Ron Paul scales back hopeless effort, refuses to back McCain

He's not really quitting. He's not really suspending his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. He's not promising victory, just to keep on keeping on. But, in effect, Rep. Ron Paul, at 72 the oldest candidate for president and the only GOP candidate to oppose the Iraq war, is facing reality.

In a statement to supporters on his website, first mentioned here early Saturday, Paul admits, "With Romney gone, the chances of a brokered convention are nearly zero. But that does not affect my determination to fight on, in every caucus and primary remaining and at the convention for our ideas, with just as many delegates as I can get." In a new 14-minute campaign video, Paul says he wants to clarify some confusion

His campaign currently claims a total of 42, 1,149 shy of the total to win and some 650 behind the GOP leader, though other estimates give him only 16. He took third in Washington over the weekend and fourth in Kansas behind even Mitt Romney, who'd dropped out. Even if he won every delegate still available, Paul could not capture the party's nomination in September in St. Paul, which is no relation.

Despite ridicule by other GOP candidates, despite getting significantly less time to speak during debates and, in one instance, even being barred from a GOP debate by Fox News although....

he'd collected more votes than those included, Paul repeated his vow not to attempt a third-party bid, which would drain priceless conservative votes from the party's nominee. "I am a Republican," he said, "and I remain a Republican." He did say he'd be reducing staff and offices.

Now, whether the 10-term congressman with the libertarian ideals, actually endorses Sen. John McCain is something else. Paul has said we should bring overseas troops home and invest the saved money in fixing America; McCain has vowed to stay overseas, especially Iraq, as long as it takes for success.

This morning Paul told one of our sister newspapers, "I cannot support anybody with the foreign policy he advocates, you know, perpetual war," said Paul. "That is just so disturbing to me."

In his website statement, Paul then alludes to probably the largest factor for his refocused campaign: He's trying to run simultaneously for president and his House seat in Texas' 14th Congressional District and faces a challenger in the March 4 primary, Chris Peden, a city councilmen from Friendswood. So Paul will be on two ballots that day.

"If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat," he said, "all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas. I cannot and will not let that happen." In a new 14-minute campaign video, Paul says he needs to clarify confusion over his dropping out, that he is just altering his schedule to allow primary campaigning in his home district and he intends to compete fully in all remaining primaries and on to the convention.

Although largely ignored as irrelevant by many media outlets, though not The Ticket, the story of Ron Paul and his thousands of determined, sometimes aggressive, usually good-natured followers is one of the more interesting of the current election season.

Virtually spontaneously, disaffected Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and newcomers to the political process began gathering around the plain-spoken Paul last summer and with their nearly $20 million in smaller donations turned him into the most successful GOP fundraiser in the last quarter. On one day he raised $6 million online and was the only Republican to increase his contributions in every quarter of 2007.

With some 1,400 meet-up groups across the country, letter-writing and sign-waving campaigns and creative publicity stunts, they helped Paul to some second, fourth and fifth place finishes in states such as Nevada, Montana and Maine. He beat Rudy Giuliani in Iowa and Fred Thompson in New Hampshire and financed an eight-state advertising campaign.

His boosters, who worked the Internet assiduously to right wrongs and make Paul's case, maintain that a corporate-media conspiracy to ignore him prevented the former ob-gyn from getting his less-government message out to most Americans. He certainly was ignored and, only recently, included when providing poll results on TV. But additionally, his strict constitutionalist ideas for reducing the federal government and abolishing the IRS and Federal Reserve Bank and returning to the gold standard may be just too radical for a country today facing international terrorist threats and the current economic uncertainty.

Even the tone of hundreds of comments left here by Paul supporters changed in recent days from aggressive advocacy to reluctant acceptance of the disappointing reality of continued single-digit poll results.

It would be interesting if those supporters took the time here now to leave comments explaining why they think Paul never caught on to a wider audience (we already know about the media conspiracy) and what they think about his refocused campaign and their spent donations.

