The rebel forces of Paul -- Ron Paul -- organize to resist John McCain

As far as Sen. John McCain is concerned, the Republican presidential nomination is a done deal and he's working on uniting the party behind him. But thousands of Republicans -- particularly supporters of Texas Rep. Ron Paul -- aren't buying that.

In the Pennsylvania primary, more than 215,000 Republicans cast ballots for Paul or former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who quit campaigning weeks ago. Together, they captured 27% of the Republican vote.

That was tame compared with the uproar last weekend at Nevada's Republican Party Convention. Or before that in Missouri.

About 600 well-organized Paul supporters overwhelmed McCain's forces, as The Ticket reported earlier this week, and engineered a rule change that permitted national convention delegates to be nominated from the floor, wresting the task from party establishment leaders.

That evening, party leaders unexpectedly adjourned the session, saying the proceedings would take too long to finish that night.

But tongues were set wagging about whether the adjournment was a maneuver to save McCain from the embarrassment of being swamped by Paul delegates.

Eric Herzik, a political scientist at the University of Nevada, Reno, said the disruption reflected, among other things, that McCain had "yet to capture the hearts and minds of Nevada Republicans." Previously, Paul forces had elected about one-third of the delegates to the Missouri state Republcan convention.

As the 72-year-old Paul, who is unopposed in the November election for his 11th House term, suggested to his dedicated troops earlier this year in a video, they should prepare for for the long haul.

And buy his new book, which has promptly soared to the top of Amazon.com's bestseller list.

All of which suggests there might be some drama or at least confrontations in St. Paul at the GOP's national convention in September after all.

-- Maeve Reston

                                                                                                                                Photo Credit: AP

Comments

[steveN]

Maybe "Keith" could explain why the Netherlands, where cannibis is essentially legal, has only 19% of their teenagers using it? The United States has 38% of their teenagers using it.

Who's the real "dopehead" here anyway?

But most Ron Paul supporters know that this is a very minor issue. The mainstream media would have you believe that it's the main part of the Paul campaign.

[Robert Owens]

If you are not allowed to vote for Dr. Paul in November, consider Dr. Chuck Baldwin. Read what Dr. Baldwin has been advocating for many years: www.chuckbaldwinlive.com

Also look at: www.constitutionparty.com

[keith]

keith you're a Fascist - So obviously you wouldn't agree with Ron Paul

Posted by: frzngds | May 04, 2008 at 01:04 PM

Negative - being against using recreational drugs and/or supplying recreational drugs to our kids doesn't make me a fascist.

[keith]

Maybe "Keith" could explain why the Netherlands, where cannibis is essentially legal, has only 19% of their teenagers using it? The United States has 38% of their teenagers using it.

Who's the real "dopehead" here anyway?

But most Ron Paul supporters know that this is a very minor issue. The mainstream media would have you believe that it's the main part of the Paul campaign.

Posted by: steveN | May 04, 2008 at 04:31 PM

No I can't, I do not live in the Netherlands nor do I study social issues there, as a matter of fact, what happens in the Netherlands doesn't concern me that much.

Major or minor issue to RP supporters also doesn't matter, I'm just saying it's enough for me not to support him. Funny, for a freedom and liberty crowd, you sure don't have a lot of tolerance for dissenting opinions. Why is that?

[Pepper]

Keith, What has been so great about America in the past is the right for everyone to their opinion. Where the problem comes in, as our founding fathers pointed out, is when that decision or opinion is not INFORMED. In otherwords, its birthed in ignorance.

Thomas Jefferson said it well, like he has most things. when he said "A civilization that expects to be "ignorant" and free, expects what never was and never will be".

To vote in ignorance is to ensure the demise of this republic and frankly, I believe its that ignorance by a majority that has contributed greatly to the irreversable slide of our once great nation into oblivion. We keep electing people that represent the worst of this nation.

If you don't believe me just look at who the top three candidates are and greatness eludes them all except for Ron Paul. Just MY humble opinion.

[keith]

I will say this, if the r3VOlution comes to pass, the r3-education camps will certainly be more enjoyable than in other regimes for an old fascist like me.

"Please report promptly at 4:20 to the cafeteria for kannabis and Kool-Aid. Be sure to bring your copy of the manifesto. The beatings will continue until enlightenment improves."

[Tom deSabla]

Well, Keith, you want to do good and so do we.

The problem that you have, Keith, is that you have allowed your concept of what is good to be dictated to you by government. There was once a time when none of these drugs was illegal here - and we had no problems at all compared with now.

