I dunno...Is it me or does the GOP WANT Ron to go Indy?

[wgadget]

I suppose it would give them a good excuse when Romney loses....

[sailingaway]

If they do, thinking it will marginalize him, they are gravely mistaken.

I doubt more level headed sorts do. The party is crumbling.

[JebSanderson]

They don't care, win or lose its the same people in power

[JamesButabi]

The Romney / Obama scenario is just begging for a strong independent or Libertarian. I personally hope if Ron has no intentions of continuing, that Gary Johnson can absorb enough support to get into the national debates.

[sailingaway]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.

[FSP-Rebel]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.
Having been in the LP years ago, I can sympathize to the pleasure of getting a former governor to run the ticket, especially in a unique situation that is potentially brewing.

In fact, they've been trying to court Johnson for the last decade or so. Now they get their wish.

[69360]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.

He's honest. I trust him. I agree with him on most issues that matter to me, except he's not pro-life.

He's one of the good guys and passes my 80% test. People I agree with 80% of the time are friends not enemies.

If Ron doesn't win or continue I will vote for Johnson or Roemer.

[JebSanderson]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to sailingaway again.

I toadly agree. He's not charismatic, he's not pro-life, spending, taxes and debt went up while he was governor...

[Evangelical_Protestant]

Gary Johnson is going nowhere. Although I prefer him to Obama or Romney, he wouldn't be considered by most. I think if Paul ran third party he could win. That is if he's included in any kind of national debate, if he's not included in the debates, then he definitely wouldn't win.

Romney is such a liberal republican, as was Bush [economically], as was McCain; And Obama is such a socialist democrat , that I think even a third party defeat would do alot to open eyes and ears all across the country. Because eventually people are going to have to see the neo-liberal/neo-con fabrication right?.....RIGHT???

I hope the nation is just deceived, and not stupid. Please God let them be deceived and not stupid, so that there may still be a speck of hope!

[kathy88]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.

Me either.

[Okie RP fan]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.

I agree, I believe he is overrated. Then again, I don't know a whole lot about him... I hear he is like a confused child deciding what ice cream to pick on a Summer's day regarding foreign policy...

Back to the OP, I dunno. They realize the party stands to be splintered after 2012, and they will need a scapegoat. Who better than to blame Ron Paul and those pesky libertarians/conservatives/constitutionalists who stand the greatest threat to their game?

[sailingaway]

I agree, I believe he is overrated. Then again, I don't know a whole lot about him... I hear he is like a confused child deciding what ice cream to pick on a Summer's day regarding foreign policy...

Back to the OP, I dunno. They realize the party stands to be splintered after 2012, and they will need a scapegoat. Who better than to blame Ron Paul and those pesky libertarians/conservatives/constitutionalists who stand the greatest threat to their game?

except that from what I'm reading a bunch of evangelicals are starting to feel the same 'we always get taken for granted and never represented' feeling we have and are talking even third party if Romney wins.

So this might be the year that really DOES start a new party if someone as much of a heavy hitter as Ron were to do it.

[Okie RP fan]

except that from what I'm reading a bunch of evangelicals are starting to feel the same 'we always get taken for granted and never represented' feeling we have and are talking even third party if Romney wins.

So this might be the year that really DOES start a new party if someone as much of a heavy hitter as Ron were to do it.

It would be purely symbolic if he did. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't been on the ballot in most states, correct me if I'm wrong. And, if he does go third party, the media will validate itself and tell their viewers "See?! We told you he would!" while this whole time we've been telling people to calm down and that Paul isn't going to go third party. It takes away from his credibility and ours (because Ron has been steadfast saying that he does not want to, nor does he have plans to). But, if it means sending a message and taking a step in the right direction for this country, sure, I'm all for it. Who really cares at this point?

[Shane Harris]

of course they do. thats why they keep asking. they know they will lose either way but if Ron runs indy then they can blame him for splitting the vote rather acknowledge the shortcomings of their own party and candidate and platform. It lets them further demonize Paul in the minds of Rs.

[UtahApocalypse]

No... but they do want Obama to win

[rich34]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.

I agree totally! He's going no where, but may do much better than that neocon Barr that ran last time.

[sailingaway]

It would be purely symbolic if he did. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't been on the ballot in most states, correct me if I'm wrong. And, if he does go third party, the media will validate itself and tell their viewers "See?! We told you he would!" while this whole time we've been telling people to calm down and that Paul isn't going to go third party. It takes away from his credibility and ours (because Ron has been steadfast saying that he does not want to, nor does he have plans to). But, if it means sending a message and taking a step in the right direction for this country, sure, I'm all for it. Who really cares at this point?

I'm sure he wouldn't do it unless he decided the GOP with its rulebreaking was a dead end for not just himself but the movement and was setting up a new party.

I'm not saying it is likely, but it would be interesting if it happened that way.

[sailingaway]

I agree totally! He's going no where, but may do much better than that neocon Barr that ran last time.

OK, I'll grant you he isn't as glaringly bad as Barr, but that's a pretty low, um, bar.

