Are We (supporters) Ron Paul's Worst Enemies Or Greatest Assets?

[KramerDSP]

More and more, I am seeing comments on news articles that attack Ron Paul supporters. It's almost like these people cannot attack the man or his ideas anymore, so they resort to attacking us. They say that we are obnoxious, obsessive, and too bold. It's getting annoying to see this, and my personal opinion is that these people are just trying to save face. Their egos are so big that they cannot admit that RP supporters were right all along, way back in 2007 (and 1988 for some of you).

With that said, I also think it would not hurt for us to discuss the question in this thread. I believe some of our supporters hurt Ron by their actions (talking about 9-11 truth when bringing up Ron Paul, spraying graffitti on I-5, plasting stickers on stop signs that are unpeelable, and so forth). At the same time, some of our supporters are his greatest assets in that we have come up with various concepts like the money bombs, viral video campaigns, and so forth.

I think one reason people may view us as being obsessive and adamant about the man and his message is because we all realize there is an increased urgency and a sense that 2016 may be too late in terms of "turning the Titanic around" rather than merely rearranging the deck chairs. Some of us are most concerned about the ever-enroaching police state. Some of us are most concerned about the dollar crisis. And some of us are most concerned about the endless undeclared wars.

Perhaps this thread could serve as a way for us to politely debate this rhetorical question and try to fine-tune things. I know that for myself, I could try and not tweet about Ron so much so that people who follow me are more likely to click on links when I DO tweet about big news articles that I want them to be aware of. Any other suggestions?

[KramerDSP]

On a follow up note, I created a thread a few weeks ago proposing that instead of doing a "Who is Ron Paul" theme, we now do a "Who Are Ron Paul Supporters" (http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?280165-Instead-of-quot-Who-is-Ron-Paul-quot-....) theme. I'll look for that thread and copy/paste the OP plus link it in an edit.

EDIT -


Maybe this is a stupid idea, but I'm thinking out loud here. In 2007, the "Who is Ron Paul (Google Ron Paul)?" campaign was brilliant in how it educated a lot of people to who Paul was and what he represented. It went viral, and will be a memorable campaign slogan (albeit unofficially) decades from now in terms of how the internet shaped campaign races.

Jump forward 4 years, and Ron Paul has 75%+ name recognition. Most people who follow politics have a general grasp on his basic positions like ending the wars, bringing the troops home, auditing the Fed, and so forth. Those people also likely have a misunderstanding of where Paul stands on several issues that negatively affect how they view him. The general sentiment across the board seems to be "nice guy", "honest", "principled", "some crazy ideas", "some good ideas".

We're all watching Fox and other media bash Ron Paul supporters much more so rather than the man himself or his ideas. More than any other candidate, "Ron Paul Supporters" has become a noun in many ways. A google news search of that phrase leads to several different articles and many comments from news stories. The message the media wants to send, as we all know, is that Ron Paul supporters are wackos, truthers, birthers, etc.

We capture more flies with honey than vinegar. What if the approach this time around, at least at the start of things leading up to the debates, was "Who are Ron Paul Supporters?". The old timers here must remember a thread from NPR asking who Ron Paul supporters were. So many people replied with so many stories that NPR had to stop taking in comments. It's a very inspiring read. What do you all think about where I'm trying to go with this? Would a video project be ideal? Something else?

The way I figure it, when people see that RP supporters are just normal folks, their defensive mechanisms drop, and their brains open up to common sense. That many more people that drop their guard and give Ron Paul a fair shot give us more converts to the freedom message. Then when the debates start, and any kind of RP supporter bashing occurs, we have all the viral tools ready to say "Yo, this is who we are".

[Anti Federalist]

FWIW, I've found that the best success with people is being passionate about an issue, rather than a politician.

Coming off too strong about Ron, the man, can turn people off.

Getting them fired up about an issue on the other hand, and then presenting a solution with Ron, seems to work.

[KramerDSP]

FWIW, I've found that the best success with people is being passionate about an issue, rather than a politician.

Coming off too strong about Ron, the man, can turn people off.

Getting them fired up about an issue on the other hand, and then presenting a solution with Ron, seems to work.

