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Dr. No, we hardly knew ye

February 9, 2008 | 12:32 pm

Ron Paul is scaling back his presidential campaign, conceding the impossibility of having an impact at the GOP convention. His announcement is several shades less absurd, and orders of magnitude more candid, than Mitt Romney's war-is-too-important-to-be-left-to-the-shape-shifting-ex-governors announcement earlier this week.

But it's still disheartening: A month or so of straight-up campaigning between Paul and John McCain would have been hopeless from Paul's perspective, but it would have clarified in stark terms how far the Republicans have drifted from the libertarian core that Ronald Reagan once called "the very heart and soul of conservatism." But as I noted before, one of the particular features of the Paul campaign was that it wasn't conceived, and certainly wasn't executed, as a message-sending effort. For better or worse, the campaign ended up turning on Paul himself, not the broader range of libertarian appeals that overlapped with his platform. Here's what the ten-term congressman from the Lone Star State's 14th district had to say:

With Romney gone, the chances of a brokered convention are nearly zero. But that does not affect my determination to fight on, in every caucus and primary remaining, and at the convention for our ideas, with just as many delegates as I can get. But with so many primaries and caucuses now over, we do not now need so big a national campaign staff, and so I am making it leaner and tighter. Of course, I am committed to fighting for our ideas within the Republican party, so there will be no third party run. I do not denigrate third parties -- just the opposite, and I have long worked to remove the ballot-access restrictions on them. But I am a Republican, and I will remain a Republican.

I also have another priority. I have constituents in my home district that I must serve. I cannot and will not let them down. And I have another battle I must face here as well. If I were to lose the primary for my congressional seat, all our opponents would react with glee, and pretend it was a rejection of our ideas. I cannot and will not let that happen.

Best of luck to Rep. Paul in retaining his congressional seat. The House would be an even poorer place without him.

Another Pauloid tidbit at Top of the Ticket. And for more of what it all meant, check out frequent L.A. Times contributor Brian Doherty's "Scenes from the Ron Paul Revolution." 


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Comments
1.

What a bunch of propaganda this newspaper feeds gullible americans!

2.

Thank you for the coverage on Ron Paul.

The general MSM press tactic of exclusion has worked and right now it looks like America will have to choose between President McCain or President Obama. I say yuck to both alternatives. Obama's wish list will further bankrupt the county and McCain would be little better than a continuance of what we've endured for the last 8 years.

I'll write-in Paul's name rather than vote for either of those two. Ditto for Hillary if she can weasel her way onto the ballot.

3.

So this is what passes for journalism these days.

You know, my niece has been talking about studying journalism. I think I'll try to convince her to study basket-weaving, instead. At least basket-weaving is a useful profession.

P.S. Are you scared of Ron Paul, MSM? You should be!

4.

Thanks for the kind words about Ron Paul's campaign. I think the campaign did much to help the libertarian cause. I use the term libertarian instead of conservative, because, like our nation's economy and foreign policy, conservatiism has been hijacked by the neo-cons. It was a courageous effort, and I know that the message will continue long after Ron Paul has left the political scene, which was his ultimate goal.

5.

I won my precinct. I'll be at the convention voting for Ron Paul. See ya there!

6.


For a great satire on the president, the mainstream media, and the war on terror, see this YouTube music video from the international award-winning zombie musical feature film, "Song of the Dead." (www.songofthedead.com)It' stars horror movie veteran Reggie Bannister (Phantasm, Wishmaster, Bubba Ho-tep) as the president of the U.S. The filmmaker, Chip Gubera, is giving a share of his profits from DVD sales to the Ron Paul campaign. Go to:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qQmkkoxSKYw


7.

I think we'll see Ron Paul back in the saddle after he's nailed down the Republican nomination for his Congressional seat. He's facing a tough race, and his opponent's strongest argument is that he's ignoring his district while pursuing a quixotic presidential race.

That primary is March 4. After that, we could see Dr. Paul go for the Constitution Party or the Libertarian Party nominations -- perhaps both. They hold their conventions late March and early April.

This is purely conjecture on my part, but two of his biggest long-time supporters (Justin Raimondo and Eric Garris) have written articles urging him to go LP. Both letters were printed on Lew Rockwell's web site, and Lew is one of Dr. Paul's best friends.