--Andrew Malcolm

Comments

[Casey Ross]

I am a delegate for Ron Paul and will be attending our County Convention to elect a Ron Paul delegate to our State Convention. I believe in what Dr. Paul stands for. It's as easy to see the 'media conspiracy' as it is to deny it. And this bias has everything to do in limiting the number of Americans who have been exposed to his platform, not to mention swaying public opinion; begging question 'how can a candidate be electable if he's not in the mainstream media?'

I've been told that our nation isn't ready for Ron Paul and his ideas... And I'm beginning to agree with this statement. Just like I agree with the statement that I'm not ready to go to the dentist... even though I'm sure I have several cavities. Americans aren't ready for Ron Paul either because they're not willing to move beyond the position of playing armchair politics, drinking deeply from the agendas of the 'establishment' or they simply aren't ready to admit that the 'greatest generation' is nearly dead and they would rather pop pain killers than face the music and finally go in for a root canal.

Someday posterity will look back and realize the wisdom in what the good Dr. Paul has ordered.

[Dale]

Don't paint us Paul supporters with the same broad brush. We're not all conspiracy theorists. I don't think there was a "media conspiracy." Paul just polled low and the media gives attention according to how a candidate's polls.

(You're 100% correct, Dale. Nor did I intend to imply that all Paul supporters are anything. It's a diverse group, which is what makes it so interesting.)

[David Smith]

Andrew-

I do have to thank you on your continuing coverage of DR Paul. The so-called "blackout" tactics by the mainstream media HAVE indeed been very effective as a psychological deterrent for enthusiasm of many supporters. It's easy to see the viewpoint of an average American-send a candidate a couple hundred$$ for the first time and you wanna see him get some national face time! And on the other hand for other supporters with a bit more life experience and fortitude the MSM blackout is just a confirmation that it is imperitive to continue to have our voices and votes heard well beyond November. To be dissappointed and give up is way too short term for me. I want my America to reflect a bit of me, not be anti me! I am choosing leadership that makes me feel proud to be an American, not ashamed and resentful and depressed! Freedom and liberty are lifelong aspirations not a fashion of the minute. Dr. Paul's presidential run has incredible nearly uncontrollable energy, and the power of it extends way beyond electing a genius statesman that we all wish was our Grandpa! The true power of the "Ron Paul Phenomenon" is the lasting revelation that there are MILLIONS of disaffected Americans that believe THEIR America CAN reflect a little bit of them!! PEACE!

[Richard Brodie]

Throw McCain overboard.
gopteaparty.com
Paul/Romney 2008

"Uniting" the party will not be enough. Since they are both pro-war, a McCain/Romney ticket would alienate even more of the 70% of Americans who are sick of our bankrupting military adventurism.

Since most Huckabee supporters will vote for McCain regardless of whether he is the VP, having him on the ticket would gain nothing. On the other hand a Paul/Romney ticket would add both the 10% RP strength (who will otherwise write him in) as well as bringing in many Democrats who would consider a ticket featuring Ron Paul, the one anti-war candidate who outshines both Hillary and Obama in that area.

Paul must have the Presidential spot in order for his foreign policy position to be a meaningful attraction for Democrat crossovers. Romney as Vice President would be highly compatible with Paul on domestic issues. This is the only ticket that can save the Republican party and Conservatism from extinction.

[AmericanCitizen]

Thanks for the laugh. It ain't over my friend, not even close. Watch as we now infiltrate all levels of government. The RƎVO˩UTION is just getting into the toddler phase.

Thanks again.

[Andy]

I think it ultimately came down to a combonation of three reasons why he hasn't caught on, Andrew.

1st. Fear.

2nd. Intellectual dishonesty

3rd. Complaceny

The neocons have been successfull in misrepresenting the Islamic threat to create irrational fear so that many feel justified in an offensive war. I should know, I used to be one.

