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Subscribe to RSSRon Paul’s third campaign for president may not lead to the Texas Congressman being nominated at the Republican Convention in Tampa this August -- notwithstanding a lawsuit filed by supporters in attempt to make that happen -- but, from Maine to Alaska, the “Paul Revolution” has swept state Republican parties.
Out of the national spotlight, Paul activists have mastered obscure local party rules to win key positions of power at state conventions, infiltrating the Republican establishment across the country, including in the key swing states of Iowa and Nevada.
In Massachusetts, they even beat out many prominent pro-Mitt Romney supporters to win spots as Romney delegates. They are informally bound by party rules to vote for Romney still, but the open secret in both parties, is no one is really bound – one of the issues at the heart of the Paul supporters’ lawsuit against the national party.
Ben Margot / AP
Supporters of Republican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, cheer as Paul speaks at the University of California at Berkeley, Calif.
Paul’s strategy has always been to motivate “the remnant” to gain influence by getting involved in party politics, and described how that would happen to a small group of reporters in Columbia, S.C., in mid-January.
“We don't win over the insiders by becoming like an insider,” Paul said. “We win the inside over by making the outsiders become more appropriate.”
But what Paul activists have done in many places is learn the rules of the insiders and use them against them.
After being described as “an outlier for the Republican Party,” Paul Wednesday morning on MSNBC, explained how supporters will achieve his long-term goal of bringing the GOP around to accepting his political philosophy.
“I want to work on the platform,” Paul said, “but we know platforms don't change people's attitudes. That's what we want to do -- get attention to changing the attitude, so that we, who are perceived as outliers, become the insiders. And that's what's happening. … We're winning state delegations, state chairmen and small offices, anywhere from city councils to county commissioners.”
Paul supporters are winning elections and becoming party insiders: chairmen, national committeemen, executive board members, elected officials, candidates and delegates.
- In Iowa, four of Paul’s former aides hold leadership positions at the state party, including chairman A.J. Spiker – who was Paul’s state co-chair. At least six members of the Iowa State Central Committee are Paul supporters.
- In Alaska, Republicans voted Russ Millette as the party’s new chairman and Debra Holle Brown as co-chair, both Paul supporters. Local reports call this a sea change in state politics, after “at least 12 years of the Alaska GOP being run by what those party newcomers call ‘establishment Republicans.’”
- In Nevada, Paul supporters won 13 of 14 new elected executive board spots at the Clark County GOP. Four years after having the lights turned out on them at the state convention in 2008, Paul supporters now hold positions at local and county GOP offices across the Silver State.
- In Minnesota, the state Republican Party endorsed Paul supporter and economics teacher Kurt Bills for the GOP Senate nomination. He will face incumbent Democrat Amy Klobuchar in November.
- And in Maine, 21-year-old Paul supporter Ashley Ryan was elected as the state’s new Republican national committeewoman. The Paul campaign claims she is likely the youngest national committeewoman.
“Look at the next generation,” Paul said on MSNBC. “I mean, there is so much excitement out there. The big deal is that the next generation are sick and tired of what they're getting and they're looking for something. And what we're offering seems to appeal to the young people.”
Paul also explained that the goal of his movement “is to show that there's a political benefit toward accepting some of the views that we have.”
“I believe we're actually doing a favor for the Republican Party. If they would look to us for guidance and to realize that if they would accept some of these things, they might have an easier time winning.”
That said, not everyone's sold on just how lasting the impact of the "revolution" will be, considering Paul wasn't able to win a state in the GOP primary and didn't stop Romney, the most establishment of all the candidates, from becoming the nominee.
Asked which mattered more -- influence over party platform or being a state party chairman, Steve Schmidt, John McCain's 2008 campaign manager, dismissed either and said Paul supporters would be little more than a "hassle we'll have to deal with."
"I'm not sure that either have a particularly big influence on the direction of the party," Schmidt said on MSNBC. "When you have a state chairman who takes over a state party and the state party's dysfunctional, it's no longer relevant to the political goals of electing a majority, whether that's on the Democratic side or Republican side. Typically you see something that is taking place in California, for example, where you know the Republican parties become a small ideological clubhouse, totally faded to irrelevance where they-- factions gather twice every year to pass resolutions, denouncing the other faction, and it's a small clubhouse where people are relevant in the sphere of that small clubhouse, but no longer relevant in terms of being able to shape the outcome of an election -- to recruit candidates, to raise money, to register voters. And that's the direction these dysfunctional parties will go."
Jeff Johnson, a Republican National Committeeman from Minnesota, though, addressed the anxiety some in the establishment have over this increased participation by Paul’s followers.
