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McCain Should Worry About Ron Paul
By Tommy ChristopherApr 28th 2008 8:27AM
Filed Under:eRepublicans, John McCain, Featured Stories, Ron Paul, 2008 President
Tuesday. From a campaign press release:Presidential candidate Ron Paul received at least 128,111 votes, or 16 percent, in the closed Republican Pennsylvania primary yesterday. Dr. Paul made four stops in the Keystone State during the month of April and spoke to overflow crowds of young people and other passionate supporters.16% is nothing to sneeze at, even if you take into account much lower turnout due to the fact that the Republicans already have a nominee. The mainstream press has pretty much ignored the result, as usual, but to paraphrase George Clinton, they have no concept of the truly awesome power of a fully operational Ron Paul Revolution. After the jump, what could happen, and I'll tell you where to find the story of the Ron Paul interview that never was.
"Americans are hungry for leadership that will protect the traditions that made our country so great," said campaign spokesman Jesse Benton. "Dr. Paul's grassroots supporters in Pennsylvania and across the country are doing a tremendous job spreading our message, winning votes and laying a strong foundation for the future."
The worst-case scenario for McCain is that Ron Paul makes an even bigger splash in North Carolina and Indiana, a very real possibility. Paul's internet guerillas specialize in exploiting statistical weaknesses like a low-turnout primary. If Paul were to crack 20% in either of those states, a narrative will begin to build. The press, not known for originality, will likely recycle the "buyer's remorse" storyline that they used on Obama.
What does Paul have to gain from all of this? Maybe not much, beyond a moral victory. Any other candidate could take solace in having his issues advanced and his policy positions influence his party, but that's not going to happen in the Republican Party. Even if Paul miraculously won every remaining state, the "word" is already out on him, and it will seem like nothing more than a bullet dodged.
McCain, however, stands to be hurt significantly by this. With the Democrats engaged in Ultimate Mortal Fighting Kombat, McCain has enjoyed a free ride from the press thus far. Ron Paul getting 20% would put an end to all that, and there's little to prevent it. Even if he was inclined, McCain would be hard-pressed to energize his supporters enough to go out and vote in meaningless contests.
Another problem for McCain is where all those Ron Paul voters will go in November. Most oppose the Iraq War, and are politically engaged enough to know what a McCain presidency would really mean for America. If they vote at all, it will be for the Democrat, or a write-in for Paul.
That leaves McCain at the mercy of the will of the Ron Paul Revolutionaries. They've come to the edge of this ridge before, but have failed to charge down it. Can they get Ron Paul over the 20% mark? Time will tell, but I wouldn't bet the farm against them.
Digg it before you click through, if you don't mind.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 6)DRogers9:50AMApr 28th 2008
McCain would be wise to have a few meetings with Ron Paul and really listen to what Dr. Paul has to say. He would be very wise to acknowledge that Dr. Paul has some good ideas.
McCain can't afford to have the Paul supporters stay home on election day. There are more than anyone realizes.
Chessienut10:43AMApr 28th 2008
Theres one thing you can be certain of and thats the VAST majority of Paul supporters are going to vote for him in the general election whether his name is on the ballot or not. I'm not talking about 75% Look more in the area of 98%. If anyone still has faith in our system after what the GOP stalwarts tried pulling off this last weekend in Nevada they should move to China.
Gin10:43AMApr 28th 2008
Revolution March on DC: July 12th, 2008
Confirmed Keynote Speaker: DR. RON PAUL!
Freedom Rally / Ron Paul March / REVOLUTION
Be there March with Honor and Dignity Convoy With Honor Remember To Smile And Party With All And Let's Have A Blast With LOVE and KINDNESS WASHINGTON D.C. HERE WE COME TO WAKE YOU UP!!!
revolutionmarch dot com or ronpaulforums dot com
NC4OBAMA10:48AMApr 28th 2008
Bill and Hillary Clinton's not-so-secret argument that Barack Obama cannot win in November -- swallowed as a legitimate question by too many TV bloviators -- is based on a false assumption: that how Obama performs in primaries against Clinton in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania is a measure of how he would do against McCain in the general election.
It's a clever manipulation of some polling data, but it's bad social science and faulty reasoning.
no2party10:57AMApr 28th 2008
Paul's campaign isn't interested in him doing well in NC - there are only two campaign stops by Paul in NC before the May 6th primary (both on the same day and within a few miles of each other) and NO ads running in NC. His campaign has failed to capitalize on the results in PA and has no intention of winning more votes for him. The results in PA were purely from his supporters - and THAT is what McCain should be worried about. Paul's campaign has been holding his supporters back (rather than organizing them) since NH and if a Libertarian or third party candidate comes along with a strong campaign staff then McCain will be in serious trouble.
jamie massey10:57AMApr 28th 2008
The fact that Ron Paul opposed legislation against dogfighting and cockfighting shows he puts ideas above realities and, were he elected, he'd ignore the real needs of people too. I can see why the corporations would love Ron Paul, but I don't know why real people would.
Mary Parker11:07AMApr 28th 2008
okay, it is a given that I am an idiot, so with that in mind would someone please tell me what this means??
