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Subscribe to RSSBEDFORD AND CONCORD, NH -- Ron Paul on Tuesday said he sees the Republican Party as a vehicle with which to get elected -- but not as a party or a structure that he fully supports.
The Texas congressman's position came in answer to a voter's question about why he participates in the two-party system, rather than running as an independent or third-party presidential candidate.
"You probably wouldn't even know my name if I had done this in a third party. I would have never been elected to the Congress," he said today at Enviro-Tote, a reusable cloth bag manufacturer. "Think of the parties as a vehicle for getting the message out and getting elected."
Paul went on to criticize the current format of national elections, saying: "It would be nice" to have a multi-party system. But Paul conceded his run as a third-party candidate would be "very, very difficult," given the Democratic and Republican parties' overwhleming roles in scheduling debates and other election matters.
Today, Paul said he has no plans to run as a third party candidate. But in late October, he refused to rule out that possibility. "I have no intention of doing it," Paul told CNN. "Nobody has particularly asked me to do it, and they know what I'm doing and I have no plans whatsoever to do it."
Paul ran for president as a libertarian in the 1988 election and as a Republican in 2008. And in his third bid for the White House, Paul's campaign says it has attracted more mainstream Republican support than it has in the past.
"You do your best with it and work with it," Paul said. "To me the only things that counts are attitudes. Prevailing attitudes. Understanding economics. How you understand liberty. What kind of foreign policy you want. That's what really counts."
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What the hell is he rambling about?
Isn't he running as a Repubican?
Oh, I get it, sell your soul to the devil in the hopes of winning!
Doesn't matter if he runs as a third party candidate or not - there are plenty of his
followerscult members who will write him in!Ron Paul is a party unto himself. I can never figure out what he is talking about.
Sounds like the kiss of death to me!
"We have met the enemy and he is us!" Pogo by Walt Kelly
If you honestly can't understand the reasoning then you three need to do some homework. Your God couldn't get elected if his name wasn't presented as Jesus Christ-D or Jesus Christ-R.
Sort of like Willard's claiming he can't hire illegals because he's running for President! lmao!!
@Feisty
Well, for Pete's Sake!
Once again, Ron Paul speaks the truth. How many times have you heard someone say that voting for a third party candidate is the same as throwing your vote away?
Paul is a true believer in libertarianism, but he knows he will have a bigger voice if he runs as a Republican.
Don't sell this guy short. He will probably be the next Republican to ascend to the top of the Republican poll. Perry cannot come back up, and Cain is heading down. Gingrich is simply too disgusting and is covered with insider slime. Paul is the next "anybody but Romney" candidate who will move to the top spot in the polls.
He's a purist, but he's also something else that's totally unacceptable in today's Republican Party. He's honest.
Obama ran as a Dem. Does he act like one!Nope! This is exactly what they want. Dem fighting with Rep.Wake up you dumb @!$%#ers! Stop humping your fists!! We need someone who is out for US!
Ron Paul 2012
He's also completely wacko, like all the Libertarians.
Once again, for the Reichwing, the Machiavellian "ends justify the means."
@ Feisty: Yet another worthless post from you. If you want to talk about cults you should look in the mirror. You support the cult of the handouts. Freebies for all who didn't earn a GD thing in their lives but want to take,take, take from the workers/taxpayers. It's like the old fable "The Ant and the Grasshopper". Democrats are the Grasshoppers. They toot their flutes and diddle their fiddles while the ants just keep plugging away to save for the future. Then the future gets here and the grasshoppers devour all of what the ants have been saving for. Does that seem right to you?
If you can't see that Ron Paul is our only hope then you are blind.
Actually, Feisty, there is a lot in those few words Ron Paul said, if you'd put down the partisan pea flinging spoon long enough to think about it for a moment.
Something for Paul's supporters to consider, though, is whether these attempts to use a major party are likely to succeed. It got Paul in Congress, so you could argue that success. But Paul has basically admitted he's not a real Republican, and yet trying to win the nomination of that party to be the guy who carries the national banner.
One long-standing criticism of Libertarian candidates running as Libertarians is they don't really run to win. They run "informational" campaigns. To some degree, this is a mental defense mechanism that allows for rational realization of the futility of their campaigns. But is running as a Republican yet remaining true to your Libertarian Party beliefs really any less of an informational campaign?
Even after Newt's self-destruct debate performance last night, Ron Paul still doesn't stand a chance with that tough crowd. Too bad, because Paul would be a much better president than any of the GOP clowns. Anyway, I think it's Santorum's turn to drive the clown car next.
