Ron Paul Should Leave The Republican Party

[Fed Up]

A piece I just wrote on what Ron Paul should do next...

Ron Paul Should Leave The Republican Party

Fed Up

[motivez]

He's already stated he doesn't want to do that though, and would rather be a force for positive change from within

Obviously I don't think that's realistic given the coalition the Republican party has to placate every four years to win elections, but it doesn't sound like something he's willing to do.

[Thorgrim]

He's not going to give up his millions of dollars libertarians gave him, or his fun job of making bold criticisms that never lead to any change in DC

[Fed Up]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

He's not going to give up his millions of dollars libertarians gave him, or his fun job of making bold criticisms that never lead to any change in DC

I addressed the money issue in the piece I wrote. What's left should be spent now to get his "message" out via radio and print (the cheapest way to hit the most people) and then ditch the Republican Party for a 3rd party. He needs to advertise his economic revitaliztion plan.

I've given over $1,000 to his campaign. I, and I know many more Paul supporters, would continue to give to his new campaign as a 3rd party candidate.

Fed Up

[Fed Up]

Originally Posted by motivez

He's already stated he doesn't want to do that though, and would rather be a force for positive change from within

Obviously I don't think that's realistic given the coalition the Republican party has to placate every four years to win elections, but it doesn't sound like something he's willing to do.

Yes, I know what he has stated. I'm disagreeing with him in that I believe a 3rd party run would be more open to those who are "Fed Up!" with both the left and the right and it give him a new way to continue getting the message out there to those who haven't heard it or don't quite understand it.

I think his grassroot forces would be more motivated knowing there is a goal to obtain rather than just a speech at the Republican convention....when he's not even wanted there.

Fed Up

[kombayn]

I personally don't see how he could lose if he was nominated the Libertarian candidate. He's turn 76 by next election and does he really think the Republican Party will change from with-in? I don't think it will. Get the LP some national coverage. Plus, I'm sure they could set-up debates with Ralph Nader, I think enough people would be interested in watching that.

[motivez]

Oh man, seeing Ralph Nader vs Ron Paul would be a great debate. I'd tune in to that.

[kombayn]

They've got nothing to lose. Mike Gravel might run as an independent too, get those 3 together. It'd be a slug-fest.

[Thorgrim]

Originally Posted by Fed Up

I addressed the money issue in the piece I wrote. What's left should be spent now to get his "message" out via radio and print (the cheapest way to hit the most people) and then ditch the Republican Party for a 3rd party. He needs to advertise his economic revitaliztion plan.

I've given over $1,000 to his campaign. I, and I know many more Paul supporters, would continue to give to his new campaign as a 3rd party candidate.

Fed Up

he's not going to...he is keeping it for his own warchest or give to Bush/RNC (rules would force him to if he doesn't go third party)

thats gonna be poetic, when your money goes to Bush/RNC

[Fed Up]

Originally Posted by Thorgrim

he's not going to...he is keeping it for his own warchest or give to Bush/RNC (rules would force him to if he doesn't go third party)

thats gonna be poetic, when your money goes to Bush/RNC

my suggestion was to spend it all....leaving nothing for the Republicans. Naturally he is capable of doing that.

I'm not sure where you get your information from, but I'd like to see it. My comments are mereley a recommendation.

Just as Paul won't vote for McCain, I would imagine he can still spend money on getting his message out.

Will be inetresting to see the first quarters report on campaign spending come April. I'll give you that.

Fed Up

[Fed Up]

Originally Posted by kombayn

Plus, I'm sure they could set-up debates with Ralph Nader, I think enough people would be interested in watching that.

Great thinking! Some media would pick that up for sure.

Heck, I'd pay to see Paul debate Hillary/Obama and McCain though.

Fed Up

[kombayn]

Me too. You know MTV would be the ones to do Nader vs. Paul.

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by motivez

Oh man, seeing Ralph Nader vs Ron Paul would be a great debate. I'd tune in to that.

I would too!

[kombayn]

^Man, I really want to start a forum dedicated to RMNIXON, so he can post funny pics such as Mr. Nixon golfing. I saved that one. Good stuff.

[RMNIXON]

Originally Posted by kombayn

^Man, I really want to start a forum dedicated to RMNIXON, so he can post funny pics such as Mr. Nixon golfing. I saved that one. Good stuff.

Just for you kid:

[Smull]

Good article but I disagree on a few points.

First off, I think that any serious movement in this country towards more libertarian policies are going to be long term, several election cycles away at best. Ron Paul, Bob Barr, Check Baldwin, none of these are going to be elected our next president. But that doesn't mean this election cycle was a loss for our cause, on the contrary, both Ron Paul and Bob Barr have drawn significant media attention, and libertarian principals (it seems to me, I have no hard data to support this) are getting much more recognition. But any real change will come after this support grows.

Second, its likely (according to some polling data) that the Republican Party is going to be hit very hard this election. With the party broken and in shambles, its more likely to be influenced towards different policies. Hopefully similar to the polices that the movement had back in the 1970s and 1980s. Since the policy that led the 1990s and 2000s may be denounced by the electorate. This will leave the Republican party forced to remake itself and adjust its policies. Hopefully the Libertarians can fill the void.

