The ACLU and NORML: endorse Ron Paul?

[madcat033]

I am just wondering about the ACLU and NORML. All of their members should vote for Ron Paul. Now, I know the ACLU is a nonprofit so I guess they can't endorse a political candidate, but what about NORML? I know there is a NORML foundation that's a nonprofit, but can NORML themselves endorse a candidate?

And if not, what can we do to make sure ALL of their members know about Ron Paul? ACLU members would support him for obvious reasons, and to my knowledge Ron Paul is the only candidate who wants to end the drug war entirely, no questions asked. So, it seems like we have a ton of potential Ron Paul voters here. What can we do?

[catwoman]

I am just wondering about the ACLU and NORML. All of their members should vote for Ron Paul. Now, I know the ACLU is a nonprofit so I guess they can't endorse a political candidate, but what about NORML? I know there is a NORML foundation that's a nonprofit, but can NORML themselves endorse a candidate?

And if not, what can we do to make sure ALL of their members know about Ron Paul? ACLU members would support him for obvious reasons, and to my knowledge Ron Paul is the only candidate who wants to end the drug war entirely, no questions asked. So, it seems like we have a ton of potential Ron Paul voters here. What can we do?


While it makes no difference to me whether or not marijuana is legal, it does to a lot of potential Ron Paul voters. They may be able to overlook that because he has so many positives. But somehow I think if NORML endorsed him alot of people would back off of their support.

[maiki]

Norml might, but they have an equal chance of endorsing Kucinich, methinks. They are more likely to give both RP and Kucinich a "good score" in some sort of voter guide of some sort instead of endorsing someone.

I dont think the ACLU would, but that is because I think they are a bunch of liberals set on giving special rights to special groups, even if it takes away civil liberties to other people. Ron Paul is not in favor of this form of collectivism.

[Chester Copperpot]

I am just wondering about the ACLU and NORML. All of their members should vote for Ron Paul. Now, I know the ACLU is a nonprofit so I guess they can't endorse a political candidate, but what about NORML? I know there is a NORML foundation that's a nonprofit, but can NORML themselves endorse a candidate?

And if not, what can we do to make sure ALL of their members know about Ron Paul? ACLU members would support him for obvious reasons, and to my knowledge Ron Paul is the only candidate who wants to end the drug war entirely, no questions asked. So, it seems like we have a ton of potential Ron Paul voters here. What can we do?

I tried to get NORML on board in New Jersey,,, theyre like.. 'cool man you can post anything youd like about him and we'll look at it.. cool man'

theyre too busy smoking bones

[constituent]

NORML interview ron paul just a little while back....

the youtube vid of the interview is embedded in a thread titled NORML Interviews Ron Paul at the

http://www.ronpaulfreedomforums.org

[madcat033]

While it makes no difference to me whether or not marijuana is legal, it does to a lot of potential Ron Paul voters. They may be able to overlook that because he has so many positives. But somehow I think if NORML endorsed him alot of people would back off of their support.


That's disturbing. Frankly, I don't understand how anyone can support the war on drugs. It is unjustifiable morally, financially, ethically, and socially. It is really disturbing that people would not support Ron Paul because of this.

[catwoman]

That's disturbing. Frankly, I don't understand how anyone can support the war on drugs. It is unjustifiable morally, financially, ethically, and socially. It is really disturbing that people would not support Ron Paul because of this.


I agree with you, but one must realize that some generations have a different viewpoint. There are a lot of senior citizens are interested in Ron Paul because of his constitutional stance, but many, if not most, are opposed to legalization of marijuana. They grew up in a different time and have been fed a story that they believe.

[bbachtung]

They regularly "endorse" Ron Paul by listing him as a "NORML Friendly Candidate" (they only list 17 total candidates, he is one of three Republicans endorsed) and contribute to his Congressional campaign:

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6959

They've donated to him in every even numbered year since 2002 (that's as far back as their website shows):

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6960

Here he is at their medical marijuana press conference in 2003:

http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=5359

A search of their website for "Ron Paul" reveals 53 links:

http://www.googlesyndicatedsearch.com/u/norml?q=%22ron+paul%22&x=0&y=0

In other words, NORML loves Ron Paul.

[dseisner]

I am just wondering about the ACLU and NORML. All of their members should vote for Ron Paul. Now, I know the ACLU is a nonprofit so I guess they can't endorse a political candidate, but what about NORML? I know there is a NORML foundation that's a nonprofit, but can NORML themselves endorse a candidate?

And if not, what can we do to make sure ALL of their members know about Ron Paul? ACLU members would support him for obvious reasons, and to my knowledge Ron Paul is the only candidate who wants to end the drug war entirely, no questions asked. So, it seems like we have a ton of potential Ron Paul voters here. What can we do?

