Analysis of Ron Paul Progress Video

[ronpaul4pres]

Ron Paul said in his new video today (Ron Paul Progress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0nJH6zB9VM)):

"I think we've achieved a lot more than even the optimists believed [in January 2007] ...this is the reason I don't close the door to anything."

"We have taken on The Establishment."

"I'll drop out when my supporters lose confidence and they no longer volunteer and they no longer send money."


I am torn about talking about it, but we must be realistic that the GOP nomination is extremely difficult to win. We must continue this fight no matter what happens within the GOP, and we must discuss and support a run outside the GOP, if needed. From the quotes above, I am convinced Ron Paul would do it.

Most of us only just joined late last year, which I think was a bit late. The campaign finally helped direct this great grassroots effort with voters.ronpaul2008.com, but it was only just opened in early January, which was very late. I think this is the main reason why we've started off very slowly.

But, the good news is we are getting much more organized and larger every day. We have until this November to get Ron Paul elected. We have the energy, motivation, direction, and time. Even if a GOP win is a long shot, a Presidential run is still realistic. From the quotes above, I am convinced that Ron Paul will stay in the fight when we stay in it.

This is why I'm strongly endorsing June as Tax Rebate Donation Month. We had 135,000 individual donors in Q4. We've had thousands of new people join the campaign since then. Even those who maxed out $2,300 for the GOP nomination, can start over with another $2,300 for the actual Presidential run (the start of The $4,600 Club?). Thus, I think it realistic that 100,000 people could donate their $600 "tax rebate" check to Ron Paul for $60,000,000 total. Who knows - maybe we can even hit $100,000,000? I can think of no better way for us as a group to stick it to "The Establishment" than to use their own policies against them for our movement.

[deedles]

"I'll drop out when my supporters lose confidence and they no longer volunteer and they no longer send money."

this is the key message IMO. I believe he will stay in it as long as we do.. which makes sense because WE have to be the ones that want it bad enough to fight for it... there is no way for him to do it without support and he knows it... and what would be the point, anyway, in trying to 'save' a country that doesn't want to be saved.

If we still want this... we need to show it. Time to ramp back up folks...

I wish we could bring back the senior forum members that were lost in and about the time of Iowa and NH....

[clintontj72]

Ron basically spells it out...'It's about the message'! If the money keeps coming he will keep going...this is his life's work and will become ours as well. If the republican party doesn't take him...there is no reason to stop. We will change this countries dialogue one way or another...we must change the ship's(USA) course.

[ronpaul4pres]

If we still want this... we need to show it. Time to ramp back up folks...

Yeah!

Who else is with us?

[Drea]

"I'll drop out when my supporters lose confidence and they no longer volunteer and they no longer send money."

What this said to me is that he is seeing our donations waning. What I have heard coming from Ron through his asking for $23mil more, thru the endorsement of MLK on television/changing the widget/acknowledging the Anniversary moneybomb w/calls from HQ --all the way through until now-- is that our support appears to be waning. Did Ron ever have to ask us about moneybombs for Nov 5th or Dec16th? No! Now he is asking us and we aren't answering back in a big way.

Our donations aren't showing the support!!

We need to show the campaign that we are still in this. We do this with our donations and our volunteer actions.

I believe that statement was to be a wake-up call for us.

Just my 2 cents.

Drea

Please donate big between now and February 5th!! Do all you can to promote the Feb. 1st moneybombs!!

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

"That's why I'm not ruling out ANYTHING..."

RP is trying to send us a message, folks. This is the second time in a week (the first at the FL debate) that RP has dropped strong hints about an independent run. This is a chance to change the face of American politics forever, to bring down the failed, corrupt two-party system, and to do deal a deathblow to the neocons in the GOP.

Let's try to kick ass on Feb 5, and then get ready for an independent run. I honestly believe that Ron can do much better than Perot did in 1992. If Hillary is the Dem nominee, we can pick up huge numbers of young and antiwar people from the Dems, and probably pick off 10-15% of the GOP base. Not to mention that Ron can clean up with independents, which is the fastest growing group of voters in the country. He got 63% of independents in Nevada. We could be looking at 20-30 million votes for Ron Paul, which would be the biggest political story in the last 25 years. There is a chance he might even win!

[dw1345]

I agree.

[mexicanpizza]

Root for Hillary. We'll get most of the young-uns from Obama.

Not to mention all the anyone-but-Hill democrats. :D

[hellsingfan]

ya, Obama would be our worst competitior, although on 1 on 1 debate, he'll look so stupid when it come to the economy, the dollar, because of his socialist programs but the same can be said for Hillary. I hope its RP vs Hillary, we will win then.

[Crickett]

Ron basically spells it out...'It's about the message'! If the money keeps coming he will keep going...this is his life's work and will become ours as well. If the republican party doesn't take him...there is no reason to stop. We will change this countries dialogue one way or another...we must change the ship's(USA) course.

I think you are exactly right. He never said, even, I want to be your President. He sure did talk about the movement. he abover post was also correct. This time money is being asked for. We, now more than ever, need to show this wonderful man how much we support his (and our) issues.

[virginiakid]

gotta hope for a Hillary win for sure. On SC though, when I was down there last week, there was no question that Obama was going to win and win big. Everybody I talked to who was a democrat was voting for Obama. I bet FL, having more retired people will go to Hillary.

[Highstreet]

I disagree. He will not run 3rd party. He has been there, done that, and knows the odds are it is a waste of money.