“Ron Paul haters, get over it,” Johnson said. “If we don’t grow, we die as a party.”
Nearing the end of his career, Paul, 76, calls his movement an “ideological revolution,” one he says is “alive and well.”
And this year, as Paul disciples become more involved and win elections, it’s a movement the Republican Party is being forced to deal with.
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Ron Paul has earned my vote. If RNC leaders do not meaningfully incorporate Ron Paul's platform in I will be pleased to go and support Gary Johnson. My first choice is Ron Paul, but if that will not be a possibility, Gary Johnson has the right approach on war, budgets, and Liberty. I would prefer Ron Paul's pro-life position, but as long as it is a state issue and not a national issue my voice can be sufficient locally.
I like Ron Paul. Eff the GOoPers...
Ron Paul is saying that he dosn`t have enough support,and only hopes to get a little time to give a speech in Tampa,and at the same time brags about how many supporters he has...anyone feel Sold Out? I can`t tell you how much time,and money I have invested in this man only to be tossed in the ditch.
And the worst part of that for you is-- do you know what happens to the campaign donations of candidates who don't become the party nominee? All the remaining money contributed to Ron Paul, Gingrich, Santorum, Perry, etc goes to the RNC, to spend in supporting the nominee. Mitt Romney thanks you for your support.
Ron Paul's support = Jew-hating Neo-Nazis, white nationalists, conspiracy theorists, anarchists, and last but not least....Stoners.
This article will feed the conspiracy theorists. The "Ron Paul Revolution" is a cult.
Lies. You may want to get educated and stop spreading conspracy theories. MSN and Fox is not going to educate you.
I find your comment unfounded and inflammatory.
You can find it whatever you want, but what Sammy said is true.
Ron Paul is going after the GOP, this should be fun!!
Had the media given Ron Paul the attention and respect he deserves, he would have been a much stronger contender. Paul was completely ignored while every other potential Republican candidate from Perry to Bachmann got loads of coverage. Even with barely any coverage, Ron Paul still has a large, passionate movement. If he got even 1/4 of the coverage as the other candidates, he would have probably gained a lot more supporters. Everything he has warned us about about has either happened or is well on its way. It disgusts me that the one candidate who actually gets it and offers solutions instead of lip service won't be the Republican candidate. Instead, we'll once again be choosing who we believe to be the lesser of 2 evils.
Consider this ~ if student loan rates are allowed to double due to Republican intransigence, college campuses will express themselves this fall and Ron Paul may be their battle flag. Romney cannot afford to lose the young vote and thus far it doesn't appear that he has it even remotely in his favor. Since this is Paul's last hurrah at age 76, he may be fully content to be a spoiler and deny "the fortunate one" an easy path to the crown. Properly orchestrated, he could deny the crown altogether.
The attention "he deserves"? And who determines that? You? Look, the fact is, Ron Paul came in third or fourth place at every primary. The headlines the next day are going to be about the person who won, not the guy who came in last. You guys always claim there is a media conspiracy about Ron Paul. There isn't. He's been given exactly the amount of coverage that his performance at the polls has warranted.
Cameron, consider this. In the Iowa Straw Poll, Michelle Bachmann barely beat on Ron Paul for the win. For the next several months, the media couldn't stop talking about her. Ron Paul, on the other hand, got hardly any coverage even though he nearly won it. After that, the media repeated the same thing with every other "flavor of the month", from Rick Perry to John Hunstman to Herman Cain. During this whole time, Ron Paul was barely ever mentioned in the news. Don't you think it's just a little strange that they would embrace all these other candidates who had barely any significant track record and yet ignore a serious candidate who not only ran in previous elections but also whose support base has grown very rapidly over the last few years ? I certainly do !
Because Ron Paul is an "also ran." Every one of the other candidates you mentioned won a state (or more) and the media coverage was in response to that win. Paul never won anything. If he was "barely mentioned" in the media it's because he barely received any votes. He routinely received 10% of the ballots or less -- even when it was down to just two and three candidates he struggled to receive even a quarter of the votes.
It is the job the news to report on newsworthy events. Coming in last place in a primary -- or even in second place -- is not newsworthy. Winning it, is. The media is not Ron Paul's personal publicity agency, no matter how much you guys wish it to be. Nor is the media anti-Paul, no matter how badly you seem to think it is.
Think of it this way: The Olympics are next month. Which sprinters are going to get to stand on the risers and receive a medal, see their faces on the Wheaties box, and get all the interviews in the press the next day? The ones who win the race, or the ones who finish in the distance? If Ron Paul was an Olympic athlete, you guys would demand all the attention be placed on him instead of the guy who actually wins the race.
