E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
Neal Hamberg / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate U.S. Congressman Ron Paul and his wife Carol acknowledge supporters at his New Hampshire primary night rally in Manchester, New Hampshire, January 10, 2012.
Where's Ron Paul today? Not in South Carolina — where most of his competitors for the GOP presidential nomination are vying for votes in next Saturday's primary — but at home in Texas.
The 76-year-old Texas congressman is taking off another stretch of time to cool his jets back home during a critical period before South Carolina's Jan. 21 primary after similar breaks before the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.
But his time off from the trail raises questions about how much better he might have performed in these contests, and whether his campaign is really waging a serious bid for the GOP nomination.
Breaking down the ad spending in South Carolina
“By any normal standard the media headline would be 'candidate X gives up,’” said Ari Fleischer, the former press secretary for President George W. Bush, of Paul's more relaxed campaign schedule.
The lack of scrutiny of Paul’s schedule, Fleischer said, reflects the presumption that he won’t win the nomination. And the scheduling only fuels that perception, he said.
“It's why people perceive him as running to lead a movement, and not to win the Oval Office,” Fleischer explained.
Per NBC embeds' reporting, none of the other presidential candidates have off nearly as much time as Paul.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney hasn't taken a day off of the campaign trail since Dec. 27, and neither have former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman. Texas Gov. Rick Perry took a day or so after the Iowa caucus to consider whether to continue with his campaign, and decamped for the Palmetto State since then.
By comparison, Paul has taken off six days since Christmas. He took off Dec. 26-27 for an extended holiday to be with family in Texas, and took off New Year's Eve and New Year's Day to do the same. During this time, Paul's competitors were battling to shore up final votes before Iowa's Jan. 3 caucuses. Paul also took off the two days following the caucus before heading to New Hampshire last Friday to begin a weekend of campaigning before the Jan. 10 primary.
Paul finished third in Iowa, just about 3,800 votes behind Romney. He finished second in New Hampshire, though Paul trailed Romney there by a much wider margin.
Paul campaigned in South Carolina on Wednesday, but is taking off Thursday through Sunday to head, again, back to Texas. He ranks fourth in South Carolina, but within striking distance of moving upward, in the latest reliable poll of the South Carolina primary.
But Paul's campaign strategy has never been premised on winning the early succession of nominating contests. While he competed fiercely in Iowa, Paul's campaign is built for the long haul. He has money and organization and no incentive to drop out, considering he opted against seeking re-election this fall. On top of that, Paul's campaign has opted against competing in primaries like Florida's — which hosts a closed, winner-take-all contest that generally becomes pricey for candidates — in favor of caucuses like Louisiana, Nevada and Maine, where Paul generally performs better.
That said, a path to the nomination becomes tougher if Paul only wins those contests, and his momentum could wane if another candidate emerges as a presumptive nominee.
Following his rally on Friday, Paul addressed his relatively lax schedule.
"I don’t know if we took a couple days off as much as we just stuck to our plan," he said. "We had a plan, we were to be here the last five days, we came back. But the whole thing is it reflects our strategy and the work that we’ve done. We’ve been up here many, many times. There’s probably not very many who has been here more than I have. And we have invested a lot of money too. We’ve had fortunately a lot of donations, we put a lot of money in here. So we’ve been very, very active and we’ll be very active these last five days."
When asked to describe the logic behind the campaign's scheduling strategy, spokesmen did not return requests seeking comment.
Moreover, during his time away from the trail, Paul has been able to lean on the millions in television and radio ads he had spent in each state, along with his enthusiastic volunteer corps.
Fleischer also suggested that it was fair for the press to ask whether Paul’s time off stemmed from age-related fatigue.
By all accounts, Paul, 76-years-old and an avid cyclist, is in good health.
“Running for president is grueling. It's incredibly difficult, even for younger candidates,” Fleischer said. “I'm sure the reason Ron Paul's taking time off is because he needs to and deserves to. But he's doing it without being criticized any other candidate would be by the press.”
Leave a Comment:
Who cares?
I know one place he won't be - according to him, the Oval Office!
I never saw Obama in the Oval Office. Surprise, surprise.
.
Obama's looking to shrink the size of government.
About time he admitted that the Tea Party has been right all along.
Hmmm, a bunch of the lads are having a nasty brawl at the saloon, I think I'll have a quiet drink at the saloon across the street. There may be some wisdom in that decision, no?
Hey Feisty, If Ron did land in the oval office, his head would often be hitting the pillow, that's for sure! This guy never wanted to be president, but I would love to see him run as a third party candidate! I will let you name his party.
Just had a chuckle at the thought of Romney getting the nomination... and the Tea Party grudgingly gravitating over to support President Obama, lol.
But will never happen. The Tea Party today is very, very Republican. When it started, it or they (depending on how you look at it, or them) would have bolted in a second if someone like Romney was nominated. It or they would have probably ended up pulling levers for the Libertarian nominee. Today, the Tea Party is less Tea and more Party (and that's not the Libertarian Party).