He will either be in a brokered convention, will win outright, or will take his newfound popularity back to congress and start moving and shaking there for the first time in his career.

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

If Hillary keeps playing the race card and kneecapping Obama, we might pick up a lot of black voters! RP does have many positions they can get behind. Millions of black families are caught up in this un-Constitutional "war on drugs," for example.

[JMann]

ya, Obama would be our worst competitior, although on 1 on 1 debate, he'll look so stupid when it come to the economy, the dollar, because of his socialist programs but the same can be said for Hillary. I hope its RP vs Hillary, we will win then.

O! won't look stupid during a debate because the debates are about image and not policy. BO would clean Paul's clock unless Paul learns how to talk like a modern day presidential candidate.

[wgadget]

O! won't look stupid during a debate because the debates are about image and not policy. BO would clean Paul's clock unless Paul learns how to talk like a modern day presidential candidate.

You mean use lots of flowery language at a fevered pitch that conveys absolutely nothing?

[Ex Post Facto]

I disagree. He will not run 3rd party. He has been there, done that, and knows the odds are it is a waste of money.

He will either be in a brokered convention, will win outright, or will take his newfound popularity back to congress and start moving and shaking there for the first time in his career.

I think you are possibly right; however, he did say as long as there is support he will continue running. He said our support has shown him that anything is possible and he won't rule anything out.

[sharpsteve2003]

I will support Ron Paul all the way to the White House no matter what road he may have to take to get there!!!!!!!!

[No1ButPaul08]

O! won't look stupid during a debate because the debates are about image and not policy. BO would clean Paul's clock unless Paul learns how to talk like a modern day presidential candidate.

This is foolish. Primary debates are much different than general election debates. RP could paint O as a pro-war, pro-Patriot act, socialist. The democrats won't attack Obama's "record." The Republicans will not be as nice. These debates would be about policy. You can't honestly believe O would get the best of RP in a policy debate

[rockandrollsouls]

He has to at least put his name on the ballot...it just doesn't make sense to raise all of this money and support only to give in at the end. Like I said, I'll vote for him either way, and I will continue to work to help him get the GOP nomination.

And yes! Imagine Doctor Paul speaking against Hillary or Obama...or if worst comes to worst, against Mccain and one of those two. He'd really make them look like idiots...we HAVE to make sure he's in the general election debates; I think that is where he'll REALLY stand out against anyone else. Another reason why we can't ever give in! It only gets better from here on out, folks.

[sharpsteve2003]

I hope they post the rest of the message because it seemed to cut off short at the end.

[RonRules]

O! won't look stupid during a debate because the debates are about image and not policy. BO would clean Paul's clock unless Paul learns how to talk like a modern day presidential candidate.


I've listened to several of Obama's speeches and yesterdays's SC victory speech. THIS GUY SAYS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

If Ron Paul debates him, he needs to start with this: "Let's talk substance and actually what will be done instead of vacuous statements ...

[RonRules]

There are a total of 9 candidates left including all Democrats and Repulbicans.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a debate with ALL of them on the stage? I don't think this has been done before, but I think RP would come out really well in that environment. We could pick up a lot of Democratic votes that way.

[Signzit]

bump

[dkim68]

The way I see it he is sticking his neck out for all of us. We need to return the favor not just through donations but in educating and informing as many people as we can with his message. The reason why it's so important that WE do this work is because of the constant barrage of negativity opposing him, from the MSM garbage, misinformation from the other campaigns that he's dropped out of the race, vote fraud, etc. We need to really vividly imagine what the next four years will be like WITHOUT Ron Paul in the White House. Our destiny changed forever in the wrong direction. WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR HIM! WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR OUR FUTURES!!

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

I will support Ron Paul all the way to the White House no matter what road he may have to take to get there!!!!!!!!

That's the spirit!!

[LibertyForAll]

It has come to the place in America that people don't trust Republicans OR Democrats. The Republicans got us into Iraq, the Democrats promised to get us out when they got control of Congress, and both parties have failed, and the people are really fed up with Washington, and both Repubs and Dems. I believe that in a General Election, this year Ron Paul would have a really good shot as an Independent.

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

It has come to the place in America that people don't trust Republicans OR Democrats. The Republicans got us into Iraq, the Democrats promised to get us out when they got control of Congress, and both parties have failed, and the people are really fed up with Washington, and both Repubs and Dems. I believe that in a General Election, this year Ron Paul would have a really good shot as an Independent.

Right on.

[mudhoney]

It all comes down to us supporters. If we don't back down and he doesn't get the nomination, then I can see him going third party. The main factor here is that running third party is a LOT of work just to get on ballots and debates. If our grassroots campaign is stronger than ever though, and Ron Paul is up to it, we could make it the most successful third party presidential bid ever.

[RonPaulVolunteer]

Oh he HAS to run if he doesn't get the nomination... we will have TEN MONTHS to get the word out. We may have a serious shot at a 3rd party run.

[DBJ1414]

Ron Paul said in his new video today (Ron Paul Progress (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0nJH6zB9VM)):

"I think we've achieved a lot more than even the optimists believed [in January 2007] ...this is the reason I don't close the door to anything."

"We have taken on The Establishment."

"I'll drop out when my supporters lose confidence and they no longer volunteer and they no longer send money."


I am torn about talking about it, but we must be realistic that the GOP nomination is extremely difficult to win. We must continue this fight no matter what happens within the GOP, and we must discuss and support a run outside the GOP, if needed. From the quotes above, I am convinced Ron Paul would do it.

