I'm done with any talk about how Ron Paul is a legitimate candidate. He is a Class A certifiable kook -- or the worst kind of sleazy opportunist. According to a thoroughly researched article in The New Republic, he printed some of the worst racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic rants I've seen in my lifetime in his newsletters.
Whether he personally wrote these or profited from them for decades is irrelevant. One or two times might have been a mistake that he didn't pick up on. But this amount of overwhelming material over a stretch of decades is inexcusable.
We give you some of the worst quotes in the video below:
The article itself has many more quotes and personal attacks against specific African-American politicians. And his spokesman's explanation is borderline pathetic. Jesse Benton says the material in the newsletters had "various levels of approval." When confronted with the viciously racist quotes, Benton said, "A lot of [the newsletters] he did not see. Most of the incendiary stuff, no."
Most? So, which part of the incendiary stuff did he see, which did he write? They can't even bring themselves to disown the whole thing. So, was it the part where Ron Paul called New York "Zooville" and "Rapetown" in reference to minorities who lived there or was it was it when he said gay people got AIDS on purpose because they liked the attention and wanted to poison the blood supply of straight people?
Watch More Young Turks Here
Mo Rocca has appeared on a bunch of shows, including 'The Daily Show,' 'I Love the 80s,'...
Mo's Blog Roll
Resources
Ron Paul's Vicious Racism
Posted Jan 9th 2008 1:23PM by Cenk Uygur
Filed under: Young Turks, Video, Race Relations, Ron Paul
Mo's Video
The Sound of a Smoke-Free Barack...Almost two years ago we speculated on how Barack Obama's voice would change if he stopped smoking. ...
Most Popular Stories
- Don't Like Goodbyes...
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Is it Time to get some Cheerleaders?
- How NOT to give an Oscar Acceptance Speech
- Could Jim Belushi Win the Nobel Peace Prize?
- Spring Break Sexy T-Shirt Removal Training!
- Quest for the Crown 5: Plastic Wrap to Make you Less Fat!
- Quest for the Crown 4: Work Those Heels!
Most Commented On
-
Coming Soon
Recent Comments
- Roert Dean on General Clark is Absolutely Right!
- Ryan Anderson on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- SC on Are Father-Daughter Purity Balls Really Christian?
- Richelle on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- MI on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- MI on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
- Richelle on Obama and the Reagan Doctrine
Mo's Bio
Mo Rocca appears on a bunch of shows, including CBS News Sunday Morning (with the indescribably wonderful Charles Osgood), The Tonight Show on NBC, and NPR's Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! He's a sometime judge on Iron Chef and was featured on Telemundo's Amore Descarado. Last year he starred on Broadway in the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. His expose "All the President's Pets" was published by Crown in 2004.
Top News Headlines
Political Machine Blog
- U.S. Envoy Cautions Against More Troops in Afghanistan
- Campuses Buckle Down for Long Flu Season
- Dodd Losing Ground in His Race for Re-Election
- Washington in 60 Seconds: Jenny Sanford Back Woman for S.C. Guv; Lou Dobbs Unloads Online
- Public Split on Sending More Troops to Afghanistan
- Michelle Obama 'in Awe' of Military Families
- Texas Governor Says Obama Is 'Hell-Bent' on Socialism
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 4)
31. #26 Lamblion58 says: "Remember what happened to John Kerry and Dan Rather. When will people learn?"
I don't know how Kerry and Rather play into this, but one fabricated his war "hero" status, and the other just plain fabricated. Both paid the price for their lies.
Paul simply cannot distance himself from this newsletter. These weren't one-time comments written in an obscure footnote, they were blatant remarks over a period of many years. Even if Paul didn't directly write them, you'd think that at one point one of his people would've said; "Hey boss, look this stuff over and see if you agree with it." He had plenty of time to write retractions if he disagreed, or simply tell the news letter to stop using his name if he believed they were such a liability to his "good" name and reputation. It's not like there were thousands of Ron Paul newsletters out there twenty years ago for him to keep track of. Ignorance is not a viable defense in this case.
lizard at 4:44PM on Jan 9th 2008
32. The little boy who wrote the smear doesn't even believe it. That tells you something.
Knight_of_BAAWA at 4:53PM on Jan 9th 2008
33. Do your homework before spreading lies you two-bit shit-fuck.
Cory Michael McKenna at 5:12PM on Jan 9th 2008
34. What is this TURK JERK talking about? Of all the smutty REAL dirt there is on all the front runners in both parties, this is the worst they could come up with; and it is a disgusting lie! Ron Paul can barely bring himself to talk bad about any of his rivals, much less about a whole group of people. Did the "Turk Jerk" see the good doctor on with Bill Moyers, and how he feels about racism? I wont even ask that loser at "The New Republic," who was obviously hell bent on doing a fake hit piece. Bottom line, Ron Paul is a gentleman and a saint. "Turk Jerk," you are an absolute (biblical) donkey.
Dee at 6:30PM on Jan 9th 2008
35. Now you've done it Cenk.
Not long ago you posted a blog which was highly critical of Islam and I thought, "Does Cenk remember Salman Rushdie? Does Cenk remember that scandanavian cartoonist?"
I thought you were flirting with danger then. Now you've gone and riled up the Ron Paul supporters!
Captain Negative at 6:39PM on Jan 9th 2008
36. Trey @ #31,
Superior post!