When that fact of history is combined with the corraborating fact that there is another drug that we had terrible violence and crime associated with years ago when it was illegal, and those problems have now largely disappeared - alcohol.

What these examples tell us, Keith, is that prohibition does not work - that is to say that it increases both the use of the prohibited drug and also imposes other associated costs to society. I don't believe that any honest assessment could conclude otherwise.

I'm sorry that you know people who have been hurt through their associations with illegal and recreational drugs - but have you ever even tried to figure what role prohibition might have played in the story? Have you ever tried to imagine what would have happened if the drug in question had been legal?

In reality, as opposed to in people's fevered minds, the drug war was never about doing the right thing - it is about a huge machine with cops, corrections officers, snitches, probation officers, judges, bailiffs, huge government agencies like the DEA and propaganda agencies like the ONDCP, and treatment centers, shrinks, and then finally a government pension, or for the supposed "addict" a disability check at the end of it all.

It's nothing but a jobs program for all these people, Keith. We don't need it and we never did. You would be shocked at how little research went into these drug laws, and now all the proof that they've failed is simply ignored.

I hope and pray you come to realize this, but whatever you may think about drugs, the fact remains that no free society can long exist when people don't even own their own bodies.

There can be no virtue without free will.

Keith, statism has you. Take the red pill.

[LEONARD]

Ron Paul can beat Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Tell McCain to get out off the way,
And let a real Man do the Job,

[ricknhouston]

Yeah right, I'm well aquainted with how it works and as a younger man I smoked plenty. Don't throw your enlightment garbage my way pal, I've watched firsthand as this social disease has claimed some of my friends lives and livelihoods. Fortunately as I got older, I saw and began to understand the darkness behind the light. Maybe the drug problems only claimed one out of ten or twenty of my friends along the way, but it wasn't worth it to lose them. You should stop smoking, then you will see the real light, not the false one. You are only hurting yourself and those around you. Your sense of higher social consciousness is false and built on quicksand.

All this talk of "freedom", if your personal freedom is dictated by politicians, then you have missed plenty on your path in life. I understand why you would look to another politician to "free" you, but there's nothing Ron Paul can do to fix that for you, the answer is not in his manifesto, it's within you and only you can unlock it. When you understand that, you will truly be free.

Posted by: keith | May 04, 2008 at 01:31 PM

***************************************************************************************************************************************

Are you sure you're not still sneakin a few hits every now and then, Keith? Sure sounds like your high to me. And let me just offer you this ... I'm 60 years old, have raised and educated two children, one of which is an Attorney and the other a cardiac sonographer, I have been self empoyed my entire life, not missed more than 2 weeks of work over my whole adult life, make more than 100K per year. I don't use tobacco, don't drink & don't take prescription drugs but I have smoked pot since I was 18 years old. It's like anything else in life, my friend, .... if you don't control it .... it will control you!

[Marley]

The only candidate that I could vote for this presidential election is Dr Ron Paul. I'm glad I'm not the only one. Ron Paul 2008 even if I have to write his name in!

[Sam]

Kieth would rather have the state dictate morality to all it's citizens. That is why he is being labeled a fascist.

What is right for one person must necessarily be right for all people, wouldn't you agree Keith?
...because we all know in the end that we are exactly the same. <--sarcasm

My guess is that Kieth has never been exposed to the philosophy of liberty. Kieth if you are still around try taking 8 minutes to absorb the following video and see if you agree. Believe me, they didn't teach you this in your federally funded educational system.

It will help you understand why Ron Paul and millions of other Americans would think it unethical to make moral decisions for others.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8z1buym2xUM

Do you have the right to tell others what they can or cannot eat? If your neighbor is fat, it is not your right to impose a diet on him no matter how righteous your motivation. Just because ten out of nineteen people think one way should never mean that the other nine should be forced to think like them.

Our diversity is an asset not a detriment.

[Hyrum]

At my local convention in northern Seattle the only people elected to be delegates to the State convention were 15 McCain supporters who were recommended by the local party leaders, even though there were about 50 people who were trying to be selected. This election has completely turned me into a third party fan. I am sick of voting for the lesser of two evils.