Most of us only just joined late last year, which I think was a bit late. The campaign finally helped direct this great grassroots effort with voters.ronpaul2008.com, but it was only just opened in early January, which was very late. I think this is the main reason why we've started off very slowly.

But, the good news is we are getting much more organized and larger every day. We have until this November to get Ron Paul elected. We have the energy, motivation, direction, and time. Even if a GOP win is a long shot, a Presidential run is still realistic. From the quotes above, I am convinced that Ron Paul will stay in the fight when we stay in it.

This is why I'm strongly endorsing June as Tax Rebate Donation Month. We had 135,000 individual donors in Q4. We've had thousands of new people join the campaign since then. Even those who maxed out $2,300 for the GOP nomination, can start over with another $2,300 for the actual Presidential run (the start of The $4,600 Club?). Thus, I think it realistic that 100,000 people could donate their $600 "tax rebate" check to Ron Paul for $60,000,000 total. Who knows - maybe we can even hit $100,000,000? I can think of no better way for us as a group to stick it to "The Establishment" than to use their own policies against them for our movement.
A GREAT VIDEO BY RON PAUL & MESSAGE - & I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE POSTING BY RONPAUL4PRES-DOUG

[me3]

I can say, with 99% certainty, Dr. Paul is not going to run third party.

MayTheRonBeWithYou, you really need to give it up. You keep creating false expectations for people, there has been an enormous amount of time and money put into joining up with the Republican party. If Ron runs third party, he will undermine the next candidate to run under his banner.

[RonPaulVolunteer]

This is foolish. Primary debates are much different than general election debates. RP could paint O as a pro-war, pro-Patriot act, socialist. The democrats won't attack Obama's "record." The Republicans will not be as nice. These debates would be about policy. You can't honestly believe O would get the best of RP in a policy debate

Yes I do. I agree with the post. No one will win against BO. Period. If he wins the nomination, he is GOING to be the President.

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

I can say, with 99% certainty, Dr. Paul is not going to run third party.

MayTheRonBeWithYou, you really need to give it up. You keep creating false expectations for people, there has been an enormous amount of time and money put into joining up with the Republican party. If Ron runs third party, he will undermine the next candidate to run under his banner.

To me the "false expectation" is that we would win the GOP nod. That's why people get depressed when he doesn't win primaries. If you have a larger goal in mind (independent run), you never, ever get depressed by 2nd or 3rd or 4th place showings, because you know we are working toward a larger goal. Think about it.

As for pissing off the GOP, who cares???? The party needs a wake-up call. They have treated Ron like dirt, and our movement like a disease.

[ronpaul4pres]

A GREAT VIDEO BY RON PAUL & MESSAGE - & I TOTALLY AGREE WITH THE POSTING BY RONPAUL4PRES-DOUG

Thank you, Doug!

Also, I see some pooh-pooh the idea of a 3rd party run, but remember: he told Tim Russert he needed a little "wiggle room" on this subject. Also remember that Ron Paul stated that he had to be convinced to run in the first place. Even though he has no intention to run 3rd party today, that doesn't mean we couldn't convince him, again.

[DBJ1414]

Thank you, Doug!

Also, I see some pooh-pooh the idea of a 3rd party run, but remember: he told Tim Russert he needed a little "wiggle room" on this subject. Also remember that Ron Paul stated that he had to be convinced to run in the first place. Even though he has no intention to run 3rd party today, that doesn't mean we couldn't convince him, again.

YOU ARE WELCOME-LOL-RONPAUL4PRES- KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK-DOUG

[rockandrollsouls]

Let me put it this way; if your attitude is to give up if he doesn't win the GOP nomination, you should leave. Seriously. Get up and go. I hope with all of my soul he does, but if he doesn't, I hope he does everything in his power to get into the whitehouse. Is that false hope? I don't think so. Perseverence, yes.

[DBJ1414]

I Agree-doug

[me3]

As for pissing off the GOP, who cares???? The party needs a wake-up call. They have treated Ron like dirt, and our movement like a disease.
And this is why we won't win. Because people have no patience, or vision to realize that this may take a couple elections to realize. You want instant results, immediately. You want respect, for a movement that polls at 5% nationally.

You keep plugging third party, then complain that the GOP treats the movement like a disease.


To me the "false expectation" is that we would win the GOP nod. That's why people get depressed when he doesn't win primaries. If you have a larger goal in mind (independent run), you never, ever get depressed by 2nd or 3rd or 4th place showings, because you know we are working toward a larger goal. Think about it.
I have thought about it, and I know a little about it. Dr. Paul is setting up a new coalition for the Republican Party whether he wins or loses. He's not going to run again at 76 years old. He's basically admitted he never ran with the intention of winning. And most importantly, he only leaves the option of a third party run open so that his competitors and the party have to consider it later.

A 3rd party candidate has zero chance of winning. That's reality. No one even comes close. Ballot access is an issue, as are the debates (minimum national poll requirement).

And before people bring up the Libertarian party, they aren't even able to get 1 million votes nationally on their own. Dr. Paul's not going to throw away all of the clout built up in the Republican party by switching bids at the last minute. He's positioning himself to be the next Robert Taft.

[speciallyblend]

I disagree. He will not run 3rd party. He has been there, done that, and knows the odds are it is a waste of money.

