I have no desire to be a part of the Republican party any more

[Taco John]

They've made it clear that people with my beliefs are not welcome in their ranks. I'm prepared to oblige them for the rest of my life. I have no desire to be a part of a party that doesn't want to give our views a fair shot.

I hope Ron Paul will abandon the caucus strategy and pursue the American's Elect nomination.

[69360]

I'm probably done with the GOP myself, I've always been a Republican, but the party is just a hot mess anymore. I think I am going to switch to independent or Liberterian after this election. Maybe a Rand run could win me back.

I hope Ron switches to a 3rd party run too.

[palm]

Good! then go vote for gary johnson and express you unmerited disenchantment with this campaign elsewhere

[Paulitics 2011]

You just realized this?

[1836]

You can't give up. This is where we have to stake out our ground.

WE'VE MADE A HELL OF A LOT OF PROGRESS! NOW IS NO TIME TO GIVE UP.

[PierzStyx]

I've never been. Previous to registering so I could vote for Dr. Paul, I was a member of The Constitution Party. Not sure if I will return there or not. But if its not Paul, then not all I say.

[IPSecure]

This is what they want.

[Karsten]

I had no desire to be a part of the Republican party to begin with, and would never have if it wasn't for Ron Paul.

[1836]

This is what they want.

THIS!!!!!!!!

[DanConway]

I'm only a Republican for the message delivered by Ron Paul. Should they reject that -- and they're trying -- they have no value for me.

Onward, regardless, because there are more battles to fight.

[Guitarzan]

I think it's more fun to stay in and fuck with them.

[centure7]

What a quitter. I'm sorry, that is ridiculous. After 30 years of fail under the Libertarian party, fiscal conservatives score 3%. Now we are suddenly up to 36% and that is the day you decide to quit?! I'm sorry that is ridiculous.

After today, I feel as though joining the GOP in a more than cursory way like just for a few minutes to vote in the primary, is a good idea. I'm not totally convinced yet but I'm getting there.

[AJ Antimony]

You think anyone here has a desire to be in the GOP? Everyone here thinks the Democratic Party sucks and the Republican Party sucks.

The only reason we are Republicans is to actually see some changes. As everyone on this board knows, the laws and rules are so biased against 3rd parties. This is why they never come close to winning and never will.

Yeah, it's a joke that Ron Paul can't win 1 god damn beauty contest straw poll. But step back and realize that Ron Paul is trending up while Romney is trending down. What was Maine in 08? 50% Romney and 18% Paul? And tonight it's 39% Romney and 36% Paul? What does that tell you? It tells me that Ron Paul is winning. He hasn't won, but he is in the process of winning.

Let me put it to you another way. So you hate the GOP because of all the scum insiders and establishment figures that stack the deck against guys like Paul? What do you think is the easier way to give them the finger: To run third party, get 5%, lose, and go home, or to get 20 of your friends, go to a local GOP meeting, and then vote them out of their positions?

Yeah tonight's joke of a straw poll ruined my day too, but now is not the time to quit a strategy 5 years in the making.

[JimInNY]

We are fighting a protracted civil war here. We are political insurgents and it may take years to win this fight, but like most insurgencies, we will eventually win.

[nobody's_hero]

Mixed feelings from me on this.

I have a feeling that the establishment would love for us to give up, but I'm really considering the sting it would give the good 'ole boy republican voters, themselves, to have their ranks shrivel up and blow away.

There are party rulers and there are party voters. The rulers keep people ignorant, and the voters seemingly choose to remain ignorant. And part of me feels that the consequences of willful ignorance should be that your party shrinks into non-existence.

But as others stated, there's no desire to be part of the GOP. It would be just as easy for me to register Democrat if Ron Paul were trying to do this from within the Democratic Party. But he wants to try it through the Republican route, so I'm with him until he wins or drops out. After that, I don't care what happens to the GOP.

[jllundqu]

Its two card monti, folks... you can't win because the powers that be won't let you and modern america doesn't give a crap because they just want their TV, American Idol, Aspartame, and Porn. We have almost run out of time. I will work for the message of freedom long after this campaign is over, but we are running out of time and I have lost ALL faith in the people of this country to do the right thing.