Great suggestion. +Rep

[Vessol]

I don't support Ron Paul because of the man himself. Don't get me wrong, that old dude is awesome. But for me, I support him because of the issues he supports and the fact that he is always consistent.

[R3volutionJedi]

Something that got me to do more research was because of his supports. I was like, why does he get that much enthusiasm.

[KramerDSP]

I think a common answer in this thread will probably be "both".

[Teaser Rate]

I think hardcore supporters helped him tremendously before he made it into the mainstream of American politics, but now that he's there, they're holding him back from being seen as a legitimate contender is some people's eyes.

PS: Spamming every online poll you find or yelling war criminal at an iconic Republican public servant accepting an award at a conservative conference isn't helping anyone.

[Vessol]

Those who say they don't like Ron Paul because of his supporters would not support Ron Paul anyways.

It's just an excuse really.

[JK/SEA]

They hate us for our brains.

[Indy Vidual]

I don't support Ron Paul because of the man himself. Don't get me wrong, that old dude is awesome. But for me, I support him because of the issues he supports and the fact that he is always consistent.

Same here


Something that got me to do more research was because of his supports. I was like, why does he get that much enthusiasm.

Thanks for sharing the positive result. :)

[acptulsa]

They hate us for our brains.

LOL

They'll do this. One, ask if people want slick or honest, because honest isn't always slick.

Two, at least try not to look like the stereotypical image they're promoting of their cartoonish vision of a militia member. And if you want to look that way, stick to phone banking.

Three, say, well, whatever they want to say about me, I want to talk to you about saving this nation for our kids.

And let them make fools of themselves by being regular people who are put-upon for no reason.

Oh, and it helps to talk about what they want to talk about, rather than going in determined to talk about what you want to talk about. Every problem, or nearly every problem, has a libertarian (or at least a states' rights) solution.

[BLS]

Both.

[ronpaulitician]

I think the beauty of Ron Paul supporters is that they come in so many different flavors.

When I am communicating with others in a role as an advocate of liberty, I try to keep the following three things in mind:

1) No matter how much I disagree with the other person, I will be understanding. After all, I myself at one point was in favor of the Iraq War. I was in favor of gun control. I was in favor of the war on drugs. No matter how hopeless it seems, people can indeed change their political beliefs.
2) No matter how much someone irritates me, I will not let it get to me. I will use humor to both diffuse situations and keep the higher ground.
3) No matter how sure I am of my convictions, I will accept the fact that I might be wrong. If the facts don't support my theory, I will adjust my theory. I will not ignore the facts.

[Carehn]

They hate us for our brains.

They hate me for my sexy bod

I am against any curb in the enthusiasm!!! 100% against it. That is the mojo of this shit and without it we go back to nothing. I had given up on politics and the crazy asses that support Ron got my attention long enough for me to see im not alone.

We need more crazy naked blimp riding nuts! Not less.

[ARealConservative]

yes (to both)

[Bossobass]

I've put a lot of miles on in the last campaign and already in this one.

I've found that what works is being right.

TV is shit. They're gonna attack RP and his support like mad dogs because they're paid to do it and fired if they don't.

When I went to my county and state GOP conventions I walked right up to the Grand Ole Gangsters (who despised RP support)
and said:

"I represent proven, record-breaking contributors who'll stand on street corners, knock on doors, man telephones, lick postage stamps and place signs like no group ever has. I'm not asking for much in return".

The ring leader stepped right up and asked me; "What do you want"?

Mike Huckabee and Libby Dole introduced me to my county chair at state and they've been putty in my hands ever since. My 20-something nephew in precinct executive delegate and precinct captain and is in very good standing with the wanks... his first time out of the gate.

That's where the battles are won, not in the press.

Just show up at functions where RP attends. There is STRENGTH IN NUMBERS, so git off yer arse and get there.

At the same time sign up as a delegate and get to know the old timers instead of forming camps that sneer at each other.

I put a small group of young guys together who pounded the pavement for a select few GOP favorites running for AG, etc., and completely got everything I asked for in return. Not one of them resented my tactic or shunned me in any way.