He will either be in a brokered convention, will win outright, or will take his newfound popularity back to congress and start moving and shaking there for the first time in his career.

Ron Paul has nothing to say about a 3rd party run, He cant stop us from writing him in;) which i plan on doing. Ron Paul has my vote no matter what the gop decides.

[me3]

Let me put it this way; if your attitude is to give up if he doesn't win the GOP nomination, you should leave. Seriously. Get up and go. I hope with all of my soul he does, but if he doesn't, I hope he does everything in his power to get into the whitehouse. Is that false hope? I don't think so. Perseverence, yes.
My attitude is to keep fighting for the GOP nomination, not to fool myself that there is some other alternative, so we don't have to work as hard, or talk crap about the Republicans throughout the process.

You can tell me to leave, but you're missing the point. Excluding people, particularly Republicans will sink this campaign now, and later. There will be no legacy, just as Pat Robertson and Ross Perot left no legacy when they ran Reform.


Ron Paul has nothing to say about a 3rd party run, He cant stop us from writing him in;) which i plan on doing. Ron Paul has my vote no matter what the gop decides.
That's the right way to do it.

[familydog]

And this is why we won't win. Because people have no patience, or vision to realize that this may take a couple elections to realize. You want instant results, immediately. You want respect, for a movement that polls at 5% nationally.

You keep plugging third party, then complain that the GOP treats the movement like a disease.


I have thought about it, and I know a little about it. Dr. Paul is setting up a new coalition for the Republican Party whether he wins or loses. He's not going to run again at 76 years old. He's basically admitted he never ran with the intention of winning. And most importantly, he only leaves the option of a third party run open so that his competitors and the party have to consider it later.

A 3rd party candidate has zero chance of winning. That's reality. No one even comes close. Ballot access is an issue, as are the debates (minimum national poll requirement).

And before people bring up the Libertarian party, they aren't even able to get 1 million votes nationally on their own. Dr. Paul's not going to throw away all of the clout built up in the Republican party by switching bids at the last minute. He's positioning himself to be the next Robert Taft.

QFT. His hard work on getting his message respect is working. It's going slow, but it's working. These people who want to piss all over the GOP if he doesn't get the nomination (or even before) are helping to undo all his hard work within the party.

[speciallyblend]

And this is why we won't win. Because people have no patience, or vision to realize that this may take a couple elections to realize. You want instant results, immediately. You want respect, for a movement that polls at 5% nationally.

You keep plugging third party, then complain that the GOP treats the movement like a disease.


I have thought about it, and I know a little about it. Dr. Paul is setting up a new coalition for the Republican Party whether he wins or loses. He's not going to run again at 76 years old. He's basically admitted he never ran with the intention of winning. And most importantly, he only leaves the option of a third party run open so that his competitors and the party have to consider it later.

A 3rd party candidate has zero chance of winning. That's reality. No one even comes close. Ballot access is an issue, as are the debates (minimum national poll requirement).

And before people bring up the Libertarian party, they aren't even able to get 1 million votes nationally on their own. Dr. Paul's not going to throw away all of the clout built up in the Republican party by switching bids at the last minute. He's positioning himself to be the next Robert Taft.

If Ron Paul has a 0% chance of winning the election,then that means the gop has -100% chance of winning the general election, and me and many ron paul supporters will make 100% sure of that, no sympathy anymore for the gop. They made their bed and they can flip around like a fish out of water for all i care anymore,after all the tactics and unethical things the gop have done along with the msm.
No mercy,if the gop doesnt nominate Ron Paul,then thats not my fault,they can lose the general election,I'll be voting Ron Paul;) the gop doesnt force me to vote for hillary republicans

RON PAUL vs Hillary Republicans,the republican party is dead ,unless they nominate Ron Paul2008

anyone care to make a bet? the gop should be very scared,they know exactly what they are doing. They are driving me out of the party.

if any ron paul supporters vote for another republican in the general election,then they were never a ron paul supporter to begin with..

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

A 3rd party candidate has zero chance of winning. That's reality. No one even comes close. Ballot access is an issue, as are the debates (minimum national poll requirement).

You are wrong. You are being a pessimist, I am sorry to say. Ross Perot took 20% of the vote in 1992 and could have won if he did not drop out and have a meltdown. He was leading the polls before that, beating both Clinton and Bush.

Come on, man. Have some confidence in Ron. People are just discouraged because hasn't been winning in the GOP. But the GOP is a crippled, sick, corrupt, war-mongering party.

[Richie]

You guys seem to be overlooking some things. Ron Paul has another fight to fight in after the primaries are over. He's being challenged for his Congressional seat by a neocon in his district. It's possible that he might be thinking of retiring from politics and closing it out with another independent/third party Presidential run, but look at him - he has more energy then me, and I'm only 17! Physically, he's perfectly capable of serving a couple more terms in Congress.

Also, an independent/third party run would keep him off the ballot in some states; due to soar loser laws.

One more thing - it would be impractical for him to run as an independent. That would require TONS of work on our part with ballot access. We definitely have the man power to get on the ballot in some places, but not in all 50 states. A more practical approach would be running as a Libertarian. The Libertarian Party would guarantee ballot access in 48-49 states (minus the soar loser states).

Don't take this the wrong way - I want to vote for Ron Paul in the general election no matter what. But, we have to keep in mind his own personal limitations, and other details.

[me3]

RON PAUL vs Hillary Republicans,the republican party is dead ,unless they nominate Ron Paul2008
Sometimes the naivety of supporters is astounding.

