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The Revolution Ends Now, and then it Starts Again
Bowing to the obvious,
Ron Paul has released his latest bunker video: a statement of
intent to downsize his campaign and ask his supporters to keep on
rEVOLting. "Elections are short-term efforts," Paul says.
"Revolutions are long-term projects."
It's an oddly worded statement, with lawyerly phrasing that saves Paul from announcing the end of his presidential bid. He asks his supporters to keep voting for him, maxing out their vote totals and delegate numbers. But he won't organize it: he'll "encourage" it. He asks for "the financial resources to continue," without setting a goal. He does clearly ask supporters to look to candidates for other office and start opening their wallets, and start educating their friends about liberty: "Knowledge is crucial to all political movements."
If there's a headline it's that Paul endorsed a June 21, Washington, D.C. "national rally to demonstrate our strength," although "the presidential campaign will not be the organizer of one event." If they build it, he will come. "I don't mind playing a key role in the revolution. But I don't want it to be a Ron Paul revolution."
Adam|3.7.08 @ 10:29AM|#
I think it's obvious he wants to keep a libertarian conservative movement going, but not centered around him so it can survive past 2008. I don't know why he is still running though, he should instead focus on efforts to promote and keep the following that these views have attracted.
New World Dan|3.7.08 @ 10:31AM|#
I had district caucuses last night. I assure you, the Ron Paul campaign is still working, and we're also working to get like minded people into lower levels of government as well. Frankly, it's much more practical to infiltrate and subvert the Republican party than it is to go out and build a third party.
Episiarch|3.7.08 @ 10:34AM|#
Keeping running pulls votes from McCain and hurts the GOP. Which
should, ideally, make them notice Paul supporters and hopefully
force them to make some concessions.
The problem with this is that the GOP is bull-headed, and will only
notice if McCain loses because 10% of his vote was lost because the
GOP wouldn't make libertarian concessions.
And at that point, they'll be really pissed, will blame
libertarians for losing the White House just like Dems blamed Nader
in 2000, and will be even less likely to make concessions.
I don't really give a shit though because the GOP wouldn't actually
hold up its end of the deal. They can go suck rocks for all I
care.
|3.7.08 @ 10:44AM|#
McCain doesn't need Paul's rEVOLutionaries; he has the imprimatur of God, as delivered by John Hagee.
Former Republican|3.7.08 @ 10:44AM|#
Oddly enough, it may be McCain that saves the Republican P{arty from total destruction. McCain has called the Salafi Christian's "agents for intolerance" and pissed off the xenophobes in the Republican party. The Republican party can only earn my vote again if it sheds the Salafi Christians and the xenophobes.
highnumber|3.7.08 @ 10:49AM|#
Did he say "apathetting"?
0:30 "I was never [what the hell word?], but I admit to being
skeptical..."
Somebody with better ears or something tell me what he said,
please.
|3.7.08 @ 10:50AM|#
Ron Paul will still play a central role in the rEVOLution, but it's goal will have to shift from getting him elected president. This election was about getting these issues into the debates and into the news. Other candidates who share Paul's passion for liberty should be encouraged to raise these issues in their own campaigns, and they should recieve the same support from those who supported Paul.
TerryP|3.7.08 @ 10:52AM|#
It seems to me that by continuing to run he is helping the movement stay lit. In the states that still have to vote Ron Paul groups will continue to meet. There will continue to be people all across the country still working and meeting prior to the Convention. This just helps people that are liberty minded to have a place to meet a further the cause for liberty. It should also help with other candidates as well. If he dropped out there would be far less gatherings of people in this movement.
|3.7.08 @ 10:59AM|#
Uhm....watch the video again.
The MSM has misinterpreted it.
That is good news.
It ain't over until WE say it is over.
Ron Paul has not quit.
He is still spreading the message. We will do the rest.
He has not asked for his name to be removed from any ballot.
Lightning may strike between now and the convention.
Goodness knows that McCain is NOT well liked among Republicans. He
is just the best that Americans can vote for with MSM like your
self slanting the results.
