RSDavis
01-18-2008, 02:46 PM
http://laceylibertarian.us/wp-images/rPaulRev.jpg
Ron Paul Roundup (01-18-08)
by RS Davis (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=194780914&blogID=348774818&Mytoken=339D21CC-E10F-4D95-AFC2C30255D3928A9972483)
Hello Freedomphiles! I'd like to start off today's Roundup with a piece out of World Net Daily by Ilana Mercer. She totally slams my boys at Reason, but then makes some very good points. Let's start with the slams:
What are the odds that Rep. Paul's followers have come to the philosophy of freedom through Reason magazine? Is it remotely possible that the passionate soldiers of the Paul Army enlisted after chancing upon a dispassionate, desiccated, dry-as-dust disquisition on a free market in kidneys (I'm all for it)? I think not.
Perhaps Paulites were inspired by Stephen Moore, a former Catoite, now with the neoconservative "War Street Journal." From his comfy perch on "Kudlow & Company," Moore ventured just the other day that the recession is the result of the less-than dynamic demos' fear of rapid technological transformation. This is the Virginia Postrel "philosophy," if it can be called that....
....Contra Paulites, Beltway libertarians have generally supported the Iraq war, although they've cooled to it since the war lost some of its Cool Quotient. In fact, I suspect the Reason crowd supported Paul before opposing him because the Paul Revolution is so groovy. Reason is all about the groove; gravitas, not so much.
First of all, Reason is anything but dry. It is probably the most thought-provoking and entertaining political magazine written today. It's certainly better than World Net Daily.
I want to highligh a portion of that real quick:
Judging by Reason's "35 Heroes of Freedom," "cool and cosmopolitan" encompasses William Burroughs, a drug addled, Beat-Generation wife killer, whose "work is mostly gibberish and his literary influence baleful."
Madonna Reason has exalted for, as they put it, leading "MTV's glorious parade of freaks, gender-benders and weirdos who helped broaden the palette of acceptable cultural identities and destroy whatever vestiges of repressive mainstream sensibilities still remained." Sounds like the unscrambled, strange dialect spoken by a professor of Women's and Gender Studies...
...If we've learned anything so far from the cloying coverage of the 2008 elections it is that mainstream media can't even call a caucus. Ditto mainstream libertarians – they're utterly divorced from the groundswell Paul has ignited.
This is an utterly bankrupt tactic. The people that are turned off by Newslettergate have valid concerns. And Ron Paul's support is a coalition. Writing off libertarians - who, mind you, have been all of his support for years - is both stupid and counterproductive. And dissing people who approve of cultural tolerance only bolsters the arguments of the critics.
There is a little good to be found in the piece, though:
More to the point, I've endorsed Ron Paul because, unlike most of Paul's pampered detractors, I happen to know what living without freedom is like: I left South Africa with the proceeds from the sale of my apartment stashed in the soles of my shoes. Had I been apprehended smuggling my property out of that country, I'd have been jailed together with my husband; we both stood taller on that trip. Moreover, I've seen firsthand the same oppression sneak-up on unsuspecting Americans. For instance, the South-African model of detention-without-trial is slowly becoming a fixture of the American legal landscape.
So, when the prospects of liberty loom, carpe diem. Loving liberty viscerally means that when one encounters a man whose understanding of freedom and individual rights approximates – if not parallels – your own, you seize the day. Those who stand on the sidelines are slaves to abstractions – and worse: They are mollycoddled milksops.
This is - in its essence - the reason I still support Ron Paul. Despite the controversy regarding his newsletters, he still has the most pro-liberty voting record in DC, and none of his personal writings, speeches, or votes reflect a racist attitude. That's the long and short of why I still support Paul - because an opportunity like this doesn't come around very often, and it'd be pretty stupid to turn my back on a golden opportunity for positive, pro-liberty change in America.
The whole article is here (http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59752).
David Weigel over at Reason writes (http://www.reason.com/blog/show/124485.html) further about the Lew Rockwell as "ghost writer" theory that most libertarian insiders believe:
I just had a conversation with Tom Lizardo, Ron Paul's longtime congressional chief of staff, who wanted to say this on the record:
Last week, a statement was prepared by Ron Paul's press secretary Jesse Benton, and approved by Ron Paul, acknowledging Lew Rockwell as having a role in the newsletters. The statement was squashed by campaign chairman Kent Snyder.
I've called the Paul campaign to see what, exactly, the statement said.
UPDATE, 7:53: Jesse Benton responds:
I respect Tom Lizardo, but he does not work for the campaign and has no authority to comment on campaign business.
I wonder if it is true, and I'd love to hear more about that. Ron Paul needs to make a moral stand on his own, regardless of what his advisors say, and just set the record straight on all of this. It's an interesting thing when you see a man who says what he thinks all the time on policy letting advisors muddle his mind on points of politicking.
In fact, I see it as his greatest weakness. Still, at least I know he will hold the line when it comes down to policy.