If the GOP loses badly by picking someone else, there will be a power vacuum. We are putting ourselves in position to not only fill that vacuum, but to take over a national party infrastructure and use it to push the Freedom Agenda.

This is an amazing opportunity. Understand it for what it is. The GOP can be what enough of us want it to be, if we're willing to bite our lip right now, and work to accomplish our goals.

Do people even realize how long the Trilateral Commission and CFR have been working and building up their influence? This is a multi-generational struggle, it doesn't end on Feb 5th, or Jan 29th, or at the 2008 RNC. This is a beginning.

Otherwise, some other idiots will take over the GOP, and we'll be right back where we started in 2000, but with the tables turned between the Republicans and Democrats.

Think strategically. Especially the young people. Ron Paul is not the answer to the problem, YOU ARE the answer to the problem.

[Mandrik]

If you think there is a media blackout now, I only see it getting worse with a 3rd party run.

[familydog]

You are wrong. You are being a pessimist, I am sorry to say. Ross Perot took 20% of the vote in 1992 and could have won if he did not drop out and have a meltdown. He was leading the polls before that, beating both Clinton and Bush.

Come on, man. Have some confidence in Ron. People are just discouraged because hasn't been winning in the GOP. But the GOP is a crippled, sick, corrupt, war-mongering party.

I didn't realize Paul will have 60+ million dollars to spend.

[speciallyblend]

You are wrong. You are being a pessimist, I am sorry to say. Ross Perot took 20% of the vote in 1992 and could have won if he did not drop out and have a meltdown. He was leading the polls before that, beating both Clinton and Bush.

Come on, man. Have some confidence in Ron. People are just discouraged because hasn't been winning in the GOP. But the GOP is a crippled, sick, corrupt, war-mongering party.

100% correct, THE GOP NEEDS US,WE DONT NEED THE GOP:) the gop better figure this out quick,or they will kill their own party. Ron Paul Supporters are not going to vote for big intrusive hillary warmongering republicans

ron paul2008

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

You guys seem to be overlooking some things. Ron Paul has another fight to fight in after the primaries are over. He's being challenged for his Congressional seat by a neocon in his district. It's possible that he might be thinking of retiring from politics and closing it out with another independent/third party Presidential run, but look at him - he has more energy then me, and I'm only 17! Physically, he's perfectly capable of serving a couple more terms in Congress.

His seat is not in jeopardy.


Also, an independent/third party run would keep him off the ballot in some states; due to soar loser laws.

That has been debunked. No such laws will hamper an independent run by Ron.


One more thing - it would be impractical for him to run as an independent. That would require TONS of work on our part with ballot access. We definitely have the man power to get on the ballot in some places, but not in all 50 states. A more practical approach would be running as a Libertarian. The Libertarian Party would guarantee ballot access in 48-49 states (minus the soar loser states).

We have all the people and money we need to get him on the ballots. This is not even a question.

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

I didn't realize Paul will have 60+ million dollars to spend.

My guess would be closer $100 million.

[Arklatex]

Root for Hillary. We'll get most of the young-uns from Obama.

Not to mention all the anyone-but-Hill democrats. :D

:cool:

[rockandrollsouls]

maytheron be with you hit it before me. i wanted to comment on sore loser laws. But guys, the thing is, we all want the doctor to get the gop nomination, but if he doesn't, would you be willing to support him even farther. I know I would.

[Eric21ND]

If it does come to an Independent run I will give him my full tax rebate check.

[EndTheFed]

Has anyone noticed the numbers of voters voting in the democrat primaries/caucuses?

Dems are KILLING the GOP.

If RP goes third party, he will pull from both plus independents.

I think with 10 months more media blackout wont matter. He would be in the debates or there would be hell to pay.

[Opiner]

Dr. Paul is advocating peace and the other three candidates ahead of him are warmongers. The conclusion from Dr. Paul’s analysis, “fourth place out of eleven is not all that bad” seems shallow. Since peace is the right choice and the majority of people are against it then things must not be that good. I mean what is going on here, advocating peace is unpatriotic, questioning officials’ conduct is conspiratorial, saying the truth is ridiculous, banging the drums of war is popular and advocating torture and violence is conforming to the norm. I think addressing the situation realistically and not resorting to convenient conclusions in search for comfort is clearly the better approach. Dr. Paul says the fight is worth it but if he clarifies how much worth it the fight is it would be helpful. We have to realize that the biggest obstacle against this message is the public mindset created by the misinformation complex.

[MayTheRonBeWithYou]

If it does come to an Independent run I will give him my full tax rebate check.

Best. Idea. Ever.

[Arklatex]

LOVE IS OUR RELIGION!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=-8oAGvFxevw

[LibertyEagle]

"I'll drop out when my supporters lose confidence and they no longer volunteer and they no longer send money."

What this said to me is that he is seeing our donations waning. What I have heard coming from Ron through his asking for $23mil more, thru the endorsement of MLK on television/changing the widget/acknowledging the Anniversary moneybomb w/calls from HQ --all the way through until now-- is that our support appears to be waning. Did Ron ever have to ask us about moneybombs for Nov 5th or Dec16th? No! Now he is asking us and we aren't answering back in a big way.

Our donations aren't showing the support!!

We need to show the campaign that we are still in this. We do this with our donations and our volunteer actions.

I believe that statement was to be a wake-up call for us.



