Ron Paul loses the battle for the mic

By most accounts, it wasn't much of a debate in Florida last night among the surviving Republican presidential candidates. Everyone played nicely, for the most part, and stuck to their campaign scripts. And though the campaigns struggled to prove to the political world that Candidate X had shined in the debate, in the end it was one of those set-tos that everybody has probably forgotten by now. No blood drawn, no ground broken.

But the folks at MSNBC.com did something fun that's worth digesting. They kept a clock going of how long and how often each candidate spoke. Mitt Romney topped out at 13 comments totaling 21 minutes and 11 seconds, making him much more long-winded than current front-runner John McCain, who got his 13 comments in in 16 minutes.

Who came in dead-last on the chat clock? Ron Paul -- six comments lasting 6 minutes and 31 seconds. While brevity is to be admired in politics -- we tend to admire things that are rare -- the Paulistas aren't likely to be pleased that Paul got less than half the opportunities to talk as Romney and McCain. A complete transcript is available here.

-- Scott Martelle

Comments

[Colin-Stuttgart]

But Ron Paul talked the most sense especially about Iraq. I really admired him for his courage.

[DefendTheConstitution]

What the hell? Ron Paul spoke as much as he was given the opportunity to speak and he stayed within the imposed time limits. If anybody had something meaningful to say on that stage it was Ron Paul and he succinctly stated his positions within the time alloted to him. Yet somehow you guys manage to criticize Ron Paul for receiving far less time to speak than the other clowns?

The media is a joke. That's why so many of us aren't buying your newspapers, magazines or watching the boob tube any more. I'm sure you'll respond with some snide little comment because you can't help yourselves but one day you're going to have to face the fact that the media doesn't enjoy the mindshare it once did and is losing it's ability to distort reality.

[AAAAANDRE]

Another confirmation of the "Silencing" of Ron Paul.
I haven't seen one report that has more than two lines
about Ron Paul at the debate.
Isn't a debate about discussing different ideas?
This was just a meeting of the mutual admiration society.

[Dennis]

For the sake of fairness, not only should all RP followers be angry but all Americans. How can you make a fair assessment of the candidates when there are inequalities in the process?

[JImS]

Like in the polls and in life about 5-7% of the US is into the details and subject matter that matters most in international relations. Unfortunately the "Haircut" and "smile" lack of substance, and general "believe whatever you tell them" crowd about 95%, don’t care. We live in a time that the general global and political knowledge of the masses amounts to barely above that of Bevis and Butthead. Just watch Jay Leno when he does his Jay Walking bit and asks questions that a 5 year old should know and adults here don’t have a clue.

A perfect example of this is the Patriot act - what a great name - who would ever not want to be a patriot...Lets support that.,,, If only folks would read the darn thing then read the bill of rights - They are inverse functions of one another.

The good news is and I truly believe this - Ron Paul has inspired a new bread of folks to get involved in politics and 15 to 20 years from now they will be coming into power :)

[Michael]

The real question is if the L.A. Times will give him a fair shake at the Jan. 30th debate...

[Dr Ward Ciac II]

Senator McCain was stupefied when Dr Paul asked him an economic question about the President's Working Group on Financial Markets. Senator McCain had no idea what it is or what it does. The Group tries to protect the stock market from catastrophic failure (if link wraps around remove any white spaces):
http://thirdpartywatch.com/2008/01/25/ron-paul-pings-john-mccain-in-last-nights-debate/

[Karl]

They never are "debates". The whole process is a testament to how dumb the American public is. Simply ignoring the only man on the stage with the record and knowledge of how to help this nation points simply to fascist owned media.
Most of the bozos on the stage did not answer the questions asked except for Ron Paul.
I'm not surprised to see how dumbed down nation continues to vote for failed Bush like clones like McCain, Romney, Huckabee & Rudy.
More Ron Paul news here:
http://www.ronpaulforpresident2008.com/

[Paul]

Ron Paul being treated horribly unfairly by the MSM in their debates and elsewhere, is certainly nothing new. Yet, in spite of their actions, Ron Paul keeps rising to the top as the other contenders drop out.

6 down, 4 more to go...

[Melissa]

While I find it disheartening, I'm not surprised. Supporters of Ron Paul have come to expect this and, guess what? The revolution is growing in spite of it.