Please quit spreading falsehoods. Admit the ambiguity of what he
said in the video and URGE people to listen to the video
themselves. There is a strategy afoot that needs McCain to shoot
himself in the foot. You are hurting this by saying he is out when
he is only talking about realities and odds. We know the odds. Do
you? And the outcome if we fail? Get real and start helping
We ain't giving up!
PS
David,
Are you sure Matt Welch did not ghost write this one? It has his
anti-Ron Paul feel about it. Not at all like you!
PPS
What is up with the June 21 March on Washington? He seemed to be
tip toeing around that one. Is it likely to get out of hand or
something? Will the economy be that bad by then?
Taktix®|3.7.08 @ 11:10AM|#
Hopefully someone will start making t-shirts with just the "rEVOLution" logo finally.
|3.7.08 @ 11:24AM|#
He might feel that the June 21 rally will wind up doing more harm than good, given that some people (me for instance) are likely to use the occasion as an excuse to get drunk and yell at people.
Dave Weigel|3.7.08 @ 11:27AM|#
He might feel that the June 21 rally will wind up doing more
harm than good, given that some people (me for instance) are likely
to use the occasion as an excuse to get drunk and yell at
people.
I don't know how much he's worried about it, but my concern would
be the inevitable surge of 9/11 truthers. All he needs is video of
a rousing speech with a giant "INSIDE JOB" sign between him and the
camera.
Goatee Spock Paul|3.7.08 @ 11:36AM|#
If I am successful, you see yourself a step nearer to the
captaincy presidency. I do not want to command the
Enterprise executive branch, but if it should befall
me, I suggest that you remember that my operatives would avenge my
death...and some of them...are Vulcans Paultards.
|3.7.08 @ 11:37AM|#
I don't mind playing a key role in the revolution. But I don't want it to be a Ron Paul revolution.
Smart. Good. By far the worst thing about his campaign was the
little personality cult he seemed to attract.
|3.7.08 @ 11:40AM|#
Those of us who gave are owed an explanation.
How much $$ is left? Will it be spent on those states where the
primaries are still to be held and RP delegates are running?
PC|3.7.08 @ 12:08PM|#
He made his point, found a base of people, and will continue to
push ideas and books. Good for him. I was going to vote for him
before he even announced running, did in the primaries, and will do
so after he drops out. Still a little peeved that he didn't come
clean on the newsletters but really who cares anymore.
We need to push congressional candidates and think long and hard
about who is going to be our candidate in 2012. The meetups, the
fundraising, the enthusiasm will be there after he is long
gone.
Some people think Ron hurt the Libertarian cause, but those are the
same people that want to be miserable and complain about how stupid
the other 99.5% of the population is for the rest of their life, so
their opinion is idiotic.
9/11 truthers will always be with us, that is a fact of life.
Frankly I don't mind having delusional people who have an open mind
and do a little bit of research, versus the masses that do no
research and think they know everything. At least for the time
being. The truthers can be moderated over time. Their only "faults"
are skepticism and jumping to conclusions; anyone who thinks that
9/11 was investigated properly need to have their examined as well.
It doesn't matter if we have one truther in our camp or millions,
that is where the FOXNEWS truck will be.
|3.7.08 @ 12:10PM|#
i'm with creech. where did our money go? i've been state-hopping the past few months and have seen ZERO presence on tv/radio/print. why isn't he running ads in states that haven't yet held their primaries? despite being somewhat futile at this point, there is the distinct possibility that he could win a state or two simply with protest votes now that there are only two candidates, and that kind of attention is good for the principles he's discussing.
|3.7.08 @ 12:12PM|#
Paul has already explained that he intends to use that money to help fund other Ron Paul Republicans.
|3.7.08 @ 12:20PM|#
i've had an arguement ongoing with a friend who's a diehard paul-ist about why the newsletters scandal didn't become a bigger story in the mainstream news (outside of that guy who wrote the new republic piece appearing on tucker carlson's show and the wolf blitzer interview i didn't see anything about it on tv). he thinks it's because the story was so unfounded. i think it's because he was never any kind of threat to getting the nomination so it didn't need to be a bigger story. i think i'm right too. if a major contendor had his/her name on stuff like that you DON"T think it would be on the news everday and destroy their chances even if it was fairly clear it was just a case of neglegence and they were innocent? the media has done worse with a lot less
|3.7.08 @ 12:21PM|#
i'd like to add that i do like ron paul and voted for him in the virginia primary but i'm just being a realist here.
|3.7.08 @ 12:46PM|#
t.j.