When confronted with obvious contradictions they choose to revert to the fear as justification. Is Iraq for protecting our national interest- Iraqi oil- or fighting the Moslem 'radicals' that want to kill us becasue we are free and rich? Reason should suggest something amiss when the pro-life Christians are the most pro-war, and pro-death camp are the most anti-war. Those who fear the 'radical' Moslems most are most willing to support the Moslem dictators in Pakistan, Egypt, abd Arabia. There is much more hypocricy to note if interested.

Many people just aren't that interested yet or feel they make a difference if they did. $3/gal gas and $4 pack of smokes and universal healthcare is just inevitable progress and the cheap goods from China in Wal-Mart and the promise of a rebate check this spring keeps the sheep in the pen. Most Dems and many Repubs like the safety of the pen.

Regarding the campaign and money donated/spent I think he did about as well as could be hoped and I will continue to give as long as he stays in the race. Is a 'wasted' vote worth compromising personal values? Not to me. I will write his name in instead of mine this year if he isn't on the ballot.

I admire the man. I admire his convictions and principled record and ethic of life. Every resonse I hear people give for his foreign policy position basically says he is crazy becasue the Moslems will kill us if we let them win an dteh bloddbath WE will have caused if we leave. The WOT, like the WOD most do not see it is the endless and unwinable effort it is.

We can't get rid of illegal Mexican and South American or domestic gangs in LA, NY or Chicago much less Podunk USA. True we aren't dropping bombs on them or placing checkpoints throught the country to find and kill them (not yet), but the ideology of those gangs is also not shared with a billion people like the 'radical' Moslems. Unlike Japan in WW2 we did not get rid of their god so the Moslems have not changed the heart or mind with respect to their agression.

They are convinced setting up weak Islamic democracies will eventually lead to a birth of secular Turkey type governments who will keep the peace themselves but fail to realize more Hamas and Hezgollah type groups will be elected into the government that we wil have to 'contain' or overthrow like we do now with Pakistan, and Egypt. "Caontain' as in send them billions of dollars and weapons to suppress the majority who hate us becasue we support the very dictators that supress them. Either that or they hate us becasue we are free and rich.

[Joanna]

I certainly haven't given up. Honestly though, I think that if Dr. Paul does not win (and I truly believe he could certainly be our next President, as long as Huckabee does not drop out) there is going to be a lot of "I told you so" when our economy crashes and we are subjected to the crazy government health care that Canada currently espouses. Has anyone seen that Canadian guy on youtube who had to wait 4 months for an MRI and 8 months for a brain surgery? He had to come to the U.S. to get both within weeks. Not to mention living in a police state where we have virtually no civil liberties left. Ah well, I'm getting my passports ready and looking into what few countries are left that aren't headed down the tubes. I sure want to stay though. I'm still active with Ron Paul's campaign and will not give up until it's is absolutely over!

[Vance Topp]

Why did Paul never catch on to a wider audience?

When I asked a friend of mine if she had considered voting for Ron Paul, she said he was a little "too extreme." It's amazing that the Republican party has moved so far from its conservative base that a campaign promoting the constitution is considered extreme. People who claim to be for smaller federal government actually seem to get nervous when they hear Paul talk about his plan for truly smaller government (example: abolish the Dept of Education, IRS, etc).

Another reason is that one of the clearest divisions between the Republican candidates and the Democrats is their stance on the Iraq war. The Republicans have made the war in Iraq a vital piece of evidence that they are strong on national defense. Paul's position on the war undermines the Repulbicans' argument, as well as adding questions to the war's legalitly, which the Republicans have no interest in answering. Because of this, the Republican party and all its cheerleaders could not promote Paul as a serious candidate, and mainstream America was left to think they should not take him seriously, either.

What do I think about my spent donations?

