Ron Paul, gearing up for 2012?
The man's got a following, that's for sure.
Tuesday it was announced that Texas Republican Ron Paul, who wowed the Libertarian crowd during the 2008 election with his call for limited government, is set to deliver an address at the University of South Carolina on Nov. 9 about the “future of individual liberty and the importance of the U.S. Constitution.”
As if that were not enough, the following week he's scheduled to speak in Iowa, that pivotal early caucus state, with stops in Ames and Des Moines.
By this morning speculation was rife that South Carolina, which holds one of the early primaries in the presidential calendar, could be the launching pad for a new Ron Paul bid. As CNN's Political Ticker put it, "Will Ron Paul give it another go in 2012?"
If so, the 74-year-old congressman and doctor isn't saying. Lately he's been busy waging war against the federal government's response to the H1N1 virus, decrying the vaccination program as an attempt by the federal government to corral more power. He even tweaked President Obama for not having his daughters inoculated.
“It’s interesting to note that the president’s children have not gotten their shots and the explanation for this is it hasn’t been available to them – now that’s a little bit hard to buy when you think that probably anything the president wants can be available for their children,” said Paul, adding, “So in a way he’s made his decision not to give his children these inoculations – so if he has freedom of choice on this, I would like to make sure that all the American people have the same amount of freedom of choice.”
Yesterday, Malia and Sasha got their shots.
-- Johanna Neuman
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Photo Credit: Associated Press
What a wonderfully written blog. Thank you Johanna Neuman and the LA Times. Dr. Paul is such an honest man, he is the only Statesman in Washington, the rest are just politicians.
Posted by: Matt Boone, CPA | October 28, 2009 at 08:16 AM
I have studied Mr. Paul. He has been consistant and honest - he hasn't waffled in his 30+ years in politics. He talked about the economic meltdown in the late 80's that would be caused by the Fed and the dollar not being backed by gold. He is for small government and personal liberty. He's a good guy and too good for the sleeze that in the administration now.
Posted by: Fed Up | October 28, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Ron Paul is currently a registered Republican, not a Libertarian.
Posted by: Jeff | October 28, 2009 at 08:39 AM
Even if he were to instead throw his support behind someone like demonstrated constitutionalists Gov. Gary Johnson or Judge Andrew Napolitano, his influence will loom large in 2012.
Posted by: Darryl Schmitz | October 28, 2009 at 08:57 AM
I would vote for him. He was against the war from the begining, he was against the bailouts, hes against government expansion on all levels. How can you not love this man?
Posted by: aaron | October 28, 2009 at 09:04 AM
Ron Paul the only honest man or women in Washington!
Posted by: Rafer Janders | October 28, 2009 at 09:18 AM
They sure got their shots fast after the subject came up, and Dr Paul was NOT the one to start it either.
Posted by: John | October 28, 2009 at 09:36 AM
it's a waste of time
Posted by: UNCLE BERNIE | October 28, 2009 at 09:46 AM
Dr. Paul's responses to questions about a possible run in 2012 have gone from "no probably not" to "no comment". He should be well positioned if he decides to run. He has plenty of supporters hungry for a win after all the marginalizing the two party system and the media did to his campaign. All of his economic predictions have come true, and people will be looking for an alternative to the big government policies Obama is pursuing.
Posted by: Marcello | October 28, 2009 at 10:02 AM
Ron Paul run in 2012? This country should be so lucky!
Posted by: Zack | October 28, 2009 at 10:09 AM
I see the president finally got around to getting the girls the flu shot. perfect timing.
My hope is he will inspire a fresh face to some day get the nomination, as Goldwater did for Reagon. The press will not give this patriot a fair shake.
Todays press is nothing more than a spring board for the ruling parties.
Posted by: Randy | October 28, 2009 at 10:18 AM
I hope so. His following keeps getting bigger and bigger. The supporters have not left and will not leave.
Posted by: PJ McFlur | October 28, 2009 at 10:22 AM
I would love to see the Good Doctor make another run in 2012. No one is more consistent when it comes to civil liberties, foreign policy, constitutional governance and fiscal discipline. I think that if Americans tuned into what he had to say, they would find that he is very honest, straight forward and his message is extreamly exciting!!
Posted by: Marc | October 28, 2009 at 10:35 AM
Ron Paul
For the long haul!
Posted by: GeddyFlea | October 28, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I hope Ron runs or should I say educates the public. He probably will not win unless there is a big run on the dollar, but his wisdom and integrity are unrivaled in the political sphere. People are thirsting for the truth and Ron Paul always delivers much to the dismay of those in power.
Posted by: Ben | October 28, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Ron Paul may be the only hope for our future. By 2012, the country will be so bad off that anybody on the Republican ticket could win in a landslide. Let's hope the Republican Party, for once in its miserable existence, makes the right choice and nominates the good doctor.
Posted by: Grover Cleveland | October 28, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Funny how fast the first daughters got there shots after the Whitehouse had released last week they didn't yet receive them?
Posted by: joe | October 28, 2009 at 12:08 PM
He's got my vote any day. At least you can trust him which is more than you can say for 99% of politicians today. This crazy old guy would stick to his guns PERIOD and he would cut spending and take us back toward our constitution - and today that is RADICAL.
Posted by: Matt | October 28, 2009 at 12:21 PM
Run Ron Run! I'm with you my man. Let's save America! I will fight with you the whole way.
Posted by: Joe | October 28, 2009 at 01:26 PM
I hope he runs. He's got the national attention that is needed, and the American people are starting, just barely starting to wake up to what is leading up to the down turn of America. Everything RP has come to fruition; if he runs, and loses, America deserves to be gutted.
Posted by: jw | October 28, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Thanks for the article LA times. I remember when I first heard about Ron Paul I thought he was crazy but I've almost come full circle since then and think he is probably our only hope to return to limited government and personal freedom in this country.
The Sasha and Malia line kind of seemed out of place to me though.
Posted by: Mike | October 28, 2009 at 01:55 PM
Defend Unalienable Law
The Declaration of Independence
The U.S. Constitution
The Bill of Rights
Or Cut and Run
Posted by: William Benison | October 28, 2009 at 04:05 PM
I have my fingers crossed for a Limbaugh/Palin ticket in 12. There are two children who despite all the clamor and beyond question, would not be in any way subjected to the swine flu... shots or no shots. Can any repugicant guess which two children that might be?
Posted by: R.I.P. GOP | October 28, 2009 at 04:23 PM
he is allready my president plain and simple. He is who i listen to and follow. the sheep line up behind status quote ... I refuse. One and one only Ron Paul well i would listen to Rand Paul to i guess lolol ... this Big O can go pound salt with all his liberal slimy friends...
Posted by: Daniel Makin | October 28, 2009 at 04:58 PM
I swear my full support and to donate the full amount legally allowable to Dr. Paul or whomever he endorses. I will spend the next few years opposing the bi-partisan fiscal liberalism and preparing for battle in 2012. If you think the last movement was surprising, you haven't seen anything yet if I can do anything about it.
Posted by: Vincent | October 28, 2009 at 05:31 PM