It's good to get out from behind the desk here in L.A. and find some perspective. I just spent a long weekend in southeast Texas, home of 100+ degree temperatures, finger-licking-good BBQ and...... Ron Paul. In the tiny town of Driftwood (population: a few hunnerd) there were a host of signs along the main drag touting the maverick Republican -- dozens of them, in numerous front yards, all hand-painted. One said: "Ron Paul will end the war." Throughout the Hill Country, there were tons of Paul bumper stickers on the backs of trucks. Nary a sign of support for Giuliani nor Romney. None of that surprised me too much though. After all, Paul is a Texas boy with a libertarian streak and it makes sense that the pickup-and-gun-rack crowd would rally behind him.
But I was really shocked during the time we spent in Austin -- an oasis of blue in one big red state. Yeah, there were a few Obama '08 t-shirts, some Hillary stickers. But not a lot. Then my friends started pointing out the Paul bumper stickers alongside the Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age decals on the backs of beaters, presumably the cars of UT students. The owner of one old pickup truck had painted "What do you think of Ron Paul?" on the sides of his vehicle, along with Paul's web site address.
In a bar I spotted a dude -- tattoos, rocker haircut -- in a Ron Paul shirt with the sleeves ripped off. We chatted briefly and he told me he's never voted Republican in his life but is pulling for Paul because of his stated intention to yank U.S. troops from Iraq immediately. Wow.
Obviously all this is anecdotal and the random counting of bumper stickers is hardly scientific polling. But if Ron Paul is a fringe candidate, as he loves to say he is, he's got to be awfully pleased with his support on the fringes. Down there in Texas, the grassroots appear to be growing strong.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 4)
1. People are interested in Ron Paul because - well, look at our choices. He is the anti-candidate, just as Ross Perot was.
David S. at 3:23PM on Aug 15th 2007
2. Ron Paul explains why he is growing in popularity and that is because his message of freedom is popular.
Nick S. at 3:35PM on Aug 15th 2007
3. I live in San Antonio and see no less than 1 Ron Paul bumper sticker a week. I've not seen any sort of advertisement for any other candidate whatsoever.
I guess they're all seceding it to Ron Paul. Smart move.
Bill Moore at 3:55PM on Aug 15th 2007
4. I don't vote Republican.
I'm registered Democrat.
I want to vote for Ron Paul.
'Nuff said.
Devin at 4:13PM on Aug 15th 2007
5. There is hope for America, and his name is Ron Paul. The timeless message of freedom, peace and prosperity resonates. If someone is willing to give Ron Paul a chance instead of believing what the msm tells them, they are most always *passionately* hooked.
Ron Paul, a humble man who actually lives by his principles, is my hero. I will spend every spare minute and every spare dime I have to get him elected.
liberteebell at 4:26PM on Aug 15th 2007
6. Ron Paul is for government to function within the strict guidelines of the Constitution, should deconstruct its empire, withdraw our troops from around the world and reestablish a foreign policy based on nonintervestionism, abolish the Federal Reserve Bank, eliminate fiat currency and return to the gold standard hard money of the founding fathers of this wonderful country.
He is the only condidate running for President who is worth to run.
Billy VerPlanck at 4:53PM on Aug 15th 2007
7. If we don't fight the war "over there" then when this ya-hoo pulls troops from Iraq immediately and wins praise from all the anti-war citizens we will have about 5 seconds to celebrate. Then we will begin fighting the war "over here". The fact is that as much as we don't like the war, I think we all agree that if we have to be at war, we don't want it on our own soil. At this point, place the blame for the war wherever you want. The bottom line is that we have to stay and win in Iraq now that we've made such a mess.
Kris at 5:00PM on Aug 15th 2007
8. Ron Paul is not perfect, but he will be the best President - by far - that we have had in my lifetime.
Yes, I think that Ron Paul is right... Freedom is popular. It is a revolutionary idea and that idea is being voiced by Ron Paul and supported by intelligent America.
Ron Paul in 2008 and 20012!