On TheFacts.com, John Thompkins writes (http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=4a569ec0125a6a1a) about Ron Paul on the road:
While waiting to speak to an anxious crowd the night of the New Hampshire Primary, Paul readied himself then turned around and looked at members of his family.
"Walk with me onto the stage," he said.
While Paul talked to his rapt audience about ending the Iraq war, eliminating the Federal Reserve and empowering individual freedoms, his wife, his son, Rand Paul, and several other relatives stood behind him.
Being on the campaign trail might be exciting, but it also can be a bit stressful, Carol Paul said.
"I don't know if it's fun," she said. "I understand it has to be done."
Carol and Rand Paul have been part of a Paul presidential run before, when the congressman was the Libertarian candidate in 1988, as well as many of his congressional elections.
While Ron Paul signed placards and pocket Constitutions during his campaign, Carol Paul also was asked to pose for pictures as supporters told her they hoped she would be First Lady.
"It's wonderful to hear that," Carol Paul said of the crowds who cheer for her husband. "They know how important it is."
KOLO8 out of Nevada is reporting (http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/13861937.html) that some people are getting the wrong directions for the upcoming caucus. What I find most interesting about this story is that it was the Ron Paul campaign that first alerted them about it. Are we the only ones paying any attention?
The Ron Paul presidential campaign has learned that thousands of Republican voters, including thousands of Ron Paul supporters, have received incorrect caucus location information from the Nevada State Republican Party.
Incorrect information about caucus locations has been given to voters throughout the state, specifically in Washoe and Clark, the two largest counties in the state.
Postcards sent to registered Republicans by the Nevada State GOP contained inaccurate caucus locations and the state GOP website caucus locator was directing voters to inaccurate caucus locations until 6 pm Wednesday evening.
The Ron Paul campaign in Nevada has been inundated with telephone calls from voters confused about their caucus location because of the misinformation on the state GOP website.
And The Reno Gazette-Journal confirms (http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS19/801180507/1232):
"This Web site has been misdirecting voters up to two days before the caucus," Greenspan said in a news release.
"The Ron Paul campaign has received calls from hundreds of supporters who have asked why they are being directed to Reno and Henderson for their caucus sites when they live in Las Vegas. Perhaps the party ought to consider postponing the caucuses until they can ensure that correct caucus information is communicated to all Republican voters in the state," the news release said.
Jennifer Terhune, Nevada communications coordinator for Paul, said the campaign is not planning to file suit to stop the caucus.
She said the news release was issued to help raise awareness of the problem for Paul supporters.
"Our biggest concern and the reason we decided to write the press release and send it out as we did was to try to reach all the Ron Paul supporters that we're not in contact with," she said. "Our biggest concern is people will go to the wrong location and not get a chance to vote and be a delegate. The post cards were wrong. The state Web site was wrong, but the county's was right."
And there's more controversy over the Granny Warriors recount in New Hampshire. Tech Crunch reports (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/16/tin-foil-hat-alert-paypal-messes-with-ron-paul-campaign/):
Paypal has suspended an account belonging to a Ron Paul supporters group resulting in the groups inability to pay for a recount in New Hampshire.
The Granny Warriors had fund raised the $55,600 required to be lodged with the New Hampshire Secretary of State yesterday but had their account suspended by Paypal at the last minute. The inability to access the funds resulted in a missed deadline and no GOP recount in New Hampshire.
Ron Paul support groups are urging Paul followers to contact Paypal directly to protest the decision.
We don't have word from Paypal as to why they suspended the account, but what ever the reason we know they'll regret it as their mail servers are inundated by a group of people who pursue their support of Paul with unprecedented zealotry.
That's certainly odd, especially since PayPal was founded by a libertarian. Tech Cruch follows up (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/17/digg-has-super-users-or-hates-ron-paul/) today:
The good news (for Paul supporters anyway) is that the authorities granted an extension and a supporter stepped forward and provided the money required in time (the original funds remaining frozen by Paypal).
But here's the possibly bad thing: either Digg has super users who can single handedly bury stories on Digg, or they're censoring Ron Paul posts.
I just happened to be reading on Twitter about a service called the "Ajaxonomy Bury Recorder (ABR)" a service launched last year that allows you to see the the number of buries on a Digg story by the time of each bury, the reason and at what stage in the voting process it was buried. Thinking that the Ron Paul story might get a few votes, I decided to run it in ABR through out the afternoon to see what might happen.
At exactly 43 votes the story received one bury for spam, and then it completely disappeared from the upcoming sidebar at Digg in its particular category. I ran a search for TechCrunch posts (newest via URL) on Digg to see whether it was there; nothing, clicked the include buried stories post: bingo, the post appeared in the list.
Interesting stuff. Press Media Wire is reporting (http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=4816) on a Fox News trick about Ron Paul's answer to the question, "Are you electable?"
That is the question that Carl Cameron asked Ron Paul in last Thursday's Fox News debate in South Carolina.
How did Ron Paul respond?
Well, you wouldn't be able to find his answer if you watched the rebroadcast of the debate, because Fox News cut Dr. Paul's response!
