RNC Hopefuls on Ron Paul

At the Western Standard (where they are tracking Canada's heroes of liberty), Kalim Kassam sums up the comments various seekers of the job of chairman of the Republican National Committee made re: Ron Paul at a debate hosted by Grover Norquist.

While Kassam frames it as if they are all smartly recognizing the potential importance of Ron's libertarian, anti-interventionist, anti-fiat money crew to the GOP, the quotes he presents sound a lot more hesitant and grudging than that to me--less "these Ron Paul people are a valuable part of our coalition and should be heeded" and more "we ought not utterly and firmly bar these strange and disturbing people from crossing our threshold, if they really, really wanna help us out."

But check out the summary quotes and video here and decide for yourself, as exciting new media technologies allow us to do. The Wall Street Journal coverage of RNC hopefuls and Paul, which Kassam quotes.

Comments

[Warren]

Fuck the GOP, and all who sail on her. Let them keep the Whigs company on the ash heap of history.

[Edward]

Wow, Ron Paul has earned the name "Teflon Racist."

[Warty]

I watched the video on Lew Rockwell's site earlier (shut up, I like Lew). I think every single one of them said some variation of, "Are we gonna agree with them 100% of the time? No." Translation: give us your money if you like, but make sure to shut up.

And I like how Sal Anuzis conveniently ignored that he wanted to kick Ron Paul out of the party a few months ago...

[Nigel Watt]

Edward, is it at all possible that maybe all that noise wasn't about Ron Paul, that it was about some ideas, too?

[Tulpa]

Let them keep the Whigs LP company on the ash heap of history.

ftfy

[Edward]

If Ron Paul were a dog, I'd fellate him.

[LurkerBold]

At least Ron Paul supporters want the truth about 9/11 to be heard.

[kinnath]

Tulpa, the Whigs managed to elect a few presidents before becoming irrelevant. The LP is just irrelevant.

[joe]

We all saw what actual Repblicans think of Ron Paul during the primary debates.

The attributes that created that enthusiastic, involved army of Paul supporters are antithetical to the beliefs and political style of the modern Republican Party.

This isn't an interest group they can buy off with some cheap theatrics, like the religious right.

[The Democratic Republicans]

Saul Anuzis is a real douchebag. I reached out to RP supporters? How about, I tried to keep RP off the ballot in Michigan. Effing idiot.

[The Angry Optimist]

Let them keep the Whigs company on the ash heap of history.

Riiight...POTUS candidate draws 58 million votes and the GOP is still a force in both houses of Congress...but ash heap here they come.

Look, I hate that you're forcing me to defend the GOP, but (we!) libertarians need to stop the delusion that we're relevant and the GOP and the socialists are on their way out.

Uhhhh....no.

[Warren]

joe,
Knock off early and treat yourself to a hot-toddy on the way home. That was easily your best comment this year. Wouldn't surprise me if it holds up till the finish.

[Bingo]

The LP isn't becoming more relevant, the GOP is becoming less relevant. Whether this means that there is a power vacuum opening is up for debate.

[sage]

This isn't an interest group they can buy off with some cheap theatrics, like the religious right.

Well said, joe. Terri Schiavo finally rests in peace, no thanks to those clowns.

[Tulpa]

This isn't an interest group they can buy off with some cheap theatrics, like the religious right.

Of course they can -- if the GOP pushes for reopening the investigation of 9/11. They won't, but don't say they can't.

Every passionate interest group can be bought off...it's just a matter of whether what's necessary to do it is going to lose you more supporters than it gains.

[Boston]

Why they would not want him on the debate baffles me. Why not continue the farce that they cares what he says and not offend people, wacky though they may be?

[The Angry Optimist]

Just to be clear: it is better to support a Republican congressman who loads bills with pork in committee (but votes against them in the general roll call), does nothing to effect change in a more libertarian direction (despite the fact that his seat is airtight) because it's way more "principled" to vote "No" on EVERYTHING rather than actually say, compromise once in a while. Oh, and this same fellow cozies up to Truthers and racists and uses the money his supporters send him to start an organization that supports his friends and family.

I do not understand Paultardism at all.

[Rimfax]

As long as the religious right warrants major party sponsorship, the GOP will be their bitch. As long as the GOP is the bitch of the religious right, they will never honor libertarian principles.

[Pro Libertate]

The difference between the GOP and the Democrats remains as vague and tenuous as ever, from the libertarian perspective. When power shifts, an improvement in one area seems to always lead to an unimprovement in another. There must be a law of reform conservation in politics.