Pssst! Everyone, please keep this under your hats, but I've heard from my sources inside the 'big tent' that although the GOP could not prevent Paul from joining the circus, his antics are not yet funny enough to earn the respect of the other clowns, and so he has not been issued his own oversized clown shoes or red rubber nose.
Oh, I get it, sell your soul to the devil in the hopes of winning!
That's funny, your God Obama certainly has done just that. Look at all of the Bush policies that Obama has kept.....Look at the promises he made while campaigning.
Closing Guantanamo
Immediately withdrawal troops from Iraq & Afghanistan War
Bush Tax cuts
No lobbyists
All bills would be put online for a period of a week for review
Open door meetings
Legislation broadcast on CNN
Patriot act rescinded
No earmarks
Transparency in administration
No executive orders
etc. etc.
Obama sold his soul to the devil by having ZERO intention on following through on his campaign promises.
Let me explain to both the inept fiesty read head and phinephancy. It actually makes perfect sense. In the history of our electoral process, a 3rd party candidate has virtually NO CHANCE of getting voted to the White House. His is a left leaning Republican and by running under the Republican party he has a serious shot at winning the nomination. He is pulling in thousands of independents who voted for Obama's 'change' that never came. The independents also know that Ron Paul will end the wars. It's VERY un-American to think that we are a nation of war. We are a nation of peace, how did so many people forget that? Ron Paul will bring an end to these wars. Regarding your comment about there being plenty of his followers that write him in - that is exactly correct. On behalf of every Ron Paul supporter - we will not vote for any other candidate in GOP besides RON PAUL!
Matt,
I agree with some things you said, but not the above. Instead of a continuum, I think the parties are aligned in a circle, with the Libertarians clinging to the right fringe on economic issues and the notion of a radically small government, at which point they then circle back towards the farthest reaches of the left, particularly in the areas of a limited role for the military and a strict reading of First Amendment rights.
Which isn't to say I would vote for Ron Paul, because I wouldn't.
What ever brings you some much needed comfort!
Now, have another glass of the hate-or-aide and calm down now will ya?
Paul is a 76 year old HAS BEEN & career politician who has hood-winked his cult members into believing he has
allany of the answers!I don't know about YOU - but I prefer my mail be delivered by the USPS & NOT the pony express!
Take off your blinders and pay attention for a change!
Jack, thanks for the reply. Frankly, I struggle to concisely explain where he stands when so many people comprehend political stances based on sides. The circular model you explain makes a lot of sense; I agree.
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
"....hate-or-aide and calm down now will ya?"
Are you serious? Here is what your problem is; You bring nothing of value to this article or the discussion. Your ageism through attacking Paul's age is clearly associated with your paranoid ideas that we are a cult. When did believing in candidate that has never flip flopped on multiple issues and understanding he will bring this country back to our constitutional values - become a bad thing.
Listen if you don't vote for Ron Paul, you have to admit you vote for more wars and bailouts, because that is all you will get. Join the movement, you know you want to.
Not even close - the difference between followers & leaders is leaders, are capable of thinking for themselves...
By all means, write in Ron Paul on your ballot!
It will be one less for the flip flopping Willard!
Matt,
Along with a limited role for the military and a strict reading of the First Amendment, I should have mentioned social issues. Most Libertarians I've met would side with Pro-Choice advocates because they feel the government should have no role in telling a woman what she can or cannot do--they are very close to being anarchists in that sense. In regard to abortion, though, Ron Paul deviates from the party line.
Feisty Redhead Roselle, IL
Oh ok, I get it. You are a leader because you think for yourself & Ron Paul supporters don't. Since you clearly do not support Ron Paul, make a case for whoever you do or just stop babbling.
Listen Matt - one of the things that make our country so great - is that YOU can vote for who ever the hell you want to!
Please make sure to tell all of your
friendsfollowers to vote for Ron Paul as well - will ya?I campaigned for Barack Obama in 2008 and those same people have been contacting me about what THEY can do to re-elect him!
Better Obama than Mitt, Herman, Rick1, Rick2, Bachmann, or Newt but I'd rather have Ron Paul. Since popular opinion suggests that a Paul third candidacy would pull more votes away from republicans than democrats I'm surprised that the FRR fans aren't more supportive since they obviously are hardcore Obama supporters.
Let me explain something to YOU Matt. Ron Paul cannot end the wars all by himself.
There is an invisible 8,000 lb gorilla in the room called the Military-Industrial Complex, and they have their fists clenched firmly around the testes of all presidents.
Make a wrong move, and they squeeze. The POTUS is no longer the most powerful force in the world. Hasn't been since Eisenhower.
Feisty: Again, you bring NOTHING but HATE to this conversation. Please crawl back under your rock and don't come back out.