Ron Paul for President!!

[Mike Knapp]

Now what would make the LA Times think that Ron Paul supporters would be upset about this? I jest, of course. As a fervent Ron Paul supporter, it took everything I could muster to not scream at the top of my lungs as Romney continued to run his mouth yet say nothing.

But again, many thanks to the LA Times for bringing attention to this latest addition to the mounting pile of mainstream media snubs directed at Dr. Paul.

VOTE FOR RON PAUL 2008!!!

[Jimmy]

OK, so I know journalism as I learned it in j-school is on life support if not dead and buried by now, but am I the only one who's outraged that these networks don't even try to be equitable in terms of how many opportunities they give each candidate to speak in these so-called debates? When I wrote stories on local political races back in the 1990s, my editor used to literally count the lines I gave to each candidate in a story. While that may be a bit extreme, I really think we need to demand the networks at least try to hide their obvious bias. I mean, this is supposed to be a democracy, right? Don't let the bastards win! Vote for Ron Paul and the return of our freedom in 2008!

[Josef]

That's OK, when the elections are over the first thing I am going to do is cancel my Time Warner Cable. That way I will not have to spend any more time in front of the glowing box.

[Adam T. Feldon]

I didn't keep an accurate count on each candidate to know that Dr. Paul came in dead-last, in regards to speaking time. Although he had much less time than the other candidates I thought he used it well. One good example of this is when he asked Senator McCain about "working groups". After just telling us he had this wonderful record of being well-versed in economical handling he completely fumbles around the answer. When it became apparent to Congressman Paul that the Senator had no clear answer he made an effort to point it out but McCain knew this and tried to throw us off by rambling on about how he had other people to deal with this.... he never answered the question.

[jim Hines]

I only needed a brief moment of Paul's comments to seal my voter FOR him.

The war in Iraq was and is a mistake.

Go Ron Paul

[Concerned Citizen]

IT'S ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION, STUPID!!! It's about protecting our National Sovereignity. It's about our dollar and how it is being destroyed because none of the other candidates have a clue on Fiscal Policy nor Monetary Policy. People, it's time to do your homework and you will not get it from Big Media. Let us fight for our rights as Americans...let us fight for our troops to come home...let us fight to stop the wasteful spending on these foreign wars that are breaking our economy and our nation as a whole, and let us fight for "We the People...". It is not about the Democrats or these "NeoCon Artists" Republicans...it's about our Republic, our Nation...it's about who will be for you and me. President Ron Paul. Now get out there and VOTE for your individual LIBERTY...VOTE RON PAUL!!!

[Tess, California]

Ron Paul may have lost the battle of the mic, but he surely made McCain look like a deer staring into a set of headlights when he asked McCain a question about the economy and the Presidential Financial group (the Plunge team). I just about fell out of my chair laughing when I heard John McCain's NON BOGUS ANSWER. McCain kept mumbling people that are his friends, and blah...blah...blah, but never answered the question. It was more than obvious that McCain has no clue about our economy, or what to do. Ron Paul is a very intelligent man, and he knows what it will take to put our economy on the right track. Maybe McCain needs someone that works on Romney's team to whisper the answers to him. Did anyone else hear that last night on the debate? Romney was asked about taxes and Reagan, and before Romney could answer, you could hear someone whispering the answer to Mitt, what was up with that? I am voting for the only sane, bring our troops home, save our country from collapse candidate, and that would be Ron Paul.
http://ronpaul2008.com

[Joe from Austin]

Well us Ron Paul Republicans are not suprised by this. This has been the MO by all the networks in all the GOP debates. I could go through the many reasons why this is but by now I think we all know. 10 years from now people will look back and say that this was the period in time in which the MSM finally blew what little credibility it had left.

All of this has been documented thanks to websites like youtube. No more will people be misled and propagandized to by the MSM. The truth is now out there and readily available. It only takes a person with an open mind and the drive to seek the truth were ever it might lead.

Though we may lose this battle we can hold our heads high because we are just starting to fight! God bless Ron Paul and all of his supporters and God bless America!