It's just not very effective when so few of us showed up for the real game prepared. So, get prepared and show up. You'll never hit a home run unless you stand at the plate with a bat in your hand.

I love the "Toldja" angle. Ron was right. We were right to support him. F*** TV.

Bosso

[pcosmar]

Um, Ah,,
we're assets

the enemies are Status Quo, the Media, and entrenched bureaucrats. possibly the Voters, but that is yet to be seen.

[JK/SEA]

I think the beauty of Ron Paul supporters is that they come in so many different flavors.

When I am communicating with others in a role as an advocate of liberty, I try to keep the following three things in mind:

1) No matter how much I disagree with the other person, I will be understanding. After all, I myself at one point was in favor of the Iraq War. I was in favor of gun control. I was in favor of the war on drugs. No matter how hopeless it seems, people can indeed change their political beliefs.
2) No matter how much someone irritates me, I will not let it get to me. I will use humor to both diffuse situations and keep the higher ground.
3) No matter how sure I am of my convictions, I will accept the fact that I might be wrong. If the facts don't support my theory, I will adjust my theory. I will not ignore the facts.

This is what i've been doing since 2007. I took the Ron Paul approach to all my political discussions. People try their damndest to bait me. Nope, won't work. At one discussion i was having with a lib friend, he was getting irritated with me, so i decided to end the tense 'talk' we were having and just finally told him..''the Constitution WILL be defended, and you can quote me on that to all your other lib friends, lets go get a pizza''.....he's one of those guys who tells me he likes Ron Paul...BUT...sigh...i'm still working on him. He's from Chicago, so i'm not real sure i'm wasting my time yet.

[Paul4Prez]

They're just trying to discourage us (fat chance), and more importantly, to discourage more moderate Americans from considering becoming Ron Paul supporters -- you can't back him, people who back him are nuts. Just ignore them and stick to the facts, and act respectably. Sell Ron Paul's record and ideas -- it's an easy sell if people listen, and they will listen if we don't turn them off first.

[Philhelm]

Greatest asset; this isn't debatable. If it weren't for people like us trying to convert other people to Ron Paul's message of liberty, he wouldn't be getting anywhere at all. We need him and he needs us.

[eqcitizen]

Look, we just need to be about the issues and not resort to personal attacks on other pols or people. Throwing snowballs at hannity was not a good idea. But i believe most people, even our enemies know that we are knowledgeable about the issues and are more philosophically in tune to the ideas of liberty. Take what no friend to the movement Matt Taibbi has said about us:

"When I followed the elder Ron Paul’s campaign in 2008, a lot of the people I met were intellectuals who had a genuine philosophical problem with government spending and the Fed, and who were really consistent about their limited-government beliefs – no welfare, but also no drug laws and no foreign interventionist wars. (You frequently found Ron Paul supporters who were more passionate about ending the drug war than they were about ending food stamps or whatever). I got along with almost all of these people, who were all unfailingly polite and respectful toward me. And I had a lot of respect for their views, even though I didn’t agree with everything they believed."

[RM918]

People attacking Ron's supporters are doing so because they can't or won't attack his policies with any measure of success. Attacking his supporters is an attempt to divide us and blowing up the actions of a few force us to try to police our own when we are the last ones we need to focus our energy on.

[Don Lapre]

There is a segement of Ron Paul supporters who would help the cause by dialing their 'enthusiasm' back a notch-or-two, imo.

Yes, his message is correct, much needed, and not embraced by the masses like it should be.

Yes, that is frustrating, and prompts us to want to stomp our feet and say to folks, "Don't you fucking GET it?!?"


Being enthusiastic is GREAT, but don't forget the composure Ron Paul always shows - in the face of a CONSTANT head wind.

We'd be well advised to attempt to have that same sort of composure.

[acptulsa]

People attacking Ron's supporters are doing so because they can't or won't attack his policies with any measure of success. Attacking his supporters is an attempt to divide us and blowing up the actions of a few force us to try to police our own when we are the last ones we need to focus our energy on.

This. Yes we need to be more patient. Yes we need to listen very carefully and tailor the message to each listener. The chance to do this is the one thing that makes the slow, labor-intensive process of personal canvassing far stronger than even a billion dollars' worth of brainwashing on the toobivision. But in the end? This.

