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.
Hot Topics
2008 Contenders
Hot Issues
Resources
Dispatch From Texas
Most Recent Comments
Politics Video
Will.I.Am on Obama's Internet Empire
Will.I.Am ponders on how Obama and the internet have changed politics forever. (Oct. 3)Mo Rocca 180: Dolly vs. Abe
Dolly Parton or Abe Lincoln? You must choose!Reid: Presidential Politics Harming Bailout Plan
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Friday that the time has come for presidential politics to leave the negotiating table as lawmakers work to reach an agreement on a financial bailout plan. (Sept. 26)Dems Blame McCain for Bailout Deal Breakdown
Sen. John McCain's self-portrait as a bold leader willing to set politics aside to save an endangered financial bailout plan took a pounding Thursday from top Democrats and even some fellow Republicans. (Sept. 25)Street Team '08: Pigskin Politics
A football game is the last place you'd expect to find political proselytizing, but this year Democrats are ready to make a hail mary pass in Idaho. Produced by Brian Rich of Idaho for MTV's Choose or Lose Streat Team '08 at chooseorlose.com. (Sept. 25)
President 2008 |
Democrats |
Republicans |
President Bush |
Iraq War |
News Bloggers |
Reader Comments ( Page 4 of 4)
46. The people wanted Gore and he didn't get elected ! The people want Ron Paul and he won't even get nominated ! Wake up GOP before it too late !!
John Lewis at 8:05PM on Aug 19th 2007
47. I don't vote Republican.
I'm a Democrat But I would vote for RON PAUL
"Vote the man not the party"
Randy Perry at 6:18PM on Aug 20th 2007
48. Thank's all of you guy's. It's really good to see Americans standing up and sayingg enough is enough!My sprit is lifted! God bless America, save the Republic! Ron Paul 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
harry at 9:26PM on Aug 20th 2007
49. i like this ron paul sounds like he's got a pair
chops martin at 6:14AM on Aug 21st 2007
50. Obviously All of the stooges running for the job are being promoted by special interest groups, and Ron Paul is being played down, How to get this honest man in front of the American electorate?? I have sent money for his campaign but feel frustrated that i can not do more.
Adrian at 6:21AM on Aug 21st 2007
51. GOOGLE THIS..RON PAUL OWNS THE FEDERAL RESERVE AND
GOP DEBATES RON PAUL
ANIM8CLOTHING at 10:05AM on Aug 21st 2007
52. It felt so great to go on the aol home page tonight & view Ron Paul as one of the main news items for the day! So great is the feeling that I've switched my home page to aol from msn because they ignore him. When I read all the commentaries from such intelligent people I am filled with hope! www.ronpaul2008.com My entire family has registered to vote because of Dr. Paul. I have donated $ to a presidential candidate for the first time in my life. Every day is much better because a strong, educated, American has decided to speak out LOUD for our constitutional rights! We are living in a facist state & the horizon shows 1 person who can change all that. Freedom is ours for the taking if we can all just listen to this man's extaordinary message. Keep spreading the word.
Leslie at 9:51PM on Aug 21st 2007
53. Ron Paul is our ONLY hope. The Federal Reserve is not gov't. owned or we would not be spending our tax dollars towards the daily overload of interest. If it was, why would we be charging ourselves interest? So much truth is revealing itself daily that this is a ride of a lifetime! The IRS can easily be replaced w/one federal tax. The IRS employees could be pensioned for life on the $ the U.S. Treasury would save. {Just FYI.} Also, please tell me where in the constitution it says we are to be taxed on our labor? NOWHERE! Tommy Crier, an attorney from Shreveport, LA just won an historical case in the Supreme Court on July 13, 2007! He does not pay income taxes & because he won this case he never will. Many IRS agent have quit because they are unable to answer 1 question. SHOW ME WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT STATES I HAVE TO PAY INCOME TAX ON MY LABOR? It not there folks, it's just not there. Let's get ourselves educated NOW, BEFORE it's too late & make history. Our children & the rest of the world deserve our votes for Dr. Ron Paul in 2008 & yes again in 2012-{that was a great comment!!!}
Jim at 9:51PM on Aug 21st 2007
54. Politics today has become no more thoughtful that Sunday Night football.
Pick a team, Reps or Dems, then put on your cap and tee-shirt and cheer for your party's favorite candidate. Chuckle to your friends about how your team rocks, and their team sucks, chortling about the most recent political snafu or goof-up the other team's guy (or girl) made.
Doesn't matter what they say, doesn't matter what they do. All that matters is that they're *better* than the other team, or at a minimum, the lesser of evils.
I have had conversations (if you could call it that) with some of these faithfuls. They say things like "Ron Paul? Not a chance in Hell, and he's crazy!"
When I ask him to elaborate why my candidate of choice is crazy, and he responds with canned phrases that I calmly counter with logic, he then says things like, "I don't have time for this". Thinking, I guess, is what he doesn't have time for. And he has become incapable of believing anything he hasn't heard in a sound bite on Fox News.
For those who are in this realm of anti-thought, I feel there's no hope. For everyone else who still retains a healthy level of control over their thoughts, I'd ask you to check out Ron Paul.
Reynolds
Reynolds Kosloskey at 4:30PM on Aug 22nd 2007
55. Who's Ron Paul???? At least I've heard of Mitt Romney, and it isn't only because I'm LDS either...
Jen at 10:59PM on Aug 22nd 2007
56. Ron Paul is our Hope For AMERICA!!!! Vote to bring our loved ones home and protect us here in our own country NOT to take our father's, brother's, sister's, mother's and lovers away from us!
Mel at 12:28AM on Sep 6th 2007