[andre]

I agree with many others'.- It is the american people who are being censored of this extraordinary farse as I witness from the U.K. The main stream media (Whatever that means, 'cos it won't be for much longer), are denying the opportunity to voters and observers the unbiased information neccesary to form their own opinion. This works both ways with the likelyhood of sponsor loss and dwindling reception to thier MSM propaganda.
One can make up the temporary loss by going to youtube + 'Ron Paul economy'.

[Keem O'Saby]

So....where's the news here?. Dog bites man..The sun rises...and Ron Paul get censored again. The real story is the obviously confused John McCain fumbling over the one Question that Ron Paul asked...and was cut off on the follow up when he would have proved McCain's complete lack of knowledge in the economic sphere, while others were left to ask follow ups and chatted awhile.la-de-da Oh, and did anyone note the obvious hand-off McCain's question was to Hucklebee..lol. A hand-off to his new VP running mate!!. and of course the MM didn't pick it up great newsmen that they are....Gee...I scooped you news guys again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 lol..Oh and what really happened down there in ole Louisiana? No story there either, huh boys? oh and girls too...Y'all want get promoted dontcha? Be good kids..! Daddy's watchin'!

[Nathan Carter]

This is ridiculous.. As has been reiterated Ron Paul was NOT given the opportunity to speak.. Appearantly we have time to listen to all the fascists and socialists on stage pal around and joke with each other, but when someone wants to talk about the Federal Reserve and the Working Group, we move on as if nothing has happened.. And appearantly John McCain doesn't even know who leads the Working Group.. Whatever.. Except for supporting Paul, I'm done with politics after this.. That includes, paying attention, voting, etc. There's no point when the media (this forum included) just plays part and parcel as a silencer of people who don't want to take over the world.. That IS what's happening here: World Domination..

From the looks of the la times's current leaning, I'll probably not be included

[TimM]

DefendTheConstitution said:
"Yet somehow you guys manage to criticize Ron Paul for receiving far less time to speak than the other clowns?"

I actually read this article as Pro Paul and anti-media bias, but we each see it our own way.
Tim M - Missouri

[Chris from Charlotte]

Surprising? not really.

[Jake]

Perhaps it's plausible that since the man who owns a large share of MSNBC has consistently been a "Friend of John McCain" (has donated to his various campaigns), that he may have a say into how much time candidates get to talk in an MSNBC debate?

The big government Republican establishment (Neorepublicans) fear Ron Paul because (1) his votes are consistent with his beliefs in small government (less power of influence available to be sold), (2) the public who take time to investigate his views tend to by and large agree with his views, and (3) with any type of media coverage Dr. Paul's voter base gets bigger - which would threaten the media's role in telling the public who they should vote for.

See for yourself: http://www.newsmeat.com/billionaire_political_donations/Bill_Gates.php

[Brandon]

Ron Paul used the most sense and appeared to know what he was talking about. This debate only further proved how incompetant Mc Cain is, did you listen to what he answered to Paul's question? Those people he named don't even serve on that committee and he's saying they are close contacts of his? Creepy. Just what America needs in this day and age, a president who blatantly lies.

[Anton Keaton]

He didn't interrupt and didn't speak over the allowed time. He was the most respectful person on stage and made the most sense. He was only asked half the questions that other candidates were.

He would love to talk more, but by McCain's expression on topics of fiscal policy, I don't think others are up to speed yet.

[LA Times Subscriber]

I want to see a news story in the LA times about the media shutdown of Ron Paul. Then I will truly believe that journalism as it was created, still exists and won't believe that the people that run FOX and MSNBC, don't also run the Los Angeles Times.

[tomdawg]

Our country is on the brink of financial disaster and bogged down in a useless war....and the best we can do is another warmonger like McCain, or a prissy northeastern puke like Romney who promises Michigan a 20 B. bailout, while we're broke? Get real.

[Marta]

You forgot to mention gooliani...he got twice as much time

[Cristina Ramon]

To Everyone who is reading this,

You know its a shame that nobody is listening and taking to heart what Ron Paul has to say, becuase all that he is saying is the truth. And if we keep ignoring it this country will burn down to the ground. His thoughts and beliefs about what needs to be changed are all true. The problem with America, is that we are very ignorant, we do not want to listen to the truth, because the majority of America is scared of the truth, but if we face the facts and realize what is happening to this great country, we will stand up and start wanting to change things.