Unless this quote is not true anymore. "Great men do not seek power, they have power thrust upon them". I don't see an issue with a human being modest instead of Cocky.
Things are really tough for the libbies these days as the try to jump on Romney and his investment company for being a success.
Who can blame them when TWICE as many Americans fear Obama being elected than Iran getting a Nuclear Bomb.
How pathetic is that? TWICE as many American would rather see Iran go Nuclear than this failure getting four more years.
And the libbies on this site keep defending the man. It must be like hitting your head with a hammer repeatedly.
You might want to switch hands if your arm gets tired.
Ron Paul is a humble man. Therefore, he doesn't see himself in the White House just like he didn't see himself in Congress when he ran. Yet, he is in Congress. What kind of world do we live in when people no longer respect a humble and wise man?
Exactly the kind of response you would expect to such a ridiculous question as that. Only a truly narcissistic and sadistic individual would think of that all the time.
Exactly the kind of response you would expect to such a ridiculous question as that. Only a truly narcissistic and sadistic individual would think of that all the time.
Rob, if Romney is the nail these days, the hammer is wielded by his primary opponents. As far as the left goes, they should just sit back and munch popcorn.
Im glad that he is taking time off. Shows that he is really a family man and family comes first before politics. Just the principled man we need in office nowadays.
Lead by example mr paul.
Ron paul 2012!
He's too old to be President. By the time his first term is over he would be over 80. Have you noticed how much being President ages a person?
I'm trying to figure out why the Tea Party is not completely embracing Paul with a fury. It seems to me, that Ron Paul is in sync with the Tea Party priorities:
1) less government
2) less regulation
3) go backwards in civil rights movement
4) hates Obama
5) does not want to kill all of the Muslims in the world. Oh, wait...
We can do it - the Tea Party actually was much more libertarian when it started. Well, picking the point when it started is tough, because local Libertarians had been pushing the references to the Boston Tea Party for years. So let's say when it became big enough to be newsworthy.
Ron Paul is actually called the intellectual Godfather of the Tea Party. You're right - you'd think they would be all over his campaign, and some of them are. But not as a bloc. The reason why is the Tea Party or parties have evolved into something much more Republican in the last few years.
Now, the movement and its Godfather are light years apart. The first indication I had of that was when I noticed local people in my area who claimed to be part of the movement joining in with the county government's efforts to tighten up on illegal immigration. Ron Paul as far as I know is for open borders. Of course that's in the context of not having any social programs or even public schools, so the only reason someone would come here is to work.
LOL. Ron Paul is surging in the South Carolina polls and this is what MSNBC reports!
What is this thing with Texans not being able to work any long stretch without going home.
Bush II spent most of his presidency at his ranch.
It's a wonder the west was ever won!
...until now. If he was applying for a non-government position, the left would be all over the employer to ensure he wasn't discrimintated against due to his age.
As far as taking time off. *GASP* How dare he take time off for Christmas and New Years to spend with his family like the rest of the country!
The real question should be, why are these "family values" candidates on the campaign trail every single day without a single day off to spend time with their families?
Obama took off a couple of weeks and he is the President...and we are scoffing at a CANDIDATE taking off a couple of days? Ridiculous.
I bet that you could trust Ron Paul to stick to his word more than anyone we know in politics today.
When you keep changing your message you need to campaign more. You'd think that would be obvious.
Not much else that Dr. Paul can say beside answer loaded questions from media hacks.
Freedom 2012!
Feisty Redhead, better be careful. Ron Paul is surging in the South Carolina polls. He is now in third with over 20%. This is just another attempt by the Establishment media. First, to ignore him, Secondly, to abuse and confuse the truth. I can't wait tell you all have to eat your words! Down with the Establishment! Ron Paul 2012!
Why is it almost always the same person at the top of the comments?
USS Constitution
Snooze, you loose. What do you care and what does it matter? Person obviously is into this @!$%# bigtime, leave 'em alone. Part of the problem today. Everyone worried about the next guy, not taking care of their own @!$%#. Why are you always at the bottom?
Emil
emil:
Not trying to win anything. It just seems odd that a website like MSNBC which has tons of viewers would constantly be the first comment.
Heck, I've posted into things that just come up on other sites right away, and still I end up being the 3rd or so comment.
He is in a drum circle with all his supporters. "Just give peace a chance" lol
Lmao..... not enough butter or sugar in words!
I am SOOOOOOO SICK of the media constantly downplaying Ron Paul! Hey reporters! Let us make our own decisions! Stop trying to TELL us who is a viable candidate! Ron Paul continues to do well and the two-party system is contorting itself in every way possible to marginalize him. When that doesnt work, they downright lie, and rig the vote! Just watching how Ron Paul is being treated by the mainstream media makes me support the man just that much more. I am SICK of the establishment. The establishment is not working!
Ron Paul takes time off to be with his family on two significant holidays - and this is a negative? The media is portraying this as though he is giving up?!?