Fear not, because here is the response:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlacFmRGPgI
The article goes on to mention the following:
And for what it's worth, the charge that Ron Paul is somehow unelectable in the Republican party sounds awfully similar to the charges levied against Ronald Reagan in 1980. As this Time Magazine article shows, another Republican -- Gerald Ford -- branded Ronald Reagan as "unelectable" as late as March of 1980.
Top of the diamond Libertarian JT Furnish writes (http://www.nolanchart.com/article1230.html) over at The Nolan Chart how Ron Paul can still win:
How can Ron Paul win though? One word - GOTV. This acronym stands for Get Out The Vote. Right now Ron Paul needs a good showing in all February 5th states. He needs a first place finish in a few, a second and third place finish in a few more. Which ones will it be? Who knows? That is up to you.
Most Republicans don't know what Ron Paul stands for. It is my belief that if they did they would consider voting for him over the other candidates. What will propel Ron Paul to victory is to have every person that supports Ron Paul to sign up as a precinct leader on the ronpaul2008.com website. The site will then give you instructions on what to do.
As a political consultant for many years, I used a GOTV strategy that won 88% of the time. While I don't know exactly what the Ron Paul campaign wants their volunteers to do, there is only so much they can ask them to do. Gauging their organization in Iowa, I believe that what I am about to recommend should not go against what the campaign is trying to do, but supplement it.
The Reno Gazette-Journal is reporting (http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/NEWS19/801170348/1232) that Ron Paul could be a thorn in Romney's side in the upcoming primary there:
Although the former Massachusetts governor comes to the state with the most organized operation of the field, a couple of "X-factors" remain in Nevada's GOP race: Texas Congressman Ron Paul and the potential for a lackluster turnout.
"This has been and should be a Romney state, given his attention and the operation he has built here," said Republican strategist Greg Ferraro of Reno. "But I can't assess Ron Paul. The populist message he's using, I can't tell what kind of traction that has. He is the X-factor."
Although his organizational efforts haven't been as extensive in Nevada, Paul has spent heavily on radio advertising and phone banking here. He also has a devoted contingent of volunteer supporters who have spent large sums on his behalf.
But the most recent poll of likely Republican caucus-goers in Nevada doesn't place Paul in the top five.
Get out the vote, people! In other areas, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports (http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080117/NEWS/801170330/1051/NEWS01) that the blimp is going to be floating over South Carolina:
The campaign for Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul will get some skyward publicity this week in the form of a massive blimp with campaign banners adorning each side.
The blimp will launch from Greenville and fly over that city, along with Clemson, Anderson and Spartanburg, this week. Since Paul, a Texas representative, will be in Spartanburg tonight for a local GOP event, the blimp's backers hope to adjust the itinerary to fly over this city in conjunction with his appearance.
The airship's schedule is ultimately at the mercy of the weather, which could keep it grounded early today. But anyone who is outside between now and this state's GOP primary Saturday has a chance of seeing it pass overhead.
The blimp is one of several nontraditional campaign tactics in support of Paul and his libertarian-leaning message. The candidate repeatedly emphasizes a less-involved foreign policy, abolition of the IRS and Department of Education, and a return to the gold standard.
And in Texas, The Galveston County Daily News reports (http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=2de7ffb3d8fba7a1) of the Ron Paul limo making a stop and its driver meeting a celebrity:
Tyler is the driver of a stretch limousine adorned with images and slogans of the Lake Jackson lawmaker, promoting Paul's bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He was driving Wednesday through Houston when the wheel literally came off.
"I had already driven from Florida and still had thousands of miles left, so I was pretty upset it already needed repairs," said the 50-year-old Paul supporter, who is making his way to Arizona to show off the limo during the Super Bowl.
As he chained up the left rear tire, which needed its bearings replaced, he didn't expect he soon would be seeing the face on the side of the vehicle staring at him in person. But just 45 minutes from Lake Jackson, Tyler took a chance Paul just might be in town.
"This morning was a reality check," Tyler said Thursday. "I called his congressional campaign office and they said Ron Paul was in Lake Jackson and were able to arrange for him to meet me and the limo."
With a loose tire still needing repair, Tyler made his way early Thursday all the way to the Brazoria County Airport, where Paul was boarding a plane to go to South Carolina in advance of that state's primary Saturday. Paul was able to see and autograph what Tyler said was the second-largest limousine in the world.
"It's Ron Paul's limo now — he signed it," Tyler said.
Well, in the biggest shocker of the election season, it looks like Ron Paul can't count on the collectivist socialism vote. The Party for Socialism and Liberation (with asshat Che on the masthead) reports (http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7965&news_iv_ctrl=1261):
Paul's libertarianism—or "constitutionalism"—speaks frequently about getting rid of invasive "big government." For workers who oppose the Patriot Act, government spying, and inflated military budgets, this position at first might have a certain appeal. But Paul wants to create a "small government" so as to prevent any intrusion into the affairs of big business. He upholds "free market" capitalism as the solution to every social problem.