When you listen to the debates, which candidate is speaking the facts and not politics? Which one is addressing the important things that need to be addressed? Ron Paul, not McCain and not Romney, not anyone, all they do is talk politics not what should be changed, why? Because they wouldn't know how to fix it first of all and second of all THEY REALLY DON'T CARE.

When Ron Paul speaks about the Constitution, don't you think he's speaking the truth? Why would our founding fathers make the Constitution if no one was going to follow through with it? If not one of our presidents that we have had in the past years haven't gone by the Constitution or respected it, don't you think we should just get rid of it? I mean our founding fathers made the Constitution for a reason. They didn't do it just because, they did it so we could have some sort of a guideline on how to properly run this country with the help of course the amendments and the Bill of Rights. And seriously if our founding fathers were to look down on us today, they would be very dissapointed and disgusted on how we are driving this country to hell, to tell you the truth. Which of course America will not listen to this because we are ALL stubborn, we are all ignorant, and selfish. Which sometimes I am too, but people WE NEED TO WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. This country will go to the pits if we do not pick the right PRESIDENT!!

Now I know everyone who is living here in the great United States of America wants the best for this country. So why aren't we taking the chance when we have someone running for Presidency who wants to change and make this country better than great. Come on people start thinking with your brains not with what the damn media wants you to think!

*This is just what I believe if you feel like you have to attack what I believe than yall can suck it! Thank you have a wonderful weekend!!

[John W]

I watched all of the post debate coverage, and guess how many times the MSNBC analysts mentioned Ron Paul's name? ZERO, until the very end when they mocked the fact that he won the text messaging poll.

Whether or not you support him, one has to wonder how MSNBC (or Fox) can possibly justify this type of treatment. All journalism has some bias, but the arrogance with which modern media operates is astonishing.

[Michael]

Did anyone else notice how Paul's mic was messed-up? They didn't even bother to fix it during the break. Also, Chris Mathews disrespectfully guffawed when Ron Paul came in second in the online poll which asked who won debate.

I think the time alloted to Paul versus Guiliani was an egregious act of contempt and bias against Paul. He has raised more money than any candidate he has come in second in two primaries he has more popular votes than Guiliani by far as well as has more delegates. However, Guiliani had twice as many opportunities to speak and spoke three times as long.

Half the questions put to Paul were phrased in a negative fashion, like the one that basically asked, "It's a forgone conclusion that you won't win the nomination, do you plan on running in a third party ticket thus killing any chance for Republicans to win?"

I do notice that the other remaining candidates have started to steal his ideas like abolishing the IRS and instituting a Sales Tax.

The news agencies have become propaganda machines. They play only what they want to play and they play it over and over again. That is the number one tool of propaganda--repeat the message over and over until it becomes true. They are trying to do this with Guiliani but he is failing them. They give him all this free face time but he just isn't living up to the hype. I found myself agreeing the other day with Bill Clinton when he chastised the local South Carolina news media for hounding with race questions immediately after a question and answer lecture he gave. He pointed out that no one in the audience asked him a single question about race but here the media was stirring things up. He pointed out that the media should be reporting news not creating it.

[David]

Yes, the media can be a joke. But, they are absolutely essential to running a campaign that is worth anything. I know the liberal media is a terrible thing in the Ron Paul camp because they are not "playing by the rules of equality:" I know Ron Paul supporters think that their candidate is the only one who can save our economy. The fact is, no candidate is without the rest of America choosing to buy products and services more quickly. There has to be an over whelmingly broad appeal to a vision and a plan. While there is still only a small minority voting for Ron Paul, there issues are not the same as those on the minds of most Americans.

Ron Paul wants to bring the troops home. Yes, this is a major issue, but it is losing importance in the American mind. Eliminate the IRS. I still believe the amount of tax protestors out there are still a minority. Eliminate the Federal Reserve. I still have yet to see a descent proposal from Ron Paul establishing gold and silver as our sovereign currency and exactly how that will play in our market based economy. There just seems to be so many unanswered answers from Ron Paul that it makes him appear as any of the other candidates.