It feels great having supported a candidate that actually represents me. For the first time in my life, I cast a vote for a presidential candidate that I do not hesitate to support. I honestly believe Ron Paul has stirred many to a political awareness and hope for returning our country to its foundations. Hopefully, his campaign (with my spent donations) is only the beginning of a movement to restore our government to the Founders' original intent.

[Vince]

A few news sources are misreporting Ron Paul's e-mail from last week. The presidential campaign is not ending, not being suspended, and not even drawing down. It's slimming down and ramping up — with over twenty states having already voted, we've shed staff, and we're concentrating financial and organization resources on the remaining states. We're going to the convention, and we're fighting for every vote and every National Delegate along the way.

Republicans do not want John McCain to be their nominee. He has only been able to become the front-runner because the field was so divided and because he's a media darling. We can see just how unpopular McCain is in the heartland by his performance in the Kansas caucuses today. Kansans resoundingly rejected the Arizona senator, ref: Washington Post Story and McCain's big wins so far have mostly been in blue states — states he won't win in November if, heaven forbid, he's the Republican nominee.

Republicans want and need an alternative. Some people think Mike Huckabee provides an alternative to McCain. But Huckabee, who now tries to sound like Ron Paul when he talks about abolishing the IRS, raised taxes in Arkansas and vastly expanded spending in that state when he was its governor. Huckabee is no alternative at all. Ron Paul, on the other hand, has never voted for a tax increase, never voted for an unbalanced budget or for an unconstitutional war or government program.

At stake here is not just the Republican nomination — which McCain still has not locked up — but the future of the Republican Party and, much more importantly, the future of our liberties. We have to organize in every single state, including the ones that have already voted in the primaries and caucuses, to continue the fight to take back the Republican Party and to ensure that Ron Paul's principles, the principles of Washington and Jefferson, prevail. For the sake of that cause, Ron Paul's campaign continues, all the way to the convention.

Please volunteer to become a precinct leader and walk door to door for Ron at Voters.RonPaul2008.Com
Please visit the official website for the most up to the minute information: RonPaul2008.Com

Please donate to the campaign at: RonPaul2008.Com/Donate

Become more informed about Ron Paul, his voting record and rationales in his own words at RonPaulLibrary.Org

[Paul]

If Ron Paul's campaign was such so hopeless; if his ideas were so out of touch with the American people, then let me ask you this: Why wasn't he allowed to be heard? Why was every single other candidate given national coverage except for him? Candidates who had virtually no support other than in the media have come and they have gone. ALL were anointed front runners at one time: Giuliani, Romney, Huckabee. All were given nationwide publicity to air their views and were pushed into the national consciousness and given endless time to express their views, and support fell by the wayside for each one. So if Ron Paul's views were SO outlandish, and he had NO chance to win, then why is he still here, and why, OH, WHY, was he not given the publicity of the rest? Even you, in your final paragraph, admit that you already know about the media conspiracy, and it's evident that you are part of it. There is no question at all that if Ron Paul had gotten equal time with the other candidates, that he would be the overwhelming favorite to be the next president of the United States, and that is EXACTLY why he is not given the air time. He is STILL challenging (in spite of your continued lies and marginalization) in spite of a nationwide, yearlong media blackout. This campaign has shown me just how deeply into corruption our election process has sunk. Congratulations for your part in it. In the coming years, as the dollar continues to crash and the economy goes completely down the tubes, as has so many before us, you can reflect on your complicity in this devastation.

[Prija]

Ron Paul has tons of supporters... yet we do not lose steam. We conserve our energy just as they have conserved their resources of money.

It should be clear that they cut back spending b/c now that Super Tuesday is over, they can spend less, which is good b/c this is a marathon and not a sprint.

Ron Paul will still fight for every delegate. No one has claimed all the delegates needed to become the Republican nominee and everyone deserves a fair and balance opportunity until someone does. Ron Paul supporters will continue to fight until one candidate receives 1191 delegates.