Well, newsflash, Media. I see this as yet another positive. A man who understands that some things - like family - are more important than having to juggle your thoughts and opinions in the media circus of the Primaries, every single day!! This is actually one of the major problems in this country. Lack of priorities. The moneyed few continue to try to get us all to accept that our jobs come before all else. We can SAY family and God comes first, but God forbid we actually ACT like that is the case. No, the corporate masters expect you to be good little slaves. If they want you to work unpaid overtime, you better like it and not even think about complaining, because theres a whole line of other peons lined up outside the door for your job.
NO, media.. THIS person happens to respect Paul for taking time off to be with his family. Every last one of the other candidates are less than men. Because their priorities are messed up. And the day I ever get behind that SOB Romney is the day Hell freezes over. A Bain corporate raider, and someone who follows the bizarre tenets of Mormonism. If he believes, that puts him as gulliable in my books. If he doesnt, and is just sticking with the religion for family reasons, then he has no courage or integrity. I believe the man has no integrity. He is all about getting what he wants, integrity be damned.
I am sick to death of putting these status seekers in positions of power. To this day, it still boggles the mind that Romney managed to become governor of Massachusetts. To me, that was a dark period in an otherwise generally intelligent state.
Give me Ron Paul over all the others any day. And, I consider myself to be liberal.
Keep it up, Media. Everytime you slight Ron Paul, make veiled swipes at him, find fault in things that are actually good - you just anger us and drive us to Paul that much more. I know thats whats happening to me. If Paul were to get the nomination, the media has driven me so far over to his side because of its actions, that he gets my vote! And I support Obama. But not over Paul I dont....
This is typical of a libertarian "information" campaign.
Libertarians have a lot of mental defense mechanisms, but none as prevalent as the information campaign. They don't run to win; they run to raise voter awareness of libertarian ideas. And that's fine. But it does take away some of that competitive adrenaline the likes of which is fueling the other candidates right now. And not all of Ron Paul's supporters may understand the nature of the campaign, so some disappointment could result.
@Paul M: It's not typical, it's just you're tendency to stereotype. Ron Paul is running to win - but that doesn't mean his ego is so inexcusably big to
the point where he actually sees himself "hitting his head on the white house bedroom pillows."
Never seen so many stupid things said about something so simple as libertarianism.
Actually it is typical. I've been around quite a few Libertarian candidates.
In fact, it's so typical it may even be universal. Well, with a few notable exceptions. First is a blanket (or stereotypical, if you prefer) exception for the offices like soil and water commission, where you get a list of seven candidates and as a voter get to choose five. Libertarians will try to win those elections. Of the rest, there was only this one election I remember for Mayor of Virginia Beach in which the Libertarian was blatantly trying to win. That was in 2005 I think? Looked like he had a shot at it, too. He eventually lost by about 10 points to the incumbent, and the Republican became the single digit candidate.
Paul M, If he weren't in it to win it, he would have stayed in the Libertarian party. You really are trying to over complicate it in order to forward your point.
When you represent something different, you have to educate people on those views and why you are different.
In that manner it's about pushing ideas and principles. However, the end result of that work if successful would be a Ron Paul win.
And even if he doesn't win, it's still a win for the issues.
Paul M,
Ron Paul has never said he was a Libertarian, and in the NBC moderated debate he chastised Romney for calling him a Libertarian and referred to himself as a constitutionalist instead......Contrary to what some might think, there is a difference.
Personally, with major parties controlling Congress, I think the time is perfect for Ron Paul to be President........But since it is unlikely republicans will allow a true independent like Paul to win the republican nomination, I hope he will continue his campaign as an independent so we can vote for him.
bd: if he would have stayed in the libertarian party he would have remained even more irrelevant than he is. Ellis: there's nothing really independent about him. It's not called independence when you're such an extremist lunatic, you are completely ineffectual (as in never having passed a piece of legisaltion in his career).
AP-1414066
that is the biggest bunch of crap that you could spit out.
The time off Ron Paul has taken may be the result of his age - he is 76 years old and only cheese and wine get better with age.
Hermam Edwards once said: "We play to win the game!"
Ron Paul is playing to win the game.
What I don't understand is how the Libertarians and Paul fans are possibly claiming that Paul is being ignored by "The Media" when there are fluff pieces like this and his name is in headlines throughout the campaign.
Ron Paul ran for the Presidency on the Libertarian party ticket in 1988. He certainly said he was a Libertarian then. The only reason he's running in the Republican party is that the Republicans have more money and better organization than the Libertarian party, thus his chances of winning are much better.
RP is in Nevada. He was on TV in SC twice today. The strategy is to focus on the four caucus States after Florida where he has a very good chance of an outright win. His campaign is sharp and focused. If you've ever seen him in person, then you know that he still takes the steps two at a time. He challenged the other candidates to a bike race and none accepted. Imagine that!
Not to mention that he still talks and votes like a Libertarian.
But it's quite clear that Ellis doesn't know what a Libertarian is (no, it isn't someone who eats liberty).
Perry took a day, or two off, but that was only to comb his hair!! All things considered, in his particular situation, anything is an improvement, and it's all about an illusion [but not substance]!