Gee, Fiesty. It looks like you have a fan! ;)
Actually, I found the exchanges between you and Matt pretty amusing. Give it a rest! sorely needs to get a sense of humor.
It's hard to have a sense of humor when our country is on the brink of collapse. Did you forget about the $15 trillion debt? Did you forget about the 4,000+ dead American soldiers? Did you forget about the 40,000+ wounded American soldiers? Did you forget about the 100,000+ dead Iraqi citizens? Did you forget about the tens of millions of illegal aliens in this country???
Jack, I think that's a pretty good read on things. I like the circular idea, instead of the less flexible and more limited right-left bar.
In some ways, an impartial observer could make a case that Ron Paul is actually the most conservative candidate running, though that case would not be fully water tight, especially when you consider how radical the changes would be if Paul's rhetoric were to be implemented as stated. This all points further to the limitations referenced above.
Give it,
No, I didn't forget about them at all. I'm a Viet Nam vet and I mourn the Vietnamese who were killed as much as U.S. troops who were killed and maimed. But I suspect you and I disagree as to the reason "our country is on the brink of collapse".
And you've got to keep a sense of humor or you will wallow in despair. There is much to be thankful for in life--read David Walker's post from a day or two ago. He nailed it.
Sounds like the Founding Fathers' vision for this country when they drafted the Constitution.
Jack you said exactly what I've always been thinking. The parties are on a circle and Ron Paul along with Libertarians in general meet on the opposite side of the circle as the so called moderates today. Interesting to see others had that idea as well.
That's why your not getting any play ..they are ignoring all your advances !
Why is Cain worried about mountains? America has scaled many.
Cocaine flashbacks from his Federal Reserve days.
So that's why it's on every bill.
We finally got a guy who speaks up and does not apologize to other countries about America. Newt tells you how it is. But if you want a weak person again like some people prefer vote for somebody else. It is time to stand up for this great country.
Actually, as commander-in-chief, and someone who cannot be bought, that is exactly what he can do.
If the (D)'s lost all the "illegal" votes cast in a presidential election, they'd never have a president elected from their party again! But that is a whole other story. The solution is simple. Introduce legislation to make ENGLISH our official, legal, language in the 50 United States of America. Then the process can be enacted to extricate anyone who can't speak the language, starting with criminals and non-taxpaying citizens. Generational, parasitical, malignant, systematic abusers of the American welfare system need not apply. Don't tell me it's okay to live here and not be able to speak English, pay taxes, or contribute to society in general...this should be the law.
Political parties are there for politicians and citizens that are unable to think for themselves or need to feed their weak egos by getting a free membership.
"The greatest argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter" Winston Churchill
Or a five minute conversation with certain regular First Read posters. It's both sad and amusing how some First Read regulars lack any hint of critical thinking skills. Blind party allegiance gets you a financial calamity precipitated by a complete mortgage meltdown with fingerprints from BOTHÂ political parties.Â
But hey, lets keep playing the rather useless game of " Republicans are bad Democrats are good & Democrats are bad Republicans are good" So with the current two party monty political system these are the choices: Corrupt big business vs corrupt labor unions followed by borrow and spend vs tax and spend. Corruption, hypocrisy, and double standards are the only truly bipartisan elements emanating from Washington DC.
No party or ideology holds a monopoly on virtue.
In his famous Farewell Address to the American People, President George Washington warned of "the baneful effects" of political parties. Ron Paul was simply reaffirming this idea. It is loyalty to the Constitution, to first principles, to your oath of office, and to your own personal integrity that is foremost, not simply being a "team player." Politics is not little league baseball.
Ron Paul is the most decisive, authoritative, and substantive conservative candidate on the crucial national security issues facing our nation. Americans have always rooted for the heroic underdog, the principled David facing down Goliath. By standing out from the pack of neocon clone candidates in the recent CNN National Security Debate co-sponsored by the Beltway’s two leading neocon organizations, the American Enterprise Institute and the Heritage Foundation, Ron Paul once again proved his forthright courage, his dedication to first principles and to the United States Constitution and the rule of law.
Never forget that these were same duplicitous neocons that beat the propaganda war drums of “weapons of mass destruction” in the failed war in Iraq. Many of the neocon questioners cowering in the audience (such as Paul Wolfowitz) were the very same Bush administration neocons who orchestrated and lied to the American people about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Ron Paul is our Cicero, our defender of the republic, a statesman of unblemished character and principled judgment. The twelve-term congressman has for decades courageously spoken out for a conservative foreign policy based upon a strong national defense of the essential core principles of liberty and justice as established by the Framers, a defense of the territorial integrity of the United States and its national borders. Peace, prudential diplomacy, international trade and commerce, and the free exchange of ideas are the key elements to a Constitutional foreign policy. Only by setting an exemplary example to the world will the United States of America once again become "the exceptional nation," that "shining city upon a hill."
