Yesterday, Mitt Romney accepted the reality that John McCain will be the Republican nominee. Mike Huckabee is rolling the dice on a few more contests, but is widely expected to pull out once McCain racks up another couple of wins. But what about Ron Paul?
He never really had a chance, but his supporters poured cash into his campaign and piled on the grassroots.
But after a disappointing showing on Super Tuesday, the Paul campaign’s website lists their next event as an “MSNBC Presidential Summit” on February 28th. That’s three weeks away!
If this is actually his next campaign event, it would appear that Paul has essentially put the campaign on autopilot in advance of contests in Kansas, Washington, Virginia, Maryland, and elsewhere. Then again, does he even need to campaign for his supporters to come out and vote for him? The cult of Ron Paul remains fairly strong, with or without the Congressman on the stump. Here is Florida, where our primary was 10 days ago, new Ron Paul signs keep popping up along the highway in defiance of common sense.
All Hail Ron Paul!
February 8th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
The numbers are just not there for Paul. He would have to win 100% of the remaining delegates and somehow convince Romney to encourage his delegates to vote for him to reach the threshold. Not gonna happen.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Look Every vote so far in a caucus state for Romney is not a committed Vote. Add them up. As an Example most of Nevadas 35 delegates the major pledged for ROmney, now is out and all will most likely vote for Ron Paul Save a few 3 or 4. SO now Ron Paul has all the nations GOP Caucus states split with him and Hucky. DO the Math!
February 8th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Technically he would just have to ensure that McCain wouldn’t get 1192 delegates. If somehow McCain can be held back from hitting the magic number then the vast majority of those delegates would be free to choose whom they support. At that point Dr. Paul would have a chance, because McCain is reviled by many. Too bad the media won’t cooperate and give Dr. Paul the same boost that they gave McCain in December, the man was broke and ready to hang it up until they revived his campaign.
February 8th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
He doesn’t have to win all the next primaries or caucuses folks. It’s all about having money on hand and going into the convention. It’s far from over. You guys need to understand the process just a little bit better before declaring the nomination done and having a coronation for John McCain.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I love America, reason enough to keep on supporting Dr. Paul and The Constitution. I live in Miami-Dade FL and will be holding my Ron Paul sign this Sunday on SW 88th St (Kendall Dr.) and 137th Ave. Two signs… “I know something you don’t know” and “Ron Paul 2008 for President”.
Love Ameirca, support our Constitution, support Dr. Paul.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Actually his next campaign event was today. He spoke in front of 10,000 at Liberty University…I was there.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Look, folks - why worry about Ron Paul? If he truly only has a few crazy supporters, then 100 year McCrazy should not worry about him at all. So just relax, don’t worry - a CFR member will get the presidency.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Abraham Lincoln won a brokered convention so can Ron Paul. In reality here the only Republican that can compete against the dems is RON PAUL. Come on now 75% of the people in this country want the war to be over. Right there means McCain is going to lose. You cant win with 35% of the vote. The only one that can get the support of that 75 is Ron Paul becuase he too is against the war. And look at all Pauls supporters, I know damn well they didnt start supporting him becuase the media told them to. Remember Back when McCain was losing like 5 months ago, WHY? becuase he didnt have any media coverage. Imagine if ron Paul did have media coverage with all the support he has now from no help from the media, he could probably be called the front front runner of all the candidates running dems and reps. This country is going blind. Im gonna have to move to canada if Ron Paul doesnt become president, Im not gonna be part of a broken nation when this country goes to hell.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Yeah dont forget he Spoke at Liberty University and brought thousands of people to watch
February 8th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Ron Paul giving up? He’s closer to winning then the media wants people to believe. Once he gets airtime and people see his views vs the others there will be no contest.
Also Ron is the only who has a chance against the Democrats. McCain will get eaten alive by Obama/Clinton.
Ron Paul would destroy any other candidate in a 1 on 1 debate.
America needs to pull the wool out of their eyes and demand the media start respecting Ron Paul.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Folks, it’s all about having a Brokered Convention… The plan is for Ron Paul to get to convention… many of the delegates will vote for Paul, that ball was put in motion a long time ago. When the other candidates were busy beating up on each other, early on… The Paul camp was busy getting supporters to sign up as delegates. Even though another candidate “won” those delegates, they “CAN” still vote for whoever they wish. Ron Paul simply needs to stay in the race to Convention and the delegates will give him the nomination. Please do not confuse a candidates “won delegate count” with the who those delegates are going to actually vote for come convention. You know how ardent Paul supporters are, they will not switch sides and as such they are delegates that will vote for Paul at convention.