Well, I guess ron would beat out reagan AND coolidge for most time spent ASLEEP in the White house if he ever (HAHAHAHA) won.
If you're looking for Ron Paul, he went back to the 19th century.
This guy is so f***king old it's no wonder he's taking it easy and just showing up at the end...
Ron Paul has some good ideas.
Ron Paul has some horrible ideas.
He wants to eliminate Dept. of Commerce. NOAA is part of the Dept. of Commerce.
NOAA is one of the main researchers of climate change.
NOAA is responsible for weather satellites necessary for this.
NOAA produces the nautical charts that all mariners depend on for navigation in U.S. waters. This effects shipping, fishing and recreational boating.
Not only does NOAA produce the nautical charts, but does the coastal surveys that generate those charts. They also do all kinds of other atmospheric and oceanographic research and weather related services.
Ron Paul, and other Republicans, would eliminate the Dept. of Energy.
We are facing Climate Change and Peak Oil. We have never needed the Dept. of Energy more than we do now. This is a crucial agency for our future.
Their objection to the Dept of Energy is that it agrees with the vast majority of scientists who agree on climate change. At least 97% of active climate scientists agree, as does virtually every major science organization in the world.
Ron Paul, like every GOP candidate, except Huntsman, is a global warming denier. This flies in the face of almost unanimous agreement among the entire world of scientists who agree that AGW is real, is a current and future danger, and that we must act immediately to reduce CO2 emissions.
Over 100 professional science organizations, of international and national standing, have issued statements as to the validity of AGW and that we must act immediately. This includes every national academy of science in the world. The U.S. National Academy of Science has issued four such statements.
The prestigious science journal, Nature, has openly criticized the GOP for it's anti science stance, especially on climate change.
Only two professional science organizations in the world deny the science of climate change. And these two are the only ones most Republican politicians agree with.
American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Canadian Associations of Petroleum Geologists
The GOP is bought and sold by the fossil fuel industry.
The only party in the world that rejects science of global warming.
The science free zone party.
You know the GOP has gone around the bend of extremism, when only candidates who don't believe in science are considered conservative enough to be President.
Every candidate, except Huntsman, is a global warming denier. Nearly every GOP congressman is also in this non reality based camp. And Huntsman waffled when speaking at the Heritage Foundation, a major denier PR front.
Obviously the world is getting warmer. Our planet is still coming out of the last ice age. Some scientists claim that is solely caused by man. Do people accelerate the problem? Maybe. But, scientists once thought the Earth was flat and they were wrong. Scientist once thought that the Earth revolved around the sun and they were wrong. Scientist once thought that lead could be turned into gold. They were wrong... Climate change happens no matter what. Massive earthquakes have the ability to tilt the Earth's axis. Little changes to the Earth can have massive impacts on weather and temperatures.
SailRick,
If you can ration enough to get past the fear rhetoric you will realize Ron Paul will not eleminate any agency if he becomes president. Need I remind you, democrats and republicans will still control congress and will not allow essential agencies to be eleminated, maybe downsized or merged, but not eleminated. What Ron Paul will do is force Congress to make some hard choices and work together for the common good of the nation.
And while Paul may harbor some Libertarian views, he is a Constitutionalist first and foremost. Constitutionalist differ in that they recognize the enumerated powers granted to Congress to establish rules of natulalization (immigration), coin money and regulate value, fix standards of weights and measures, prosecute counterfeiting, promote science and art, patents, create federal courts, ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````measures
@AP-1414066
So you are saying that because Ron Paul couldn't get his bills passed in the most unpopular Congress ever, a Congress that has a 5% approval rating, that this is a bad thing? I think it's a Badge of Honor and I sure wouldn't use that as an argument against Ron Paul. He was voting against all that bad legislation. Wake up. Ron Paul 2012.
Sorry. do not know what happened, Rushmouth Limbaugh or Nasty Pelosi must have taken over my computer, it would not let me continue to type. I must have said something the establishment did not want you to hear.
Ron Paul is the Ross Perot of 2012, if he runs as an independent he will represent the third party we so sorely need to force democrats and republicans to work together. Paul is the force that will end the tug-a-war for power and force Congress to work to regain the peoples trust....Sometimes it takes a major shakeup to get the politicians attention, and Ron Paul is that shake up..........Go independent Mr. Paul, you are the knight in shinning armor.
Ron Paul bicycles up to 20 miles per day when he's not campaigning, does laps in his pool when he's home, eats organic food and takes care of himself. He manages stress by giving himself a break, taking time for his family, friends and interests. He actually follows the advice of what doctors say everyone should do. It's downright un-American. Ron Paul 2012
Problem is the president doesn't get days off to relax. Even when in Crawford or Hawaii you still have to work most of the day.
Who cares where he is?, He, himself does not know where he is, or goes, for that matter.
I was watching all the pro- war & more-war statements that Rick "Sanitorium" was making at the first GOP debate hosted in South Carolina on may 5th and noticed Romney was not there. I do not hear the editor of this story say he was just to weak or tired to get out of bed and be the first on the job. What gives?
