Would Ron Paul run as a Libertarian or Constitutionalist?

[LizF]

This article (dealing more w/Bloomberg) mentions the possibility:
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200706/POL20070628c.html


Excerpts focusing on RP (though I think the whole article is worth a look):

"In addition to Bloomberg, he said Rep. Ron Paul (R-Tex.) could end up being nominated by the Libertarian or Constitution parties.

Paul resigned from the GOP in 1987, ran for president the following year as a Libertarian and won just under half of one percent of the popular vote. He later rejoined the Republican Party, and is one of 10 declared candidates for the party's 2008 presidential nomination."


and:


"Fortier said minor party candidates tend to attract people who would not have voted anyway. "I don't see many votes taken from the major parties, especially not from [the] Democrats."

He did, however, lend credence to the possibility of a Paul candidacy.

"Ron Paul is the only one who might strike a populist nerve, capitalizing on worries about immigration, dispirited Republicans, and libertarians worried about too much spending and too great a role for America in the world," Fortier said.

"I am not sure I expect him to get a huge vote, but he would have a following, especially if the Republican candidate is seen as weak."

If Sen. John McCain of Arizona ended up the GOP nominee, Fortier argued, "His views on immigration policy and his Washington establishment-image would provide the most incentive for disaffected conservatives to vote in protest for [Paul].""

[MozoVote]

Paul has already said that he would not. He has no trouble answering NO. 8-)

[LibertyOfOne]

He said that if he didn't make the GOP nomination that he will drop out of the race. If he did stick with the race I could see him getting the Libertarian and Constitution party support.

[LibertyEagle]

He has already said he would turn to being reelected to his House seat.

[MozoVote]

I think a better question would be: If Paul can't win the Republican nomination, is he still willing to campaign in all 50 states in order to rack up delegates and perform a kingmaker role at the convention?

[LizF]

I know he's said that, and it makes sense that he would, or else GOP voters wouldn't be inclined to take his candidacy seriously.

However, if (God forbid) he didn't get the GOP nomination, and the Libertarians nominated him, do you think he might accept then? I know I'd probably write him in anyway in the general election.

[LizF]

He has already said he would turn to being reelected to his House seat.

Oh, ok. We need him there too...lol.

[Duckman]

Personally I plan to write in Ron Paul if he is not nominated. But let's see him nominated!

[MozoVote]

However, if (God forbid) he didn't get the GOP nomination, and the Libertarians nominated him, do you think he might accept then? I know I'd probably write him in anyway in the general election.

He's already done it, and knows a small third party can't win. I don't think he'd bother.

[LibertyEagle]

We need to get him nominated. I honestly think it's our last chance to have any hope of saving our country.

[rockjoa]

A majority of people are still buying the whole 2 party thing, making it nearly impossible for a 3rd party candidate to win. The media is too wired for the 2 parties that a 3rd party gets nearly no coverage. One of Paul's big keys to victory was when he debated with giuliani, people tired with the republican party excited about Ron Paul being a breath of fresh air. But now the GOP, media, and neocons are scared to death of him and are trying to do whatever they can to stop him.

The key here is the primaries, because they are not as popular as the elections they have a smaller sample size, giving us a bigger chance of winning. The real issue is media telling us he is a fringe candidate, make sure you tell other you shared Paul with that media is trying to control the votes, but is losing its power due to the internet:D.

[joshuastjohn]

I think it's a possibility if he loses the nomination by a narrow margin. I imagine we would all appeal to Dr. Paul to run as independent.

[MozoVote]

Something to keep in mind. When a candidate refuses to drop out, by default he picks up more and more delegates. Ron paul may stay in the campaign just to continue to keep his issues in the news and to push the nominee... or to leave a lagacy to build on for another candidate in 2012.

Paul would be pretty old in 2012, but the world has seen older leaders. If he's in good health and made a strong showing this year, I would not rule it out completely.

[rich34]

I think it depends on the situation. As one said, if he can get momentum and come in a close second I believe he could carry on as an third party candidate. And as a matter of fact if it's between Hillary, Rudy and Ron ya got to love his chances in a scenario like that. My dad is a hardcore straight ticket democrat, but I'd gurantee he'd be voting for Dr. Paul.

[Original_Intent]

I know he's said that, and it makes sense that he would, or else GOP voters wouldn't be inclined to take his candidacy seriously.

However, if (God forbid) he didn't get the GOP nomination, and the Libertarians nominated him, do you think he might accept then? I know I'd probably write him in anyway in the general election.

I think this is exactly right. When he was asked this question, to answer "Yes" would have been the end of his GOP campaign. He was also asked, I believe, if he would run Independent, and he said, "No, that's not something we have considered."

I even thought at the time that was not a definite No I won't do it, it was a No that hasn't been considered. But that's just my opinion. And I also think it depends on the strength of his support at the time. I mean, if he finished a close second in the primaries, or if there were any hint of vote fraud or if RP got the popular vote but the delegates chos someone else - I can't imagine that he wouldn't soldier on in some way (whether as an independent or third party). But maybe he will do the most good in Congress, maybe he can actually get a few to stay awake and listen to his speeches - maybe even convert a few to the good fight.

[Bison]

I believe when Ron Paul announced on C-span he said he would not run as a Libertarian and that they have not show any interest in running him. But Dr. Paul has many supporters in the Constitution Party (http://www.constitutionparty.com) as one would expect given the name.