Is it sinking in yet? Ron Paul knows this game very well. Have patience, it will all become much more clear as time goes on.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I support Ron Paul because I want America to return to upholding the constitution and because I don’t want any more Americans and Iraqis to die. Tell me, how exactly that makes me a “cult” member?
February 8th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
Ug, I just read your article in defiance of common sense.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I am wondering if you are trying to put doubts in our minds or if you don’t know any better?
If you want proof that Ron Paul is certainly stronger than ever just have a close look at his speech at CPAC yesterday. You can find it here (along with a lot of other information about Ron Paul) http://www.whattheysayaboutronpaul.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=30&Itemid=120
February 8th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Daughters of Vietnam Veterans for RON PAUL!
http://www.dovv.net
WE will not be supporting McCAIN!
AHH!
RON PAUL ONE AND ONLY!
February 8th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
If you didn’t have a fraudulent election and your media did not black him out, i.e actually have him on ballot, do not tell people he had already dropped out etc.. and actually showed waht he said rather than only what McWar and flip-flop or the Liar said in extracts of debates then he would do better - but its rigged. Bar a miracle it looks like your media will suceed in engineering a democrat and obviously they want Clinton so the wars will continue
February 8th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
“New Ron Paul signs keep popping up along the highway in defiance of common sense.” Actually common sense tells people to support and vote for the best candidate not who is the most popular. I can’t blame you or other people for voting for the most popular though. That’s what public schools teach us to do, and the media tells us to do.
Most that hear and research Ron Paul with an open mind believe he is the best candidate. People who believe in the constitution and the guidelines it provides are not a cult, they’re the true Americans. Why do you think he gets so many dedicated grass roots supporters? Ron Paul isn’t the best looking candidate, nor is he the best speaker out of all the candidates, but he still has more dedicated followers than any other candidate because the true American people love the constitution. All of Ron Paul’s voting record, and what he says is based on the constitution. This is exactly why he has my vote.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Mainstream media has lost all it’s credibility in the eye’s of the American people. From FOX NO CLUES to the Communist News Network you people have completely shot yourself in the foot. You people a bad joke now. I was not a Ron Paul supporter in the beginning, but I sure am now. Infact I just sent him $500.00 bucks, and will likely send more next payday. I can’t stand this complete idiot you nut jobs are trying to sell us.
Infact it looks like a total setup to me. I think the Republocrats have made some kind of dirty deal to put another Clinton in the Whitehouse. Massive impossible stats showing what can only be Vote Fraud programming in these voting machines. And yet you loosers don’t say a word about it for the most part.
It seems treason to the American people and the Constitution are the dish of the day with MSM.
One Completely discusted Iraq War Vet!
February 8th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Conservatives:
Please don’t choose the lesser of 2 evils. It is still evil(McCane).
http://www.militaryforpaul.com/reagan.html
http://www.amconmag.com/2008/2008_02_11/feature.html
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/veterans/
http://reason.com/blog/show/124872.html
http://www.ronpaul2008.com/issues/veterans/
February 8th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Ron Paul is going to be at a convention in Lake Jackson, TX tomorrow. I don’t see how that computes to giving up.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
It’s convenient for people in the media to ignore things like Ron Paul’s CPAC speech, which was the best received and made the most sense of any of the previous speeches, especially the one immediately preceding his, by the ‘Crown Prince’ of the media, John ‘Keating Five’ McCain.
Of course, not even CSPAN carried the Ron Paul speech, let alone the Major (or minor) networks, who didn’t even MENTION it on air. The only comments I see about ROn Paul in the Media are irrelevant ‘Horse Race’ comments, as most are afraid to even touch his policy positions, as ANY public airing of his REAL positions (as opposed to the distortions, mischaaracterizations and outright lies) would reverberate quite well with the general public. But that would be detrimental to the party power brokers, the Corporate-Welfare types and the Mainstream Media reporters, who are more concerned with access to power thatn actually reporting relevance and truth.
