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Thread: A Joint Town Hall with Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders?

  1. #1

    A Joint Town Hall with Rand Paul and Bernie Sanders?

    "As debates for the 2016 presidential election ramp up, one question on the minds of many liberty lovers is this: what would a Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul debate look like?

    It was just two weeks ago at a meeting of the Kentucky Republican Party that Sen. Rand Paul reportedly told activist Donald Meinshausen that he was willing to debate Democratic candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders “anytime, anyplace.”

    Discussions are bubbling up across the Internet about getting Sanders and Paul on stage together for what many expect would be a lively discussion on topics ranging from NSA mass surveillance to the drug war, health care to net neutrality.

    We at Truth In Media have tuned into these discussions and hear you loud and clear. That’s why we’ve taken matters into our own hands to prepare what could be the most influential dialogue of the 2016 presidential election— a town hall event this fall in an important battleground state, New Hampshire, with these two candidates.

    We are actively in dialogue with both candidates, but we need your help to make this happen."

    Something you'd like to see? Sign the petition @ http://polls.truthinmedia.com/2015/0...ernie-sanders/
    America deserves better presidential debates in 2024, and we're making it happen ourselves at Free and Equal Elections Foundation!

    https://freeandequal.org/



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  3. #2
    Ben Swann is organizing and promoting this - sign the petition in the OP!
    "He's talkin' to his gut like it's a person!!" -me
    "dumpster diving isn't professional." - angelatc
    "You don't need a medical degree to spot obvious bullshit, that's actually a separate skill." -Scott Adams
    "When you are divided, and angry, and controlled, you target those 'different' from you, not those responsible [controllers]" -Q

    "Each of us must choose which course of action we should take: education, conventional political action, or even peaceful civil disobedience to bring about necessary changes. But let it not be said that we did nothing." - Ron Paul

    "Paul said "the wave of the future" is a coalition of anti-authoritarian progressive Democrats and libertarian Republicans in Congress opposed to domestic surveillance, opposed to starting new wars and in favor of ending the so-called War on Drugs."

  4. #3
    I'm glad to see they are not calling it a debate.

  5. #4
    I don't see what Paul has to gain. Rand is too politically correct to destroy every appeal to emotion and would play various games that Ron wouldn't.

    He would still have reason and logic on his side, but I don't think most Sanders supporters care much for the finer points of policy discussion.

  6. #5
    We (yes I work for Ben Swann) are currently in dialog with both campaigns. THIS IS A POSSIBILITY! But we really need everyone on board. Please share this everywhere. Let's try to get 10k signatures.

    One campaign has shown a lot of interest...

  7. #6
    Great idea. Signed the petition.

    On edit: The RNC won't like it but screw them. We need to have a debate over fundamental ideas. We need to confront the issue of statism head-on and there could be no better pairing than Rand and Sanders to explore this.
    Last edited by francisco; 09-21-2015 at 05:05 PM.
    Brawndo's got what plants crave. Its got electrolytes.



    H. L. Mencken said it best:


    “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.”


    "As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron."

  8. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by ItsTime View Post
    We (yes I work for Ben Swann) are currently in dialog with both campaigns. THIS IS A POSSIBILITY! But we really need everyone on board. Please share this everywhere. Let's try to get 10k signatures.

    One campaign has shown a lot of interest...
    Of course, you'll have to talk to both the DNC and the RNC, which is dying to kick Rand Paul out of the rest of the GOP debates. They're much less interested in embarrassing socialism than in that.

    A whole bunch of signatures on that petition will help. A lot. Without that, rest assured that the RNC will consider it a debate and kick Rand out.
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    We believe our lying eyes...

  9. #8
    Bad idea.

    Rand needs to retain tight control of his message. Any debate with Sanders would probably force him to go off-script and potentially give his opponents sound bites to use against him.