[whenmy$=0]

This entire process is being observed and documented, and you know what? Alex Jones or Micheal Moore will not have to make the movie! The fact is the powers that be start at the end result and work backwards to implement their will. All of what we are witnessing is simply their "corrective" mechinations in action. MSM, GOP, or bilderburg; the purposeful deception and intentional blackout is demonstrating to the world at large why we need Ron Paul! You meant to flip the light switch off, but in fact provide the exact opposite; light tantamount onto the fact you are culpable and deserve to be brought up on treason charges.

I am not value equal to one little piggy "unit" and recognize for once that there IS a choice between drowning and burning.

[Brian]

I'm got sick to my stomach when I learned about American politics. After watching what they did to Ralph Nader in "Ralph Nader An Unreasonable Man" I thought what choice do we really have. It's not only just about Ron Paul, it's his whole campaign exposing something BIG! If some of you think that the media has nothing to do with it then why do the majority of the people I talk to on the street have no idea who is running for president other than Clinton, Obama, Giuliani, McCain, and Romney.... Some don't even know Romney let alone Paul. Huckabee got some attention, but most Americans don't even know who he is.. Sad.. Some people are to busy criticizing Ron Paul, or his supporters when they should be looking at the BIG picture. Who is actually running this country? Why does everyone I talk to say the don't vote because their vote doesn't matter? Something is definitely wrong and Ron Paul is exposing it. Take a look, do some research! Watch Aaron Russo's documentary "America: Freedom To Fascism" on Google, maybe you'll learn something. Learn about the War, watch "No End In Sight." Do something!

I'm voting for Ron Paul in 08

[Maria]

Why is the LIBERAL main stream media (example NY TIMES) supporting
John McCain? They don't care about him - it is so obvious that they want him primarily because they KNOW Hillary can beat him. Hillary is who they want.
They thought it was Huckaboo to run against their girl - but he is running out of money and things to say. Guiliani is in it at this point for pride sake. Romney needs cues and prompts for answers. McCain knows NOTHING about anything other than going to war and name dropping.
The only one last night who answered every question with AN ACTUAL answer was RON PAUL. We all are aware that he purposely was asked the least amount of questions and given the least amount of time (he said more though than all the rest even with such little time).
He is the only one qualified to turn this country around. The media and the upper crust of society are terrified to have him as President. They are afraid they will lose their control which they should have NEVER had.
But if Hillary is what this society wants - Hillary is what they will get and all that goes with her - God help the USA

[Geepa]

I don't know why Ron Paul even bothers being in these so-called debates. The commentators disrespect him. Their questions to him are off-the-wall or negative in nature. And the other candidates laugh at him. I love his ideas but, lets be truthful, sometimes, when he gets excited, he doesn't 'project well'.

If I were Ron Paul, I would have a press conference and tell the country I am not participating in any more 'debates'. Then go on to explain my positions on the issues. He would get much more media coverage that way as opposed to a measly 6 minutes in a 90 minute debate.

Or spend some money and have a show on another channel with responsible reporters at the same time of the debate. Now that would get viewers!

Ron Paul 2008!!

[I used to be one of the masses]

The powers 'that be'... why are we so scared to call these people by their real names? I'm not referring to neo-cons, either.

We've been indoctrinated by our parents, who were indoctrinated by fairy tales akin to such of seas parting so that a certain self-centered people could 'escape' from building pyramids as slaves.

Much the same way they narrowly escaped from WWII, and much the same we are now persecuting them for questioning their authority.

Enough. I used to watch TV... now I know who runs it and sold me their war.

Ron Paul is the only one with any substance.

God Bless America and may we wake up from their stronghold soon. Hope I don't get censored.

[Jeugenen]