The next month will give Dr. Paul a chance to sew up the Republican nomination in his congressional district and to see if McCain keeps steamrolling into the convention. If McCain appears to have the nomination wrapped up, Dr. Paul could go Third Party.

For a great satire on the president, the mainstream media, and the war on terror, see this YouTube music video from the international award-winning zombie musical feature film, "Song of the Dead." (www.songofthedead.com)It' stars horror movie veteran Reggie Bannister (Phantasm, Wishmaster, Bubba Ho-tep) as the president of the U.S. The filmmaker, Chip Gubera, is giving a share of his profits from DVD sales to the Ron Paul campaign. Go to:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qQmkkoxSKYw


8.

Paul's candidacy has brought large numbers of new people into the political process from a libertarian perspective. That's a legacy for years to come. He will also probably be a great fundraiser for libertarian-oriented congressional candidates if he chooses to take on that role.

9.

Not to Worry. Dr. Paul REMAINS IN THE RACE UNTIL THE CONVENTION. Watch for the 'Stark Term' contrast between Ron Paul and John McCain on the MSNBC debate on Feb 28th. Thank you. Go Ron Paul !!!

10.

Ron Paul was and currently still is a victim of "SWIFT-BOATING" which is being orchestrated by the leaders of the REPUBLICAN PARTY, and is being implemented directly through KARL ROV who is a "Spokesman" for FOX.
It's Tyranny at its finest, strait from the Top Tier, complete with modified-Diebold memory cards & software too-boot… Very Shakespearian, Very Real!

11.

thanks to corporate media you've: "never heard of him." well much to our republics loss, you are right. we will fight on, but the end of the american dream is near unless the citizens of the country educate themselves. responsibility is a great burden, it seems.

12.

Dr Paul is the thinking man's candidate.
What's the percentage of thinking people in *your* state?

Before the general election, please read "A Nation of Sheep" by A. Napolitano.

Peace

13.

Three cheers for Ron Paul!
Hip, hip, hooray!
Hip, hip, hooray!
Hip, hip, hooray!

For he's a jolly good fellow , for he's a jolly good fellow that nobody can deny...

RePaulican it's not just a slogan, it's a way of looking at the world.
The Revolution keeps marching along.!
(no I'm not a pessimist, I'm not hopeful, just a realist. His ideas will be adopted sooner or later. Let's hope it's sooner.)

14.

I don't know why this liberal rag writes any articles on republican politics. No one believes your slanted BS. Sell your crap to the Dems, and stop pretending you have any objectivity whatsoever.

15.

Now the mask is torn, for those who wish to see. The MSM is used to controlling your every waking thought. They were absolutely TERRIFIED Dr. Paul might be elected. That is why the only coverage of Dr. Paul any person has seen on the MSM has been coverage of the only 'scandal' they could dream up on him. Forget the debates - they were unable to exclude him from them without an obvious outcry even from today's current mind-numbed populace. Think - how many times did you see "news" coverage on say Romney or Huckabee versus Paul, despite his superior fund raising and grassroots support. No, the MSM FREELY ADMITTED it was his IDEOLOGY that made him a "fringe candidate". They didn't come to that conclusion after a full season of campaigning - they DECIDED it at the outset. When the three-way contest made it possible to get to the convention without a majority, Romney bowed out to make it much more difficult for Paul to be nominated. He even said as much. Just remember people, whatever they WANT you to believe, it's fairly certain the opposite is true. The biggest joke was Dr. Paul being in favor of corporations - he would have worked to close the loopholes that give them advantage over small businesses. The SECOND biggest joke was foreign policy - Dr. Paul received more donations from Active Duty military than all other candidates COMBINED.
Who knows - maybe some miracle will happen and we'll make it to a brokered convention. Even if we don't, the coming economic catastrophe will be the best political advertisement ever devised. Just remember you heard it from the Paultards first.

16.

He didn't quit. Read his announcement. He specifically said he was staying in the race and that the only think he is cutting back on is in the states that have already had primaries/caucuses.

This is mass delusion.

17.