My opinion is that it wasn't a bigger story because making it a big
story would have brought attention to Paul, which is the last thing
the media or either of the parties wanted. Completely ignoring Paul
worked better than trying to smear him.
|3.7.08 @ 12:53PM|#
The people asking where the money went are either lazy or have
no clue about how much stuff costs in a POTUS campaign. All of his
expenditures are public record and are there for your
analysis.
He raised $30 mil but that is NOT a lot of money over a full year
of campaigning in a major party primary. I believe he spent over
$17 million ( or was it 19) in the 4th quarter alone.
Last I heard he had $6 million left. If you think he can still have
a full staff and actually run ads with that little money and none
coming in you are mistaken.
( waiting for Dondero to explain a new embezzlement scheme)
svf|3.7.08 @ 1:23PM|#
Those of us who gave are owed an explanation.
and we're somehow more entitled to an "explanation" than those who
gave to Rudy, Fred, Mitt, Edwards, etc... ???
jesus, one thing I WON'T miss about the rLOVEution is people who
say stupid shit like that... and, even more so, THIS...
Please quit spreading falsehoods. Admit the ambiguity of what
he said in the video and URGE people to listen to the video
themselves. There is a strategy afoot that needs McCain to shoot
himself in the foot. You are hurting this by saying he is out when
he is only talking about realities and odds. We know the odds. Do
you? And the outcome if we fail? Get real and start helping
We ain't giving up!
grooooan....
|3.7.08 @ 1:31PM|#
Heh. I also like DenisL's implication that Reason is part of the
MSM.
McCain is the Republican nominee. Paul is going back to the House.
All there is to it.
svf|3.7.08 @ 1:41PM|#
I'd March in Washington if it were organized
I like how Ron Paul backed way the hell away from that idea...
someone must have showed him some video of those WTO riots in
Seattle...
odd how he threw a date out there anyway, though... "I don't want
to have anything to do with it... but if someone else is game, hows
about June 21?"
which is significant, of course, for being... uh... the day before
Earth Day...?
GILMORE|3.7.08 @ 1:53PM|#
as long as this means the whole Ron Paul thing will end on H&R, I celebrate this day
svf|3.7.08 @ 1:57PM|#
the day before Earth Day...?
is of course APRIL 21... June 21 is simply nothing at all.
Why June 21st?|3.7.08 @ 2:02PM|#
After fierce fights over ratification in many of the states,
New Hampshire became that ninth state on June 21, 1788.[8] Once the
Congress of the Confederation received word of New Hampshire's
ratification, it set a timetable for the start of operations under
the Constitution, and on March 4, 1789, the government under the
Constitution began operations.
from wikipedia
svf|3.7.08 @ 2:12PM|#
After fierce fights over ratification in many of the states,
New Hampshire became that ninth state on June 21, 1788.[8] Once the
Congress of the Confederation received word of New Hampshire's
ratification, it set a timetable for the start of operations under
the Constitution, and on March 4, 1789, the government under the
Constitution began operations.
catchy but will it fit on a banner...?
Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L|3.7.08 @ 2:21PM|#
To clarify my question - I don't think I deserve an answer as to
where the money went, especially as I didn't donate to Paul, and
have never donated to any political campaign.*
I was curious (and lazy, as johncjackson pointed out) as to what
happened to all of the money, especially given how much Paul was
raising and how shoddily his campaign seemed to be operating. I
certainly wasn't accusing anyone of an embezzlement; I was more
curious how the money got spent with such lackluster effects.
Also, I'm curious what will happen to the remainder: $6 million
seems a lot for an essentially suspended campaign - will this be
given to other candidates, will it be rolled over to other
elections, or what? What is the legal outlet for leftover money for
a suspended political campaign? Again, I should look this up myself
but I freely admit that I am lazy.