Paul is busy packing his things for the move to the White House.
I agree! Hey, Obama is starting to take one Ron Paul's platform by cutting the Federal Government. But MSNBC doesn't report that.
Thank goodness Congress is not in session---Paul would have to go to DC and vote no on everything---that would further cut into his campaigning.
Problem with the Presidents cuts, they are over a PERIOD OF TIME.... Not good enough.
Dr Paul will do it quickly just stop all the spending. Remember, it's Congress that appropriates the money, it's the President and his help that actually "Spends" it.
Steeler fool - I mean fan! Sorry about your loss to Tebow. Anyway, Paul votes NO primarily on additional spending, in which wasteful spending is in EVERY BILL. Wake UP! 14 Trillion in debt!!!
Egilman: Not unless your hero is planning on a coup d'etat. Even he would have to abide by the constituiton he supposedly loves and knows nothing about. He wouldn't "immediately" do anything. (a little thing called Congress ya know).
@ Fiesty....
A lot of people care....maybe not you!
It seems no one cares what you have to say...probably, why you were collapsed.
Just curious who is your choice? Obama, Romney??? Whats the difference...Or even better....Santorum, Gingrich...not Perry, I hope!
Oh, so I get it now - if you don't 'care' what someone has to say, it's acceptable to collapse it...
When did the First Amendment get thrown out?
My, aren't you the little constitutionalists? lol
I'm a 110% Obama supporter...
Obama's Gestapo collapses the comments. Obama is also the one that wants to take away your freedom of speech and religion.
The First Amendment does not apply to online forums. You would know that if you ever bothered to read the Constitution.
"Congress shall make no law," is the key thing to look at in this situation. Is Newsvine Congress? Nope. Did you agree to a code of honor when you signed up to this site? Yes, you did. Can users collapse your posts on the sole basis that they disagree with you? Yes, they can (and they have).
You see, the First Amendment only applies to government censorship. People like you, who never actually read it, think it applies to you saying whatever the heck you want, whenever you want, to whomever you want, without the possibility of censorship.
I repeat: your First Amendment rights hold no domain over non-governmental censorship.
Think about that the next time you want to complain about being collapsed. It only shows others that you speak without understanding.
Another person who can't read. The person complaining about being collapsed is admitting to being one what you would consider to be "Obama's Gestapo."
Ironic, in a way.
I think that red hair dye has seeped past the skull of a certain one and tickled her brain. Nothing to contribute, happiness to all. Same bulsht with all her Socialist minions. All coward, MSM induced zombies that would choose the Government to decide where YOUR money goes, instead of YOU.
I wonder what you openly Socialists actually DO to better your community, instead of sitting around and blogging why someone has more than you?
Freedom let's help him pack for the whitehouse.
Are you a 110% Obama supporter ........ or is Obama supporting you 110%
More attacks on Ron Paul feigning as news stories... +11% in one week speaks for itself.
Ron Paul is a candidate of substance, his message spreads without pandering in diners.
But don't worry, he's coming South Carolina... Poor media and special interests must be absolutely terrified.
Ron doesn't 'do the diners' cause they are smart enough not to serve up his kool-aide!
Feisty Redhead,
The message is powerful. Perhaps you don't understand the message because you don't know the message. If you are a True Patriot/American, you should read about the message.
@ Mark
Anyone that frequents the vine often knows the Feisty does nothing but repeat liberal talking points and offers no opinion or fact to back anything up.
Its a waste of time, its like arguing with a brick wall.
Ron Paul 2012.
Feisty, We are not in religionland anymore, nor Romneyworld, we are now in the real world, where the voters actually pay attention.
Feisty friend, If Dr Paul doesn't win the nomination I think I will be sitting this one out, I couldn't really vote for the president girl, He means well but he just isn't cutting it. We need Change NOW, not ten years from now when nobody remembers past promises and Obama will be nowhere to be seen.
Egilman
when nobody remembers past promises and Obama will be nowhere to be seen.
Same could be said of Bush 2.
Emil
James Madison
Reason he is in Texas is he is old, he is tired, and has a hard time keeping up. If he was elected he would make Regan look like a dyamo. Too, if you vote for him make sure he has a great running mate. Rigors of the job will due him in way before 2016. Oh, I like him too. I think he is a good honest man, with honorable intentions, he is just not in synch though with mainstream.
Emil
And a quick newsflash to MSNBC- Ron Paul is now at 20% in SC, putting him not only sqarely in third place but in striking distance of Newt and Romney. If RP holds up the 20% this will officially be a two person race in the GOP and we can finally start talking about Neo-Conservatism vs. Fiscal conservatism the fight for the Republican party is just beginning.
Anyone else would just hurt us more....it doesnt affect them, thats why they dont care....except for Ron.
And feisty, Ron cares about you too! He's just that kind of guy!