QFT

[Rebel Resource]

I disagree. He will not run 3rd party. He has been there, done that, and knows the odds are it is a waste of money.


Not this time it won't be a waste of money. We'll make a mockery of the two-party system whoever we're against. Think of the ammo we have on Romney, Obama and Hillary.

By the end of 9 months, we'll have educated half of America about our rotten system.

[virginiakid]

I wouldn't run 3rd party. I would run Independent though. That is what Joe Lieberman did and he won, even with his own party going against him.

I think the 08 presidential election is the time to run as an independent because people are looking for change. If RP doesn't win the white house, then I will also say that 012 will be a huge year for change.

[me3]

I think with 10 months more media blackout wont matter. He would be in the debates or there would be hell to pay.
15% to get into debates. You have to be polling at better than 15% nationally. We can't even pull a consistent 15% in the GOP.


Not this time it won't be a waste of money. We'll make a mockery of the two-party system whoever we're against. Think of the ammo we have on Romney, Obama and Hillary.

By the end of 9 months, we'll have educated half of America about our rotten system.
Great so we make a mockery, but they still hold office.

What is it with the lemming complex? People wanting to throw themselves off cliffs to make a point?

This is the foundation stone for the greatest opportunity in many of our lifetimes. Don't piss it away by undermining all of the work that has been done in the last 12 months, and 20 years of Dr. Paul's time as a Republican.

[mysticgeek]

Ron basically spells it out...'It's about the message'! If the money keeps coming he will keep going...this is his life's work and will become ours as well. If the republican party doesn't take him...there is no reason to stop. We will change this countries dialogue one way or another...we must change the ship's(USA) course.

I agree with this 100% ... I love how he talked about how he truly believes this is a revolution! I am in it until the end of this election ... and no matter what happens ... I will be more into the revolution moving forward after!!!

[noztnac]

15% to get into debates. You have to be polling at better than 15% nationally. We can't even pull a consistent 15% in the GOP.





Great so we make a mockery, but they still hold office.

What is it with the lemming complex? People wanting to throw themselves off cliffs to make a point?

This is the foundation stone for the greatest opportunity in many of our lifetimes. Don't piss it away by undermining all of the work that has been done in the last 12 months, and 20 years of Dr. Paul's time as a Republican.


It's a lot easier to pull 15% outside the GOP given RP's stance against the war.
Screw Republicans. Ron Paul is a Libertarian. Time to jump off the sinking ship.

[me3]

It's a lot easier to pull 15% outside the GOP given RP's stance against the war.
So you're saying that you are sure he will meet the national requirements to be in the debates?


Screw Republicans. Ron Paul is a Libertarian.
Ron Paul is a "libertarian" not a "Libertarian". The Libertarians can't get their act together, it's a going nowhere party.


Time to jump off the sinking ship.
No vision. Plug the holes, throw off the stowaways and take over the ship. Abandoning the GOP for the Libertarian party is like trading in the opportunity to command an Aircraft Carrier for a lifeboat.

It's irrelevant anyways. Most of the fad supporters will be gone in 12 months. People who want to make a real difference are sucking it up, and doing what it is going to take to turn this around. They're licking their chops at the RNC, where we're going to at worst dictate party platform, and the 2012 and 2016 elections.

[ronpaul4pres]

Most of the fad supporters will be gone in 12 months. People who want to make a real difference are sucking it up, and doing what it is going to take to turn this around. They're licking their chops at the RNC, where we're going to at worst dictate party platform, and the 2012 and 2016 elections.

I especially like the idea of continuing our movement beyond Ron Paul and this election, but I see no problem jumping party lines to try as hard as we can to get him elected as President.

[Silverback]

Come on people, try to think strategically.

Ron has no intention of running third party, that's what he keeps saying and that's what he means.

He also refuses to rule a third party run out.

He's got the GOP by the short hairs and everybody knows it, the establishment is terrified of an independent Dr. Paul, and our movement will have a lot of leverage at the convention, when the platform, the appointments, maybe even the Vice presidency is decided. The nomination itself may be up for grabs if we can win five states. Ron wasn't hinting at a third party run in FL, he was throwing down the gauntlet to the GOP establishment, either find a way to accomodate the revolution or face irrelevency.

This isn't about Ron, remember? Not to Ron anyway. This is about freedom, liberty, the future of the Republican party or a new party if the GOP insists on self destructing.

[Harry96]

I'm getting to where I wish I had a button on my keyboard that could deliver an electric shock to anyone who keeps bringing up a third party run. NO THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE HAS EVER BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT IN ALL OF AMERICAN HISTORY!!! What part of that do you not understand? The odds are overwhelming that he won't even be able to influence the major parties that way; if the media blackout winds up being successful at keeping him from being a contender for the GOP nomination, when he's a sitting Congressman who has raised all of this money and been in every debate, what in the world makes you think he could overcome the same media blackout as a third party candidate? That's ludicrous. The media will have every reason in the world to pay even less attention to him as a third party candidate than they do now. Stop bringing this up already. It's stupid, and he has said repeatedly that he has no plans to do it.

My bet is there will be a brokered convention between McCain, Romney and Paul. And I think he'll have a real shot in that environment.

[jdmetz]

It's a lot easier to pull 15% outside the GOP given RP's stance against the war.
Screw Republicans. Ron Paul is a Libertarian. Time to jump off the sinking ship.
What? Any Democrat who would vote for Ron Paul would have been voting for Kucinich, and he was only pulling 1-2% nationally. I don't see the Democratic party as being fertile grounds for Ron Paul to get voters (well, maybe if Hillary is their nominee).

