Ron Paul needs to leave the Republican Party

[TruePatriot44]

The last eight years have so badly tarnished the Republican namesake that it serves no purpose for Ron Paul to be associated with the Republican party anymore. The majority of Americans associate "Republican" with the politics of George W. Bush - the Iraq War, a crumbling economy, corruption via the executive branch, and other fallacies. If we are to succeed promoting traditional conservative values - lower taxes, non-intervention foreign policy, smaller government - we must abandon the grand old party and forge a new establishment that the American people can easily identify with.

I fear that this upcoming November election will be the worst defeat in history for the Republican party. When we have democrats winning congressional seats in the republican "heart" of the deep southern state of Mississippi, it is nothing but a foregone conclusion that the American voters want nothing to do with the Republican label. We traditional conservatives are being punished for the wrong doings of the neo-conservative base that has corrupted and destroyed the Republican party. For simply identifying as "Republican" we will be cast aside by the voters without even having our political merits considered.

When all said is done, we'll be faced with President Barack Obama, a democrat super-majority controlled house and senate, and a few sanctuary republican seats that managed to withstand the tidal wave of change brought forth this November. With the destruction of the Republican party, there will stand a void of opposition against the Democrats. We should not attempt to restore the Republican Party with its tarnished name and vile neo-conservative base. We must fill that void with a new movement, a clear identity, a refuge for those who advocate traditional conservative values and constitutional government. Ron Paul must lead us there.

[pinkmandy]

We aren't being punished so much as being given a wide open opportunity to return the party to something respectable. The American people are being punished for their idiocy and they deserve it.

[Austin]

He tried that once before, it worked out real well.

[JMann]

I understand the kids sentiment but if all these people have joined the Republican party to change it from within it would pretty stupid at this point to leave.

I'm not saying that there may not be a right time to exit but three months before the convention after 15 months of work would be pretty stupid.

Unlike 1992 when Buchannan gave his great speech but was later trashed by mainstream Republicans I don't think there will be a melding of the factions this year behind McCain. Even more so after McCain decided today to go out and worship at the feet of the socialist 'global warming' crowd.

[idiom]

He would need to leave with a group of congressmen and maybe a Senator, oh and Governor.

After this election he could leave and form a new major party, the New Republicans or something. But there needs to be a core of national representatives so that it is not a black hole of wasted votes.

[tonyr1988]

He tried that once before, it worked out real well.

+1

If Paul leaves the party, there is a HUGE (almost certain) chance that he'll lose his House seat and get little to nothing done.

We need him in Congress, proving to the party that he was right from the beginning.

[Kludge]

+1

If Paul leaves the party, there is a HUGE (almost certain) chance that he'll lose his House seat and get little to nothing done.

We need him in Congress, proving to the party that he was right from the beginning.

He already won his seat this year by HUGE margins. He's already run Libertarian and gave libertarianism a lot of good publicity. I don't see how running third party would be much different from him going on a "freedom tour" except we'd be able to better measure our effect and more easily coordinate events.

[rp08orbust]

The Republican Party will be so depressed by their record losses in November that they won't even bother showing up to their local meetings for months, making us*, who will be more excited than ever, the only ones there. The party will be ours to do whatever we want with it.

* Unfortunately "us" does not include me, because I'm living in Australia.

[idiom]

* Unfortunately "us" does not include me, because I'm living in Australia.


Tell me about it. :(

[TruePatriot44]

+1

If Paul leaves the party, there is a HUGE (almost certain) chance that he'll lose his House seat and get little to nothing done.

We need him in Congress, proving to the party that he was right from the beginning.

If he leaves the party after November he'll have his seat for the next two years. Besides, Ron is getting old, he won't have his seat forever. He should help forge the movement that will fill that seat among others with traditional conservatives and constitutional advocates. That won't get done by associating with the Republican party with its neo-conservative base.

[idiom]

He would need to leave with his seat and the seats of a few friends. The LP and CP don't have any credibility thus making them appear like 'wasted votes'.

It could actually establish a third party allowing the democrats to drift left as the Old Republican party moves to the centre picking up the liebermans and clintons of the world.

[amy31416]

If he leaves the party after November he'll have his seat for the next two years. Besides, Ron is getting old, he won't have his seat forever. He should help forge the movement that will fill that seat among others with traditional conservatives and constitutional advocates. That won't get done by associating with the Republican party with its neo-conservative base.

