In Case You Thought The Revolution Was Over #2
Posted by Andy on April 28th, 2008
Here’s another story that has me VERY worried about the Ron Paul campaign and supporter’s refusal to admit the race is over. (emphasis mine)
The libertarian-leaning obstetrician-turned-congressman’s long-shot candidacy continues to take on a life of its own — and he admits he’s in no rush to tamp down the enthusiasm.
“There is no way I could turn it off — I went up to Penn State and had 1,500 people,” Paul observed, still seemingly amazed at his following. “So it’s just sort of going to go on.”
The question now, however, is where those die-hards who still line highway medians with Paul’s road signs and flood Internet sites with comments will go with their vote in November.
Many, of course, will be watching Paul for a cue.
“I’ll be very cautious about what I do,” he said, noting his effort to encourage his supporters to get involved with their local Republican committee. “If I just endorse somebody from another party and walk away, that probably wouldn’t go over too well.”
But while keeping to the same mantra — “I have no plan, no intention to do so” — Paul is also not completely slamming the door shut on a third-party run. And, perhaps more worrisome for Republicans should they have a tight race with the eventual Democratic nominee, he’s also not ruling out supporting a third-party candidate.
Asked what he would do if his supporters approached him this fall and asked him whom to support, Paul replied, “I’ll respond when I think I should — when we know where the ducks are lining up.”
And with those words, I think it is inherently necessary for the Ron Paul supporters taking Delegate and Precinct leadership positions with in the GOP, especially those who have National Delegate or Alternate spots to pledge their full support for the Republican candidate. If their ‘good Dr. Paul’ is going to leave a hanging curve of a 3rd party run, or supporting a candidate other than the Republican one, they do not have the right to hold Republican Delegate spots, unless they pledge loyalty to the Republican Party and its candidate.
Like it or not we’re stuck with John McCain. If you can’t live with that decision, then this party (meaning: RNC Convention) is not for you, this time around. We will have another one of the battles in 4 years.
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April 28th, 2008 at 10:31 am
One more time, then I think my fingers will fall off: the delegates did say they would support McCain after the nomination.
Sure. There are some Paul supporters out there who are becoming less and less happy with this party as they see that they’re not wanted. Don’t we WANT them to feel welcome, to feel like they can rally around the GOP candidates, like they’ve had a seat at the table?
We’re talking about the caucus attendees, and many of THEM were newbies. Those who have made it up through the delegate ranks tend to be more of the oldtimers. And they’re really starting to grumble.
WHY? Why do you want to get rid of perfectly good voters?
Eh, y’all haven’t been answering that question, as many times as I’ve asked it, so I won’t continue beat my head against the wall trying to reason with you.
April 28th, 2008 at 11:56 am
One more time, then I think that my fingers will fall off! I welcome the enthusiasm of the Ron Paul Supporters. Have said many times that for the Republican Party to be truly successful, we need to increase the base. That said, the newcomers (and oldtimes) need to accept the principles of the party and its endorsed candidates.
One thing for BPOU (actually Precinct) leadership to remember is that it is the mission of the Party to support endorsed Republican candidates; and, those who don’t abide by this are invariably removed from their positions. Has been done in the past; and, am sure that it will be done in the future.
April 28th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
I’ve given MY answers many times too, Marianne! It’s my opinion we should welcome the new Paul supporters into this party with open arms IF they support a common goal of electing endorsed Republican candidates at all levels. If their views on the issues vary a little from most of us, that’s cool. None of us agree on everything. If their goal is solely focused on Ron Paul and his agenda, then they don’t belong here.
I will happily welcome these newcomers, as “newbies” can sometimes breathe fresh air into any organization. What I WILL NOT welcome is the dishonest tactics they as a whole have been using to grab power. You can say all day long that they weren’t dishonest, but I know what I know, and I feel sorry for you if you can rationalize away the lies.
April 28th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Maybe if I say it short and simple:
Victory without principle is not good. Principle without victory is very bad.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Jerry said it best I think.
Marianne wants to talk about the hostility shown to the Paul supporters….what about the hostility that has been shown BY the Paul supporters to those of us in the party who were (at one time) slightly supportive of them. At our CD Convention I was treated with suspicion and hostility by the “organized” Paul supporters just because I was working the convention. They don’t know me at all, they don’t know whether I am hostile to them or not but they assumed I was and treated me accordingly. Meanwhile I am actually working with the Paul supporters in my BPOU to make sure that they are not only welcome in the BPOU but that they have every opportunity they want to get involved and have their say!
Respect and acceptance works BOTH WAYS Marianne!
LL
April 29th, 2008 at 8:28 am
“We’re talking about the caucus attendees, and many of THEM were newbies. Those who have made it up through the delegate ranks tend to be more of the oldtimers.”
Again with the generalities. In our CD most of the oldtimers GAVE UP their seats to the convention to newbies! There were more new faces in the seats this year than old.
LL