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 2 of 4)
16. 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 eroding from our government, and which the 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 be truly free, not like this token freedom, and for real democracy to survive in more than talking points.
Sadly, the press doesn't take the time when the stakes have scarcely been higher to put aside maximizing profit in the interest of the common good of the people who supposedly permit them to lease their airwaves from them. Since the greedy primary channels and news networks wouldn't dare volunteer time for free and equal debates or ads, understanding the priority needs of the country that provides them with their huge profits for decades on end, and give up their huge profits made during this time on candidates struggling to address issues in more than 30 second soundbites, the FCC should, as a branch of government which is supposed to represent We the People, alter their leases to provide for equal and free debates which would strengthen tremendously the democratic process and perhaps even save our nation when the stakes are critical. Rather than require anything from these corporations, no doubt in part due to the big bucks spent on lobbyists, the already rich elected political prostitutes in Washington, D.C. that benefit from the unfair system, 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.
holdyoursoul at 7:48PM on Aug 15th 2007
17. I WAS a registered democrat merely because I voted in the Nov. general elections for the dems hoping (as everyone did) they would straighten things out. THEY LIED ! so what else is new? They gave away their power which is something the constitution REQUIRES they are not to do. They gave it to bush. The executive branch. Which he glady accepted to keep his warmongering ways going.
Then I started to get into Ron Paul. Now this guy walks the talk. and I don't mean propaganda.
Now I am registered republican so I can vote for him as president. Imagine--A CHAMPION of the Constitution of the United States FOR America! as our president and one who truly revels in it. Ron Paul IS hope for America. Meaning ALL of America. Not just parts of it that he wants to pick apart. Vote for Ron Paul. Get to know your next president by visiting his website. www.ronpaul2008.com To know him is to love him.
Eskie at 7:52PM on Aug 15th 2007
18. Kris,
You have been neo-conned. Please, before you criticize this fine man, take a few moments to look at his record and to check out his stances on the issues. A good place to start is http://ronpaullibrary.org. You may not agree with everything, but I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what you find.
When I discovered Ron Paul about ten years ago, I was both amazed and thrilled that there was someone in congress who believed in freedom. I've been hooked ever since and when I he announced for the presidency, I can't even begin to tell you how elated I was!
Since past history is an excellent predictor of future performance, make sure you check out Ron Paul's constitutional voting record as well. He does not vote for anything unconstitutional.
Please be forewarned though; freedom is popular and we Ron Paul supporters are a passionate bunch; I find that the newcomers to the cause are the most passionate of the bunch!
liberteebell at 8:09PM on Aug 15th 2007
19. I have never donated to or campaigned for a candidate before, but now I am sending money, making signs and wearing t-shirts for Ron Paul. The two-party party and the Mainstream Media have made a major mistake - they let Ron Paul be heard in the debates, probably assuming they could dismiss him with a little after-debate rhetoric. Wrong. He won the debates, according to the network polls immediately following and all they can do now is pretend that the cat is not out of the bag. The freedom message has been simmering for many years. Dr. Ron Paul is turning up the heat. The statists are in a panic. Expect them to bring out the big guns soon. But as Ron says, it isn't him, it's the message.
JOHN HOWARD at 8:09PM on Aug 15th 2007
20. The terrorist are in the white house now
jonathan at 9:09PM on Aug 15th 2007
21. I was a Democrat, but I am switching to Republican for the primaries just to vote for Ron Paul! I just wish the media would talk more about him! But I am glad to see that even though the propaganda refuses to talk about Ron Paul - his message is still spreading and I hope and pray that everyone gets out and votes for him!
Connie at 9:53PM on Aug 15th 2007
22. >>"If we don't fight them over there we will have to fight them here"
That makes no sense to me. Am I to believe that terrorists would love to come here and kill innocent Americans, but they somehow can't because we are in Iraq? Was their Al Qaeda leave request denied because Mullah Mohammed said they had to pull weekend IED duty?