I too am pro-Ron Paul, but for you guys that are talking about taking your toys and going home if he does not get in -- think of four more years of Obama. There will be a lot of Ron Paul delegates at this years convention at the very least, and that will have a huge impact on the party platform. At least you should vote for an alternative if he does not get in -- maybe Gary Johnson who is likely to be the libertarian candidate. It is important that we vote in this election.
I've read Ron Paul's positions, I've also read the Constitution. That's why I'm not at all impressed with Ron Paul the Huckster, he has a severely distorted view of the Constitution, and would be a disastrous President.
What the country needs is another FDR, what the Republicans are offering is a bunch of Herbert Hoovers and a Calvin Coolidge. Strike that, it's an unwarranted insult on Hoover and Coolidge.
I think Paul is doing what he has always done, raising money for the "cause". It used to be race wars and armed IRS agents, now it is the fed and the department of education. If you notice, after each primary/caucus, his mantra is we are going to raise enough money to keep going. We get it RP, you want to raise money.
One thing that always sticks out in my mind is when RP says something is not in the constitution, had he been in politics when the 15th and 19th amendments were being debated he most certainly would have been against them because they obviously were not in the constitution.
Yeah. He believes that the Constitution means what it says. No one else believes that. That puts him out of the mainstream of the plutocrats that run the country.
Or rather, he believes the pre-civil war version of the constitution. He's not so fond of things like the 14th Amendment.
shrekk Nobody likes The Liberal interpretation of the Constitution, Ignorance of it or just plain ignoring it is not following it? Now you know why Obama will not be serving another term.
Pack your bags!!! We're going to the White House!!!
I happen to agree with Krauthammer on Rep. Paul...
Ron Paul's achievement
Paul commands a strong, energetic, highly committed following. And he is unlike any of the other candidates. They're out to win. He admits he doesn't see himself in the Oval Office. They're one-time self-contained enterprises aiming for the White House. Paul is out there to build a movement that will long outlive this campaign.
Paul won't quit before the Republican convention in Tampa. He probably will not do well in South Carolina or Florida, but with volunteers even in the more neglected caucus states, he will be relentlessly collecting delegates until Tampa. His goal is to have the second-most delegates, a position of leverage from which to influence the platform and demand a prime-time speaking slot — before deigning to support the nominee at the end. The early days of the convention, otherwise devoid of drama, could very well be all about Paul.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ron-pauls-achievement/2012/01/12/gIQABS7duP_story.html
He will have anywhere from 10-25% of the delegates at the convention and will be a force to be reckoned with...
dangerfield
Only reason Krauthammer supports Paul is they are the same size.
Emil
Better check the SC poll dagerfield. Paul is now in the TOP Tier with over 20% and climbing.
"top tier"??? What a joke. This extremist is and always will be a footnote.
Dangerfield....
i think that was taken out of context (my opinion)....I think he meant, because the establishment is fighting him, he thinks he probably won't.(but he is getting stronger everyday)
George Washington didnt give up, and I dont think Ron Paul will either. Ron Paul believes in his cause....the others don't have a cause....they are all the same!
My sentiments exactly!
“By any normal standard the media headline would be 'candidate X gives up,’” said Ari Fleischer, a person who really wishes candidate X would give up.
Obama's top donor = Goldman Sachs..supports patriot act , NDAA and war mongering more printing of fiat currency and borrowing from China to defend us from China
Romney's top donor = Goldman Sachs...supports patriot act , NDAA and war mongering more printing of fiat currency and borrowing from China to defend us from China
Ron Paul's top donor = U.S. Air Force...supports the constitution and sound money and will balance the budget in three years...
Unless you are a moron , the choice is clear...
Unfortunately hwt123, a majority are MORONS!! I feel bad for them.
I agree. A majority of America has lost its way, due to its deliberate dumbing down via the public school system, and its verocious appetite for Main Stream Media. No coincidence both are Government controlled.
He's a 76-year-old rockstar. He needs his rest.
Dan
Even if he got elected odds are he would not make it to next election.
Emil
Emil,...I'll take that bet, even though Paul is 76 he is more energetic than most 55 year olds I know. Don't forget, Paul is a doctor, and doctors know better how to take care of their bodies than most. I wouldn't be surprised to see him last two terms plus
You should be happy that he takes a rest if it's so deleterious to his campaign. Newt has to take a break every time he walks up some steps.
76 is the new 50 he will be fine for 2 terms.
Emil,
I understand your concern, but the fact is that he is a healthy 76...and in great shape. But Let's say he was to get in office, and something were to happen, like a heart attack (same could be said about any 50 year old, or 60 year old...hell even 40 year old). My point is that his VP would then take over, with still a better solution than Obama, or Romney, or Gincrich and especially Santorum (he's nuts in addition to corrupt))
Let's assume the ticket was Paul/Johnson...I would take Ron's one day, over 4 years of any of the other!
I wish all these damn lawmakers would take a page from Ron Paul's playbook. Maybe we wouldn't have so many busybodies up on the hill constantly taking our Liberties.