Where was the Media when Ron Paul gave a speech at Minnesota Sate University before over 4000 people the day before Super Tuesday? They gave drooling coverage to Hillary CLinton’s speech at the same place earlier, to LESS THAN HALF the people ROn Paul spoke to!
Of course, if you can’t argue policy, character and record, you’re only left with smear, condescending mischaracterization and ignoring the man totally. Where are the Woodward and Bernsteins, Walter Cronkites and Edward R. Murrows of today? It seems all we get are Tabloids, infotainment and ‘investigative reporting’ that resembles campaign infomercials more than anything else!
xtrabiggg
+++++++++++++
February 8th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Have you anything positive to write? Maybe about major issues that we Americans face. Let me guess, either you are a tool or you are afraid to face the TRUTH.
If you would just OPEN YOUR EYES! You might see.
February 8th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Why should Ron Paul, the precious one strict constitutionalist and as such a true man of principle ever give up?
Talking about common sense, on what grounds is one specific possibility -CFR owned, war mongering, economic ignoramous, judicialwatch.org listed John McCain- to be already assumed as reality when countless others remain in a future which is by definition uncertain?
Ron Paul voters, as well as his followers from abroad like me, have spent time and effort to learn about the crucial issues other candidates and their fans seem to be clueless.
MSM slaves can educate themselves if they so choose rather than giving lame excuses such as ‘oh I never see him on TV’. How about starting at http://www.ronpaullibrary.org
February 8th, 2008 at 7:01 pm
Concervative, this and so many other conservative media sites would not support Ron Paul in the early days and now what are you going to do! Perhaps Ann Coulter, Rush, Hannity and all the rest of the pundents are really just out to make a splash, its all just entertaiment you know like the professional wrestling is a sport.
February 8th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
You guys have to be kidding me, right?
February 8th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
I never thought I would agree with Austin Cassidy on anything, but for all you Ron Paul supporters who think there is going to be a brokered Republican convention in 2008, you need to seek out a fine therapist muy rapido.
You’ll just have to find yourself another Der Fuerher to usher in the 4th Reich, I guess.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Nay Ronald, It is 100 years in Iraq, “Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran” McCain who is ushering in the 4th reich and WWIII
February 8th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I don’t think it would be very American to stop supporting a candidate that is still running. Yes, Ron Paul won’t win but I think it sends a strong message that his supporters aren’t laying down. Vote for the candidate of your choice, not the front runner. Our Nation has been in a decline because of such thinking.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
NO! Ron Paul isn’t giving up! Sad Sad article without a cent of credibility!.. I love Ron Paul and what he stands for. I’m with his message all the way.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
He rose up a crowd of 6000 at the CPAC yesterday. 2000+ at Liberty University today. In Witchita and Topeka today. Will get Romney’s uncommited as most people in caucus states that Romney won would have voted for Paul if he was out. Why would the only conservative in the race drop out? He is taking this to the convention and arguing his point that he would be the conservative voice for the next 8 years, revive the GOP party and bring us back to conservativism and not just pay lip service to it like all the others.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Ron Paul is the only Republican running that has actually ever been endorsed by Ronald Reagan. So how is he not conservitive? Why are conservitives so afraid to support someone Reagan supported? Has Reagan ever supported or endorsed McCain? Why sacrafice your values on the alter of war. We can conduct this battle we face in a smarter, less knee-jerk reactionary way (that is the way of the Democrat). Ron Paul has the answer, too bad most conservitives won’t realize this until it’s too late unless everyone starts to support Paul. Continue to smile and smirk. Five years from now you will be wishing you had supported the man. We still have a chance to maintain the soul of the Republican Party and the Conservitive movement. Support Ron Paul from here on out.
Compare the records, Ron Paul IS the ONLY conservitive the Republicans have left. Otherwise the Republicans need to change their name to the War Party, because there is nothing Republican left if they choose war over values.