We have almost come full circle: Bondage to Awakening, Awakening to Revolution, Revolution to Prosperity, Prosperity to Abundance, Abundance to Apathy, Apathy to Bondage...

[alucard13mmfmj]

My whole family, relatives, and most of my friends have been democrats/independents. I joined the GOP in January just so I can vote for Ron Paul in California Primary. I am only in the GOP for Ron Paul. I will probably join GOP against in 2016 for Rand Paul... But I wont stay in the party that has been mostly against Ron Paul from the state.

VIVA RON PAUL AND RAND PAUL.

[Johncjackson]

Take it over.

KICK THE FUCKING BUMS OUT

and re-make it!

Either we take over the Republican Party or it's going to die off anyway.

[kathy88]

I wonder how many are ONLY registered GOP because of Paul...... What percentage? Too bad there's know way to know. That could be some seriously damaging info to possess.

[puppetmaster]

I am here as lo.g as Ron Paul is here. I will remain as long as we have a liberty candidate to vote for. This is real life folks. It does not get any more real than this. Get tough and fight harder. If you quit now you will be a quiter for the rest of your life. Why do some think if would be easy?

[Okie RP fan]

I am a registered Republican so I can vote for candidates in the primaries. Oklahoma is a closed primary state across the board. And the primaries are the more important elections, generally.

I'd love to go Independent, but until we can loosen the knot the two party tyranny has on the citizens, this is the game we must play.

I sure as heck will never go Democrat, that's for sure.

[Mark37snj]

Its the same after every caucus/primary. Give it a few hours and people will realize we actually did quite well. 36% of the vote, a new "higher" ceiling, we will get most of the delegates, Santorum and Gingrich laid an egg, Romney is still on the ropes, and Ron Paul still has his dedicated supporters who will never give up on him or the movement. :)

[AdamT]

This is what they want.

+Rep

[mmadness]

I think it's more fun to stay in and fuck with them.

THIS

[wgadget]

I wonder how many are ONLY registered GOP because of Paul...... What percentage? Too bad there's know way to know. That could be some seriously damaging info to possess.

I'd guess that whatever percentage are for PAUL are only in it because of him. Reason: Once you've seen the PAUL LIGHT, looking at the vileness of the GOP is nauseating.

[JoshS]

Good! then go vote for gary johnson and express you unmerited disenchantment with this campaign elsewhere

Unmerited? GTFOH. Seriously.

I donate my money and this campaign takes days off leading up to a winnable state? I donate my money, time and hard work to this campaign for them to half-ass it. That loss just cost us millions in donations and momentum like we've never had.

So again, GTFOH.

[Brett85]

I think it might work to leave the GOP for now, and then re-join it if there's a liberty candidate on the ballot that we need to vote for. It's not that hard to go back and forth between parties. But I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. I've been a life long party line Republican, and I absolutely can't stand the Republican Party anymore.

[No Free Beer]

A lot of you are a bunch of babies.

With this type of mentality, our country would have never become one.

Get a hold of yourselves.

And you all call yourselves Ron Paul supporters...

[Dissent]

I was only registered Republican for the few people who deserved my votes. I will probably change to independent or another 3rd party after the election.

[JoshS]

A lot of you are a bunch of babies.

With this type of mentality, our country would have never become one.

Get a hold of yourselves.

And you all call yourselves Ron Paul supporters...

Leaders of that liberty movement didn't half-ass winnable battles, our campaign does.

[No Free Beer]

I think it's more fun to stay in and fuck with them.

This

[Austin]

Hahaha.. this is exactly what they want.

[69360]

I think it might work to leave the GOP for now, and then re-join it if there's a liberty candidate on the ballot that we need to vote for. It's not that hard to go back and forth between parties. But I haven't decided what I'm going to do yet. I've been a life long party line Republican, and I absolutely can't stand the Republican Party anymore.

We need a viable third party. That's why I hope Ron will run 3rd and kick something off for the country.

I'm a lifelong Republican too and I think this election is the end for me in the GOP. Rand running for president in the GOP might get me back.