[Scott Harmon]

First, to the article: I liked it. Now, to the comments. I am a little cautious, these days, to try everyone in absentia. There are people who do have valid arguments that are contrary to the classic Libertarian philosophies. The war on drugs is an example. For quite a long time, I saw the policy of "pre-emptive policing" against drugs as a good thing. After all, drugs often lead to nasty things in the neighborhood. I saw it first hand. Thus, I can understand how people can push back on Paul's policies of ending the "drug war." Yet, while I've changed my views on this subject, I think Libertarians must realize that the "symbolism" of defending the community can be more powerful than an intellectual argument against government intervention. It serves no purpose to the Libertarian cause to criticize people and label them. If we, Libertarians, are to act as the moral and cerebral compass, and hopefully, win the support of detractors, then it would be most helpful to make an argument, or an appeal, to the issues involved. Yes, the war on drugs, and statist intervention against drug use, are a failure and an excuse for more domestic and international involvements. Yes, we should be outraged by the statistical evidence which shows how futile the "drug war" is, and outraged by who benefits from it. But, in the end, people who don't want to see others affected by drugs within their own communities will turn to anyone who offers a solution. That is the problem--any solution will do--that gets us into more trouble. So, while there are many other solutions that can be posited to clean up the communities and forego state interventionism, these solutions are not in the public discourse. It is the job of Libertarians to make those solutions recognized, and explain why smashing down doors and creating roadblocks are not only futile, but damaging to many law-abiding (innocent) citizens. It takes a long time to change viewpoints, so we should be respectful of those who are critical of alternative ideas. My first "argument" against people who want to believe in wars against drugs, terrorists, and so forth, is a question: what has been gained, and who is gaining? When answering that question, many are forced to re-think the issue, and that is the goal: to unshackle our minds from what has been taught. That is, labeling and lecturing are not nearly as valuable as opening minds. And that means we, who want to change people's minds, must tolerate the backlash and deal with the "symbolism" involved.

[Parke]

Keith,

Ive lost 2 of my closest friends to drugs. Wonderful human beings that would have become awesome people.

We do no one justice by locking up users. They end up felons, they end up a constant drain to tax dollars.

Freedom is about tolerance and personal responsibility.

Get some.

[keith]

"The problem that you have, Keith, is that you have allowed your concept of what is good to be dictated to you by government. "

Negative - my concept of what is good and bad in this small corner of morality is based on having to bury some people I knew, some from suicide that had it's roots in drug use, others by accidental drug overdoses, some by other accidents and mishaps caused by drug use. It's also been formed by watching other friends tear apart their relationships with their spouses, their kids and destroy their careers and their health with drugs. The government has nothing to do with it.

Rick - I'm sure I am not high on anything. As long as you want to discuss demographics, I'm mid 40's, 3 degrees from major universities, a working professional and firm in my belief that recreational drug use is a killer. Being 60 and still getting high is nothing to be proud of, it's too bad you've never discovered how to enjoy what's real in life without altering you perception of reality first. Do the people in your life know you or do they know the stoned you more often than not? Do you care?

Once again, I've found my freedom in life, I don't need another person to tell me what defines it, I don't need to read any manifesto to outline a path for me. I make and follow my own. Try it sometime.

[keith]

"There was once a time when none of these drugs was illegal here - and we had no problems at all compared with now."

Tom, the current drug laws were borne of a massive cocaine epidemic in this country in the early 1900's. Have a Coke and a smile.

[keith]

Ah, it's time to say good night. Be well and prosper, and have a grateful day.

[keith]

R.I.P. Taylor Clifford

[Tom deSabla]

"my concept of what is good and bad in this small corner of morality is based on having to bury some people I knew, some from suicide that had it's roots in drug use, others by accidental drug overdoses, some by other accidents and mishaps caused by drug use. It's also been formed by watching other friends tear apart their relationships with their spouses, their kids and destroy their careers and their health with drugs. The government has nothing to do with it."

****

The government had nothing to do with any of that? You're kidding yourself here Keith. Anyway, you will recall that this whole conversation started with marijuana decriminalization, and here you are talking about your friends overdosing etc. Well, no one has ever died from an overdose of marijuana, so I think we're getting pretty far afield from what originally so offended you about the Paul platform. Again, what's so offensive to you about a drug that has never killed anyone?

****

"the current drug laws were borne of a massive cocaine epidemic in this country in the early 1900's."

****

Massive cocaine epidemic huh? Sure pal. Was that anything like the terrible alcohol epidemic we had prior to 1919? - the one that prohibition fixed for us? I'd like to read up on this "massive cocaine epidemic" you refer to - could you direct me to some sort of proof? HAHA, don't worry, I won't hold my breath waiting.

Most people, when pressed to be honest, will admit the drug war is a failure. I guess you're not capable of being honest.

