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."

Comments

[Adam]

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]

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.

[sixstring]

I always thought Ron Paul was the John the Baptist character.

[Episiarch]

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.

[P Brooks]

McCain doesn't need Paul's rEVOLutionaries; he has the imprimatur of God, as delivered by John Hagee.

[Former Republican]

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]

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.

[John]

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]

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.

[DenisL]

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?

[The Wine Commonsewer]

High. Yes.

[Taktix?]

Hopefully someone will start making t-shirts with just the "rEVOLution" logo finally.

[highnumber]

I didn't think that was a word.
Is it new?

[Jeff]

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.

[James T. Kirk]

In every revolution there is one man with a vision!

[Dave Weigel]

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.

[Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L]

For what is all the money he raised being used?

[Goatee Spock Paul]

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.

[Warty]

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.

[creech]

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]

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.

[rico]

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.

[Michael Cathcart]

Paul has already explained that he intends to use that money to help fund other Ron Paul Republicans.

[t. j.]

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

[t. j.]

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.

[Tekende]

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.

[johncjackson]

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)

[Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L]

I am lazy.

[svf]

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....

[Richard]

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.

[Cab]

I'd March in Washington if it were organized - what the hell.

[svf]

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]

as long as this means the whole Ron Paul thing will end on H&R, I celebrate this day

[svf]

the day before Earth Day...?

is of course APRIL 21... June 21 is simply nothing at all.

[Why June 21st?]

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]

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]

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.

[bookworm]

"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.

[bookworm]

"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?

[bookworm]

"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.

[bookworm]

"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.

[Jonathan Hohensee]

GOOGLE RON PAUL!

[Jonathan Hohensee]

ALIENS BRAINWASHED RON PAUL AND FORCED HIM TO DROP OUT BEFORE HE COULD WIN.

[Jonathan Hohensee]

GOOGLE RON PAUL!!!!!

[svf]

google my ass...

[Jonathan Hohensee]

IF YOU WHERE TO WATCH FREEDOM 2 FACISM, THEN YOU WOULD ISNTANTLY AGREE WITH ME AND JOIN THE RON PAUL RevolUTION.

[Someone Who Doesn\'t Want to L]

svf:
google my ass...

Done.
Here's the top hit.

[Jonathan Hohensee]

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.

[svf]

Here's the top hit.

Regrettably, that is defintely NOT my ass.

[T]

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]

"[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]

Peden: The Ron Paul supporters are rEVOLting!

Dondero: Yeah, and they smell back too...

[Brandybuck]

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.

[Coach Z]

9/11 was an inside jorb!

[spinnikerca]

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.

[RadicalChic]

June 21 is my wedding anniversary, so I will be otherwise engaged 😀