He does not want to create a government that defends workers and the oppressed. Instead, Paul wants to overturn the concessions that workers have won from the capitalist class through decades of struggle. This is why he opposes the income tax—so that big business does not have to give anything back.
Paul offers nothing to oppressed communities. His website claims that bigotry is "a problem of the heart, and we cannot change people's hearts by passing more laws and regulations." In his view, the "true antidote to racism is liberty," and "liberty means free-market capitalism." Paul wants to get rid of affirmative action and any other legislation that enforces "racial group identities."
What are we going to do now? I was really counting on the anti-freedom vote to push Paul over the top. LSU's Daily Reveille reports (http://media.www.lsureveille.com/media/storage/paper868/news/2008/01/18/News/Who-Is.Ron.Paul-3157917.shtml)on Paul's support on campus:
Trent Hill, president of Students for Ron Paul and history sophomore, said the college voting base is essential to Paul.
Dietzel said many college students support Paul because he's "walking the line" on major issues.
"I think we're at a time in our country where both sides are leaning toward the middle," Dietzel said. "I don't think it's necessarily cool to be liberal or Republican. I see a lot of moderates."
But Dietzel said Paul does have some very unique ideas.
"He is more likely than other candidates to voice his opinions because he doesn't have the fear of losing votes," Dietzel said.
Ryan Merryman, Students for Ron Paul recruiting officer and history senior, said there is a difference between those supporters and the "grassroots" supporters who are actually calling people and walking door-to-door.
Remember the article I posted in the Roundup this week regarding the essay in The Washington Post by Michael Kinsley where he spread all kinds of bad info about libertarianism? It was enough that I wrote a separate blog (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=194780914&blogID=347793512&Mytoken=955C9B50-9575-470B-8B93881B7F82CBD394255058) to refute it. Well, Sheldon Richman over at the peerless Foundation for Economic Education wrote (http://www.fee.org/in_brief/default.asp?id=1824) one, as well:
After paying some compliments ("The libertarian perspective is useful, and undervalued.") he attempts to show that ultimately the consistent application of libertarian principles is foolish and anti-egalitarian. For example, he faults libertarians for seeing pollution as a property violation rather than as a regulatory matter: "This is a really terrible idea: inexpert judges, lawyers and juries using the most elaborate and expensive decision-making process known to humankind -- litigation -- to make inconsistent decisions in different cases. And usually there is no one 'right' answer: There is a spectrum of acceptable answers, involving tradeoffs (dirty air versus fewer jobs, etc.) that ought to be made democratically -- that is, through government."
You don't have to believe the tort approach to pollution is perfect to conclude that central planning is not a better alternative. Here Kinsley gives a pass to the political process, which in the real world is characterized by the iron triangle of corporate and other special interests, "inexpert" politicians with an eye on the next election, and self-justifying regulatory bureaucracies. This is the unsavory realm he tries to disinfect with the word "democracy." Kinsley commits the fallacy that market critics always commit: they compare an unflattering caricature of civil society with a flattering caricature of the state. That is, they rig the game. Harold Demsetz dubbed this illegitimate argument the Nirvana Fallacy, which is discussed here.
In fact, if the nineteenth-century's "Progressive" courts had not decided to sacrifice property-owner/pollution-victims to "industrial progress," the precedents against polluters would have been set long ago and the invalidity of Kinsley's case would be obvious.
As usual, Sheldon's words are worth a read. In the "even if we lose, at least there's that" category, National Review is reporting (http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OWE5YWY2N2Q4OThmZmVjZWQyZmMxY2U0YTkwOGU1Njc=) on the demise of Rudy "Benito" Guiliani:
Republicans have now held three major primary contests — Iowa, New Hampshire, and Michigan. And the proud Giuliani has now finished twice behind Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the man he once accused of blaming America for "inviting the attack of 9/11." He even trails Paul in delegates to this fall's convention — and the way things are going, he may never catch up. This week, he squeaked out a victory over "uncommitted" and Duncan Hunter. His performance was so bad in Michigan that almost nothing useful can be gleaned about it from the exit polling.
And finally, Szandor Blestman is writing (http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/49461) about how Dr Paul has become a worldwide sensation:
Whether you like him or not, Ron Paul has become a worldwide phenomenon. His banners fly in the skies over US cities. His signs are springing up alongside our nation´s highways. Bumper stickers are appearing on cars, it seems almost spontaneously. Certain days of commemoration are set up to donate on his behalf. His supporters show up in droves to wave signs and inform the uninformed of Ron Paul´s message of peace, hope and freedom. He even has a blimp to rival Goodyear´s paid for by private citizens to help spread his rEVOLution. It is a spontaneous campaign that depends not upon a flashy candidate who attracts supporters through his cult of personality, but rather depends on the supporters to follow their own gut feelings on how to best spread the message of the campaign. It is exactly this kind of spontaneity, this kind of freedom to act as one sees necessary, attracting many Ron Paul supporters not only in this nation, but in countries across the planet.