[Xeones]

I'm gonna third the joegreement.

[Abdul]

The GOP will rediscover libertarianism now that its a Democratic fox guarding the hen-house. I'd like to think the drubbing in the 2006 and 2008 elections taught them a lesson about completely abandoning it again.

I'd like to think it, but I know it won't happen.

[The Angry Optimist]

I wonder how different the world would look right now if McCain had come out against the bailout and led the GOP in that direction.

[Tulpa]

TAO, I don't get Paultardism either, but I don't think RP has anything but good intentions. He doesn't have a lick of political sense, and is totally unfit to be the leader of any sort of political movement, but let's not disparage his character.

[robc]

We all saw what actual Repblicans think of Ron Paul during the primary debates.

There were actual republicans in the primary debates?

[Tulpa]

I wonder how different the world would look right now if McCain had come out against the bailout and led the GOP in that direction.

Forget McCain...what if BUSH had been against the bailout?

[robc]

He doesn't have a lick of political sense

And yet has been elected how many times? Despite many primary and general challenges?

[robc]

TAO,

He might not have won anyway, but McCain's last chance was to oppose the bailout. Supporting the bailout killed any (slim) chance he had of winning.

[The Angry Optimist]

robc - who cares? I would say my former and current Congressmen do not have a lick of political sense.

The man is in like, the SAFEST seat in the country and still refuses to work with anybody on anything.

[Tulpa]

Slightly off-topic...Burris just got escorted from the Capitol by Capitol Police because he didn't have a note from his mother signature from the IL Secy of State...

[The Angry Optimist]

I'm talking about generalities and the future, rather just 2008. My sense of things is that a lot of Republicans wanted to oppose the bailout but didn't want to sink McCain. Had McCain shown leadership, he could have seized the reins of an issue, an issue in which the general American public is reportedly overwhelmingly against.

[robc]

TAO,

Didnt his declaration of war get like 50 co sponsors?

He is willing to work with others that are willing to work with him. Our constantly growing government is because people give in instead of forcing a compromise. Make the left come half way. Half way is massive cuts. 🙂

[robc]

TAO,

I agree with you on the McCain/leadership bit. It also might have won him the election in the short term.

[joe]

I'd like to think the drubbing in the 2006 and 2008 elections taught them a lesson about completely abandoning it again.

Have you seen any evidence of that?

The only lesson I see them learning is that they were so totally right about the media, ACORN, and bashing gays.

[Geotpf]

McCain's first instinct on the bailout was not to oppose it, but to turn it into a (badly thought out and planned) campaign stunt; that is, the whole "I'm suspending my campaign and am not going to debate Obama" bit.

[Libertymike]

Joe, I agree with Warty's post. If anybody knows that we are not 2 cent whores that can be bought off with some cheap theatrics, its you.

[The Angry Optimist]

Imagine the rhetoric the GOP would be using: small-government populism. McCain would have been on national television asking Obama why he wants little old ladies pension funds to enrich big corporations.

[LurkerBold]

Why do they continually bash ACORN? I thought Republicans were all for non-government organizations doing public service?

[Tulpa]

joe, yep, just like the Dems are never going to push gun control and giving unions special legal priveleges again. They've learned their lesson.

[Geotpf]

Tulpa | January 6, 2009, 2:14pm | #

Slightly off-topic...Burris just got escorted from the Capitol by Capitol Police because he didn't have a note from his mother signature from the IL Secy of State...

What a circus.

However, it appears Burris is right-the Secy of State can't veto a Senate appointment by the Governor. I think that, legally, Burris should be sworn in as Senator. I also think Reid has no ability to prevent him from being sworn in, legally. Now, the Senate can vote to kick him out immediately after he becomes a Senator (need a two thirds majority), but I don't think they can stop him from becoming Senator in the first place.

[Geotpf]

LurkerBold | January 6, 2009, 2:24pm | #

Why do they continually bash ACORN? I thought Republicans were all for non-government organizations doing public service?

Reflection. They like to lie, cheat, and steal to win elections, so to hide that, they say the other side lies, cheats, and steals to win elections. Very Karl Rove-take you biggest weakness and project it on to your opponent. ACORN is just the boogeyman they use in this tactic.

[The Angry Optimist]

uh, again, I hate that you're making me defend the GOP, but ACORN is no beacon of virtue...voter registration fraud is not on the level of destroying the democracy, but it's nothing to sneeze at, either.