*Bailey-style disclaimer: I have donated money
to help build an observatory, and do often donate to the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society, the Disabled American Veterans and several MS
and Cancer research organizations.
|3.7.08 @ 2:30PM|#
"but if someone else is game, hows about June 21?"
The day in between Brian Wilson's and Paul McCartney's birthdays,
but I doubt that's what Ron Paul had in mind.
|3.7.08 @ 2:46PM|#
"if a major contendor had his/her name on stuff like that you
DON"T think it would be on the news everday and destroy their
chances even if it was fairly clear it was just a case of
neglegence and they were innocent? the media has done worse with a
lot less"
How do you explain the ongoing Peter Paul trial going on in
California pertaining to illegal campaign financing of Hillary's
2000 Senate campaign? Why isn't the MSM covering it?
|3.7.08 @ 3:04PM|#
"The Republican party can only earn my vote again if it sheds
the Salafi Christians and the xenophobes."
The Republican Party also needs to shed the warmongers as well.
|3.7.08 @ 3:09PM|#
"McCain doesn't need Paul's rEVOLutionaries; he has the
imprimatur of God, as delivered by John Hagee."
John Hagee is probably supporting McCain because he thinks McCain
will bring about World War III and the end of the world and second
coming that Hagee is so looking forward to.
|3.7.08 @ 3:53PM|#
IF YOU WHERE TO WATCH FREEDOM 2 FACISM, THEN YOU WOULD ISNTANTLY AGREE WITH ME AND JOIN THE RON PAUL RevolUTION.
|3.7.08 @ 4:02PM|#
Here's the top hit.
I think the only reason I buy from Old Navy, other than the fact
that clothes are about $5 a bushel, is that they refuse to engage
in the arms race to see who can made the most pretentious "shock"
advertising like the rest of the retail fashion industry.
T|3.7.08 @ 5:53PM|#
He might feel that the June 21 rally will wind up doing more
harm than good, given that some people (me for instance) are likely
to use the occasion as an excuse to get drunk and yell at
people.
Interesting. You mean other people need an excuse to get drunk and
yell at people? I just need the booze.
Oooh, it's payday! Off to Spec's I go!
Lucas Elam|3.7.08 @ 6:25PM|#
"[June 21], which is significant, of course, for being..."
Solstice!
either he's smart for choosing the longest day of the year, or the
revolution's been co-opted by the wiccan faction.
Brandybuck|3.7.08 @ 7:50PM|#
Peden: The Ron Paul supporters are rEVOLting!
Dondero: Yeah, and they smell back too...
Brandybuck|3.7.08 @ 8:17PM|#
Seriously though:
The truthers can be moderated over time.
Ha ha ha ha! Truthers cannot be moderated over time because their
warped worldview and faulty reasoning process prevents it. The best
you can do is to tell them to STFU in meetings. Maybe they'll get
tired of people laughing at them and leave the meetup.
Their only "faults" are skepticism and jumping to conclusions; anyone who thinks that 9/11 was investigated properly need to have their examined as well.
They have many other faults, chief of which are extreme gullibility
and extreme confirmation bias.
9/11 may not have been properly investigated, but it wouldn't make
a difference if it had been. The Truthers would STILL not accept
it, because it would not confirm their expected conclusions. They
pretend to be libertarians, but want the government to spend more
money on another investigation. But by their own admission, they
will never agree with any investigation done by the government. And
if it was an independent, non-government, non-tax-funded
investigation, they would still disagree with it because it wasn't
an official government investigation.
There are enough of them that they can fund their own investigation
if they wanted. But every time they do an "experiment", no one else
pays it any attention because it's chock full of bias and faulty
conditions. And when a non-Truther does an experiment, they will
deliberately ignore it. In short, they don't want another
investigation, they just want to say that they do.
They are delusional, and will grasp onto anything that can be
twisted to validate that delusion, and bitterly reject anything
that can't.
|3.8.08 @ 5:52PM|#
June 21 is Constitution day. There was a poll on
ronpaulmarch.com about dates, July 4 and others being suggested. DC
has a huge July 4 celebration and it seemed not the best day. Ron
Paul picked the day, Constitution Day, with the most votes.
I'll be there.
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