See you tomorrow, Freedomphiles!
http://www.brendangates.com/forumlogo.jpg
Ron Paul Roundup (01-18-08)
by RS Davis (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=194780914&blogID=348774818&Mytoken=339D21CC-E10F-4D95-AFC2C30255D3928A9972483)
Hello Freedomphiles! I'd like to start off today's Roundup with a piece out of World Net Daily by Ilana Mercer. She totally slams my boys at Reason, but then makes some very good points. Let's start with the slams:
What are the odds that Rep. Paul's followers have come to the philosophy of freedom through Reason magazine? Is it remotely possible that the passionate soldiers of the Paul Army enlisted after chancing upon a dispassionate, desiccated, dry-as-dust disquisition on a free market in kidneys (I'm all for it)? I think not.
Perhaps Paulites were inspired by Stephen Moore, a former Catoite, now with the neoconservative "War Street Journal." From his comfy perch on "Kudlow & Company," Moore ventured just the other day that the recession is the result of the less-than dynamic demos' fear of rapid technological transformation. This is the Virginia Postrel "philosophy," if it can be called that....
....Contra Paulites, Beltway libertarians have generally supported the Iraq war, although they've cooled to it since the war lost some of its Cool Quotient. In fact, I suspect the Reason crowd supported Paul before opposing him because the Paul Revolution is so groovy. Reason is all about the groove; gravitas, not so much.
First of all, Reason is anything but dry. It is probably the most thought-provoking and entertaining political magazine written today. It's certainly better than World Net Daily.
I want to highligh a portion of that real quick:
Judging by Reason's "35 Heroes of Freedom," "cool and cosmopolitan" encompasses William Burroughs, a drug addled, Beat-Generation wife killer, whose "work is mostly gibberish and his literary influence baleful."
Madonna Reason has exalted for, as they put it, leading "MTV's glorious parade of freaks, gender-benders and weirdos who helped broaden the palette of acceptable cultural identities and destroy whatever vestiges of repressive mainstream sensibilities still remained." Sounds like the unscrambled, strange dialect spoken by a professor of Women's and Gender Studies...
...If we've learned anything so far from the cloying coverage of the 2008 elections it is that mainstream media can't even call a caucus. Ditto mainstream libertarians – they're utterly divorced from the groundswell Paul has ignited.
This is an utterly bankrupt tactic. The people that are turned off by Newslettergate have valid concerns. And Ron Paul's support is a coalition. Writing off libertarians - who, mind you, have been all of his support for years - is both stupid and counterproductive. And dissing people who approve of cultural tolerance only bolsters the arguments of the critics.
There is a little good to be found in the piece, though:
More to the point, I've endorsed Ron Paul because, unlike most of Paul's pampered detractors, I happen to know what living without freedom is like: I left South Africa with the proceeds from the sale of my apartment stashed in the soles of my shoes. Had I been apprehended smuggling my property out of that country, I'd have been jailed together with my husband; we both stood taller on that trip. Moreover, I've seen firsthand the same oppression sneak-up on unsuspecting Americans. For instance, the South-African model of detention-without-trial is slowly becoming a fixture of the American legal landscape.
So, when the prospects of liberty loom, carpe diem. Loving liberty viscerally means that when one encounters a man whose understanding of freedom and individual rights approximates – if not parallels – your own, you seize the day. Those who stand on the sidelines are slaves to abstractions – and worse: They are mollycoddled milksops.
This is - in its essence - the reason I still support Ron Paul. Despite the controversy regarding his newsletters, he still has the most pro-liberty voting record in DC, and none of his personal writings, speeches, or votes reflect a racist attitude. That's the long and short of why I still support Paul - because an opportunity like this doesn't come around very often, and it'd be pretty stupid to turn my back on a golden opportunity for positive, pro-liberty change in America.
The whole article is here (http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59752).
David Weigel over at Reason writes (http://www.reason.com/blog/show/124485.html) further about the Lew Rockwell as "ghost writer" theory that most libertarian insiders believe:
I just had a conversation with Tom Lizardo, Ron Paul's longtime congressional chief of staff, who wanted to say this on the record:
Last week, a statement was prepared by Ron Paul's press secretary Jesse Benton, and approved by Ron Paul, acknowledging Lew Rockwell as having a role in the newsletters. The statement was squashed by campaign chairman Kent Snyder.
I've called the Paul campaign to see what, exactly, the statement said.
UPDATE, 7:53: Jesse Benton responds:
I respect Tom Lizardo, but he does not work for the campaign and has no authority to comment on campaign business.
I wonder if it is true, and I'd love to hear more about that. Ron Paul needs to make a moral stand on his own, regardless of what his advisors say, and just set the record straight on all of this. It's an interesting thing when you see a man who says what he thinks all the time on policy letting advisors muddle his mind on points of politicking.
In fact, I see it as his greatest weakness. Still, at least I know he will hold the line when it comes down to policy.
On TheFacts.com, John Thompkins writes (http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=4a569ec0125a6a1a) about Ron Paul on the road:
While waiting to speak to an anxious crowd the night of the New Hampshire Primary, Paul readied himself then turned around and looked at members of his family.
"Walk with me onto the stage," he said.