If RP were to leave the GOP, which he won't, it would not just affect him, it would reflect poorly on every single other person running or elected on his platform.

At this point, just NO.

Haven't you noticed that there's a lot of former neocons here? Hell this board was started and is moderated by some of them. I'm a former Independent, but I would not join the LP in it's current state, nor would I join any other party that can be singled out and pointed to as "wacky." And that's exactly what would happen. You entirely lose the ability to be elected and taken seriously before you even get one sentence out.

[weslinder]

The number one thing that could turn public perception back toward the Republicans is the Democratic Party in power. Barack Obama is the Jimmy Carter of the 00s. We have to have our Reagan ready for 2012.

[airborne373]

And third party would accomplish what? Make a point? Ron Paul is a life long REPUBLICAN. The entire point of the Revolution is to take the Republican Party back from the left wing Trotskyite Commies who currently control it. They are known as the Neo-Cons.

Going third party is an admission of failure and will only lead to oblivion for Paul and the Revolution.

I know their are many anti-war liberals, unaffiliated pro-truther and hard core LP'ers who have joined the Revolution. And these groups constantly beat the third party drum. Fortunately for us Ron Paul likely will not leave the Republican Party.

Finally, does everyone realize the minute RP became third party he would no longer have his Congressional seat?

[klamath]

The democrats may win big this fall but that doesn't mean they won't be hated worse than the republicans in six months. Months are an enterity in political sense. Bush senior had an 80% approval rating just six months before he lost to Clinton. Just look at the balance of power in washington after Goldwater lost with over 60% of the vote. Congress was just as unbalanced toward the democrats. Four years later Nixon won. Tony Blair is another example of a bright new liberal that was going to save England and look at where he is now.

[Kludge]

Finally, does everyone realize the minute RP became third party he would no longer have his Congressional seat?

Ah, we have a Christian :rolleyes:. Ron Paul has his seat secured for at least another 4 years.

A third party run would go just as his 1988 campaign, giving him some extra press, money and coordination, as opposed to the freedom tour.

[anaconda]

Brilliant idea by idiom to have a GROUP of Congressmen defect from their respective parties. Never thought of that one! Geez they would have non-stop media attention and could be talking up freedom 24/7. I don't think it would be necessary, however. As an alternative, they could just declare themselves "The Freedom Coalition" or the "Gang of 1776" or something, and all vote accordingly. This group could be comprised of both Republicans and Democrats. In this way, they could instigate a Constitutionally oriented change within BOTH parties. That would be awesome.

I wonder if this type of thing might indeed be a real possibility after whatever happens at the convention? Some may stand to gain if they take up sides with RP, based upon the current schism in the Republican Party. To this day I am surprised that the Republicans in the Senate and House caved in so dramatically to the Bush Administration for 7 long years. If they had stood their ground on some Republican principles I don't think they would be in the laughable position that they are now in.

I think RP has done the right thing with hanging in the Republican Party. Look at all the media attention he is finally getting based upon this RNC convention "revolt" story. I think the public also likes the fact that he is looking more and more like the principled fighter, especially to the people who are just beginning to really discover Ron Paul. He's just gonna get bigger and bigger by the month. He has played his hand well and is accomplishing our goals.

Ron Paul 2008!

[1000-points-of-fright]

Finally, does everyone realize the minute RP became third party he would no longer have his Congressional seat?

Why? If he wins his seat in November (he probably will, he's unopposed) he can jump ship anytime after that. There's no rule that says he has to remain a Republican for the duration of his term just because he was voted in as one.

Now, if he left the GOP before November that might affect his re-election, but I doubt it. His constituents are voting for him not the GOP, otherwise that neo-con douche would have won the primary.

[Kade]

The last eight years have so badly tarnished the Republican namesake that it serves no purpose for Ron Paul to be associated with the Republican party anymore. The majority of Americans associate "Republican" with the politics of George W. Bush - the Iraq War, a crumbling economy, corruption via the executive branch, and other fallacies. If we are to succeed promoting traditional conservative values - lower taxes, non-intervention foreign policy, smaller government - we must abandon the grand old party and forge a new establishment that the American people can easily identify with.

I fear that this upcoming November election will be the worst defeat in history for the Republican party. When we have democrats winning congressional seats in the republican "heart" of the deep southern state of Mississippi, it is nothing but a foregone conclusion that the American voters want nothing to do with the Republican label. We traditional conservatives are being punished for the wrong doings of the neo-conservative base that has corrupted and destroyed the Republican party. For simply identifying as "Republican" we will be cast aside by the voters without even having our political merits considered.

