Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

by Ich bin Ala-awkbarph Mon May 12, 2008 8:05 am

Ron Paul's forces quietly plot GOP convention revolt against McCain

Virtually all the nation's political attention in recent weeks has focused on the compelling state-by-state presidential nomination struggle between two Democrats and the potential for party-splitting strife over there.

But in the mTexas Rep. Ron Paul and his libertarian-minded GOP backers are collecting delegates at the local level and planning a revolt against Sen. John McCain at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul in Septembereantime, quietly, largely under the radar of most people, the forces of Rep. Ron Paul have been organizing across the country to stage an embarrassing public revolt against Sen. John McCain when Republicans gather for their national convention in St. Paul at the beginning of September.

Paul's presidential candidacy has been correctly dismissed all along in terms of winning the nomination. He was even excluded as irrelevant by Fox News from a nationally-televised GOP debate in New Hampshire.

But what's been largely overlooked is Paul's candidacy as a reflection of a powerful lingering dissatisfaction with the Arizona senator among the party's most conservative conservatives. As anticipated a month ago in The Ticket, that situation could be exacerbated by today's expected announcement from former Republican Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia for the Libertarian Party's presidential nod, a slot held by Paul in 1988.

by shermangeneral Mon May 12, 2008 8:51 am

Well Terri how much damage can he do at the convention with 5% of the delegates?

Or less?

by Aaron Mon May 12, 2008 9:02 am

Could Ron Paul be campaigning for a VP seat?

by **SheikBen** Mon May 12, 2008 9:15 am

I would hope not. I don't see him selling out like that.

I don't think I'm going to vote for McCain, but I do prefer him to Obama (which is saying nothing). I think it will be very healthy for the Republican Party leadership to be reminded by conservatives and libertarians that they will not be taken for granted and that they (we) expect more from our party than John McCain.

by **ohio county** Mon May 12, 2008 10:41 am

Well said, Sheik.

by **Stephanie** Mon May 12, 2008 3:28 pm

Michael is correct, Ron Paul would never sell out like that.

Ron Pau Republicans are working diligently to be heard and strive toward improving our nation and our communities. In some areas they have been more effective than others, but we are beginning to see their influence at the state level in party platforms and many brave souls are running for office.

by Ich bin Ala-awkbarph Mon May 12, 2008 5:04 pm

Stephanie wrote:Michael is correct, Ron Paul would never sell out like that.

Ron Pau Republicans are working diligently to be heard and strive toward improving our nation and our communities. In some areas they have been more effective than others, but we are beginning to see their influence at the state level in party platforms and many brave souls are running for office.

Mon ami, will you support Bob Barr's run?

by **Stephanie** Mon May 12, 2008 6:02 pm

I don't know. I have been doing some reading about Barr and overall I'm not as impressed as other people seem to think I should be.

He seems to be a mixed bag to me. I won't vote for the lesser evil, so I'm going to do a lot of reading about how he has stood on issues in the past. I worry a lot about any candidate who changes too many positions shortly before, or during a campaign and it seems to me this is the case with Bob Barr.

by **SheikBen** Tue May 13, 2008 5:39 am

I am leaning toward Bob Barr right now. If Alan Keyes makes it onto the ballot in Illinois I might vote for him. If it's just Obama and McCain (which I doubt) I'll vote "for" (ha ha) McCain.

by **Stephanie** Tue May 13, 2008 5:47 am

Michael,

You don't think Keyes is a little nuts? Watching him during the only debate I know of he was invited to, he seemed completely unable, or at the very least, unwilling, to stay on point.

I can't wait to go vote for Dr. Paul today. lol Yesterday my husband took my daughter out planting campaign signs. I'm glad the WV primary is finally here. I'm tired of campaigning, seriously. This has been dragging on for so long now.

by Aaron Tue May 13, 2008 8:04 am

Stephanie wrote:Michael is correct, Ron Paul would never sell out like that.

Ron Pau Republicans are working diligently to be heard and strive toward improving our nation and our communities. In some areas they have been more effective than others, but we are beginning to see their influence at the state level in party platforms and many brave souls are running for office.

Stephanie,

When I first read this thread, I only skimmed through the initial posting and honestly, I didn't catch the part about the 'coup' at the convention.

So my question to you is, what do you think he's got planned and how do you think the party will react to him?

by **Stephanie** Tue May 13, 2008 8:21 am

I believe the plan is to influence the party platform. If you speak to rank & file Republicans about specific issues, they agree with Ron Paul on many of the key issues. I think many of the elected delegates will react favorably. That has been the experience across the country at county and state conventions. The problems will come from the superdelegates, particularly their efforts to sway those who have been elected.