While Paul talked to his rapt audience about ending the Iraq war, eliminating the Federal Reserve and empowering individual freedoms, his wife, his son, Rand Paul, and several other relatives stood behind him.
Being on the campaign trail might be exciting, but it also can be a bit stressful, Carol Paul said.
"I don't know if it's fun," she said. "I understand it has to be done."
Carol and Rand Paul have been part of a Paul presidential run before, when the congressman was the Libertarian candidate in 1988, as well as many of his congressional elections.
While Ron Paul signed placards and pocket Constitutions during his campaign, Carol Paul also was asked to pose for pictures as supporters told her they hoped she would be First Lady.
"It's wonderful to hear that," Carol Paul said of the crowds who cheer for her husband. "They know how important it is."
KOLO8 out of Nevada is reporting (http://www.kolotv.com/home/headlines/13861937.html) that some people are getting the wrong directions for the upcoming caucus. What I find most interesting about this story is that it was the Ron Paul campaign that first alerted them about it. Are we the only ones paying any attention?
The Ron Paul presidential campaign has learned that thousands of Republican voters, including thousands of Ron Paul supporters, have received incorrect caucus location information from the Nevada State Republican Party.
Incorrect information about caucus locations has been given to voters throughout the state, specifically in Washoe and Clark, the two largest counties in the state.
Postcards sent to registered Republicans by the Nevada State GOP contained inaccurate caucus locations and the state GOP website caucus locator was directing voters to inaccurate caucus locations until 6 pm Wednesday evening.
The Ron Paul campaign in Nevada has been inundated with telephone calls from voters confused about their caucus location because of the misinformation on the state GOP website.
And The Reno Gazette-Journal confirms (http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080118/NEWS19/801180507/1232):
"This Web site has been misdirecting voters up to two days before the caucus," Greenspan said in a news release.
"The Ron Paul campaign has received calls from hundreds of supporters who have asked why they are being directed to Reno and Henderson for their caucus sites when they live in Las Vegas. Perhaps the party ought to consider postponing the caucuses until they can ensure that correct caucus information is communicated to all Republican voters in the state," the news release said.
Jennifer Terhune, Nevada communications coordinator for Paul, said the campaign is not planning to file suit to stop the caucus.
She said the news release was issued to help raise awareness of the problem for Paul supporters.
"Our biggest concern and the reason we decided to write the press release and send it out as we did was to try to reach all the Ron Paul supporters that we're not in contact with," she said. "Our biggest concern is people will go to the wrong location and not get a chance to vote and be a delegate. The post cards were wrong. The state Web site was wrong, but the county's was right."
And there's more controversy over the Granny Warriors recount in New Hampshire. Tech Crunch reports (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/16/tin-foil-hat-alert-paypal-messes-with-ron-paul-campaign/):
Paypal has suspended an account belonging to a Ron Paul supporters group resulting in the groups inability to pay for a recount in New Hampshire.
The Granny Warriors had fund raised the $55,600 required to be lodged with the New Hampshire Secretary of State yesterday but had their account suspended by Paypal at the last minute. The inability to access the funds resulted in a missed deadline and no GOP recount in New Hampshire.
Ron Paul support groups are urging Paul followers to contact Paypal directly to protest the decision.
We don't have word from Paypal as to why they suspended the account, but what ever the reason we know they'll regret it as their mail servers are inundated by a group of people who pursue their support of Paul with unprecedented zealotry.
That's certainly odd, especially since PayPal was founded by a libertarian. Tech Cruch follows up (http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/01/17/digg-has-super-users-or-hates-ron-paul/) today:
The good news (for Paul supporters anyway) is that the authorities granted an extension and a supporter stepped forward and provided the money required in time (the original funds remaining frozen by Paypal).
But here's the possibly bad thing: either Digg has super users who can single handedly bury stories on Digg, or they're censoring Ron Paul posts.
I just happened to be reading on Twitter about a service called the "Ajaxonomy Bury Recorder (ABR)" a service launched last year that allows you to see the the number of buries on a Digg story by the time of each bury, the reason and at what stage in the voting process it was buried. Thinking that the Ron Paul story might get a few votes, I decided to run it in ABR through out the afternoon to see what might happen.
At exactly 43 votes the story received one bury for spam, and then it completely disappeared from the upcoming sidebar at Digg in its particular category. I ran a search for TechCrunch posts (newest via URL) on Digg to see whether it was there; nothing, clicked the include buried stories post: bingo, the post appeared in the list.
Interesting stuff. Press Media Wire is reporting (http://pressmediawire.com/article.cfm?articleID=4816) on a Fox News trick about Ron Paul's answer to the question, "Are you electable?"
That is the question that Carl Cameron asked Ron Paul in last Thursday's Fox News debate in South Carolina.
How did Ron Paul respond?
Well, you wouldn't be able to find his answer if you watched the rebroadcast of the debate, because Fox News cut Dr. Paul's response!