[MozoVote]

Ron Paul's candidacy has opened my eyed to just how many self-serving "black hats" there are in a political party. It's made me more observant as well, as to how my state legislature and county commission (mal)function over petty squabbles and favoritism.

I'm inclined to stay in the GOP even if Paul loses. But I may change my phone number and e-mail ... so that I don't have to put up with their fear-mongering messages begging for money anymore.

[No Free Beer]

Leaders of that liberty movement didn't half-ass winnable battles, our campaign does.

Regardless if that is the case or not, you all are acting like big babies. I am sorry if I am offending anyone. But it is the truth. It is one thing to criticize the campaign, it's another if you are essentially giving up. Now, I am not saying that YOU actually said you are giving up. I am talking in general terms.

Nothing is perfect, this includes the campaign. Either way, if you expect the country to just hear an idea so different from anything they have been hearing for years and respond well to it and quickly, you are out of your mind.

To phrase that differently, Ron Paul is a movement. If you expect his words to translate into sudden votes, I think you are a bit crazy. Sorry.

[No Free Beer]

Think about how hard the GOP is working to prevent a Dr. Paul victory in the states. This proves we are winning.

[JoshS]

Regardless if that is the case or not, you all are acting like big babies. I am sorry if I am offending anyone. But it is the truth. It is one thing to criticize the campaign, it's another if you are essentially giving up. Now, I am not saying that YOU actually said you are giving up. I am talking in general terms.

Nothing is perfect, this includes the campaign. Either way, if you expect the country to just hear an idea so different from anything they have been hearing for years and respond well to it and quickly, you are out of your mind.

To phrase that differently, Ron Paul is a movement. If you expect his words to translate into sudden votes, I think you are a bit crazy. Sorry.

You realize he's been saying this for 30 years and has had multiple presidential runs correct?

Losing Maine cost us millions in donations and momentum like we've never had. If you don't expect people to be discouraged you're a bit crazy. Sorry.

[Brett85]

We need a viable third party. That's why I hope Ron will run 3rd and kick something off for the country.

I think I'll join the Constitution Party if I leave the GOP.

[thoughtomator]

We have a serious termite infestation in the power structure of the GOP... time for pest control. It will be interesting to see how many state delegations we end up controlling.

[Jandrsn21]

If Ron Paul thought he could win as a Third Party candidate he would be running third party. Most people simply aren't willing to be patient and give this the time it needs. Going rogue, not voting, or sitting on your butts will only let our competition win that much faster. Do people really think that just by electing Ron Paul we will turn our country around and kick out the elite!? This is going to be a life long process and will require much more time and effort than is needed to just get one person elected. Realize this or please do us all a favor and get out now! We would certainly do better with out all the whining and pessimism!

[Pauls' Revere]

Did Obama just win his second term?

[kill the banks]

we will be the GOP ... that is the mission

[centure7]

If Ron Paul thought he could win as a Third Party candidate he would be running third party. Most people simply aren't willing to be patient and give this the time it needs. Going rogue, not voting, or sitting on your butts will only let our competition win that much faster. Do people really think that just by electing Ron Paul we will turn our country around and kick out the elite!? This is going to be a life long process and will require much more time and effort than is needed to just get one person elected. Realize this or please do us all a favor and get out now! We would certainly do better with out all the whining and pessimism!Agreed! Look at the history of how this has played out. Barry Goldwater in the 60's launched the Libertarian Party of the 70's. But they languished at 3% because the GOP (and Dems to some degree) trampled on them with nasty tactics. For the next 30+ years liberty supporters languished going nowhere. Now that we are back with Barry Goldwater II and the results are vastly superior. Yes we are treading through the red tape, but we are making massive progress. Absolutely huge progress.

I'm not going to be excited about Rand Paul until after I see how he has voted. His vote to place a sanction on Iran was a possibly unforgivable blow to his credibility. Sanctions were an act of war against Japan, provoking them into WWII. Sanctions were an act of war against Iran, putting us in danger of WWIII. Not something I find acceptable at all! But on the other hand I have not contacted his campaign about the move, nor even verified that it was correct.