In any event, that is my understanding of the current plans.....to tackle crucial issues at the RNC. This is what Paul supporters are doing at the state & county level as well. Our intention (I consider myself to most definitely be a part of this group) is not to let the movement die with the primary or with the general election. We need real change, and although sooner would certainly be preferable to later, we have no plans of just disbanding and hoping for something better in four years, we must work to bring change over the next few years.

by Aaron Tue May 13, 2008 8:30 am

But will the big wig's give him podium time and if so, will it be during prime time?

So are we seeing the beginning of a revolution in the Republican party? Is control going to be wrestled away from the religious right?

Will Scooby save the day?

Ok, the last one was for humorous effect but serioiusly, is there about to be a huge fight within the Republican party?

by **Stephanie** Tue May 13, 2008 8:37 am

In some states the question is will there even continue to be a Republican Party. WV is one such state. The leaders of the GOP need to ask themselves, do we wish to remain relevant?

I highly doubt they are going to give Paul prime time willingly. They don't seem too interested in giving him any time. They ignore him, and us, at their own peril. I'll brb. I have something I want you to see you may not be aware of.

by **Stephanie** Tue May 13, 2008 9:24 am

Aaron,

I simply cannot find what I'm looking for. I think I received it in an email and I must have deleted it. I'm emailing a couple of my WVGOP friends to see if one of them can forward it to me. If someone does, I'll post it then.

by **Stephanie** Tue May 13, 2008 11:49 am

This is part of what I was looking for. Unfortunately, I received a copy of the letter along with an article about the similar challenges other state GOP organizations are facing. This situation is not unique to WV.

http://www.wsaz.com/news/headlines/18160684.html

"The WV GOP is in Danger of Ceasing to Exist"

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- No money, no party. That's the threat from State Republican Chairman Dr. Doug McKinney.
McKinney sent a letter to members of the party's executive committee.

if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('
');if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']){ document.write(plpm['Mid-Story Ad']);} else { if(self['plurp'] && plurp['97']){} else {document.write(''); } }if (self['plpm'] && plpm['Mid-Story Ad']) document.write('
');

It said, "The WV GOP is in danger of ceasing to exist if we do not get more financial support from you and other concerned republicans."

McKinney says the party is now debt-free and he will not get into a major debt situation again.

The party has $20,000 it's reserving for a "get out the vote" campaign this year.

So the real question is, can the GOP afford to continue to ignore the Ron Paul branch of the party? This needs to be viewed in light of the fact that many states saw the number of voters registering Republican swell courtesy of Ron Paul's candidacy. They have already lost most of the people who switched parties (Libertarian/Constitution/Democrat and others) because they are returning in droves to the party they left.

There are equal numbers of voters who were unaffiliated before and some who were affiliated with other parties and made the switch who are taking a wait and see attitude. They will leave party leaders continue to marginalize Dr. Paul. Some of us who have been Republicans for many years may consider jumping ship too. The thought runs through my mind upon occasion.

Instead of being welcomed with open arms, as they should be, these fledgling Republicans are treated very shabbily, I assure you. If this continues, then the GOP will reap what it sows, imho.

by **SheikBen** Wed May 14, 2008 9:38 am

Stephanie,

I think you are quite correct. For the Republicans to remain viable, they are going to have to avoid alienating those who think for themselves.

by Aaron Wed May 14, 2008 9:44 am

I think I read that report in the news paper Stephanine. I agree. One of the reasons I registered as an Independent instead of a Republican is because I wanted at least the opportunity to remain relevent in WV Politics.

by ziggy Wed May 14, 2008 12:19 pm

SheikBen wrote:Stephanie,

I think you are quite correct. For the Republicans to remain viable, they are going to have to avoid alienating those who think for themselves.

Yes. And looking furher down the road, Democrats are going to have to realize that too. If they think Nader in 2000 was a bummer, they ain't seen nothin' yet. Maybe not this year, maybe not even in 2010 or 2012. But it'll happen again- bigger and better- and they won't be able to blame it on George W. stealing Florida.

by **Stephanie** Wed May 14, 2008 12:24 pm

I think you're right, Ziggy. I think both the GOP & Democrat bigwigs are out of step and will be out of luck if they don't start paying attention to us little guys.

by Aaron Wed May 14, 2008 2:15 pm

Hey, I said on the old forum that I felt the time was right for a 3rd party to come out. Americans are getting tired of the same old same old from both parties.

by Sponsored content

Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."

Re: Ron Paul hones, "I have not yet begun to fight."