They have a poll on their website that includes Ron Paul as a choice for who they would like to see run for President on the Constitution Party ticket. Its linked from the front page.

[JaylieWoW]

Personally I plan to write in Ron Paul if he is not nominated. But let's see him nominated!

Ditto for me.

[Swmorgan77]

Paul has already said that he would not. He has no trouble answering NO. 8-)


5-15-07

Alan Colmes: If you don't get the nomination would you run as an independent

Ron Paul: No, I'm not planning on that. I have no intention of doing that.

Technically this statement only rules out an Independent run, not a run as a 3rd party...

But personally I have qualms about either of those parties...

The Constituiton party people here locally have been very lazy about supporting Ron Paul, and it has been very revealing to me. It appears they do not really care about the Constitution. I'm not saying I expect them to be behind him as a party, but the individuals that are involved couldn't care less about Ron Paul's candidacy. That says a lot.

[tsoldrin]

I thought he only said he wouldn't run as an independent. Perhaps he clarified that later?

Anyway... if he doesn't get the R nomination, in order to continue realistically, he'd have to have come very very close to getting it... or perhaps gotten the most votes but not gotten the delegates? In the long run he'd have to be able to pick up MORE voters from somewhere than the ones who would simply vote republican no matter what. That's a tall order and I don't think any third party could pull it off... maybe if there were an alliance of most of all the third parties working together. Libertarian, Constitution, Green alliance? Could they work together?

[austinphish]

and I don't think any third party could pull it off... maybe if there were an alliance of most of all the third parties working together. Libertarian, Constitution, Green alliance? Could they work together?

I think the potential for a third party alliance is out there. There are already sites like "unity party" working towards this goal. I mean, the more I read about the issues and hear different candidates speak the more I realize they have in common:

Kucinich, Nader, Buchanan, Gravel and Paul have all had good things to say about each other recently (mostly the other 4 complimenting Dr. Paul!)

I know some of these guys are socialists, but they agree on some very key anti-establishment issues.

BTW - I am sorry but a Buchanan/Paul ticket would fail. It doesn't bring in new supporters.

[torchbearer]

I think it's a possibility if he loses the nomination by a narrow margin. I imagine we would all appeal to Dr. Paul to run as independent.

he'd have no ballot access as an independent and without a billion dollars and 20 attorneys at his aid, he won't have time to get on all 50 ballots in time, he loses as an independent vicarious through the lack of ballot access.
the constitutional party is only on about 24 states right now.
the libertarian party is on 48 states currently, and will have all 50 states by the election.

just on this information alone... paul's best chance to win outside the GOP is the LP.

[Bradley in DC]

As one said, if he can get momentum and come in a close second I believe he could carry on as an third party candidate.

That decision might have to be made earlier that you think (if not too late). Many states have "sore loser" laws preventing just such a thing.

[Elwar]

Ron Paul said he wouldn't run as an independent. Running as a LP or CP candidate is not independent.

I think he'd probably go with the LP since they tend to be on the ballot in all 50 states.

Either way, he has my vote even if I have to write him in.

[AZ Libertarian]

We need to get him nominated. I honestly think it's our last chance to have any hope of saving our country.

My thoughts exactly. ;)

[pennycat]

Who's our opponent? I don't consider Gravel, Nader, etc. opponents. I consider all the front runners bought and paid for stooges of corporate America. Just one example. Hillary sits on the Armed Sevices committee. She's yet to fight even ONE appropriation for weapons procurement. I sure hope we get Paul as the Republican nominee. But I refuse to fall for the dog and pony show that corporate America trots out for us. And I'm not some young hippie. I'm a 52 year old Republican, who's eyes have been openned.

[winston84]

Three weeks ago at the Pasadena, CA MeetUp we had a live feed with Kent Snyder via web cam.

One of the Pasadena MeetUp members asked Kent if RP would run as a 3rd party candidate if he did not get the nomination, Kent replied that RP has not decided on doing that BUT that he would personally recommend to RP that he run as an independent Kent also added that it would be difficult for RP to NOT run if he did not get the GOP nomination.

Again any fellow Pasadena members that went to the first MeetUp can attest to this, including Bill Dumas.

[torchbearer]

Three weeks ago at the Pasadena, CA MeetUp we had a live feed with Kent Snyder via web cam.

One of the Pasadena MeetUp members asked Kent if RP would run as a 3rd party candidate if he did not get the nomination, Kent replied that RP has not decided on doing that BUT that he would personally recommend to RP that he run as an independent Kent also added that it would be difficult for RP to NOT run if he did not get the GOP nomination.

Again any fellow Pasadena members that went to the first MeetUp can attest to this, including Bill Dumas.

That is very interesting...

[nakor667]

First off, RP will get the Republican nomination!

But if somehow he doesn't, I propose he should accept the nomination of the Libertarian Party AND the Constitutionalist Party! I'll even toss in the Reform Party, Natural Law Party, heck, even the Green Party nomination so Ron Paul can be a true uniter not a divider with a national third party coalition.

That should insure ballot access just about everywhere!

Although, that might be confusing for electoral college votes...

[torchbearer]

Yeh, which slate do you pick? how would you go about making a multi-party slate of electors?