NORML has always cited RP as a "friendly politician." RP has always pushed for legalization and they give him credit for that and they also give that same credit to other politicians fairly (as I've seen it). An official endorsement is not necessary. It's already official that RP and NORML are on the same side. I would have no problem saying to a potential supporter that NORML supports Ron Paul's position on marijuana legalization.

[Scribbler de Stebbing]

People don't think about it being about the war on drugs; they think it's about being PRO-pot. I seriously doubt Ron Paul is pro-pot. But he is against federal laws deciding those matters for the states and people.

[kylejack]

NEVAR!mind.

[The Good Doctor]

Well, I think that the criminalization part is the major problem with the war on drugs. I heard a disturbing amount of prisoners were in prison on drug offenses. Trafficking large amounts is one thing. Possession of small amounts shouldn't get you prison time. The classification of drugs is ridiculous too.

I would think Dr. Paul might have a positive stance on medical marijuana. I could be wrong. But that has to be better for you than all the pharmaceuticals.


People don't think about it being about the war on drugs; they think it's about being PRO-pot. I seriously doubt Ron Paul is pro-pot. But he is against federal laws deciding those matters for the states and people.

[Scribbler de Stebbing]

Well, I think that the criminalization part is the major problem with the war on drugs. I heard a disturbing amount of prisoners were in prison on drug offenses. Trafficking large amounts is one thing. Possession of small amounts shouldn't get you prison time. The classification of drugs is ridiculous too.

I would think Dr. Paul might have a positive stance on medical marijuana. I could be wrong. But that has to be better for you than all the pharmaceuticals.

He would no more want to mandate to states that they MUST legalize marijuana than have the the federal government criminalize it. Federalism cuts both ways. I don't know if he's studied the medicinal uses of marijuana, but he certainly wouldn't stand in the way of states which want to permit it.

That's my understanding of his view. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Phil M]

I don't think this is Ron's strongest issue. Personally I think meth, crack, LSD, whatever, should be legal, but keep in mind that he's running for the Republican nomination here. Most people support medical marijuana (even among Republicans I would wager), however, and if he played up that issue he could gain an advantage.

[The Good Doctor]

Well, I just watched those Morton Downey Jr. clips with Ron Paul from 1988. He is for legalization. At least he was at that time. He said you legalize drugs there are no drug dealers. He was pretty fired up in those clips!

Anyway, I agree with you. :)


He would no more want to mandate to states that they MUST legalize marijuana than have the the federal government criminalize it. Federalism cuts both ways. I don't know if he's studied the medicinal uses of marijuana, but he certainly wouldn't stand in the way of states which want to permit it.

That's my understanding of his view. Correct me if I'm wrong.

[JosephTheLibertarian]

Kucinich doesn't believe in the complete decriminalization of drugs.

[literatim]

I really doubt the socialist ACLU would support Ron Paul.

[JosephTheLibertarian]

I really doubt the socialist ACLU would support Ron Paul.

Is the ACLU non-profit? If so, it'd be illegal for it to endorse a candidate.

[Nathan Hale]

I am just wondering about the ACLU and NORML. All of their members should vote for Ron Paul. Now, I know the ACLU is a nonprofit so I guess they can't endorse a political candidate, but what about NORML? I know there is a NORML foundation that's a nonprofit, but can NORML themselves endorse a candidate?

And if not, what can we do to make sure ALL of their members know about Ron Paul? ACLU members would support him for obvious reasons, and to my knowledge Ron Paul is the only candidate who wants to end the drug war entirely, no questions asked. So, it seems like we have a ton of potential Ron Paul voters here. What can we do?

A lot of these groups will wait until the general election to endorse.

[madcat033]

Is the ACLU non-profit? If so, it'd be illegal for it to endorse a candidate.

Actually I just looked it up. Apparently they have the same deal as NORML... there's the ACLU and the ACLU Foundation. Only the ACLU Foundation is non-profit. So I assume that the ACLU could endorse a candidate?

[R_Harris]

"Quote:
Originally Posted by literatim
I really doubt the socialist ACLU would support Ron Paul.

Is the ACLU non-profit? If so, it'd be illegal for it to endorse a candidate.


If the ACLU endorses Ron Paul, you can kiss any evangelical Christian support he may have had goodbye. Right now, the ACLU is waging what appears to be all out war about having ANY Christian influence anywhere (politics, education, you name it) with very ridiculous lawsuits. A Ron Paul endorsement would obviously not look good.

I am hoping this is not correct.