[Sauron]

he was throwing down the gauntlet to the GOP establishment, either find a way to accomodate the revolution or face irrelevency
That's the crux of the situation.

[the_bee]

Let’s make it simple ….. This is what he said.

I am willing, able and ready to go all the way if you are ….obviously without your support I can not.
So never stop. never ever stop even if we don’t get the nomination never ever stop. Keep going forever.

[ronpaul4pres]

NO THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE HAS EVER BEEN ELECTED PRESIDENT IN ALL OF AMERICAN HISTORY!!!

Just because it never happened doesn't mean it never will.

But, the rest of your post is fairly accurate, so I will say this: let's see where we are in May and re-evaluate at that time. Right now, it's GOP nomination or bust!

[AlexMerced]

Just support the doctor as best you can, and bring recruits and friends.

[Tronchaser]

People, we ALL know that whatever route the good doctor takes, we WILL support him. I think we can all agree on that.

However, Me3 is correct in saying that we have an incredible oppurtunity here to take over the GOP. I myself, who have never been involved in any kind of political activity (other than voting), am going to the precinct meetings on the 29th. The counbty GOP head said I will be the precinct chairman which is an automatic delegate to the county convention. The GOP is SO ripe for us to pick it.

I hope all of you are doing the same! I know there are a LOT of precinct captains (for Ron Paul, not GOP) in my county that are planning on doing the same. It will be HELLA fun to meet up with them at the county convention KNOWING what we know and what we are doing, and the direction we are taking.

This is no small undertaking, and will take years of grunt political work. I'm commited to do it in the name of liberty, and freedom.

Are you?

[Crickett]

Don't really see the difference..he gets no respect as a Republican, why would a 3rd Party change that??

[manny]

Whatever might happen, can we please concentrate on winning the Republican primary.

Stop insulting Republicans. It is the party Ron has been in since before most of us were born and to which he has devoted his political life. In fact he often says on national TV "I'm the most Republican guy running". Can't believe it needs saying but here goes: Insulting Republicans will not make them vote for us.

Average Republicans voted for Bush when his rhetoric was tax cutting and non-interventionism. Average Republicans voted for Reagan when his rhetoric was tax cutting in an explicitly libertarian style. I know these two didn't live up to the promise but most people vote on gut instinct. They thought they were voting for real Republicans.

Go read on Free Republic - one by one they're waking up to the fact that, especially with Fred gone, Ron is the only conservative left. We just need to nudge them that little bit - believe me most do not want to vote for McCain. We will not nudge them by calling them idiots.

I know it's lots of fun but can we please drop the 3rd party theories and concetrate on the thing Ron has asked us to do - winning the Republican nomination? He's up against a guy who changes his mind every 6 months, a NY liberal gun grabber, a guy who wants a 100year war in Iraq and another who is a religious socialist. The average Republicans have not disappeared. So - lots of them supported the war. They were told it was patriotic. They're not our enemies. Reach out to them, educate them. We can do it. Ron is an incredible candidate, with an intellect and record the others would kill for. We just have to push. Clearly Ron's staking it on Feb 5th - so now is the time to really step on the gas since the other campaigns are dying. Now is not the time to jump ship to parties that regularly get less than 1% of national votes.

[Drea]

Come on people, try to think strategically.

Ron has no intention of running third party, that's what he keeps saying and that's what he means.

He also refuses to rule a third party run out.

He's got the GOP by the short hairs and everybody knows it, the establishment is terrified of an independent Dr. Paul, and our movement will have a lot of leverage at the convention, when the platform, the appointments, maybe even the Vice presidency is decided. The nomination itself may be up for grabs if we can win five states. Ron wasn't hinting at a third party run in FL, he was throwing down the gauntlet to the GOP establishment, either find a way to accomodate the revolution or face irrelevency.

This isn't about Ron, remember? Not to Ron anyway. This is about freedom, liberty, the future of the Republican party or a new party if the GOP insists on self destructing.

QFT! (quoted for truth and quite f'n true!)

He even said in the debate that they should be afraid of 3rd party run.

Drea

[Rede]

"That's why I'm not ruling out ANYTHING..."

RP is trying to send us a message, folks. This is the second time in a week (the first at the FL debate) that RP has dropped strong hints about an independent run.

Just curious, but what message was he sending when he was asked "if you don't get the Republican nomination you're out?" and responded "That's right."? I think you're spreading poor information and it isn't helping.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T6hZfxsJ4lQ
(7min mark or so)

I think what Ron wants to do is make sure they treat him fairly, out of fear he'll drop out and run as a third party if they mistreat him too much. Who knows where too much is though...

[Staupostek]

Average Republicans voted for Reagan when his rhetoric was tax cutting in an explicitly libertarian style.

Just remember, nobody gave Reagan a chance in 1976, and he lost. But the message kept spreading and in 1980 he won big. It's the message that is growing and Dr. Paul is the current preacher of it. If we win this year, great. If not, there is not need to get depressed, quit fighting, and go home. Keep pushing the message and that will be what carries Ron Paul to the White House or some of his supporters into seats in Congress or even many supporters into GOP positions at the state and local level. This way we will be ready next time around when we finally win or just add to our slate of elected officials who support our message.

