"Ron Paul is just too way out there......."

[BamaFanNKy]

That was what I was approached with today (3 times). A typical, Sean Hannity/Limbaugh fan told me. Two told me of how he is sick of Obama and he was mad when his vote for McCain didn't work out.

Here were my follow up questions:
1. Do you think McCain would be any better right now? (Most of these guys hate McCain now and will say, probably not)
2. Do you think Ron's son Rand Paul is a good Senator and good messenger for the Tea Party? (More times than not they will say a resounding yes)
3. Ask what issues that they think Ron is "Way out there...." don't get huffy and yell. Be calm. More times than not (unless it's Gitmo) he will be the same as Rand.

Lastly, ask them if they want to End the federal government's butting into state schools? To add what Reagan and Goldwater had in their platform by abolishing the Department of Education? (I'm going to guess most GOP at 85% would say yes) Remind them only two candidates support this position in Ron Paul and Gary Johnson. Then remind them that all the others support expansion of the feds.

I got 3 switches today and I said very little. 1 from Huckabee, 1 from Bachman and 1 oddly who mentioned Patreus or Fred Thompson.


All 3 were male voters, I haven't tested with women GOPers yet.

[Kotin]

Switched to what? Ron Paul or Gary Johnson?

[BamaFanNKy]

Switched to what? Ron Paul or Gary Johnson?

Dude. I've said from the beginning since day 1 I was for Ron. My thing, I'm not going to throw shit on Gary just to try to downplay a man I respect in Gary.

Although, it is my intention to make the "others" look at both Ron or Gary.

[GunnyFreedom]

I hope we don't ever wander into the weeds of topix verboten on the rpf's :(

(but do respect the basic forum mission statement and goals)

[BamaFanNKy]

I hope we don't ever wander into the weeds of topix verboten on the rpf's :(

(but do respect the basic forum mission statement and goals)

You and me both. Back to the topic, we need to use Rand as a baseline with our arguments. At least to GOPers since he gets much love. He's the more politically acceptable (since Ron does have some programmed opposition in the ranks).

[Travlyr]

I hope we don't ever wander into the weeds of topix verboten on the rpf's :(

(but do respect the basic forum mission statement and goals)

Same here Gunny. The mods do a great job of letting people discuss virtually anything as long as it remains civil.

However, the Gary Johnson cheerleaders are being a little bit disingenuous.

We know what Ron Paul stands for because we read and discuss his books, and watch interview after interview where Ron stands-up to the tyrants by exposing their shenanigans.

We knew what we were getting from you because you posted your thoughts, plans, and goals here on the forum.

We really don't have any clear view of what Gary Johnson stands for because he is like a moving target. Is he for ending the Federal Reserve? Not really. Is he for, or against NAFTA? Who really knows? Does he like the idea of smaller government? It seems so, but reading his website indicates that he has no plan to actually do it. The veto pen is a cool tool, but it's not likely to accomplish much. It didn't really change much for New Mexico. Gary Johnson will not get any support from me unless he clearly articulates where he stands.

[sailingaway]

Another point is that as President, Ron would be cheerleader. Unlike our current one, he'd have legislation to be introduced that will not give first share to corporate special interests (he had a great health care plan based on tax credits, health accounts and being able to use the accounts to purchase insurance or ANYTHING medical related.) Then congress would have to justify adding corporate goodies. However, he can't abolish things on his own, except for scuzzy presidential orders. (Well, and he did say he would never use the federal government to enforce marijuana laws in a manner contrary to a state's medical marijuana laws. Depending on your audience, you may or may not want to mention that.)

Ron's 'next steps' agenda sounds an awful lot like Rand's plans, to be honest.

The thing is, that will sell in Kentucky and other conservative states, but in California, where I live, Ron has a more favorable reputation than Rand does. The liberal media shredded Rand, and that was just too recent.

[angelatc]

Walter E. Williams said that Milton Friedman taught him about the need to smile when one talks of liberty. The chain of links begins here: http://redstateeclectic.typepad.com/redstate_commentary/2011/03/when-you-talk-about-liberty-you-have-to-smile-here-comes-williams-3.html (I didn't write it, so I'm not inserting my standard blog-whoring disclaimer here.)

[BamaFanNKy]

Same here Gunny. The mods do a great job of letting people discuss virtually anything as long as it remains civil.

However, the Gary Johnson cheerleaders are being a little bit disingenuous.

We know what Ron Paul stands for because we read and discuss his books, and watch interview after interview where Ron stands-up to the tyrants by exposing their shenanigans.

We knew what we were getting from you because you posted your thoughts, plans, and goals here on the forum.

We really don't have any clear view of what Gary Johnson stands for because he is like a moving target. Is he for ending the Federal Reserve? Not really. Is he for, or against NAFTA? Who really knows? Does he like the idea of smaller government? It seems so, but reading his website indicates that he has no plan to actually do it. The veto pen is a cool tool, but it's not likely to accomplish much. It didn't really change much for New Mexico. Gary Johnson will not get any support from me unless he clearly articulates where he stands.

Wow. You really missed his point.

[Travlyr]

Wow. You really missed his point.

Okay, please explain.

[sailingaway]

I reread what I wrote and it didn't get my point across. In most of the areas people are scared of Ron about, he doesn't have power the people don't give him. The way he would be effective on those topics would only be to come up with a great solution congress will never propose, sell it to the people and have the people demand it be implemented. So any radical ideas he has would have to be popular to become law.

[JamesButabi]

Ron needs to develop and articulate a compassionate plan ASAP. This is the only way he will gain ground amongst the average person (you know the 98% of other people out there) who are unwilling to spend any time delving deep into issues.

I kept itching for Ron to refute Hannitys claims of "you will take away everyones medicaid and medicare". He didn't appeal to those whatsoever and typically doesn't.

[sailingaway]

Ron needs to develop and articulate a compassionate plan ASAP. This is the only way he will gain ground amongst the average person (you know the 98% of other people out there) who are unwilling to spend any time delving deep into issues.

This.

[acptulsa]

'Way out there' is perfect when the status quo is failing on an epic scale.

And Harding and Coolidge just closed the socialism down. No muss, no fuss, no lengthy 'transition period'. The result was the Roaring Twenties.

[BamaFanNKy]

'Way out there' is perfect when the status quo is failing on an epic scale.

And Harding and Coolidge just closed the socialism down. No muss, no fuss, no lengthy 'transition period'. The result was the Roaring Twenties.

Spoken like someone who either doesn't get listened to or only has friends who are Ron Paul fans (totally agree with your point but, most will not have a clue what you are talking about). You can't just tell people their side is shit and expect them to be won over.