    I understand why Swann thinks this is a good idea, it would definitely be a good discussion, as well as entertaining. But it's simply not beneficial to either campaign.
    if modern agriculture continues to follow the path it's on now, it's finished. The food-growing situation may seem to be in good shape today, but that's just an illusion based on the current availability of petroleum fuels. All the wheat, corn, and other crops that are produced on big American farms may be alive and growing, but they're not products of real nature or real agriculture. They're manufactured rather than grown. The earth isn't producing those things.. petroleum is! -Masanobu Fukuoka



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  11. #9

  12. #10
    A discussion on this has been posted to each candidates subreddit over at reddit.

    Please hop over there and give them some upvotes so they get more visibilty because I would like to see what each candidates supporters think.

    Bernie's needs the most help: https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForP..._a_joint_town/

    Rand's: https://www.reddit.com/r/randpaul/co...int_town_hall/
    the rEVOLution begins!

  13. #11
    I like the idea. I would probably attend it.

  14. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by ItsTime View Post
    We (yes I work for Ben Swann) are currently in dialog with both campaigns. THIS IS A POSSIBILITY! But we really need everyone on board. Please share this everywhere. Let's try to get 10k signatures.

    One campaign has shown a lot of interest...
    Signed and I think it is a wonderful idea...finally the American voter is going to be treated to real conversation about policy, economics and freedom (versus lack thereof).
    Yay!

  15. #13
    Around 1200 and counting! Push this baby to 10k!

    Quote Originally Posted by BenIsForRon View Post
    Bad idea.

    Rand needs to retain tight control of his message. Any debate with Sanders would probably force him to go off-script and potentially give his opponents sound bites to use against him.

    I understand why Swann thinks this is a good idea, it would definitely be a good discussion, as well as entertaining. But it's simply not beneficial to either campaign.
    We talked to both campaigns before starting this. We would not have done it if we did not think they were interested

  16. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by acptulsa View Post
    Of course, you'll have to talk to both the DNC and the RNC, which is dying to kick Rand Paul out of the rest of the GOP debates. They're much less interested in embarrassing socialism than in that.

    A whole bunch of signatures on that petition will help. A lot. Without that, rest assured that the RNC will consider it a debate and kick Rand out.
    The key is this is a town hall not a debate. We will make sure everything complies with DNC and RNC rules. The last thing we want to do is hurt either candidate.

  17. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by ItsTime View Post
    The key is this is a town hall not a debate. We will make sure everything complies with DNC and RNC rules. The last thing we want to do is hurt either candidate.
    Understood. The RNC is still going to try to call it a debate. The party has no particular desire to see something like this. It is, after all, primarily the RINO National Committee these days.
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    We believe our lying eyes...

  18. #16
    Ugh idk... I'd hate to see Rand try to toe the line between establishment GOP and libertarianism in the middle of the campaign and end up doing poorly against Sanders... I think Ron is the man for the job. Although Sanders probably wouldn't agree to debate someone who's not currently running for office.



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  20. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by PCKY View Post
    Signed and I think it is a wonderful idea...finally the American voter is going to be treated to real conversation about policy, economics and freedom (versus lack thereof).
    Yay!
    I don't think you'll like their views after the debate.

  21. #18
    I say do it! Rand clearly believes in what he's saying, and their biggest differences are in economics, which is a discussion we can't seem to have with the "adults" in the room! I believe Rand will carry the banner of limited government, individual responsibility and Austrian economics proudly!

  22. #19
    Quote Originally Posted by Cutlerzzz View Post
    I don't think you'll like their views after the debate.
    Whose views?

  23. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by PCKY View Post
    Whose views?
    The people Frank Luntz hand picks for the watch party.
    Quote Originally Posted by Swordsmyth View Post
    We believe our lying eyes...

  24. #21
    It only benefits both candidates. The majority will demand this event.

  25. #22
    Quote Originally Posted by PCKY View Post
    Whose views?
    The American people. Sanders populist views and appeals to emotion are popular among the masses. Libertarianism isn't. People don't want real conversations, they want their preconceived views confirmed and to feel taken care of.