[LibertyRevolution]

BAZOOKAS For Everyone!!!

[acptulsa]

BAZOOKAS For Everyone!!!

I'm all for it. Definitely don't see why not. Of course, I am of a certain age...

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u244/tordawg1978/bazookajoe.jpg

[K466]

My approach is to spread the ideas (www.strikingattheroot.wordpress.com) first and then point to Ron Paul.

[outspoken]

People throughout history have hated those who stand for truth whether it be MLK, Gandhi, and of course Jesus. Just make sure that you are not advocating hate, anger, or even violence all of which are the means by which evil keeps manifesting itself into our world. It is a fine line between standing for truth and serving the darker side of human nature.

[jmdrake]

People attacking Ron's supporters are doing so because they can't or won't attack his policies with any measure of success. Attacking his supporters is an attempt to divide us and blowing up the actions of a few force us to try to police our own when we are the last ones we need to focus our energy on.

^This and +rep. The MSM attacks Ron's supporters because they want his supporters to attack his supporters. I can't imagine the average real voters saying "Man I love everything that Ron Paul stands for. But I saw a Google Ron Paul sticker on a stop sign so I can't vote for him."

[acptulsa]

I'll tell all of you, even the ones I lock horns with, this thing, and you can believe it's true. I'd rather stand with you than stand with the corporations and the corporatists who support most of the other candidates (read that 'influence peddlers'). Eight days a week.

I am for liberty. Here I stand. Love me or hate me, you know you love liberty.

[ronpaulhawaii]

I think hardcore supporters helped him tremendously before he made it into the mainstream of American politics, but now that he's there, they're holding him back from being seen as a legitimate contender is some people's eyes.

PS: Spamming every online poll you find or yelling war criminal at an iconic Republican public servant accepting an award at a conservative conference isn't helping anyone.

Spam is unsolicited advertising. RP supporters are pretty good about not multi-voting. The NPR March Madness poll is a great example of Romney folk getting caught using bots to win; we documented their cheating and then slammed them.

And the guy who yelled War Criminal was NOT a Ron Paul supporter

Attacking supporters is a tactic of hacks. That has been said repeatedly in this thread. For certain we all need to learn to better tailor our rhetoric to win a GOP primary. Calling everyone who does not support RP a NEO-CON!!!! does not help.

I met yesterday with an NLP specialist and we are working on training classes that will be made available via DVD...

Onward!

[jmdrake]

Spam is unsolicited advertising. RP supporters are pretty good about not multi-voting. The NPR March Madness poll is a great example of Romney folk getting caught using bots to win; we documented their cheating and then slammed them.

And the guy who yelled War Criminal was NOT a Ron Paul supporter

Attacking supporters is a tactic of hacks. That has been said repeatedly in this thread. For certain we all need to learn to better tailor our rhetoric to win a GOP primary. Calling everyone who does not support RP a NEO-CON!!!! does not help.

I met yesterday with an NLP specialist and we are working on training classes that will be made available via DVD...

Onward!

+rep! If all of the energy that was spent in 2007/2008 trying to self police the movement had been spent doing productive things we might have won.

[MelissaCato]

Those who say they don't like Ron Paul because of his supporters would not support Ron Paul anyways.

It's just an excuse really.

^^ Ya this is evident especially in real life. The people around me know my most aggressive support for Ron Paul years ago. Soo, now it's easy for me because the people around me then are the same people who forward my support in public now. And let me tell ya, it's nice to sit back and just listen sometimes ... hopefully pretty soon the POTUS will be Ron Paul and we can finally take a vacation in rest assured.

Actually, I'm surprised how this Ron Paul Revolution managed so well sporadically amongst us all. Ron Paul 2012 !!!!

[Joey Fuller]

What I love about the Ron Paul Mvmt is that it consists of [rphedit - list delete] I embrace our diversity.. I realize that some issues are too confusing/too shocking for the public to deal with ... so out of respect to Ron Paul I refrain from talking about them in a public situation where he is being discussed/represented.

[RPH edit- except in this post? send me PM if you dont like my edit of your post]