[joe]

Tulpa,

Gun control, yep. The Democrats have completely abandoned the issue.

But if you were to stick your head out of the bubble once in a while, you'd discover that the Democrats actually ran on what you disingenuously call "special legal protections" for unions, and won the election in a romp.

[joe]

voter registration fraud is not on the level of destroying the democracy, but it's nothing to sneeze at, either.

Yes, it's a shame that people commit fraud against ACORN by submitting forged applications.

It's too bad the states won't do as ACORN has long requested, and allow them to discard such forgeries, but the laws requiring them to submit those forms remain in effect, so all they can do is continue to flag such applications so the elections registrars can reject them.

[Kolohe]

This isn't an interest group they can buy off with some cheap theatrics, like the religious right.

Say what you want about the religious right, they show up and vote if they like a candidate. The problem is you can't say the same thing about Ron Paul supporters.

[LurkerBold]

joe beat me to the ACORN answer. Yes, bravo to you again joe. Bravo.

[Kolohe]

I wonder how different the world would look right now if McCain had come out against the bailout and led the GOP in that direction.

It would not have worked. The only beneficial scenario for him would be for him to:
oppose the bailout -> it passes anyway -> things don't get better -> McCain says I told you so.

However, if McCain would have came out against the bailout, it's very likely that it would not have passed (at least not in the House). So the scenario becomes:
opposes the bailout -> it doesn't pass -> things don't get better -> *Obama* says I told you so.

The situation gave Obama almost as many outs as T'Pring.

[joe]

The LurkerBold troll thinks I'm totally nuts, but can't put together a plausible reason why.

I guess that clinches it.

Miller time.

[Reinmoose]

Kolohe -
All that had to happen to convince Ron Paul supporters not to vote for him was for nobody to say that they were going to track down and abduct or spy on everyone who voted for him.

[Road Band Guy]

Ron Paul is the Head East of politicians.

[Elemenope]

The situation gave Obama almost as many outs as T'Pring.

Double geek win.

[phalkor]

The attributes that created that enthusiastic, involved army of Paul supporters are antithetical to the beliefs and political style of the modern Republican Party.

This isn't an interest group they can buy off with some cheap theatrics, like the religious right.

Thank you for that comment joe. I rarely see a comment from you that I can think to myself "gee whilikers, I sure do agree with that!". So hat tip and

Gee whilikers! I sure do agree with that!

[R C Dean]

Slightly off-topic...Burris just got escorted from the Capitol by Capitol Police because he didn't have a note from his mother signature from the IL Secy of State...

So, is a black Senator-elect being barred from the Senate chamber by an all-white Senate, and being escorted out by the police, the Change we are supposed to Believe In?

[Elemenope]

So, is a black Senator-elect being barred from the Senate chamber by an all-white Senate, and being escorted out by the police, the Change we are supposed to Believe In?

Last time I checked, the Democratic party was perhaps the most tone-deaf political entity that still manages to win elections.

[Josh]

What is up with the Ron Paul haters? You'd rather snuggle up with your denial and media circuses than face the truth: That you continually waste your vote on Liars, Sell-Outs, and Theives.

What's worse, is that the two party system has you actually believing that Obama was ANY different than McCain. Ron Paul has already predicted that their policies would be the same.

The Angry Optimist here has NO idea how much the Paulites have grown. Why can't you admit to how right Dr.Paul has been about EVERYTHING. From the BEGINNING. The war, the economy, foreign policy, the fed, education, individual liberty, the patriot act. ETC.

[Elemenope]

What's worse, is that the two party system has you actually believing that Obama was ANY different than McCain.

This is very tiresopme, because it is a supposition that cannot be confirmed or debunked evidentially, and so people can hold it *no matter what happens*.

When everything is evidence, nothing is.

[joe]

So, is a black Senator-elect being barred from the Senate chamber by an all-white Senate, and being escorted out by the police, the Change we are supposed to Believe In?

Can we nominate RC "Obama's playing the race card" Dean for the Hack Watch feature?

[Superfluous]

Ron Paul was awesome in the recent Madoff hearing.

[Lee]

The Angry Optimist sure whines alot for someone who has nothing better to do than chill out on blogs all day. Put your money where your mouth is, big boy. Jump in the arena and show us how it's done. Lead us, Mr. Know-How.

[Citizen Nothing]

Lee, TAO is going to be my campaign manager when I run for governor in 2014. He doesn't know it yet, but it's true.