"Digg it before you click through, if you don't mind."
I would be happy to digg it if I knew what it was... is this about the digg website?? thank you!
JOHN11:17AMApr 28th 2008
Trinity United Church of Christ
Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It's the 'Trinity United Church of Christ'.
It is very alarming. Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their Web site, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa. No where is America even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama's church? Does this surprise anyone?
Doesn't look like his choice of religion has improved much over his Muslim upbringing. This guy wants to rule America while his loyalty is totally vested in a black Africa !
I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers. This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all our family and friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency is really scary.
Jon Smallberries11:18AMApr 28th 2008
To the comment about voting against dogfighting legislastion, you obviously haven't keyed into the fact that politics in D.C. currently is all about do-nothing, say-nothing, promise-everything platitudes.
Ron Paul is making a POINT. Stand for something, or fall for anything. He is standing for individual freedoms AND A SMALLER FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. The States can take care of dogfighting laws. That is not the federal government's job. Everyone in this country is so brainwashed over what is though, it's amazing...
Pauline11:19AMApr 28th 2008
I like Ron Paul's stand on behalf of the American people vs the illegals' He is in fact, the only candidate that doesn't think that the American people should financially support via our taxes, 12-14 million illegals and their extended families. Paul knows that NAFTA and associated unconstitutional agenda is the catalyst in the invasion and degradation of the American people. And as such it will ultimately destroy us if it is left un-checked.
However, Ron Paul does not have the charisma of the elitist and racist Obama, the money of the what- ever- happened to Vince Foster Clinton, or has a brown mouth from kissing the butt of Mexico and the other NAFTA and unfair trade corporate bullies, Mc Cain. Please board people; even if we don’t have Ron Paul to fight for us, we can all do something… check out how your candidates are voting on amnesty related issues ad vote them out of office in November…check out www.numbersusa.com. , ALIPAC (the ALIPAC that supports Americans and not the illegals advocates that demand that you shell out your money and jobs for illegals). www.FAIR.org and
www.Judicialwatch.org . are also great sources of legitimate information
The question does Mc Cain have to worry about Ron Paul? Unfortunately none of the corrupt and immoral presidential candidates has to worry about Ron Paul! Vote amnesty candidates out of office and support all politicians that support the American people! All Americans ( that come from proud legal immigrant stock) must gather our strength and wisdom and “save” our precious America- fight back while we still can!
Tommy Christopher11:32AMApr 28th 2008
Mary,
I posted the Digg! link to the story, so you'd click my link, then the Digg link, to see the whole story. Since I'm not publishing it here, it's a good way to promote the story.
wizzbang10511:32AMApr 28th 2008
Ron Paul lost...why can't He and his supporters accept defeat and move on?
Johnoneone199911:43AMApr 28th 2008
Hey JOHN,
"BOO!"
(Sorry, John, I'm just a SHADOW who could not resist
"SCARING YOU"!)
Mary Parker11:43AMApr 28th 2008
ahhhh! hehe thank you for explaining it! sorry about that!
Mary Parker11:45AMApr 28th 2008
wizzbang105
Oh come on! Where's your spirit?? Look at this election! Look at voter registrations! People are really getting involved! It is craziness! In a good way!
I say anything goes in this election! I am in no hurry to push anyone out, let's just sit back and enjoy the show!
Chessienut12:00PMApr 28th 2008
Exactly what was it that Ron Paul lost? A clearly manipulated event that passes as our electoral system?
If the media were truly impartial we wouldn't even be having this conversation. McCain is clearly losing his grip on the situation more each day. Over one hundred thousand Republicans in Pennsylvania changed their registrations and jumped ship from the Republicans to vote for Obama in the primary. Is it me or do you call that leadership?
audrey12:01PMApr 28th 2008
Pie in the sky thinking. Ron Paul will have as much impact on McCain as a fart in a hurricane.Libs are really grasping for straws as they see thier chosen candidates becoming more and more fatally flawed.
tzada12:07PMApr 28th 2008
To Ike8:54AMApr 28th 2008
Yes, they do and it is a scary thought.
Chicago entrepreneur Robert Blackwell Jr. paid Obama an $8,000-a-month retainer to give legal advice to his growing technology firm, Electronic Knowledge Interchange. It allowed Obama to supplement his $58,000 part-time state Senate salary for over a year with regular payments from Blackwell’s firm that eventually totaled $112,000.
A few months after receiving his final payment from EKI, Obama sent a request on state Senate letterhead urging Illinois officials to provide a $50,000 tourism promotion grant to another Blackwell company, Killerspin.
I mentioned the above mainly for the Electronic Knowledge Interchange bit. Don't know what they do but we should track down who made and tends those voting machines.
TWX8212:26PMApr 28th 2008
Of course there's a write in option. And as far as Diebold machines go it's simple, don't use them. Ask for a hand ballot instead.
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Ike8:54AMApr 28th 2008
Anyone know if there's a write-in option for Ron Paul on the November ballot? Another question--how is a write-in vote processed on a Diebold electronic machine? Don't forget that Diebold still makes those easily-hacked machines!