RON PAUL LEADS IN THE AMERICAN CULTURAL WAR FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC REFORMATION
I. Some Reasonable Negative Changes
1. No to the Un-Constitutional Wars
2. No to the Imperialistic Foreign Entanglements
3. No to the Domestic and Foreign Lobbies
4. No to the McCain-Feingold Suppression of Free Speech
5. No to the Patriot Act Spying on Citizens
6. No to the Human Sacrifice by Abortion
7. No to the Illegal Immigrant Amnesty
8. No to the Suppression of Christian Culture
9. No to the Alien Birthright Citizenship
10. No to the Abolition of the Death Penalty
11. No to the Burdensome Taxes
12. No to the Burdensome Government Spending
13. No the Burdensome Government Regulations
14. No to the Stealing from Social Security
15. No to the Expensive Technical and College Educations
16. No to the Expensive Medical Care
17. No to the Expensive Medicaid
18. No to the Expensive Litigation
II. Some Reasonable Positive Changes
1. Yes to Solar Energy Dependence
2. Yes to Scientific Research and Development
3. Yes to Highly Selective Proactive Recruitment of Immigrants
4. Yes to Government Support for Religious Schools
5. Yes to Impenetrable Military Defenses
6. Yes to Environmental Restoration and Protection
7. Yes to Tax Exemptions for Motherhood Contributions
8. Yes to Proactive Foreign Diplomacy
9. Yes to Comprehensive Immigration Reforms
10. Yes to the Mexican Border Fence
11. Yes to Illegal Alien Deportation
12. Yes to Citizenship Revocation for Violation of the Oath of Allegiance
13. Yes to Loss of Assets for Lying Under Oath
14. Yes to Seasonal Agricultural Guest Work Contracts for Poor Nations
15. Yes to Normalization of Relations with Cuba
16. Yes to Bin Laden Dead or Alive

[MN independent]

I thought Dr. Paul made good use of his time, considering how little he was alloted. The thing that stood out in my mind about this debate is that Ron Paul got the most applause of any candidate from the audience...

I would like to see a real debate - with an unbiased moderator, and each candidate receiving an equal amount of time.

[Guesswhotoo6]

It is becoming quite apparent that the MSM is in a bit of a bind. All the media hype has been focused on what are obviously loosing GOP candidates. They are now looking so exposed that even the most braindead non patriot must notice that something is way wrong here. Could it be that the MSM are part of a larger objective to suppress our freedoms and continue to enslave us for the financial benefits of the Fed Reserve banksters? Ron Paul is waking up the nation in a fashion not see for many years. This is quite an amazing accomplishment and has a long way to go. Ron is teaching us how to take control of freedom and responsibilities within our republic. His message is simple and very motivating. When the facts are finally out regarding the media plans, they will be wearing their pants around their ankles. Vote Ron Paul 2008!

[lastnymleft]

And nor should the "Paulistas" be happy about the orchestrated campaign of censoring that Dr Paul is being subjected to.

Consider this page: http://www.journalism.org/node/9512
From that basic data, we see that for the week Jan 21 to Jan 27:

John McCain received EIGHTY FIVE TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul.
Rudy Giuliani received SIXTY NINE TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul.
Mitt Romney received FIFTY NINE TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul.
Mike Huckabee received THIRTY TWO TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul.
Fred Thompson received TWENTY FIVE TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul.

And this was in a week in which Dr Paul earned SECOND PLACE in Louisiana (which would have been FIRST had it not been for LA GOP shenanigans).

For the record, Barack Obama received TWO HUNDRED AND SEVEN TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul in that week.
Hillary Clinton was close behind, receiving TWO HUNDRED AND TWO TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul in that week.

And here's a good one: Bill Clinton, whom is not even running. Received NINETY ONE TIMES more media coverage than Dr Paul did in that week.

A great man is being deliberately excluded from public view. This country is being stolen before our very eyes.

Stand up, and support Dr Paul, in any way you can. Let's blow the lid off this censorship. Before it's too late, for the country, and We the People.

[Tommy]

If a politician can't count to 30 seconds for their response, how the hell can they begin to imagine how many lives we've lost in Iraq (4000+) ?

If a presidential candidate can not keep a simple rule such as following a proposed and set time limit, how can they be expected to uphold the rule of law?

"Those who can not be trusted with small tasks ought not be trusted with large ones" - Jesus

[Nancy]

The CNN Republican debate tonight was an absolute sham. A disgrace. It was not a debate. It was a soap box for McCain and Romney. This is totally un-American. Paul and Huckabee were shut out. I want to hear what Ron Paul has to say. He seems to be the only candidate fit to lead our country out of the mess we are in. The voters need to take back the elections and not let big media crown a king. Even if Ron Paul doesn't get nominated, I am going to write him in.

[Charles]

I cant believe CNN's debate last night. All they showed was those two idiots bickering at each other. I want a real presidential debate, not some elementary school yard fight.