I would like to see a clean article on why Ron Paul supporters are so passionate about his views. I believe it is the case that some young voters have never seen a recession. The US has boasted they have had growth and prosperity for over 25 years... yet they fail to mention that the value of the dollar has inflated for over 25 years as well, yet the average income has not increased with the standard of living.

The young are scared and frustrated that they must endure this suffering. With Paul's message, some have realized that we have the ability to change it. The idea is bigger than the election, its a frame of thought that we are able to change.

I know LA times has it's views, which is fine, but I hope that both aspects can be discussed for open discussion. I hope that News Media will realize that Ron Paul is popular and that lots of people flock to his Google.com/News search: Ron Paul for the latest information.

Why can't media capitalize on the truth and expose what internet users are searching for on google.com/trends search: Ron Paul.

Cheers,
Prija

[mr. ruiz]

...make sure you cover the "hopeless" march on washington d.c.

while your there, try the crow sandwich.

[Greg]

Now how could it be that upwards of 70 percent are against the war in Iraq and the only Republican speaking clearly against it receive such low results in the polls? You would think he would garner at least 30 percent even from Republicans just on the clearness of his message compared with all the other candidates.

I don't know, maybe some "journalist" could do a little investigative reporting and find out how these polls were conducted and at least test the hypothesis of establishment sabotage, especially given the fact that, unlike the other Republican candidates, Ron Paul speaks openly against the Federal Reserve, and other establishment institutions.

Do you consider yourself a journalist? Why don't you investigate the phenomenon of Ron Paul dominating Internet polls, straw polls, post-debate polls, supporter signs, donations, volunteer workers and generally everything that the establishment couldn't control - and yet managing to poll in the single digits.

[Diane]

This isn't close to being over.

When more and more people wake up to what a disaster John McCain is, they will be begging for Ron Paul to come forward as the presidential candidate.

People, John McCain is a delusional psychopath that should have been committed to an institution years ago.

Just you wait, this information will be coming out soon.

Please save our country Ron Paul. You are our only hope.

[Craig]

The American people unfortunately are the biggest problem. Regardless of the issues facing us, and the candidates' stands on those issues; they will choose someone based on purely stupid reasons, such as because they think a woman should be president for a change, or they think a candidate is charming, or vote for someone becaus eof their religion. The biggests issues facing us is the economny, the weak dollar, and the war. All of which Paul has the most sensible positions on. Yet the sheep are too blind to see it, and the media blackouts and smears didn't help either. One thing you can count on: with a warmongerer like McCain as the republican nominee a Democrat will be in the whitehouse after the election.

[Richard M. Connelly]

Ron Paul and his supporters haven't quit! We've only just begun!!!!

We're marching in Washington!!!

The 2nd Continental Army is forming. Our weapons? They will be our voices as guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

[LibertysLegacy]

The movement marches on;

To All Ron Paul Supporters And Our Friends In The Grassroots

This is the beginning, ladies and gentlemen. The beginning of the end for the stranglehold of the mainstream media. The beginning of the end for the masters in high places. The beginning of the end for the media blackout of the values and philosophies expressed by Ron Paul and other political candidates that share his views. The beginning of the time when we take our country back.

It starts right here, at BreakTheMatrix.com. We are forming a grassroots organization and movement that will carry the words and values of freedom off the Internet and out to those millions of Americans who only receive their news and entertainment from mainstream radio and television. As Dr. Paul himself said so well on February 9, 2008: “The neocons, the warmongers, the socialists, the advocates of inflation will be hearing much from you and me.” Indeed. The tired, empty mantras of “right and left,” of “conservative and liberal,” of “Democrat and Republican,” will no longer stand unchallenged in our mainstream media outlets. Freedom, prosperity, peace, hope—the great ideas are coming to America.

Very truly yours,

Basic Media, Inc. (in formation)

Rick Williams
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
rdw2008@gmail.com

Trevor Lyman
Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
lyman.trevor@gmail.com

We are not associated or affiliated with Ron Paul or his campaigns for President and Congress.