[wgadget]

except that from what I'm reading a bunch of evangelicals are starting to feel the same 'we always get taken for granted and never represented' feeling we have and are talking even third party if Romney wins.

So this might be the year that really DOES start a new party if someone as much of a heavy hitter as Ron were to do it.

The evangelicals would vote for RON? Now that would be a coup...

[sailingaway]

The evangelicals would vote for RON? Now that would be a coup...

Against ROMNEY? I'm not talking about the establishment tools but the ones who really mean it.

I'm sure the power brokers would run a more 'palatable' evangelical who won't rock the boat if it comes to that.

[Aratus]

wgadget... methinks its not just you becuz another thread here had the

romney staffers sore torn between being nice to dr. paul and being nasty.

someone wants JEB TO RUN IN 2016 but they NEED mitt to narrowly lose.

he's being half~backed so as not to ruin the GOP too terribly at this tyme.

[MoneyWhereMyMouthIs2]

I agree totally! He's going no where, but may do much better than that neocon Barr that ran last time.


That kinda ruined the LP for me. At least for now. They used to be principled. They picked Barr for name recognition and gave up on being principled.

[KingNothing]

I honestly don't see what anyone sees in Johnson.

He's a self-made-man. He understands Liberty, and he's on our side. What's not to like?

[sailingaway]

That kinda ruined the LP for me. At least for now. They used to be principled. They picked Barr for name recognition and gave up on being principled.

in which case why vote third party? You can vote unprincipled in the two majors.

[jbauer]

anyone know what the drop dead date would be? I think if paul was going to run indy he would have done it by now. The best course in my mind is to back liberty candates and hope Rand runs in 16.

To the above poster who said run Jeb the last name bush has been destroyed. Running another bush in 16 will blow up in their faces. If the GOP is to survive we are its future. So pick your poison, fix what we got or start a new party. I personally think fixing what we got is a faster approach.

[sailingaway]

He's a self-made-man. He understands Liberty, and he's on our side. What's not to like?

"understands liberty on our side" are too vague. I have looked him over and just don't see it. I'm sure it depends on what you are looking for.

[sailingaway]

anyone know what the drop dead date would be? I think if paul was going to run indy he would have done it by now. The best course in my mind is to back liberty candates and hope Rand runs in 16.

To the above poster who said run Jeb the last name bush has been destroyed. Running another bush in 16 will blow up in their faces. If the GOP is to survive we are its future. So pick your poison, fix what we got or start a new party. I personally think fixing what we got is a faster approach.

I'm not against it, that was the plan. But the level of cheating and cronyism thwarting the rules really makes me wonder if we are beating our heads against a wall. I haven't made up my mind yet but part of me says Ron could be the bridge to a real party.

[Aratus]

doug wead is keeping the idea of a 3rd party run alive
but right now we must get dr ron paul to tampa happily.
the JEB thingie is a speculation over the "lukewarm for
mitt" mood inside the remnants of the H.W + W machine.

[jbauer]

I lived in and voted for Ventura in MN. The hard part of him being independant was that neither the Rep's or Dem's wanted to work with him and he went looney tunes bat $hit crazy.

The guy had a legitmate campaign but since he was a major threat to "the way it is" for both parties he got squashed on all levels. Kinda sad when you look at how it all went down.

[sailingaway]

I lived in and voted for Ventura in MN. The hard part of him being independant was that neither the Rep's or Dem's wanted to work with him and he went looney tunes bat $hit crazy.

The guy had a legitmate campaign but since he was a major threat to "the way it is" for both parties he got squashed on all levels. Kinda sad when you look at how it all went down.

but if you can't work inside the party there is no choice.

[wgadget]

Any word on whether the GOP will allow Ron Paul into the national convention this time around?

[sailingaway]

If he has a plurality in 5 states, he gets in as a nominee to the convention as a matter of right. No negotiations needed.


and that is how we want it.

[wgadget]

Well...Ya know.....They can always change the rules.... ;)

But maybe that's why They're working so damn hard at the state levels (cheating).

[JebSanderson]

If he has a plurality in 5 states, he gets in as a nominee to the convention as a matter of right. No negotiations needed.


and that is how we want it.

We have Minnesota. Hopefully Missouri, Maine and Iowa. Maybe Washington. What other state could we get plurality in? Colorado we didn't by just a few :(

[sailingaway]

Possibilities to my mind

MO
WA
ME
IA

ONLY if they can vote away being bound on first vote, or else after the first vote (note I don't even know if voting away being bound is possible, it is just something people have tossed around here):

NV
AK

IF the Santa folks vote with us to vote against Romney

CO

[JebSanderson]

Possibilities to my mind

MO
WA
ME
IA

ONLY if they can vote away being bound on first vote, or else after the first vote:

NV
AK

IF the Santa folks vote with us to vote against Romney

CO

Key will be stopping Mittens from reaching 1144! And getting our delegates in all the Santorum/Grinch slots.

[sailingaway]

Yes and yes.