John McCain was missing in action last week when it came time to vote on the economic stimulus package. He, as a Arizona Senator, was afraid of alienating the conservatives if he had voted "Yes", or alienating elderly and disabled veterans if he had voted "No". So, he chose not to vote, a man without backbone. Ron Paul, on the hand, has been voting consistently with his principle and true belief on limited government, sound monetary policy, and foreign policy. A man with integrity - Ron Paul. And yet McCain is the Republican presidentail front-runner. Senseless.

18.

Ron Paul is not drop out or even suspend his campaign!! Visit http://people.ronpaul2008.com/campaign-updates to verify.

19.

Ron Paul is still in the race. Did you read the WHOLE release?
http://people.ronpaul2008.com/campaign-updates
From the official website.
A few news sources are misreporting Ron Paul’s e-mail from last night. The presidential campaign is not ending, not being suspended, and not even drawing down. It’s slimming down and ramping up — with over twenty states having already voted, we’ve shed staff, and we’re concentrating financial and organization resources on the remaining states. We’re going to the convention, and we’re fighting for every vote and every National Delegate along the way.

20.

um he didnt quit, hes still in it he just shrunk his staff. go to ronpaul2008.com for a correction to your article

21.

Yeah, it's too bad the libertarian establishment turned against him. I guess he would have ended up costing those whose favor they seek money or something by doing something about illegal immigration, or cutting back government grants and the like.

However, McCain's candidacy isn't assured if regular citizens uploaded his response to questions like this. He's going to have a hard time answering that, but don't look to the MSM to ask him anything remotely as difficult.

22.

You have no idea of what true reporting is all about. Hope your partner is smart enough not to breed with you. Then again the Nazi Neocons you are supporting will take care of that, they hate morons.

23.

Thanks but according to the campaign today:

"A few news sources are misreporting Ron Paul’s e-mail from last night. The presidential campaign is not ending, not being suspended, and not even drawing down. It’s slimming down and ramping up — with over twenty states having already voted, we’ve shed staff, and we’re concentrating financial and organization resources on the remaining states. We’re going to the convention, and we’re fighting for every vote and every National Delegate along the way.

Republicans do not want John McCain to be their nominee. He has only been able to become the front-runner because the field was so divided and because he’s a media darling. We can see just how unpopular McCain is in the heartland by his performance in the Kansas caucuses today. Kansans resoundingly rejected the Arizona senator, and McCain’s big wins so far have mostly been in blue states — states he won’t win in November if, heaven forbid, he’s the Republican nominee.

Republicans want and need an alternative. Some people think Mike Huckabee provides an alternative to McCain. But Huckabee, who now tries to sound like Ron Paul when he talks about abolishing the IRS, raised taxes in Arkansas and vastly expanded spending in that state when he was its governor. Huckabee is no alternative at all. Ron Paul, on the other hand, has never voted for a tax increase, never voted for an unbalanced budget or for an unconstitutional war or government program.

At stake here is not just the Republican nomination — which McCain still has not locked up — but the future of the Republican Party and, much more importantly, the future of our liberties. We have to organize in every single state, including the ones that have already voted in the primaries and caucuses, to continue the fight to take back the Republican Party and to ensure that Ron Paul’s principles, the principles of Washington and Jefferson, prevail. For the sake of that cause, Ron Paul’s campaign continues, all the way to the convention."

24.

Way to jump the gun.

From the campaign:

This Candidate doesn't quit
http://people.ronpaul2008.com/campaign-updates/2008/02/09/this-candidate-doesnt-quit/

25.

Tis sad to know that such an inspiring banner as was carried forward by the Ron Paul Revolution has been lowered. This battle flag of limited and constitutional government has and will continue, God willing, to inspire Americans across our great society. Let it be written in the pages of history, this great and epic battle over how our nation is to be governed was not waged in vain. Americans in years to come will look back and see that a remnant of true patriots were still fighting for that which the founders of this country held so dear. Thank you Mr. Cavanaugh for your acknowledgement of this momentous event in American history, especially at a time when so many with the power of the pen refused to. Finally, let us pray that Dr. Paul and those who have the capacity to continue this movement either within the established parties or in a new political party will commit themselves to this cause and give the people hope during these difficult times.

 


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