Captain Negative at 6:38PM on Jan 9th 2008
37. Old news and discredited a long time ago. Ron Paul has been consistent and honest and if you had the intellect to understand what he is talking about, you wouldn't have written this ridiculous pseudo-story. Ron Paul has nothing to gain by the presidency. He can comfortably retire right now. He has no obscure, personal Middle Eastern alliances. So ask yourself why he is doing this. The man cares about this country and the TRUTH. But, please, continue to live in your little cage within your self-created dictatorship.
emma at 7:24PM on Jan 9th 2008
38. Ron Paul, kinda responded to the allegations here.
http://reason.com/blog/show/124281.html
Jeff at 7:32PM on Jan 9th 2008
39. Top 10 Possible Campaign Slogans for Ron Paul:
1. Ron Paul - That's right. You heard me. I said "Ron Paul".
2. Ron Paul - He's not nearly as far behind as you think!
3. Ron Paul - Crazy like a fox. But not crazy for Fox News.
4. Ron Paul - Capturing America with 8% of the vote.
5. Ron Paul - Hey look, he's relatively normal when compared with Dennis Kucinich.
6. Ron Paul - So what if he's screwing up the debates? The man is a genius and you know it.
7. Ron Paul - He'll balance out any Jesse Ventura Independent ticket in a big way. One big, strong, dumb guy. One old, skinny, crazy guy. Just like peanut butter and jelly. Brilliant!!
8. Ron Paul - 6th place! And there's more where that came from! Michigan, here we come! Woo Hoo!
9. Ron Paul - We know he's a little wacky, but he's the best we could do on short notice.
10. Ron Paul - A freakin' walking Constitutional encyclopedia. We're serious here.
Dave at 9:24PM on Jan 9th 2008
40. The author is a silly Sacramento bee.
Dr Ward Ciac II at 11:34PM on Jan 9th 2008
41. Wow, you people let emotion rule your minds.
Expectation rules outcome. How come no one is asking "Que Bono" of this circumstantial evidence.
I would suggest that you people do some evaluation on the essays of Ron Paul that are verified of his own hand. Another is listen to a few of his speeches on the floor of congress.
To use only a few statements that may, or may not be, of his own volition as your entire basis of character judgment is foolery. I still have yet to see the full context of these statements.
Those who let others opinions make judgments for them are easily led.
The greater amount of character data for Ron Paul runs contrary to the alleged statements. I find it suspect that the Implied meaning of the phrases is congruent with his character.
Your future is at stake, as well as your neighbor, critical thinking is imperative.
Do Not suffer from "Brown Dog Syndrome".
If you exclude data you can arrive at any conclusion.
If you allow yourself to see only Brown Dogs, you will conclude that All Dogs Are Brown. It is your perception of reality; however, it is not true reality. In judgment cases, All Dogs Must Be Considered to reach valid conclusion.
Emotion is for guidance; rational and reason are for decision making.
Views Untested Are Worthless.
Ron Paul is a noble man, in my conclusion, based upon a greater data set.
I Vote For Virtue; I Vote For Ron Paul.
Brad at 6:02PM on Jan 10th 2008
42. Wow, you people let emotion rule your minds.
Expectation rules outcome. How come no one is asking "Que Bono" of this circumstantial evidence.
I would suggest that you people do some evaluation on the essays of Ron Paul that are verified of his own hand. Another is listen to a few of his speeches on the floor of congress.
To use only a few statements that may, or may not be, of his own volition as your entire basis of character judgment is foolery. I still have yet to see the full context of these statements.
Those who let others opinions make judgments for them are easily led.
The greater amount of character data for Ron Paul runs contrary to the alleged statements. I find it suspect that the Implied meaning of the phrases is congruent with his character.
Your future is at stake, as well as your neighbor, critical thinking is imperative.
Do Not suffer from "Brown Dog Syndrome".
If you exclude data you can arrive at any conclusion.
If you allow yourself to see only Brown Dogs, you will conclude that All Dogs Are Brown. It is your perception of reality; however, it is not true reality. In judgment cases, All Dogs Must Be Considered to reach valid conclusion.
Emotion is for guidance; rational and reason are for decision making.
Views Untested Are Worthless.
Ron Paul is a noble man, in my conclusion, based upon a greater data set.
I Vote For Virtue; I Vote For Ron Paul.
Brad at 6:02PM on Jan 10th 2008
43. stupid fucks whoever wrote this dumbass article.
Hannah at 11:51PM on Jan 10th 2008
44. He was in an area we had a permit for, he was dogged by white Supremicists, he is a Misogynist and a religious zealot. 7 1/2 years of that crap was enough. I saw it, I experienced this subhuman, and Cenk run for cover when they start with the 'DR.Paul' stuuf 'cos then they are out in packs and they are like coyotes on meth.
rhodalee at 12:46AM on Jan 11th 2008
45. chris, one more time....
These blogs are not about "journalism." These blogs are about "current events." The bloggers job is to present materials which they think will be of interest and generate discussion.
A blogger has no duty to be, "fair and balanced."
Ironically, those who complain about biased blogs seem to be the same people who FAIL TO COMPLAIN about the media outlet (Fux Noise) which PRETENDS to be, "fair and balanced."
Chris..."I will now go about ending my relationship with aol."
We're all going to miss you. (yawn)
Captain Negative at 4:27PM on Jan 11th 2008