RON PAUL 2012!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron Paul has been campaigining the same thing for the last 20+ years.. All the sudden you're worried he is taking alittle time off? LOL..Keep telling yourself what you want to hear.
They are spinning things every which way to obfuscate his candidacy. And now thios moronic observation from Ari Fleischer. Ari and his "anything but Ron Paul" mentality is a tad puerile. He should be happy Ron Paul isn't waging war in South Carolina.
It's really funny watching the Neocons reduced to hysteria.
I admire the fact that he takes time off to be with his family. I think it is disturbing to read the other candidates don't.
But the others are pure "family values" candidates. They understand better than anyone else. I mean, who doesn't want to drag their sons, daughters, and wives around on the campaign trail.
Smarter, not harder....
Paul, unlike really any of the other candidates, doesn't have to worry about his supporters jumping ship for a different candidate. Once people research and understand his message, they do not leave. This is quite a luxury as Paul's support gradually and steadily increases as the time to vote nears.
Also, this idea the media continues to push that Dr. Paul is not "in it to win it" because he is also principled and has a message he wishes to share with the country is nonsense. The two are not mutually exclusive, and we should seek out candidates with such goals.
MSNBC shouldn't use anti-Paul hitmen as "sources". Ari Fleischer's greatest hits:
Called Ron Paul "nuts", repeatedly stated Ron Paul has "no chance" of winning, and is a Director on the Republican Jewish Coalition which barred Ron Paul from their debate saying the following:
"rejects his misguided and extreme views," said [RJC Executive Director Matt] Brooks.
"He's just so far outside of the mainstream of the Republican party and this organization," Brooks said. Inviting Paul to attend would be "like inviting Barack Obama to speak."
Mr. Fleischer is certainly entitled to his opinion but it's malpractice to present him as an unbiased source as this article does. He most certainly is not. MSNBC should note as much and not give him the air of impartiality to pursue his biased agenda.
MSNBC in one of many that define 'biased agenda.'
Another reason could be that it takes a few days for fresh polls to come in reporting the boost in support following a victory (or near victory) and for news organizations to begin reporting on them. By Dr Paul taking off a few days, he will be coming back as polls and reports show him on the rise and thereby maximizing his turnout and coverage at campain events. Dr Paul enjoys fierce loyalty and enthusiasm from his supporters and can rely on them during short periods of rest and family time.
thinkaboutit
Might want to refer to your non de plume when talking about Paul and reason he took off. He is an old guy, don't have the stamina, and or the patience to deal with a full blown campaign. Just think if you elect him, we'd be in a situation aking to the Cuban Missile Cricis and he'd either be taking a nap or back in Texas taking a few days off. Nice man, honorable man, but not up to the task.
Emil
Emil:
I bet the president gets to eat breakfast without a mic in his face.
Emil,
Do you personally know that he doesnt have the stamina? because i know he's in great shape, and i think you are just assuming. Gone are the days when we lived to 50 and 60....we now live longer, and he may have 20 years left....no one knows. Romney may have a heart attack in 2 years...possible..right? Newt may die of clogged arteries in 15 months...possible? Ron Paul might live to be 96...possible???
You also mentioned the Cuban missile crisis... i would like to point out that if Newt or Santorum or Romney or Perry or Hunstmans would all jump the gun and start war! If you remember, John F Kennedy used "words' and called on The Soviet and talked our way out of a nuclear war! He effectively saved the world! If any candidate, OTHER than Ron Paul gets in....we would be toast (using your example). They would hit the panic button and nuclear war would be total destruction...
However Ron Paul would defend us differently and effectively like JFK. But also i would like to point out, that with Ron Paul's foreign policy, we would not be in that position, because we would not be a threat to anyone, and no one would want to harm us either! It would be different!
Perhaps the author of this slanted article didn't consider that Dr. Paul is still a congressman and has a duty to uphold in Texas. He isn't as busy sucking up to corporate donors every single hour of every day like the rest of the candidates either. So, yes, he might not be in SC non-stop.
Jp- That was my first thought. Unlike some of these other clowns (Romney), Paul has a JOB. Romney, The Mexican Mormon from Massachusetts just sits on his millions laughing like some big fatcat...and his unfortunate looking children stand behind him with those dumb smiles.
We will be stuck with Obama. No doubt about it.
Paul needs to move to 3rd party and draw off a ton of votes.
or just win delegates and force the Establishment to somehow come up with a brokered convention.
But his time off from the trail raises questions about how much better he might have performed in these contests and whether his campaign is really waging a serious bid for the GOP Nomination.
Ron Paul and Mitt Romney are the only two canidates on every ballot. Ron Paul has spent and raised in the top three of all the canidates. And, hahaha, Ron Paul has performed better than every GOP canidate so far except Romney. How much better can you do than that? MSM is getting pathetic at their desperate attempts to de-rail Ron Paul. Just keep the insults and desperate attempts us to expose yourself more and more. You can't mess with a revolution with an actually meaning... Liberty.
Ron Paul 2012
That is because Ron Paul is smarter then all the other guys/girls combined x 2 + the moderator...