[4liberty]

The reasons, I believe, why RP never caught on with a wider audience are numerous and multi-faceted. Just to touch on a few:

He ran as a Republican and most states having a closed primary system, allowed only Republicans to vote for him. His lack of support for the Iraq war nixed most traditional Republican votes. His supporters, while enthusiastic, may have been somewhat unsophisticated or less than diligent in registering Republican. I believe he lost a lot of votes there.

His Libertarian views will NEVER catch on with the mainstream...they are just too scary.

But I think the biggest reason, the BIGGEST reason, is that he was viewed as unelectable. People still believe their vote should count and will choose the lesser of two evils. (Personally, I find this thinking very unfortunate) I can't tell you how many people I spoke with who liked a lot of what RP had to say but wouldn't vote for him because he couldn't win. They were right, there was no way he could win and if by some miracle he got the Republican nomination, we would be guaranteed a Democratic president in 2008.

Ron Paul is a courageous man! I am a fairly "by the book" Libertarian and many of his stances differed from my own. But I supported him nonetheless and without any regret. He is truly an AMERICAN HERO.

[Keith]

chirp. chirp. chirp.

What's really going on is another example of RP's master stroke of genius. By pretending to fall back, he will no longer be a target of the MSM black helicopters suppressing his name in the media coverage. In the dark of night one evening his masked millions of supporters will rise up after so recently casting their planned false vote for the MSM candidate and joyfully with much song elect RP to lead this nation. It's all part of the master plan, gotta fight fire with fire, Sun Tzu, Feng Shui, Kama Sutra, all that with a bag of chips. You know it's true. Didn't you get the memo?

[Billa]

When the republic crashes down. When the Economy buckles and sends governmentally forged currency into bottom basement depression. When the same government that handles the DMV, FEMA and the Federal Reserve becomes the goverment that also provides your prostate exam. When a nation attacks our frail defenses and the U.N. deploys no one to help. When our troops are engaged for the 100th year in a fruitless occupation. When crude oil hits $500 a barrel. When the world grows tired of our world policing. When massive schools and Hospitals close because illegal immigrants are given an open gate to flood into our country and exploit our welfare system. When the attacks begin on our soil again, due to "reserves" being the soldiers with the longest enlistments abroad. When our country has been completely raped and pilaged of all that the elites can pilfer and we are left to bleed and cry in the ruins...

I will stand then alongside the few who cried out for freedom and reduced goverment. I will stand amongst fellow patriots who opened our eyes to the truth and stood firm in our resolve. I will clench my fist and raise my head knowing that the voice of men striving to be free will never end. We will not shirk off our roles because the polls say we should. We will continue to fight for the revolution that our Forefathers have declared is not only our right but our Obligation. Ron Paul is my candidate and my vote is for Ron Paul.

[Jim]

I've never donated to a presidential campaign until this one. I gave $750 to Paul's campaign so I think that qualifies me to respond as a supporter. First, I'm very satisfied with his effort to date and not upset about the investment in any way. I've lost much more in the market for much less potential reward.

I do wish he caught on to a wider audience. Media conspiracy aside, I think we are too entrenched in the status quo, and simply too comfortable. And "all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed." - Paul's ideas are too radical a change for the average citizen to accept, right as they may be.

I also think people are looking for leadership qualities that Paul doesn't possess (the main one that comes to mind is we just love that! not enough "hope", "change" - and no slick smile an nice haircut). His debate answers (those few he got) were short to the point and rather narrowly focused on two repeating issues of monetary policy and non-intervention foreign policy - which is exactly what I want to hear but may have bored some. I wanted to hear more nuanced answers regarding policy but they were never asked and he never interjected (I think he could have been more aggressive at getting time in the debates).

[jmarkoa]

I am voting for Ron Paul.