[Warren]

Ron Paul was awesome in the recent Madoff hearing.

Damn Skippy:

As for Paul, he spent Monday doing what he does best-railing against federal intervention and regulation of the free market during a House Financial Services Committee hearing on the alleged $50 billion Ponzi schemes of Bernard Madoff.

"It's not the fault of the individuals at the [Securites and Exchange Commission]. They have an impossible job and they have to pretend they're doing something to feel relevant, the same way we do here, in the Congress. We have to feel relevant in this," Paul said, "Instead of saying what we need is the market to work, we need to get rid of the bad policies, the monetary system, and this mountains of debt. We say, well, we're relevant because we're going to hire more bureaucrats and we're going to appropriate more money that we don't have and we're going to solve all our problems."

I'll take Paul's empty rhetoric over a "lesser evil" any day. If all he does is make speeches and vote against everything, that makes him 10,000,000x better than any other congressman.

[phalkor]

Yes, Virginia, there's is a Santa Claus. and he represents some district that includes Galveston too.

[Geotpf]

Elemenope | January 6, 2009, 3:40pm | #

So, is a black Senator-elect being barred from the Senate chamber by an all-white Senate, and being escorted out by the police, the Change we are supposed to Believe In?

Last time I checked, the Democratic party was perhaps the most tone-deaf political entity that still manages to win elections.

As opposed to the Republican Party, which used to know how to win elections but has now forgotten how do to so, or the Libertarian Party, which doesn't even try (but is too incompetent to win anyways if they actually did try)?

[Lefiti]

Imagine the kind of hopeless twits that a boring old fuck like Ron Paul appeals to. Oh, that would be you guys!

[cunnivore]

Gun control, yep. The Democrats have completely abandoned the issue.

Bullshit. Pure, unadulterated, Grade A dungbeetle chow.

the Democrats actually ran on what you disingenuously call "special legal protections" for unions, and won the election in a romp.

And four years ago the Republicans ran on pro-life SCOTUS justices and gay marriage bans, winning in a romp. I don't think you want to accept the analogous conclusion in that case, so you'll understand if I don't accept your conclusion here.

[Geotpf]

Josh | January 6, 2009, 3:45pm | #

The Angry Optimist here has NO idea how much the Paulites have grown.

Paulites are large in terms of volume (as in how loud they scream), not in terms of volume (as in having enough supporters to actually win elections).

Pure Libertarianism, or even the Ron Paul type, is an electoral loser.

[cunnivore]

Why can't you admit to how right Dr.Paul has been about EVERYTHING. From the BEGINNING. The war, the economy, foreign policy, the fed, education, individual liberty, the patriot act. ETC.

Ron Paul has been predicting imminent economic collapse in the form of runaway inflation for over 30 years now. The only problem with this is that (a) it hasn't happened and (b) given multiple decades nearly anything you predict has a significant chance of happening.

He also predicted things in Iraq would get worse with the Surge and he was wrong about that (as was I). So forgive me if I don't prostrate myself before the great gynecologist of Galveston.

[joe]

Sigh.

Yes, cunnivore. Gun control is a top-tier issue on the Democratic agenda. Anyone could see that.

What movement conservatives and libertarians need to do is mobilize, and put all of their efforts to fight off the upcoming slew of gun control laws and the re-imposition of the Fairness Doctrine, because those are two imminent threats, and totally are not phoney threats ginned up by the conservative media.

Seriously, focusing on any other issues would be foolish. Gun control and the Fairness Doctrine are going to dominate Democratic politics for the next few Congresses, and all - and I mean ALL - of the right's resources need to be steered to these important FUSAGS. I mean, issues.

[R C Dean]

He also predicted things in Iraq would get worse with the Surge and he was wrong about that (as was I).

As we learned in November, blowing that call is hardly an impediment to winning an election.

[R C Dean]

Gun control, yep. The Democrats have completely abandoned the issue.

Except for talking, already, about reinstuting the assault weapons ban, of course.

[The Angry Optimist]

The Angry Optimist sure whines alot for someone who has nothing better to do than chill out on blogs all day.

Whines? I am not whining, except to the extent that I am tired of hearing how great Ron Paul is for doing absolutely nothing the entire time he's been in the House.

Seriously, there is like this cottage industry for Ron Paul apologetics, and it's goofy:

I'll take Paul's empty rhetoric over a "lesser evil" any day.