CNelson at 5:13PM on Aug 15th 2007
9. Ron Paul is a perfect example of why the political system is broken badly- especially as far being being based on the best person for profits rather than best person for America, rigged for so-called “top-tier” candidates, the only ones who do (or the media implies should) get any coverage or serious consideration as is required to have a chance under current conditions. Dr. Ron Paul epitomizes what happens when you have someone, if you make an effort to look deeper, who stands out refreshingly far from the rest as a true patriot with an adept understanding of the Founding Fathers' philosophy and intentions, the Constitution, and why it is so powerful and essential not to move away from our foundations (along with the ability to use that knowledge in the context of today's issues, not just as quaint history), a desire to serve as President that comes not from ego or desire for self-importance but an obvious deep passion and love for his Country and desire to repair the damage and drift from the core values and principles that make the US the greatest country on Earth (not to mention showing what a true Conservative is and how the party has lost it's way), an ability and need to cut through the spin and talking points to illuminate the Truth of the issues (along with the rare willingness to actually share it with the public), and the urgent need to apply sane reason along with the faith that if the American People stick to our core values and guiding principles, we can regain the true freedom, prosperity, security, and glory that have been decaying and systematically eroded and government, and current President has done so much to damage. Regardless of whether or not you are a Republican or Democrat, or even if you support another candidate, what Dr. Paul brings to the campaign conversation (the issues, perspective, Constitutional awareness, the Truth, etc.) is ESSENTIAL, and the more he debates the other candidates the better a chance we have as a people to survive.
Yet the press doesn't take the time when the stakes have scarcely been higher, put aside maximizing profit in the interest of the common good of the people who supposedly permit them to lease their airwaves from them. But rather than require them- maybe have the FCC alter their leases to provide for that which would strengthen tremendously the democratic process and perhaps even save our nation when the stakes are critical, instead of volunteer time for the essential needs of the country that provides them with their huge profits for decades on end, the already rich political prostitutes in Washington, D.C. show us once again who and what they think is truly important in America. UNTIL AMERICA ACCEPTS THAT THE ONLY WAY NEEDED CHANGE HAS EVER OCCURRED IS WHEN CITIZENS HAVE COME TOGETHER AND DEMANDED IT, AND ORGANIZES TO DEMAND THE CHANGES AROUND OUR COMMON INTERESTS AND VALUES, THIS COUNTRY WILL CONTINUE TO CRUMBLE FOR THE PROFIT OF A FEW AND OUR ENEMIES. That is the true threat to our Country that they don't want us to pay attention to, our path to salvation redemption and . If we can't even get to the right people to elect to help us especially, don't look for a leader to come and save you as WE CAN ONLY SAVE OURSELVES. This is good- we can save ourselves, we can fix it; but we need to get past the socialized idea of being dependent on our leaders for the will to change, and finally come together. Pleeeeease people- We've done it several times before, when broke away from a King George the first time, and even just a short time ago with so-called “comprehensive immigration reform”, but WE must harass our politicians into doing the right thing. “United We stand, divided We fall” has never been more true.
FauxNewsLies at 5:36PM on Aug 15th 2007
10. Not only did Iraq have nothing to do with 9/11, but you simply do NOT "win" an OCCUPATION. As someone who actually fought in Baghdad recently, I can assure everyone that the majority of wounded soldiers are attacked by people who feel they are retaliating against an occupying force.
With that said, I'm encouraged that there is such a positive response to people seeking a return to the Constitution and personal liberty. May they be out in force for the upcoming straw poll in Texas. :)
Sean at 5:13PM on Aug 15th 2007
11. In my lifetime I can't remember a more important election year. I have traveled some to southeast Asia. And have heard some comments by others outside of US. And was sadden some by some things I have heard. There is a definite variety of candidates on both main party sides. (My ears are at alert when I hear what both Ron Paul has to say, & Mike Gravel/Democrat) I can only hope that we as Americans will, (with a different ideology than what has seemingly put us/US in a quagmire!) We will make right decisions that will bring us back to the great country and leadership that we once had!
WJ at 5:40PM on Aug 15th 2007
12. I have never donated a dime to a candidate in the past. But I saved for a while and donate to Ron Paul. I love his message of freedom, no national ID card, no RFID chip, and most important no IRS. The IRS has ruined countless folks lives. My dear friend lost everything he ever worked for to the IRS. This start me on a educational war path. I felt as if I was the only one out there that knew and understood this smoke screen of disception that the IRS has pulled over our eyes for years. But it doesn't stop there. I knew that it went further up the ladder than just the IRS and found the problem stemmed from the Federal Reserve owners. They make the ultimate decision and have paved the way for financial slavery to all us American citizens. They fund the wars from both sides they have raised our national debit to the point of bankruptcy to our great nation. Yes, we Americans need to stop the people behind all of this manipulation of our lives. They have hand picked our presidents and controled our politicians for decades. They control our judges and lawyers. They control our news media. They manipulate our lives in many ways down to the types of foods we eat and water we drink. They want to control and manipulate the entire world with their One World Order. I believe they should be brought to justice and made accountable for they actions (ie) 9/11 and everything in the past. If found guilty they should be treated precisely as they did with that dictator from Iraq. They are no better and no different than the past dictators of history.