If he is not the Republican candidate, I will still vote for him, even if he decides to run under the Constitution Party. Better yet, even if his name is not on the ballot in my state, I will still vote for him as a write in candidate.

Why, you ask?

My views line up exactly with his, and I refuse to throw away my vote on someone less deserving. I am not one of these mindless idiots that believes my vote has to be the same as the person who won the election in order for it to have counted. It is a matter of conviction for me; I will know that I was strong enough to cast the vote for the best candidate, period. I will have done my part regardless of others decisions. This is our responsibility as US citizens.

[Stephen Dupont]

Love your articles Mr. Malcolm,
But I have to respectfully disagree with you, we have not given up at all. We are planning for a brokered convention. Add up the remaining delegates and no one has enough to take it. So on to the brokered convention and you will see the Ron Paul delegates Sir, this I promise you. Just to touch on the media conspiracy issue for a moment. You can not, in good conscience, suggest that if the media had rallied behind Ron Paul's campaign and hailed Dr. Paul as new republican messiah or the most conservative candidate that the mindless sheep of this country would not have followed.
The party tried every dirty trick they had in order to subvert this honest man's bid because they knew if he had caught on that the size and scope of government would not be nearly as large and unconstitutional as it is today. They tried to prop up every candidate but Paul, in an effort to defeat him. First they tried Goulini, but his shady past, present and no doubt future was recognized as the same political sleaze as the Bush regime. Then they tried old insane McCain but he to faltered early on, then they heralded Thompson as the savior but he to soon fizzled, then it was Romney who was much more successful but they knew the American people saw through this plastic man as well. Romney got the order to drop out, that is fairly plain to see, he will surface with a cabinet position if the impossible happens and McCain actually wins the nomination and then beats the dems, which will not happen. Now they are promoting the age old standby, a pseudo Cristian righty against the comeback kid to see who sticks.
Yes sir, the media has a lot to do with who the public perceives as a viable candidate and to deny this very plain fact is not increasing my admiration for your journalistic prowess. Nevertheless your articles have been very fair in the past which has earned my respect for your journalistic integrity.
I have never voted Sir, never. Not because I'm Lazy, but because I have been holding out for someone that I didn't have to hold my nose and vote for. But was idealistically reserving my most sacred right in order to cast it in consanguinity for just the right Statesman. You see sir, My mom loved the movie "Mr. Smith goes to Washington " and consequently I was sorta forced to watch it many times because we only had one television, Ha ha ha. I fear I have been waiting for a James Maitland Stewart type or at least someone close to it for so long that I had all but given up hope. But then this Ron Paul guy comes along and turned my world upside down by making me believe that I didn't join the Marine Corps for nothing. Or become a Police Officer because I wanted to bust balls. This crummy little movie planted a seed in my still forming brain that principles were meaningful and integrity wasn't simply a matter of paying lip service but actually conducting ones self in the manner that matched what comes out of your mouth. And as I researched Dr. Paul's political career, then his family values, virtually from his childhood as a champion milk bottle filler on his daddy's farm in Pennsylvania I thought,"there is an honest man in politics, and holy crap, he's running for president". I can't give up on him now Sir, I have been waiting my whole adult life to cast my vote for a person who is worthy of that vote. I apologize in advance for the length of this post and would at this time like to thank you for your honest efforts to call things as you see em.

Warmest regards,
Stephen Dupont

[Al]

It is sad the Paul did not get a fair shake at presenting his views and goals. However what he has done is make millions of Americans understand that we cannot continue to spend money we do not have. Dems tax and spend, Reps borrow and spend. When you realize that every candidate (except Ron Paul) are members of the the Council on Foreign Relations who have a desire to create a North American Union through trade agreements which will bring Mexico, the USA, and Canada into one entity with new money called the Amero. BTW most of the media are members as well. Its not important who votes, but those that count the votes.

[Trans-Mutant]

The Ron Paul rEVOLution is going to march in Washington! this is planned to be the biggest march on Washington ever.