All of Ron Paul's horses and all of Ron Paul's men,
couldn't come up with one billionaire's stipend.
Republican primary candidates are bought, not fought.
All primaries are bought, not fought.
I'm still wondering who the GOP is relying on to elect their candidate? They are trailing among women voters (even Republican women), trail by some 30 points among Hispanics, trail by 80 points among Blacks, cannot count on the strict evangelical vote because of theological differences, have less than five percent of fence-riding Democrats, and are almost evenly splitting Independents. If there is a massive outpouring of Democrats at the polls (and there will be), even fuzzy math has a problem calculating a GOP victory.
The threat of Ron Paul is to the Republican establishment that blindly supports the military industrial complex that shapes Republican foreign policy. Read Romney's Washington Post article of a couple of months ago. He urges increased military spending so we can wage 3 simultaneous wars. So of course Fox supports Romney and labels Ron Paul a crackpot.
I do not agree with some of Paul's positions. However, the party is better with him in that he is the only candidate who actually speaks to what he would do about the problems we face. Newt Gingrich promises $2.50 gasoline with no ability to back that up and Romney must send feelers out to each group he appears in front of so that he will know what they want to hear. Newt, Romney and the rest act like cutting spending is the cure for our problems without dealing with what will happen when we cut spending (which will add a new set of problems)which is just like their stand on health care. They think Obama's should be overturned but have not put forward any solutions for the problems that will cause. No wonder we are in trouble.
We will never give up. If we do, we give up on Liberty and the Constitution. There are millions of us who follow Paul's campaign. You are all trapped inside your corporate news and just cannot see the truth. It is time for limited government, a sound economic system, and a completely humanitarian foreign policy. You will never stop an idea who's time has come. Thomas Jefferson said "When the people fear the government there is tyranny, when the government fears the people there is Liberty" and so he was right. Our movement will grow exponentially and we will take our country back from the banksters who now control it. We will also educate you who have faltered and and revive our constitution who so many of our fmailies have died for. Ron paul will repeal 30,000 useless laws and set our country back on the path of freedom and the pursuit of hapiness. Period!
Oh and remember, choosing the lesser of two evils maens you still choose Evil.
As an Indpendent for over 30 yrs, I welcome and support many of Ron Paul's idealogy and platform. We desperately need statesmen / genuine leadership that have a healthy and accurate view of the role of government and preservation of liberty. Go Ron! Your the only one out there with any common sense in a world that is lacking that attribute, and that is corrupt and greedy. Both major parties have major issues and need to be challenged in every way possible.
Lets face it ~ no one is satisfied with Romney. Not the establishment Republicans, hardline conservatives, independents, nor disenchanted Democrats. Wouldn't it be wildly entertaining to watch a renewed Ron Paul movement establish a rump campaign against big money and destroy the "bought and paid for" plans of the RNC and its millionaire/billionaire club? Could it happen? Stranger things have.
Jim in Texas.......
Sadly, that won't happen. Romney will win the republican nomination and he will be a formidable opponent to President Obama.
Democrats should leave wishful thinking to the GOPeaParty. We (democrats) must put our efforts and our money where our mouths are.
Republican billionaires will throw virtually unlimited money against President Obama. They are busily disenfranchising our voters across the nation and using every other electoral dirty trick ever devised.
It is time to put our shoulders to the boulder and write a check. We must win this election because that is the only way Citizen United will ever be undone. If Citizens United is not undone, the United States will almost certainly become a plutocracy and that could easily lead to a fascist autocratic state.
Remember, influential republicans are saying they don't need to like Romney. All they need him to do is sign their legislation.....and, he would.
Casting a vote for Obama or Romney is like voting for Curly over Larry of the 3 stooges. Both are the same and most americans can see this, even Democrates are waking up to what is wrong with our Government and its the Government itself, Democrates and Republicians.
The Main Stream Media have become a JOKE and the internet is now the MSM to the world, Its shows in the numbers of viewers left watching their dribble about how to make a cozy for our toasters or how piles of our money is flying out of the butts of our so called leader in the white house. NOT laughing!
Ron Paul is the choise of a new world, a peaceful and prosperous world!
The Libertarian Party can't get any traction. So Paul wants to change the Republican Pary into the Libertarian/Tea Party party. Good for him, that will take Republicans so far right that they'll be invisible to the vast majority of voters.
I really can't understand how libertarians can identify at all with the Republican Party, the party where the US military is used as a security force for US businesses (primarily the oil industry). By the way, the annual $ spend on our military is greater than that spent on all other disgressionary programs combined.
Nice piece Tony.
If only Dr. Paul got this all during the process...
I can say I apply to part of his comment...."county commissioner" I am making a run in Detroit.