  26. #23
    Quote Originally Posted by Cutlerzzz View Post
    The American people. Sanders populist views and appeals to emotion are popular among the masses. Libertarianism isn't. People don't want real conversations, they want their preconceived views confirmed and to feel taken care of.
    Well lets find out. And if we can have a healthy debate, some minds may even be opened.
    Non-violence is the creed of those that maintain a monopoly on force.

  27. #24
    Quote Originally Posted by limequat View Post
    Well lets find out. And if we can have a healthy debate, some minds may even be opened.
    They won't have a healthy debate. Sanders will demagogue and make appeals to emotion. Rand will pull punches and mention policies. Sanders will consequently appeal to his base. Rand's only chance to win the crowd and refute Sanders will be to go full libertarian (weakening him for the general) and stop playing political games. Rand won't do that and will look weak, angering his base in the process. If he does go full libertarian it will be used against him in the general.



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  29. #25
    I'm not signing on to this, I'm not of a mind to give socialism any level of validation by agreeing to any sort of dialogue outside of the prescribed RNC and DNC debates, and this WILL NOT HELP anything. Sanders belongs in a punchline on an economics satirical skit, not on a stage being given equal weight to Rand Paul.

  30. #26
    Quote Originally Posted by Cutlerzzz View Post
    They won't have a healthy debate. Sanders will demagogue and make appeals to emotion. Rand will pull punches and mention policies. Sanders will consequently appeal to his base. Rand's only chance to win the crowd and refute Sanders will be to go full libertarian (weakening him for the general) and stop playing political games. Rand won't do that and will look weak, angering his base in the process. If he does go full libertarian it will be used against him in the general.
    Not to mention going full libertarian would absolutely kill any chances of winning the primary. There's a reason Rand has directed the focus to medical marijuana...

  31. #27
    Quote Originally Posted by hells_unicorn View Post
    I'm not signing on to this, I'm not of a mind to give socialism any level of validation by agreeing to any sort of dialogue outside of the prescribed RNC and DNC debates, and this WILL NOT HELP anything. Sanders belongs in a punchline on an economics satirical skit, not on a stage being given equal weight to Rand Paul.
    I agree he shouldn't agree unless it becomes something massively televised or with a huge audience like the debates, it definitely might solidify his outsider status and show that he has guts. Other candidates would be afraid to be compared to Sanders or they would be afraid of losing support to him. There are lot of people who would love to hear real arguments against Sanders policies because he has no policies that work in the real world, it even seems like he hasn't had a lot of practice debating his ideas. I inadvertently watched him on the new Colbert show and he seemed to be weak on ideas.

    For example Colbert said that capitalism is where the money is It's what makes us rich, what are you going to do raise taxes to 90% to pay for all of these benefits you want to give out? He basically just said well this country is the richest country so we can afford it and these people are suffering so they deserve it but never really told us how he intends to pay for it.

  32. #28
    Quote Originally Posted by nikcers View Post
    I agree he shouldn't agree unless it becomes something massively televised or with a huge audience like the debates, it definitely might solidify his outsider status and show that he has guts. Other candidates would be afraid to be compared to Sanders or they would be afraid of losing support to him. There are lot of people who would love to hear real arguments against Sanders policies because he has no policies that work in the real world, it even seems like he hasn't had a lot of practice debating his ideas. I inadvertently watched him on the new Colbert show and he seemed to be weak on ideas.

    For example Colbert said that capitalism is where the money is It's what makes us rich, what are you going to do raise taxes to 90% to pay for all of these benefits you want to give out? He basically just said well this country is the richest country so we can afford it and these people are suffering so they deserve it but never really told us how he intends to pay for it.
    He also said, "I believe we should encourage entrepreneurship and innovation."


    Soooooooo......... Lower taxes, right....?


    Nope.

  33. #29

  34. #30
    Quote Originally Posted by Jonderdonk View Post
    Not to mention going full libertarian would absolutely kill any chances of winning the primary. There's a reason Rand has directed the focus to medical marijuana...
    Yep. Just like the Democrats had kept the focus on civil unions until 2012 since the nation wasn't ready for gay marriage yet.
    Rand Paul 2016
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    Thomas Massie 2032

    Check out Matthew Vines' Reformation Project!

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