When all said is done, we'll be faced with President Barack Obama, a democrat super-majority controlled house and senate, and a few sanctuary republican seats that managed to withstand the tidal wave of change brought forth this November. With the destruction of the Republican party, there will stand a void of opposition against the Democrats. We should not attempt to restore the Republican Party with its tarnished name and vile neo-conservative base. We must fill that void with a new movement, a clear identity, a refuge for those who advocate traditional conservative values and constitutional government. Ron Paul must lead us there.

I agree. The Republican Party is a fascist stronghold now, and as one of the few remaining liberals on this forum, I can tell you that we will never, ever, get the liberal leaning people in this country, who, regardless of the strong hatred for them here, have much in common with most of you, especially in regards to government influence, domestic and foreign, and civil liberties.

[airborne373]

Sure RP can keep his seat for his term, but he will be a lame duck Congressman the minute he goes 3rd party to lose in the presidential general election.

Brilliant idea. NOT!

This post should be titled how Ron Paul and his Revolution can become irrelevant over night.

[1000-points-of-fright]

Sure RP can keep his seat for his term, but he will be a lame duck Congressman the minute he goes 3rd party to lose in the presidential general election.

This thread is not about the presidential general election. We already know he won't run independent or 3rd party.

It's about him simply leaving the GOP.

[Lovecraftian4Paul]

Sure RP can keep his seat for his term, but he will be a lame duck Congressman the minute he goes 3rd party to lose in the presidential general election.

Brilliant idea. NOT!

This post should be titled how Ron Paul and his Revolution can become irrelevant over night.

How isn't he that already? I mean, unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of the House refuses to take him seriously. Sure, the GOP would be enraged, but it might make the Dems (who are going to be dominating the House for the foreseeable future) a bit more sympathetic on some issues.

If Obama wins the General, the GOP is going to be a lame duck party. The worst thing that could happen is if we wind up in a small, insignificant holding cell (the GOP), without enough of us to take it over and too many hardheaded neo-cons remaining to keep themselves buried under the Dems. If this truly is the strategy going forward by the fall, I will give it a chance, but we should begin thinking about an anti-GOP Plan B if we haven't made any headway by 2010 or 2012.

[Time for Change]

The republican party leaders brought the demise of the party on themselves when they manipulated the minds of the nation and shifted votes toward McWar.

They blessed the worst possible candidate of them all...how ignorant can a politician or a party leader actually be?

[airborne373]

This thread is not about the presidential general election. We already know he won't run independent or 3rd party.

It's about him simply leaving the GOP.


Huh?


I do not get it. You are suggesting Ron Paul quit and become a hermit?

This thread is dopy.

[patawa91]

I disagree. The most Ron can hope for now is a speaking role at the convention, and a long term uphill fight if he stays. He has two directions he can go. He can remain a congressman, and try to reform the party slowly, or give the 3rd party a shot. 3rd party is the only real way he will effect this years election. It may be wiser for him to stay in congress, and take the slow road.

[Alex Libman]

If Ron Paul switched to Libertarian, a couple of other congressmen might as well, and a few more down the road would switch as a new outlet for frustration with their own party. This will make it much easier for the many Libertarian candidates running for local offices, as well as the U.S. congress.

[1000-points-of-fright]

Huh?


I do not get it. You are suggesting Ron Paul quit and become a hermit?

This thread is dopy.

What are you talking about? He stays in Congress but quits the GOP. What's so confusing about that? Leiberman quit the Dems and is now an independent. He kept his seat. You don't lose your seat just cuz you switch parties.

[FreeTraveler]

It amazes me that in a campaign based on PERSONAL LIBERTY we STILL have people trying to tell the good doctor what to do!!

[Lovecraftian4Paul]

It amazes me that in a campaign based on PERSONAL LIBERTY we STILL have people trying to tell the good doctor what to do!!

I don't think it's as simple as that. Ron Paul has always been a highly reluctant candidate. There were petitions from old Ron Paul supporters trying to get him to run in both 2000 and 2004. He refused both times. It took pressure in 2007 to get him to launch his exploratory committee as well.

[Kludge]

It amazes me that in a campaign based on PERSONAL LIBERTY we STILL have people trying to tell the good doctor what to do!!

*snickers* See anything wrong with your statement yet?