It took 19 guys to pull off the world's biggest terrorist attack ever. They can't spare 19 guys because we have every one of them pinned down in Iraq?
People hear the propaganda so many times it gets drilled into their skulls and they stop thinking for themselves. They don't even bother to re-phrase it. They just spew back the exact same slogan.
John Campbell at 10:27PM on Aug 15th 2007
23. 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 10:43PM on Aug 15th 2007
24. TEXANS - that bears repeating - you can vote for Ron Paul in the primaries in September without becoming a Republican if you think it is repugnant to join the GOP. Look at Mitt's inner circle and you see Bush all over again. Even his message parrots Bush's. Yet he says it's time for a Change? He is positining himself with all the big guns of the political insiders Bush used. I am like the poster above, who said that if they want to come over here and fight, we will handle them. I think they already are being let in here to commit crime and destruction through our border, and deals with more Saudis to train and educate here. It was mostly Saudis who hit us on 911 and Bin Laden is a Saudi.
I am disgusted with the fact that Mitt bought the Clear Channel media conglomerate in 2006, and that is why we cannot get much free speech or press for America's grassroot choices.
KS Huffman at 10:45PM on Aug 15th 2007
25. The mainstream media, which is corporately owned, does not want you to know about Ron Paul. Make no mistake, he has a strong, boots on the ground, group of followers, which is growing every day. Ross Perot was running for Prez because he was on a huge ego trip. He was never a viable candidate, like Dr. Paul is. That is what makes him so threatening. He is founding father material, and we should not let him slip away, because we may never see another candidate like him for a long, long time. He is the real deal. If you love this country, and don't want to see it slip into total Martial Law, don't want a North American Union (yes, it's real), don't want a National ID card, cherish your right to privacy, and love your Internet the way it is, then you would be very wise to read up on him online, and vote for him. He is getting many fans from all sides, Dems, Repubs, and Indies. CHECK HIM OUT!!!!
samlorac at 11:18PM on Aug 15th 2007
26. The mainstream media, which is corporately owned, does not want you to know about Ron Paul. Make no mistake, he has a strong, boots on the ground, group of followers, which is growing every day. Ross Perot was running for Prez because he was on a huge ego trip. He was never a viable candidate, like Dr. Paul is. That is what makes him so threatening. He is founding father material, and we should not let him slip away, because we may never see another candidate like him for a long, long time. He is the real deal. If you love this country, and don't want to see it slip into total Martial Law, don't want a North American Union (yes, it's real), don't want a National ID card, cherish your right to privacy, and love your Internet the way it is, then you would be very wise to read up on him online, and vote for him. He is getting many fans from all sides, Dems, Repubs, and Indies. CHECK HIM OUT!!!!
Carolyne Mas at 11:25PM on Aug 15th 2007
27. Kris if this administration wanted to eliminate the chance that terrorist would enter this country they could. That BS excuse that if we leave there they will come here is just that BS. Ask the people of Japan what we are capable of Kris..we blew Hiroshima and Nagasaki islands off the map. This administration is going to steal all it can while it can and will kill whomever happens to be in the way. Go to this site: http://www.ae911truth.org/ Do some research, then post..toeing the line with these murderers is dangerous business..they want your freedom and liberty or your life it's your choice!
KEITH at 11:47PM on Aug 15th 2007
28. Ron Paul, Hope for America? In my book, he's Ron Paul, Hope for THE WORLD!
Graham Kelly at 1:15AM on Aug 16th 2007
29. 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
30. "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."
Yes, because then we can say Americans are safe by excluding the numbers of those maimed and killed on foreign soil. Get it through your heads people -- it doesn't count if it doesn't happen within our borders. Your arguments have no power over the majority who know it's the lower classes fighting wars. For heaven's sake, you can't really believe that that same majority really gives a damn if 10 thousand or 100 thousand of them die? Hail Mammon! Hail Bush!
MoneyRules at 12:56PM on Aug 16th 2007