This is mostly just theory and opinion on my part, but I do earnestly see a real possibility of a more Libertarian-friendly Republican party in the future. And I see it as more likely than the LP itself gaining significant power.

[Fed Up]

Hi Smull,

You may not have noticed, but I wrote that article in March.

RMNixon was replying to another post in the thread.

And for what it's worth, the Republicans will be hurting this November IMO.

There is no way I could vote fore either McCain or Obam though. I'm still up in the air on whom. I don't think they'll miss my vote this year... and I'll probably still write in Paul even if it isn't counted.

Fed Up

[Libertaire]

Originally Posted by Smull

Good article but I disagree on a few points.

First off, I think that any serious movement in this country towards more libertarian policies are going to be long term, several election cycles away at best. Ron Paul, Bob Barr, Check Baldwin, none of these are going to be elected our next president. But that doesn't mean this election cycle was a loss for our cause, on the contrary, both Ron Paul and Bob Barr have drawn significant media attention, and libertarian principals (it seems to me, I have no hard data to support this) are getting much more recognition. But any real change will come after this support grows.

Second, its likely (according to some polling data) that the Republican Party is going to be hit very hard this election. With the party broken and in shambles, its more likely to be influenced towards different policies. Hopefully similar to the polices that the movement had back in the 1970s and 1980s. Since the policy that led the 1990s and 2000s may be denounced by the electorate. This will leave the Republican party forced to remake itself and adjust its policies. Hopefully the Libertarians can fill the void.

This is mostly just theory and opinion on my part, but I do earnestly see a real possibility of a more Libertarian-friendly Republican party in the future. And I see it as more likely than the LP itself gaining significant power.

Any shift of the RP to libertarian friendly policies is likely, but won't have staying power. Ronald Reagan rose to prominence supporting a quasi-libertarian agenda, but made very little headway in that direction. The RP has always been consistent in being the party of the banking establishment. I don't think that will ever change.
I agree with you on the impact of libertarian-minded individuals gaining more notoriety in the press and the American mind. Ron Paul's candidacy has spawned numerous campaigns for the House, Senate, and local races. The best example is that of BL Lawson, a Republican who is running for NC's 4th district. Then there is Bob Conley, a Democrat (though former Republican who boasts that he voted for Ron Paul in the primary) who is running against mainstream Bush/McCain Republican Lindsey Graham in South Carolina.
These examples are but few. The real movement towards libertarianism doesn't happen in the voting booth, but in the hearts and minds of individuals. That's the success story behind Ron Paul's campaign. It was real grassroots. Most people never even bothered thinking about monetary policy, for example, and its impact on every other issue until Ron Paul and his supporters brought it into people's living rooms, mail boxes, and on the internet.

[Smull]

Originally Posted by Fed Up

Hi Smull,

You may not have noticed, but I wrote that article in March.

RMNixon was replying to another post in the thread.

And for what it's worth, the Republicans will be hurting this November IMO.

There is no way I could vote fore either McCain or Obam though. I'm still up in the air on whom. I don't think they'll miss my vote this year... and I'll probably still write in Paul even if it isn't counted.

Fed Up

ah, yeah i didn't notice the date when i posted that, what are your feelings on Barr and Baldwin?

Originally Posted by Libertaire

Any shift of the RP to libertarian friendly policies is likely, but won't have staying power. Ronald Reagan rose to prominence supporting a quasi-libertarian agenda, but made very little headway in that direction. The RP has always been consistent in being the party of the banking establishment. I don't think that will ever change.
I agree with you on the impact of libertarian-minded individuals gaining more notoriety in the press and the American mind. Ron Paul's candidacy has spawned numerous campaigns for the House, Senate, and local races. The best example is that of BL Lawson, a Republican who is running for NC's 4th district. Then there is Bob Conley, a Democrat (though former Republican who boasts that he voted for Ron Paul in the primary) who is running against mainstream Bush/McCain Republican Lindsey Graham in South Carolina.
These examples are but few. The real movement towards libertarianism doesn't happen in the voting booth, but in the hearts and minds of individuals. That's the success story behind Ron Paul's campaign. It was real grassroots. Most people never even bothered thinking about monetary policy, for example, and its impact on every other issue until Ron Paul and his supporters brought it into people's living rooms, mail boxes, and on the internet.

Iunno, maybe I'm being naive, but I just don't think the Republican Party is beyond all hope.

[motivez]

Until the party starts showing some signs of moderating their social policies and showing a return to caring about fiscal discipline, I don't see why he doesn't change to the Libertarian Party myself.

I think he could have done well with a third party run on the LP ticket, but it looks like Barr will pick up a significant chunk of his supporters.. those who don't plan to write him in, anyway.

Is there any news on what he's doing with all that left over money? I think it'd be nice to see him support candidates running for Congress (probably the House is more likely to see results than the Senate at this point) who share his philosophy.. it's better than sitting around just getting him re-elected every few years, and having more people in Congress who share his beliefs would put pressure on the GOP to start making that shift