to infringe upon the liberty of those who voted for the party nomination by working to make their vote meaningless just so I can get Paul into the general election.

I look at it from a different angle than you.

The majority of American people just don't understand what's really happening. I've spent the last 2 1/2 years researching this for a forthcoming book.

It is common knowledge that Ron Paul has not been given fair treatment by the media. I became aware of this immediately after the first republican debate when Sean Hannity discounted him from the beginning.

Since I had read about Ron Paul and his economic philosophy preceeding his running for President, I was apalled at this kind of response. Then it just got worse.

I monitored radio and television thereafter and have posted about it here. The same people who have always called themselves republicans were minimalizing Paul or attacking his supporters every chance they could, and these are people from his own party!

I spent hours on these neocon sites like Malkin's battling it out from an intelligent point of view. I truly believe that if Paul was for the war in Iraq, he would have been a hero to the sheeple nation as this is the #1 issue that the neocons and even people like Neal Boortz who calls himself a Libertarian, had with Paul.

So from the beginning, to be a part of the Paul political team, it was known that to become a delegate for Ron Paul you couldn't tell ANYONE that you were a supporter of him. You had to do the "hurray for the home (republican) team" and bite your tounge.

This is why I clearly stated that it was the "system" that caused Paul supporters to do as they did, because the MSM wasn't going to play fair with his campaign.

When you said "Paul isn't what America wants," I said, "you don't speak for me." You were insulted by this? Let me rephrase my answer then....

Ron Paul is what America "needs." The 95% who didn't vote for him are fooled by left vs. right politics while inflation and congressional spending are driving them straight into a second great depression. Keep their minds busy whilst they rob the till. Ignorant sheep. And when I use the word "ignorant," understand that the word means, you don't know what you don't know. Our government wants it that way while they live like kings and queens on the backs of the serf's labor.

"A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction;"

Nothing personal towards you Publius...just stating what my research has clearly shown. I've met many Ron Paul supporters that are "out there" with their views. It's also what's nice about his message...that it trancends to all.

That's also why I'd like to see him stay in the race till November, so he can continue what he started in a more "visible" fashion. I'm putting my work out there for all to see. I'm trying to keep the "message" alive. I'm trying to make a difference.

I'm glad you're part of the liberty group and I know you want to make a difference too as I had read that you are running for office. I wish you luck!

Fed Up

motivez · 03-08-2008, 12:54 PM

In other words, you believe it's somehow acceptable to supplant the judgment of other Americans with that of your own, because you believe they're ignorant and don't know what's best for them.

Seems mighty dictorial to me!