Stay the course people. We are making inroads in the democrat party as well....we're coming for you next.
Ron Paul is the chihuahua who barks and nips at St Bernards because he thinks he's tough.
Ron Paul: NO to roads and bridges, NO to schools and teachers, NO to police and firefighters, but YES to drugs for everyone! He is a dangerous lunatic.
Cameron, how many Ron Paul books have you actually read ? So many Ron Paul critics say the same thing. He's against civil rights, he's against anything paid for by taxes, etc. Where exactly does he say he is against schools and teachers ? He simply wants to get rid of the department of education because it's completely useless and that money is better spent elsewhere. Education should be done at the state/local level and we should have a choice how we want to educate our kids.
You do know that "Education should be done at the state/local level" translates to "every public school in the state being shut down due to lack of funds," right? Under Ron Paul, only the people rich enough to afford private school or homeschooling will be educated. And Ron Paul's response to this is "tough luck."
Cameron,
No it's not tough luck, please read his books... I mean even if you don't like the guy, just one of them... please. Maybe read "The Revolution", it's pretty short all in all. I have two kids, they go to public school. If there was no federal funding for the school what would we all do... we would at the least pay the state taxes... the whole point is that we want government closer to us WHEN government is needed... I'm not saying it is 100% in this case but still the basic philosophy is that the closer you are to the power that runs part of your life the more voice and control and say you have in how it is run. Local government is the closest to the individual therefore the powers that be are beholden to to their "clients." When people need something they seek to get it, saying that everything will collapse because the federal government isn't running it isn't reality, the school system will go on if not improve due to being more responsive to the people they are responsible to deliver services to. I can then go directly to the administrators vs. going to the federal government which honestly doesn't respond to any of us. The schools have a lot of rules and crony-standards that are completely politically run and make no sense at all as far as real academic logic goes and this would come down in many cases if the Dept of Education would be abolished... we are taling a huge amount of bloat we just don't need and it's hindering our growth. It's not a perfect theory/philosophy but I believe it's much better... we as individuals should be allowed to improve the services that we pay into, it's all investment and surely we all know big government is the worst example of providing good service.
What a bunch of fools! The ONLY non-'Washington Establishment' candidate willing to dismantle their corrupt monopoly and the paid-for media was successful in falsely discrediting him.
How much longer are Citizens going to actively participate in and be complicit in their own demise?
I'll be gone, but four years from now have the chutzpah to admit you're wrong!
Technically, ron paul is not part of the gop. No. No. The gop is lead by mr grover. I don't know ron paul signed the mr grover pledge to never, never, never raise taxes. No matter what. 911. No tax raises. Invade and occupy iraq. No. No tax increases. No. No. Tax decreases instead. Steal i mean borrowed the money from social security & medicare and infrastructure (road, bridges, rail road) projects.
It's possible to only have less and less taxes but you won't be able to pay the interest to social security & medicare forever. I tell you sooner or later you will have to cut those programs without paying those programs back for the trillions borrowed from the programs.
No. No. Ron paul has nothing to do with all of that. That was mr grover, the gop, & the rushbo. Ron paul wants to change the entire financial system of the country. To go back to a gold based system. Back to cash and carry. He belongs in a different universe. Another reality.
But ron paul still believes that the wtc was blown up on 911. And you know who he thinks did it. It was not the arabs. I tell you he is right about that. Nearly all of mr grover, the gop, & the rushbo minions look the other way when it comes to death of 3,000 civilians & 200 military on 911. It makes them all hypocrites. Living in a world of make believe. A third reality. Lala land.
Ron Paul votes along party lines over 80% of the time. He is a rank-and-file GOP. Try leaving the world of conspiracy theories for a few minutes and look up some actual facts.
While I'm not a big conspiracy theorist and cannot really address marshal's comment he does not vote with the party 80% of the time, more like maybe on a great year 5%? maybe?
I can understand why people are confused on RP, with all the crazy comments it gets really skewed but again - compare his voting record with both sides of the 2 party system...
No on Patriot Act, every time... Voting to actually declare war by congress not just call another war a conflict with no end in sight... again please read one of the guys books and compare his voting record to the others.
Ron Paul's voting record:
issues2000.org/Ron_Paul.htm
I disagreed with many aspects of Ron Pauls platform, but if my options were only the incumbant elusive barracuda or a predatory shark, I'd take the old fisherman any day!
Go gettem Paul, take as many votes away from Willard as possible. By the way, Kurt Bills is going to get his ass handed to him in the Senate contest in MN. It wont even be close.
Nobody like rumney, the guy is a stiff azz and a fake, just like faux news.
Not perfect but better than the options presented by the two mainstream bribe taker parties.