[Opiner]

It is really irrelevant what Dr. Paul does his support will not stop based on the limited selection of candidates. I mean it is night and day between Dr. Ron Paul and the other candidates. However, when people are so mad that Dr. Ron Paul didn't win and he comes out and says fourth place is not bad then it might be hard to digest. If you truly believe in your message and you won by for example 99 votes and one vote went to the other candidate you would be unhappy about not reaching that one person and convincing him.

[VonBek2000]

Actually Lincoln was elected in a race with 4 parties vying for the office. He was part of the new party the Republicans.

[Dutchie]

this seems to be off topic to where this thread has ended up, but the presence teenagers in the video was a little weird. i didn't quite understand what it was trying to say. Ron Paul has a lot of teenage supporters? Are those his grandkids?

they didn't accidently show up in the video, so what is the reason for having them there, and what does it communicate? An older gentleman in an office with smiling teenagers?

i am from a communications background, so i see this in a different light than others, just wondering what other people thought about it.

[Staupostek]

I have always hated these kind of cut-away shots to smiling listeners. It just looks cheesy like someone paid them to sit and smile for the cameras.

[Dutchie]

My post with relevance to where this thread has gone:

If ron paul runs as a third party candidate, he would only gain in support, in my opinion.

The real question for me is, if he doesn't run, will someone else run as a third party "ron paul republican?" Is there another person with experience that could take the momentum of this
powerful drive on as a third party candidate? If the right person stepped forward, he/she would
gain all the momentum we have created in this powerful movement, and depending on the person
I don't think the movement would be weakened, because it is about the content of the message, not the messenger.

[chrismatthews]

I just wanted to post to defend and associate myself with me3's analysis.

The upshot of it is the Libertarian party is fragmented and imploding. There's a bunch of splinter groups at war and a decent portion of them don't support Paul's candidacy.

You have big L libertarians that support the war on Iraq, support racial quotas, support laws that discriminate by color, gender, and sexual preference.

According to Dr. Paul we have 12 candidates running as RP Republicans. The republican party is foundering, and is less splintered than the libertarian party. We've delivered a tiny shock to the system but it will take a continued effort to make meaningful change.

We can pull the republican party towards liberty. We can shape the platform.

If Dr. Paul were elected this run and served 8 years he couldn't possibly effect all of the change that we need as a country.

So lets focus on this run, as a republican candidate. Lets show the party and the country that Paul's message has a mandate and they'd be stupid not to listen. Then, win or lose, lets reform the republican party into something that we can all be proud to freely associate with.

That's the big game. Who's willing to play it?

[Revolution9]

Let's try to kick ass on Feb 5, and then get ready for an independent run.

Stop having YOUR wet dream in every effing thread. That is the surest way to lose power and have no say in the future government decisions. He will be relegated to the lecture tour circuit which makes your redundant clatter somewhat suspect. STFU with it and get with the program,..

Ron Paul Republican POTUS 2008 is the goal. Any other banner will not fly. Any other party and Congress loses ts strongest and most hoest advocate for The People. now what would you insist daily fifty annoying times a day that this outcome is what you want??

HTH
Randy

[minitman]

this maybe in the wrong thread but, there 2 ways to get your country back

1st the front door with Ron

2nd through the back door the msm dont really watch as much, congress!

check for Ron like running for congress, rep or sen,while out drumming up support for run make sure they are aware of the others. 10 senators and 40-50 reps would change this government if they didnt make deals like ron wont!

in ohio i think 7th cd is john mitchel, and everyone should read his book!
America at the Abyss Aview from the heartland his site is www.reformcongress.com

[gpickett00]

"That's why I'm not ruling out ANYTHING..."

RP is trying to send us a message, folks. This is the second time in a week (the first at the FL debate) that RP has dropped strong hints about an independent run. This is a chance to change the face of American politics forever, to bring down the failed, corrupt two-party system, and to do deal a deathblow to the neocons in the GOP.

Let's try to kick ass on Feb 5, and then get ready for an independent run. I honestly believe that Ron can do much better than Perot did in 1992. If Hillary is the Dem nominee, we can pick up huge numbers of young and antiwar people from the Dems, and probably pick off 10-15% of the GOP base. Not to mention that Ron can clean up with independents, which is the fastest growing group of voters in the country. He got 63% of independents in Nevada. We could be looking at 20-30 million votes for Ron Paul, which would be the biggest political story in the last 25 years. There is a chance he might even win!


I agree completely! I love the website on the bottom.

[BuddyRey]

What? Any Democrat who would vote for Ron Paul would have been voting for Kucinich, and he was only pulling 1-2% nationally. I don't see the Democratic party as being fertile grounds for Ron Paul to get voters (well, maybe if Hillary is their nominee).

Think again. My vote was for Mike Gravel before I discovered Ron Paul.

Democrats are EXTREMELY fertile ground for Ron Paul support if cultivated correctly.

[fuzzybekool]

bump in case no one saw this video. I just happen to be looking at videos on YouTube and saw this video.

Bump it in case no one has seen it. Very important video.

[Molly1]

Think again. My vote was for Mike Gravel before I discovered Ron Paul.

Democrats are EXTREMELY fertile ground for Ron Paul support if cultivated correctly.

I totally agree! Ron Paul's message is bi-partisan. :D

[ronpaul4pres]

I totally agree! Ron Paul's message is bi-partisan. :D

I agree, too, but I think it's a different sell for a Mike Gravel or Kucinich supporter compared to a Hillary Clinton supporter.