I have wrote letters to our congressmen and senators in the past asking the hard questions concerning the truth about the IRS and Federal Reserve and North American Union joining the three countries together and the Amero and ultimately the One World Order, only to get back a form letter thanking me for corresponding with our congressional leaders and never once answering one not even one question I asked. I was so very happy that this internet age has come about. It is so nice to know that others are out there with the same concerns as myself. Others learning the truth and fighting for the freedom of our great country.
I noticed that a lot of the political candidates are for this Fair Tax and if someone knew about this and would actually break this down showing the vast difference between the Fair Tax system and the disarming of the IRS and Federal Reserve it would be of great help to sit and explain this to my friends and family so in turn they could spread the truth themselves.
I was looked upon by my family for years because of the way I felt about the way our country has been run. Now that we have an actual candidate (Ron Paul) who endorces the way I feel and backing up my research I feel very good about saying "I am a real conservative American." I watched caqmpaign of Ross Perrot back 15 years or so and thought this man had a very good chance to win. He lined up all the people in congress that he want to be on his side of his beliefs coupled with the character of responsibility needed to hold office and make the right changes for our country. But some one got to the man and his family that forced him to drop off the face of the earth.
But now with Ron Paul and the back of the grassroots folks and along with several other groups around the country I truly believe in my heart that Dr. Congressman Ron Paul will be our next President of Our Great Country of The United States Of America.
We still need to bring to justice the diebold company that has manufactured the voting machines and bring to justice anyone that has manipulated anything that would fraudulently alter the path to a honest election. We sleeping Americans need to wake up and take back our country before the Bush and Clinton families take it from us. And if so maybe just maybe there will be another revolution in this country. The revolution is starting now. The Ron Paul REVOLUTION. CHANGE YOUR PARTY OVER TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FOR THE PRIMARIES AND VOTE RON PAUL IN FOR OUR REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE 2008 ELECTIONS. THEN VOTE FOR HIM IN OUR GENERAL ELECTION FOR OUR NEXT AND BEST AND PROBABLY GREATEST PRESIDENT TO EVER LIVE. VOTE RON PAUL PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Francis Ancrile at 5:56PM on Aug 15th 2007
13. Kris:
The "if we don't fight the war over there, we'll have to fight it over here" line is pure propaganda.
There are several books written about propaganda and the art of persuasion. Here is a good website with a study course: http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/j/m/jmh32/spcom150.htm
Janie at 6:26PM on Aug 15th 2007
14. Devin - go register Republican! It doesn't hurt. ;)
Kris - I hope those "terrists" do come over here, that will give *me* a chance to target them. Why should our soldiers have all the fun?
aol.com at 2:58AM on Aug 16th 2007
15. I, as several of you seem to be, am a life-long Democrat. For many years I have placated my conscience with the idea that I was voting for the lesser of two evils. I have, in the last year, been exposed to Dr. Ron Paul's message of true freedom and Americanism. True conservatism is not creating a new direction for our country to travel. It is staying with the "tried and true" values that have served our great nation well, for over 200 years. In my opinion, the very term 'Neo-Con', meaning 'new conservative', is an oxymoron. Such treaties, "think"-tanks and commissions as the CFR, PNAC, the Tri-Lateral Comm., TFAA, SPPP, NAFTA, CAFTA, TTC and proposed North American Union appear to all focus on a joining of countries that will inevitably lead to a New World Order, a U.S. led, worldwide police state, with coroporate interests at the head. Me & my friends don't think this serves our interests in any way, shape, or form. Make Mine, "Ron Paul in 2008"! And by the way, I consider you all my friends.
p.s. In Texas you can cross-vote even in the primary, but only in one primary.
John Beatty at 7:07PM on Aug 15th 2007