[dave]

it would be irresponsible to advocate individual liberty without also advocating the massive and permanent individual efforts it takes to make informed and self-reliant, responsible choices; from a certain angle, to relegate more and more of your personal responsibilities to authorities, and restricting yourself to making your pick from their fixed assortment of ideas of how your life, or that of your family, is 'supposed to' look like, might look tempting and kind of cozy; and sooner or later, many a pet might be surprised to wake up and see that someone else decided for him to lose not just his fleas, but his balls as well. however that might relate to your freedom.

[Edward]

Keith, you're a fascist.

1) Drug laws figure very low in what the vast majority of Paul supporters think is important. We are far more concerned with monetary and foreign policy. Guilt by association is an arbitrarily vague and shallow accusation. The message of freedom unites many people of different colours, that is half the bloody point.

2) Making drugs illegal is a failure from an economic, crime, health, and moral point of view. If nothing else, the principle of self-ownership should make you understand that I have the right to decide what I put into my own body. By attempting to dictate to me what I can and cannot do with myself when it has no negative consequence on anyone else's life, liberty, or property, you become a fascist.

[free the constitution]

hey everybody!! stop picking on keith!! and keith, freedom to live or in life as you put it is fabulous!! i only serve here to help you realize that soon, you will have a right to live by whatever way the government ALLOWS. how does that grab ya? we will be lucky to have an election at this point as all roads the U.S. is taking now leads to martial law and socialism. forget looking at ron paul 'cause you won't, but at least check out what is happening HERE, right now. bush admin. wants complete control of the waters-war in iran-and i could go on and on, AND the minute you get the REAL ID or the REAL social security card, you are a prisoner, everywhere you go, YOU WILL BE TRACKED my friend, you will be a slave. I will be voting for RON PAUL and i will pray for you as i am the rest of the world as this election will matter to ALL here on Earth. oh- also, the rest of the world IS watching and it's obvious that they too want ron paul. i have never seen support like this!! president ron paul president ron paul president ron paul. is the whole world wrong?? oh, if you truly want a war on drugs, then start arresting the FDA and the pharmecuetical companies- they are the REAL drug dealers and pushers!! peace brother

[Matt]

Kieth, I agree 100% with you. You are so right on man. This one guy I knew had a heart attack when he was 45. Poor guy was way overwieght because he ate McDonalds every day for lunch. He was so funny too. I really think McDonalds should be illegal, If only it hadn't been there, there would be no way for him to eat unhealthy and die from it.

I also had 2 friends, both were killed in car accidents. I tell you, these cars people drive are just so dangerous. I mean, it's all about these people being lazy and not wanting to ride a bicycle, or jog. I mean plus they pollute the environment, so thats a bad thing too, we should really probably make driving cars illegal. I tell you, having to bury my friends has really opened my eyes to how evil these machines are. We are slaves to them.

I personally had a relationship that was torn apart by something much worse than drugs. Halo 3, it is possibly one of the most addicting video games in the history of the world, and it's violent too. I would be running around the house pretending to sniper rifle the dog, my girlfriend, heck anything that moves. Well eventually she had enough of that, she left me over it because I could just not put it down for 2 seconds. I am writing to my senators and congressmen right now, this needs to be made illegal so I don't play it anymore.

Just think of how great a place america will be once we have made everything that must be used with RESPONSIBILITY, and made them illegal.

[Luke]

Keith, thanks for the discussion here. You encourage each to find his or her own path as long as it involves choices that you find acceptable. Some might say their path is blocked by restrictions from the government.

Kids get drugs regardless of the laws as you know from your childhood. What the laws do is create the underground and secrecy of the problem so people are scared to ask for help and violence erupts because of the black market ensuing from the government regulations.

This is a very small issue to me, but to me freedom is freedom. How can the goverment tell me what I can and cannot put in my own body. Alcohol has done far more damage to me yet I am allowed to buy it on any corner. Even as a seven year very grateful recovering alcoholic, I know that alcohol should not be outlawed. We know from history what a violent mess Prohibition turned out to me. We are not talking about a vacuum; We can look at the example of Prohibition to see a before and after look. Thanks for reading.

[mike]

It sounds like keith is a proud 5th grade DARE graduate! America supposedly promotes tollerance and non descrimination of others. Just not with this herb. Uneducated, misinformed, and ignorant are the words that I hear when people dis cannabis or it users. Many people who use this herb can and do live quite productive and healthy lives, and just because you know people who are loosers, shouldn't affect my freedoms or private personal choices! myob- imo