Bigvick
04-28-2008, 01:50 PM
I apologize if this was already posted..
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/04/28/mccain-should-worry-about-ron-paul/
As I touched on earlier in Videos of the Week, Ron Paul had his best primary finish ever in Pennsylvania this pat Tuesday. From a campaign press release:
Presidential candidate Ron Paul received at least 128,111 votes, or 16 percent, in the closed Republican Pennsylvania primary yesterday. Dr. Paul made four stops in the Keystone State during the month of April and spoke to overflow crowds of young people and other passionate supporters.
"Americans are hungry for leadership that will protect the traditions that made our country so great," said campaign spokesman Jesse Benton. "Dr. Paul's grassroots supporters in Pennsylvania and across the country are doing a tremendous job spreading our message, winning votes and laying a strong foundation for the future."
16% is nothing to sneeze at, even if you take into account much lower turnout due to the fact that the Republicans already have a nominee. The mainstream press has pretty much ignored the result, as usual, but to paraphrase George Clinton, they have no concept of the truly awesome power of a fully operational Ron Paul Revolution. After the jump, what could happen, and I'll tell you where to find the story of the Ron Paul interview that never was.
The worst-case scenario for McCain is that Ron Paul makes an even bigger splash in North Carolina and Indiana, a very real possibility. Paul's internet guerillas specialize in exploiting statistical weaknesses like a low-turnout primary. If Paul were to crack 20% in either of those states, a narrative will begin to build. The press, not known for originality, will likely recycle the "buyer's remorse" storyline that they used on Obama.
What does Paul have to gain from all of this? Maybe not much, beyond a moral victory. Any other candidate could take solace in having his issues advanced and his policy positions influence his party, but that's not going to happen in the Republican Party. Even if Paul miraculously won every remaining state, the "word" is already out on him, and it will seem like nothing more than a bullet dodged.
McCain, however, stands to be hurt significantly by this. With the Democrats engaged in Ultimate Mortal Fighting Kombat, McCain has enjoyed a free ride from the press thus far. Ron Paul getting 20% would put an end to all that, and there's little to prevent it. Even if he was inclined, McCain would be hard-pressed to energize his supporters enough to go out and vote in meaningless contests.
Another problem for McCain is where all those Ron Paul voters will go in November. Most oppose the Iraq War, and are politically engaged enough to know what a McCain presidency would really mean for America. If they vote at all, it will be for the Democrat, or a write-in for Paul.
That leaves McCain at the mercy of the will of the Ron Paul Revolutionaries. They've come to the edge of this ridge before, but have failed to charge down it. Can they get Ron Paul over the 20% mark? Time will tell, but I wouldn't bet the farm against them
http://news.aol.com/political-machine/2008/04/28/mccain-should-worry-about-ron-paul/
As I touched on earlier in Videos of the Week, Ron Paul had his best primary finish ever in Pennsylvania this pat Tuesday. From a campaign press release:
Presidential candidate Ron Paul received at least 128,111 votes, or 16 percent, in the closed Republican Pennsylvania primary yesterday. Dr. Paul made four stops in the Keystone State during the month of April and spoke to overflow crowds of young people and other passionate supporters.
"Americans are hungry for leadership that will protect the traditions that made our country so great," said campaign spokesman Jesse Benton. "Dr. Paul's grassroots supporters in Pennsylvania and across the country are doing a tremendous job spreading our message, winning votes and laying a strong foundation for the future."
16% is nothing to sneeze at, even if you take into account much lower turnout due to the fact that the Republicans already have a nominee. The mainstream press has pretty much ignored the result, as usual, but to paraphrase George Clinton, they have no concept of the truly awesome power of a fully operational Ron Paul Revolution. After the jump, what could happen, and I'll tell you where to find the story of the Ron Paul interview that never was.
The worst-case scenario for McCain is that Ron Paul makes an even bigger splash in North Carolina and Indiana, a very real possibility. Paul's internet guerillas specialize in exploiting statistical weaknesses like a low-turnout primary. If Paul were to crack 20% in either of those states, a narrative will begin to build. The press, not known for originality, will likely recycle the "buyer's remorse" storyline that they used on Obama.
What does Paul have to gain from all of this? Maybe not much, beyond a moral victory. Any other candidate could take solace in having his issues advanced and his policy positions influence his party, but that's not going to happen in the Republican Party. Even if Paul miraculously won every remaining state, the "word" is already out on him, and it will seem like nothing more than a bullet dodged.
McCain, however, stands to be hurt significantly by this. With the Democrats engaged in Ultimate Mortal Fighting Kombat, McCain has enjoyed a free ride from the press thus far. Ron Paul getting 20% would put an end to all that, and there's little to prevent it. Even if he was inclined, McCain would be hard-pressed to energize his supporters enough to go out and vote in meaningless contests.
Another problem for McCain is where all those Ron Paul voters will go in November. Most oppose the Iraq War, and are politically engaged enough to know what a McCain presidency would really mean for America. If they vote at all, it will be for the Democrat, or a write-in for Paul.
That leaves McCain at the mercy of the will of the Ron Paul Revolutionaries. They've come to the edge of this ridge before, but have failed to charge down it. Can they get Ron Paul over the 20% mark? Time will tell, but I wouldn't bet the farm against them