But Ron Paul is first and foremost a realist. America is financially bankrupt due to decades of reckless, irresponsible fiscal and monetary policies pursued by the Fed, the Congress, and the Executive branch of the state. Paul's measured conservative program of strategic disengagement from the unconstitutional pre-emptive wars of the past decade, coupled with a serious analytical reassessment of the imperial over reach of 900 military bases in 130 nations, is the only wise course dictated by this unsustainable debt situation.
WOW! What a profound statement..... NOT. A career politician... HAHAHAHA.... making this statement is like Barack Obama praising his economic policy as successful. Lies and stupidity rampant in both parties.
Show some respect for Mr. Ron Paul. He is the only one who can save America. The only person who believes in small government and freedom. A True Jeffersonian Hero.
Ron Paul should run as a third party candidate so the disaffected will have a place to vote their displeasure and protestations.
I voted for Obama for one reason, he said he would end the Wars and McCain said He'd stay in Iraq for 100 years. What I got was BUSH-LITE. increasing troop levels in Afganistan, starting a new war in Libya, escalating a Drone war in Pakistan. My government now engages in sanctioned assassinations and we now have lost our 5th amendment rights to due process. As long as its a DEMOCRAT that destroys our Republic you imbeciles will gleefully follow the judas goat to the slaughter house.
Ron Paul my a career politician but he has a fairly clean track record. He lives his life on principle. His one who supports old fashion American ideas that this country was founded on.
Ron Paul is running as a Republican because he is the only man in the GOP race that actually cares about America's future.
The rest of the contenders have, and will continue to say what they think the people want to hear, while Paul's message has been the most accurate, and most consistent while the rest continue to Flip Flop around. Yes, even Gingrich said back in 2003 that the Patriot Act needed to be reined in before it got out of countrol.
Now Gingrich says it needs to be further bolstered! Do your research and you will see why Ron Paul is the GOP's best choice.
Mitt Romney, another proven flip flopper is like a snow cone without syrup. He holds up well, but has no flavor and will melt eventually anyway.
Ron Paul isn't in this to win it. He's in this to save America before it self destructs.
Ron Paul isn't saying anything controversial in this article. He obviously wouldn't fit at all in the Democratic Party, which has no history of limited government and is primarily concerned with putting as many Americans on the dole to gain votes as they possibly can.
Paul has three problems in this order: 1) his caustic, hypersensitive, self-righteous base. 2) his foreign policy isolationism. 3) his nervous disposition and overall lack of charisma.
Having said all that, he actually sent some promotional material to my house that was detailed and informative. This caught my attention at a time when two big government Republicans- Romney and Gingrich- are leading in the polls.
While I feel Paul is too extreme in wanting to pull troops out of Afghanistan, he is at least serious about trimming the deficit.
Obviously, the Fed is completely out of control.
I am seriously considering him for the first time (although it's more by default than any other reason).
Jeff
If you think Ron Pauls foreign policy is "isolationism" you don't understand it. Our current foreign policy is "do as I say and I will give you BILLIONS, don't do as I say and I will bomb the $hit out of you." While Ron Paul's approach is "let's trade together and build a relationship" I think you have hung the "isolationist" flag on the wrong post my Friend. Our current foreign policy is a joke and it needs to change. We need to stop propping up dicatators that fail like in Egypt and we need to stop supporting countries that hate us like Pakistan who uses the Billions we give them to buy 50 CHINESE jet fighters at 25 million each and bolster their nuklear program so that the politicians can them point to it and say "we can't leave this rougue nuclear state they are a loose cannon" so the cannon just keeps getting bigger and bigger until what the corrupt politicians say is true.....If we keep giving them BILLIONS for their military EVENTUALLY they will actually get the means to DELIVER a nuke to us....and with OUR OWN MONEY!!!
I hear people describe him as an isolationist. Because he doesn't feel we have the right to police and bomb other countries? He's not asking us to cut ties with other countries, just to stop invading them like nazi's.
What happened to the anti-war lefties? Was it that Bush wasn't killing ENOUGH people?Now you're satisfied? Not enough depleted uranium and Iraqi children being born with cleft pallates?
Obama supporters remind me of Bush supporters a few years back. They're in denial.
Rotyh,
Good post. Instead of bombing some countries and giving others money (mostly ones that hate us!?!) We should just open trade and start relationships. There is a reason China is rising and US is falling!