[ssjevot]

I was never in the GOP and will just keep voting Libertarian. My principles aren't for sale, and I hope Obama does win reelection because the GOP deserves to lose.

[TheTyke]

This is what they want.

Yes, this is EXACTLY what they want. For us to leave the reins of power to them and go mess around with parties that haven't ever won a federal office and never will.

I know it gets frustrating, but WE'D be holding the reins of power if all those folks had worked alongside us and Ron Paul in the party. That's how ALL the constitutionalists in office have gotten elected... imagine how it could've been.

[No Free Beer]

You realize he's been saying this for 30 years and has had multiple presidential runs correct?

Losing Maine cost us millions in donations and momentum like we've never had. If you don't expect people to be discouraged you're a bit crazy. Sorry.

And look how many votes he has gained since 2007. So, what is your point? Just because he has said the same thing for 30 years doesn't mean the people have heard this message for that amount of time. I think you are being unrealistic. For America to be what Ron wants it to be like will take another 15-20 yrs. Either way, Dr. Paul has doubled, and in some states, tripled his support. Get over yourself. We have remained consistent. You should take a look again at his delegate strategy if you haven't. Ron will take almost all of these delegates anyway, so I don't know what you are crying about...

[Jandrsn21]

Or just start prosecuting the bankers, Jews and media-elites for treason they like they used to. If we tried that nowadays the american people would be the ones on trial.

Dude your not helping us with the GOP by running around and saying we should prosecute Jews. Use some tact for christ sake, our job is to persuade not repel!

[The Gold Standard]

we will be the GOP ... that is the mission

That is an admirable and worthwhile cause, but by the time it happens we will be eating out of trash cans and hiding from TSA units sweeping the streets for "liberty minded terrorists".

[tsetsefly]

nah, its just better to take over the party... 3rd parties are going no where right now... the system is to controlled

[kill the banks]

That is an admirable and worthwhile cause, but by the time it happens we will be eating out of trash cans and hiding from TSA units sweeping the streets for "liberty minded terrorists".

well i'll add it's the only peaceful way

[No Free Beer]

....yup

[michaelwise]

The Ron Paul Crew will screw over the mainstream media and the GOP by handing Obama the win. You can take that to the bank and too fucking bad FOX News crew.

And since nothing will improve with whomever the PTB choses as president, Obama and the Democrats can take credit for the complete and total economic collapse of the USA that is now a mathematical certainty. I can live with that.

[Endthefednow]

I'm only a Republican for the message delivered by Ron Paul. Should they reject that -- and they're trying -- they have no value for me.

Onward, regardless, because there are more battles to fight.

THIS!!

[kahless]

They've made it clear that people with my beliefs are not welcome in their ranks. I'm prepared to oblige them for the rest of my life. I have no desire to be a part of a party that doesn't want to give our views a fair shot.

I hope Ron Paul will abandon the caucus strategy and pursue the American's Elect nomination.

If he does not win the nomination I hope that is what he does. Regardless the movement should look to doing 4 things.

1. Deal with the corrupt media issue.

As we have seen, the media in this country is extremely powerful in shaping public opinion. It is as if we are running against the media more than any other candidate. The only way around this is grassroots efforts to gather investors to establish a combined 4th news channel, talk radio network and wire service to take on the big government authoritarians at Foxnews, CNN, MSNBC, Neocon talk radio, AP and the rest of the MSM. You MUST have a real Conservative and Libertarian media infrastructure in place otherwise the future efforts will be futile.

Also the corrupt media and their links to the establishment need to be continually exposed.

2. Get as many supporters to become candidates running for all elected offices regardless of party.

3. Build a 3rd party to siphon voters from both parties.

4. Actively pursue state an regional successionist movements. Even if they fail the efforts will be educational in shaping public opinion and bringing people to the liberty movement.

[economics102]

To the OP: we're not looking to be "welcomed" by the neocons and counterfeit conservatives. We're looking to gain enough control in the party to make THEM feel uncomfortable and unwelcome. Let THEM be the ones who have to go start a powerless third party.

[Aigik]

The only reason I'm currently in the Republican party is for Paul. If he loses this election, I'll either go back to the Democratic party or go independent. Haven't decided yet.