Fear not, because here is the response:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlacFmRGPgI
The article goes on to mention the following:
And for what it's worth, the charge that Ron Paul is somehow unelectable in the Republican party sounds awfully similar to the charges levied against Ronald Reagan in 1980. As this Time Magazine article shows, another Republican -- Gerald Ford -- branded Ronald Reagan as "unelectable" as late as March of 1980.
Top of the diamond Libertarian JT Furnish writes (http://www.nolanchart.com/article1230.html) over at The Nolan Chart how Ron Paul can still win:
How can Ron Paul win though? One word - GOTV. This acronym stands for Get Out The Vote. Right now Ron Paul needs a good showing in all February 5th states. He needs a first place finish in a few, a second and third place finish in a few more. Which ones will it be? Who knows? That is up to you.
Most Republicans don't know what Ron Paul stands for. It is my belief that if they did they would consider voting for him over the other candidates. What will propel Ron Paul to victory is to have every person that supports Ron Paul to sign up as a precinct leader on the ronpaul2008.com website. The site will then give you instructions on what to do.
As a political consultant for many years, I used a GOTV strategy that won 88% of the time. While I don't know exactly what the Ron Paul campaign wants their volunteers to do, there is only so much they can ask them to do. Gauging their organization in Iowa, I believe that what I am about to recommend should not go against what the campaign is trying to do, but supplement it.
The Reno Gazette-Journal is reporting (http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080117/NEWS19/801170348/1232) that Ron Paul could be a thorn in Romney's side in the upcoming primary there:
Although the former Massachusetts governor comes to the state with the most organized operation of the field, a couple of "X-factors" remain in Nevada's GOP race: Texas Congressman Ron Paul and the potential for a lackluster turnout.
"This has been and should be a Romney state, given his attention and the operation he has built here," said Republican strategist Greg Ferraro of Reno. "But I can't assess Ron Paul. The populist message he's using, I can't tell what kind of traction that has. He is the X-factor."
Although his organizational efforts haven't been as extensive in Nevada, Paul has spent heavily on radio advertising and phone banking here. He also has a devoted contingent of volunteer supporters who have spent large sums on his behalf.
But the most recent poll of likely Republican caucus-goers in Nevada doesn't place Paul in the top five.
Get out the vote, people! In other areas, The Spartanburg Herald-Journal reports (http://www.goupstate.com/article/20080117/NEWS/801170330/1051/NEWS01) that the blimp is going to be floating over South Carolina:
The campaign for Republican presidential hopeful Ron Paul will get some skyward publicity this week in the form of a massive blimp with campaign banners adorning each side.
The blimp will launch from Greenville and fly over that city, along with Clemson, Anderson and Spartanburg, this week. Since Paul, a Texas representative, will be in Spartanburg tonight for a local GOP event, the blimp's backers hope to adjust the itinerary to fly over this city in conjunction with his appearance.
The airship's schedule is ultimately at the mercy of the weather, which could keep it grounded early today. But anyone who is outside between now and this state's GOP primary Saturday has a chance of seeing it pass overhead.
The blimp is one of several nontraditional campaign tactics in support of Paul and his libertarian-leaning message. The candidate repeatedly emphasizes a less-involved foreign policy, abolition of the IRS and Department of Education, and a return to the gold standard.
And in Texas, The Galveston County Daily News reports (http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=2de7ffb3d8fba7a1) of the Ron Paul limo making a stop and its driver meeting a celebrity:
Tyler is the driver of a stretch limousine adorned with images and slogans of the Lake Jackson lawmaker, promoting Paul's bid for the Republican presidential nomination. He was driving Wednesday through Houston when the wheel literally came off.
"I had already driven from Florida and still had thousands of miles left, so I was pretty upset it already needed repairs," said the 50-year-old Paul supporter, who is making his way to Arizona to show off the limo during the Super Bowl.
As he chained up the left rear tire, which needed its bearings replaced, he didn't expect he soon would be seeing the face on the side of the vehicle staring at him in person. But just 45 minutes from Lake Jackson, Tyler took a chance Paul just might be in town.
"This morning was a reality check," Tyler said Thursday. "I called his congressional campaign office and they said Ron Paul was in Lake Jackson and were able to arrange for him to meet me and the limo."
With a loose tire still needing repair, Tyler made his way early Thursday all the way to the Brazoria County Airport, where Paul was boarding a plane to go to South Carolina in advance of that state's primary Saturday. Paul was able to see and autograph what Tyler said was the second-largest limousine in the world.
"It's Ron Paul's limo now — he signed it," Tyler said.
Well, in the biggest shocker of the election season, it looks like Ron Paul can't count on the collectivist socialism vote. The Party for Socialism and Liberation (with asshat Che on the masthead) reports (http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7965&news_iv_ctrl=1261):
Paul's libertarianism—or "constitutionalism"—speaks frequently about getting rid of invasive "big government." For workers who oppose the Patriot Act, government spying, and inflated military budgets, this position at first might have a certain appeal. But Paul wants to create a "small government" so as to prevent any intrusion into the affairs of big business. He upholds "free market" capitalism as the solution to every social problem.