GOP candidates fail to get on some primary ballots
And Ron Paul is the non-serious challenger to Romney? Keep dreaming people. If the entire establishment (left/right) wasn't entirely in the tank openly campaigning against Ron Paul, he might actually be winning at this point. I hope he does, just so I can see every pundit's head explode. Seriously, the professional political commenters would ALL lose credibility...however little they have to begin with. It would be so satisfying.
I wasn't a Paul supporter until I started hearing the ridiculous responses from the media and political punditry as to why he can't win. Paul's success shows just how out of touch they are.
Ron Paul will continue to come in 2nd or 3rd in all the elections, but won't get enough delegates to win the nomination. He might be offered the VP spot, mainly to keep him from bolting for an independent run, he might accept. That would act on the ticket like Sarah Pailin did to McCain - like a boat anchor, dragging it down.
But if they don't offer him the VP spot, or he doesn't accept? Then it's likely to get interesting - Do the Republicans write some Libertarian planks into the platform to appease the Paulites, at the risk of offending moderates, or do they reject it and risk having the Paulites bolt to the Libertarian party, perhaps costing them the election anyway? It is going to be fun for the Liberals to watch...
"relaxed schedule"??
"age related fatigue"????
Don't any of these so-called pundits/journalists remember that Dr. Paul is still a full time Congressman?
In fact, he is the only one with a job and is running for President.
Nice try though.
How about Rick Perry?
Isn't he currently Governor of TX?
Nice try though...
Perry has a hard time tying his shoe, I doubt the people of Texas have any problems with him being gone for long periods of time...nice try.
Rob 247
You are right about Perry. " The Great White Dope" is finished.
Emil
Funny you mention Perry. The article is wrong about Perry's time. Perry spent little to not time in New Hampshire and only showed up for the debates and the day of the vote.
Perry is costing us a fortune by being gone. We can't wait to get rid of him.
Emil... You don't have to sign your name. It's already on the top :)
Just another story trying to convince people that Ron Paul is not a real candidate. They tried for the last few months to convince the American people that he was insane for saying that we were getting ready to start another war in Iran, and now we can all hear the war drums beating, as we race our navy into the Straight of Hormuz. They have tried to pump up Herman Caine, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, and now John Huntsman, anybody to take over second place, only to later bow down to the establishment and hand the race to Romney.
Now they come out and in one story try to convince people that:
1) Ron Paul doesn't even care about the elections, he is just out spending people's money running because he is crazy.
2) Ron Paul is too old to be president because he wanted to be at home with his family for Christmas and New Years eve.
This is a total joke, every time they tell us Ron Paul can't compete in this state, or he will lose badly in that state, and every time he shows solidly and they totally ignore it. There is a war on for your minds people, when you have somebody that both sides of the political aisle call "crazy" or try to convince you that he would be a waste of your vote and you shouldn't even listen to what he has to say, you should probably start paying attention to that guy.
This is what happens when nearly 100% of the media is owned by a total of 6 corporations.
Family's important to Ron Paul. Other guys, not so much.
Ron has a ceiling 5%......
I mean the ceiling is 10%.......
Did i say 10%....i meant 15%.......
OK....i meant 20%......
OK forget numbers....he wont do well in IOWA.....
I meant New Hamphire!........Did i say New Hamphsire? I meant South Corolina?
Ron will never be President!
****RON PAUL 2012****
Agreed, Blackjack! Listen to the grave tones and looks of concern: "Is this man ready for the Presidency? If we wake him up at 3am in the White House, will he leap out of bed, make us coffee, and ask us what he can do for us? Or, will he just fart and turn over?"
Ron Paul probably also spends time reading actual books instead of reading 'policy papers' and regurgitating speeches stamped out on an assembly line. Ari Fleischer! What a joke!
Maybe Ron Paul's 'laid back' schedule is why he could make a speech like his April 24, 2002 address that told us about what would happen in the war on terror, the Iraq War, and the economy, and all the political eggheads only ideas were to throw more of the American people's money into the inferno.
Don't forget that he predicted exactly what has happened with the housing bubble (and burst), back in 2003.
Video.
There is a reason Ron Paul has been married for so long. And it's not that he forgets his family during these times. I'm not worried about it, it was stated early on that he was headed home immediately after NH, to campaign in SC afterwards.
He goes home so much, because he has to be in his Borg alcove once a week to regenerate. LOL.
Fleischer is currently making the media circuit rounds trying to discredit Dr. Paul not by using facts or issues, which we would all welcome, but on innuendo. Ron Paul can afford to take time off because he has the most loyal and supportive followers out there, hands down, and his message of constitutional constraint and sound money is self-evident.
Media consistently fails to cover issues of substance when it comes to Ron Paul, like constitutional government and sound money, but they love their little back-biting nonsense stories like this. Jon Stewart did another funny little piece on this blatant media bias wed night (jump to 2:45):www thedailyshow com /watch/wed-january-11-2012/indecision-2012---new-hampshire-primary-results