See? This makes no sense at all. Sorry, folks, but I expect anyone with sympathies for freedom to, you know, actually work on the margins to make things better.

[The Angry Optimist]

Lee, TAO is going to be my campaign manager when I run for governor in 2014. He doesn't know it yet, but it's true.

I'm in. Keep in mind that the extent of my experience is only that I have been in over 125 bars in Columbus, but hey, that's a start.

[Citizen Nothing]

It's that kind of experience I'm counting on, TAO.

[cunnivore]

joe, you're twisting my words like a droopy clitoris. I have no doubt there are more pressing issues on the minds of Dems, such as repealing Taft-Hartley and banning right to work legislation at the state level.

But they'll get to gun control legislation soon enough (and as RC points out the first wave of that is already in the works).

[joe]

Except for talking, already, about reinstuting the assault weapons ban, of course.

That reminds me: has Dennis Kucinich filed his "Department of Peace" bill again?

No, seriously: top tier issue. The leadership is all on board, and putting resources into anything but gun control and the Fairness Doctrine is tantamount to suicide.

You need to go all in on these two issues, or we're doomed. Doomed. DOOOMED!!!!

[joe]

joe, you're twisting my words like a droopy clitoris.

I find it's best to stop talking until you finish up, for exactly that reason...but of course, I defer to your expertise.

[cunnivore]

No, the clitoris is what gets twisted when you...

Do I have to draw a picture here?

[phalkor]

please!

[Warren]

See? This makes no sense at all. Sorry, folks, but I expect anyone with sympathies for freedom to, you know, actually work on the margins to make things better.

Nope. Don't see that working any better.

[BakedPenguin]

Do I have to draw a picture here?

You could just link to one. It's what everyone else does.

[BakedPenguin]

Lefiti!

[mitch]

Reason screwed up horribly in this article... they wrote two paragraphs about Paul without mentioning that he's a racist idiot.

Thankfully the comments took care of that for us, we only had to wait for the second reply before someone had jumped on him.

[Edward]

Of course, it's possible that Ron Paul had no idea that racist garbage was being published under his name for years, in which case he's just an idiot.

[cunnivore]

Warren, Bob Barr working at the margins got the worst parts of the Pat Act limited to five years in effect. Ron Paul standing on principle and voting no accomplished zilch.

So Bob Barr's yes vote on the Pat Act did more to protect liberty than Ron Paul's no vote.

[Graphite]

So Bob Barr's yes vote on the Pat Act did more to protect liberty than Ron Paul's no vote.

Right, and if he could effect similar changes on Pat Acts II, III, IV, and V, we would get more and more free with the passage of each bill!

[cunnivore]

Graphite,

Compared to how free we'd be if those bills were written only by statists, with libertarianish legislators out in the cold voting no? Heck yeah.

[cunnivore]

That is, the Patriot Act was going to get passed no matter what Barr did (as was DOMA). There are very few people who bear personal responsibility for that flaming dog poop bag of a bill, mainly Bush, Ashcroft, and Obamatarian fave John Kerry, who put together what eventually became the banking provisions of the Pat Act back in the late 90s.

[LurkerBold]

Who cares if Ron Paul was a racist. Blacks don't vote libertarian anyway.

[Ron Asheton]

Regarding Edward and the other Ron-baiters, I wonder if the word Paultard is robust enough to describe this kind of Ron Paul obsessive or if a new word is needed.

[Pro Libertate]

Regarding Edward and the other Ron-baiters, I wonder if the word Paultard is robust enough to describe this kind of Ron Paul obsessive or if a new word is needed.

Paultard is inadequate. I deem them. . .The Appaulled.

[TJ]

The Angry Optimist | January 6, 2009, 4:50pm | #

"Whines? I am not whining, except to the extent that I am tired of hearing how great Ron Paul is for doing absolutely nothing the entire time he's been in the House."

- Then show us how it's done. Stop being a little bitch and get your butt in there, hotshot.

[TJ]

This blog blows. No more visits here for me. Too many haters and not enough doers. Everyones a critic. Everyones a monday morning quarterback.

[cunnivore]

TJ, you forgot to mention you're cancelling your subscription.

[Reason sucks]

This place is full of douche bags

[Matt S]

The establishment (GOP & DEMS) have effectively tarnished Ron Paul so that he will never be president. I know it's sad. BU BUT BUT any patriot who picks up his flag (rp) and runs with it ...I WILL VOTE FOR YOU