He does not want to create a government that defends workers and the oppressed. Instead, Paul wants to overturn the concessions that workers have won from the capitalist class through decades of struggle. This is why he opposes the income tax—so that big business does not have to give anything back.
Paul offers nothing to oppressed communities. His website claims that bigotry is "a problem of the heart, and we cannot change people's hearts by passing more laws and regulations." In his view, the "true antidote to racism is liberty," and "liberty means free-market capitalism." Paul wants to get rid of affirmative action and any other legislation that enforces "racial group identities."
What are we going to do now? I was really counting on the anti-freedom vote to push Paul over the top. LSU's Daily Reveille reports (http://media.www.lsureveille.com/media/storage/paper868/news/2008/01/18/News/Who-Is.Ron.Paul-3157917.shtml)on Paul's support on campus:
Trent Hill, president of Students for Ron Paul and history sophomore, said the college voting base is essential to Paul.
Dietzel said many college students support Paul because he's "walking the line" on major issues.
"I think we're at a time in our country where both sides are leaning toward the middle," Dietzel said. "I don't think it's necessarily cool to be liberal or Republican. I see a lot of moderates."
But Dietzel said Paul does have some very unique ideas.
"He is more likely than other candidates to voice his opinions because he doesn't have the fear of losing votes," Dietzel said.
Ryan Merryman, Students for Ron Paul recruiting officer and history senior, said there is a difference between those supporters and the "grassroots" supporters who are actually calling people and walking door-to-door.
Remember the article I posted in the Roundup this week regarding the essay in The Washington Post by Michael Kinsley where he spread all kinds of bad info about libertarianism? It was enough that I wrote a separate blog (http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=194780914&blogID=347793512&Mytoken=955C9B50-9575-470B-8B93881B7F82CBD394255058) to refute it. Well, Sheldon Richman over at the peerless Foundation for Economic Education wrote (http://www.fee.org/in_brief/default.asp?id=1824) one, as well:
After paying some compliments ("The libertarian perspective is useful, and undervalued.") he attempts to show that ultimately the consistent application of libertarian principles is foolish and anti-egalitarian. For example, he faults libertarians for seeing pollution as a property violation rather than as a regulatory matter: "This is a really terrible idea: inexpert judges, lawyers and juries using the most elaborate and expensive decision-making process known to humankind -- litigation -- to make inconsistent decisions in different cases. And usually there is no one 'right' answer: There is a spectrum of acceptable answers, involving tradeoffs (dirty air versus fewer jobs, etc.) that ought to be made democratically -- that is, through government."
You don't have to believe the tort approach to pollution is perfect to conclude that central planning is not a better alternative. Here Kinsley gives a pass to the political process, which in the real world is characterized by the iron triangle of corporate and other special interests, "inexpert" politicians with an eye on the next election, and self-justifying regulatory bureaucracies. This is the unsavory realm he tries to disinfect with the word "democracy." Kinsley commits the fallacy that market critics always commit: they compare an unflattering caricature of civil society with a flattering caricature of the state. That is, they rig the game. Harold Demsetz dubbed this illegitimate argument the Nirvana Fallacy, which is discussed here.
In fact, if the nineteenth-century's "Progressive" courts had not decided to sacrifice property-owner/pollution-victims to "industrial progress," the precedents against polluters would have been set long ago and the invalidity of Kinsley's case would be obvious.
As usual, Sheldon's words are worth a read. In the "even if we lose, at least there's that" category, National Review is reporting (http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=OWE5YWY2N2Q4OThmZmVjZWQyZmMxY2U0YTkwOGU1Njc=) on the demise of Rudy "Benito" Guiliani:
Republicans have now held three major primary contests — Iowa, New Hampshire, and Michigan. And the proud Giuliani has now finished twice behind Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the man he once accused of blaming America for "inviting the attack of 9/11." He even trails Paul in delegates to this fall's convention — and the way things are going, he may never catch up. This week, he squeaked out a victory over "uncommitted" and Duncan Hunter. His performance was so bad in Michigan that almost nothing useful can be gleaned about it from the exit polling.
And finally, Szandor Blestman is writing (http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/49461) about how Dr Paul has become a worldwide sensation:
Whether you like him or not, Ron Paul has become a worldwide phenomenon. His banners fly in the skies over US cities. His signs are springing up alongside our nation´s highways. Bumper stickers are appearing on cars, it seems almost spontaneously. Certain days of commemoration are set up to donate on his behalf. His supporters show up in droves to wave signs and inform the uninformed of Ron Paul´s message of peace, hope and freedom. He even has a blimp to rival Goodyear´s paid for by private citizens to help spread his rEVOLution. It is a spontaneous campaign that depends not upon a flashy candidate who attracts supporters through his cult of personality, but rather depends on the supporters to follow their own gut feelings on how to best spread the message of the campaign. It is exactly this kind of spontaneity, this kind of freedom to act as one sees necessary, attracting many Ron Paul supporters not only in this nation, but in countries across the planet.
See you tomorrow, Freedomphiles!
http://www.brendangates.com/forumlogo.jpg