Besides, we have already won the war in Iraq and Maliki has asked us TWICE to leave. So do we come home with honor with a Republican Conservitive like Ron Paul, allow the Democrats to pull out in defeat, or allow McCain to keep us there for another 100 years until we stop being scared. The only thing we have to fear is fear it’s self. Together we stand, divided we fall. God bless us all and save our nation.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:26 pm
Unfortunately it took segregationist Governor Wallace to reveal the truth that “there’s not a dime’s worth of difference between” Republicans and Democrats. The Democrats willingly went along with the War in Iraq, suspension of Habeas Corpus, detaining protesters, banning books like America Deceived (book) from Amazon, stealing private lands (Kelo decision), warrant-less wiretapping and refusing to investigate 9/11 properly. They are both guilty of treason.
Support Dr. Ron Paul and save this great nation.
February 8th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Credibility went out the window, when you said “cult”.
I look forward to a Paul/McCain Debate.
I hope McCain is wearing his “Depends” that day.
February 8th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
If you didn’t cast your vote for Ron Paul, you did not vote for freedom.
February 8th, 2008 at 11:09 pm
I don’t get the depends underwear joke. Jim… you’re aware that Ron Paul is actually OLDER than John McCain, right? By a full year.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:00 am
RE: Austin Cassidy
I’m sure he meant that McCain would sh#t his pants if he had to debate Ron Paul 1 on 1.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:14 am
I didnt realize when I posted above that “Austin Cassidy” is the author of this article.
I have a question for the “Conservative”Pulse. Can anyone give me one example of McCain being conservative on any issue?
February 9th, 2008 at 12:19 am
The “numbers” are absolutely irrelevant. What IS relevant is that the current course of our country is–factually–unsustainable! The message that Ron Paul articulates is necessary for Americans to hear, whether we like it or not. There is no quitting, even if “numbers” do not crunch! Rather, we must NOW purchase (and wear) the shirts, make the donations, become precinct leaders, wave signs, fly blimps, write news articles, etc. Losing heart is not an option, folks! If the message isn’t heard, that does not mean the problems go away. They will still be there, only worse, tomorrow.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Cult? Am I suppossed to feel like a six year old on the playground surrounded by the big kids? Guess everyone better vote for McCain ’cause he’s big and tough, and Ron Paul is smart and nerdy. (And we wouldn’t want to become “unpopular” by associating ourselves with the nerd, now would we? We’ll be called names too. Playground mentality is alive and well in the media.
February 9th, 2008 at 12:43 am
Face it Paul supporters, he will never become President. So support him all you like, you’ll just be dreaming and nothing more.
February 9th, 2008 at 2:45 am
As all Ron Paul supporters are well aware — this is just standard operating procedure for his campaign staff — beg for tons of money, get it, do nothing of value with it — go visit a university & get your feel-good on by making a speech to a couple of thousand people who ALREADY support you (colloqially this is called “preaching to the choir”) and then go home again.
Did you REALLY think that he was CAMPAIGNING? If he did, his numbers would actually be higher… this is all part of the super-stealth plan…the really KEY primary is the New Mexico one! That is when the RP campaign staff will pull out ALL the stops and will actually have the candidate visit a group home that contains (gasp!) actual voters!
Yes, this is SARCASM… (and I AM a Ron Paul supporter, but I have to also acknoweldge that it is also NOT far from the truth.)
February 9th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Hey look, vote for him all you want. I’m not telling you not to support him… but he’s obviously not going to win the Republican nomination. His track record of 3-5% primary showings has made that 100% clear.
If he’d won a couple of states and had a few hundred delegates at this point, I wouldn’t be saying that. But the REALITY of the situation is that his will not be the Republican nominee.
And there will obviously not be a brokered convention, that’s just not happening. McCain could stop campaigning entirely and still accumulate the 400 or so delegates he needs to seal the deal.
Of course he won’t stop campaigning, and odds are very good that the Huckabee and Romney delegates will be released and told to vote for McCain.
Prediction for the GOP convention results: 2250 McCain to 150 Ron Paul.
February 9th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
I fear the day that the American people will get the type of leaders they deserve…. Thomas Jefferson. Failure of the citizens to conduct vigilence of the Federal Government will lead to slavery of the people…Thomas Jefferson.
For the first time in over 40 years we do not have to pick the “lessor of two evils” or “pick our poison”. This election is about the misinformed and ignorance of the American people. If we required our politicions to be honest and follow the Constitution, they would do so. I cannot understand why a man with the character and honesty of Ron Paul would spend the devotion and energy to help a citizenry that chooses to be enslaved. He is a light in the tunnel of Government slavery and oppression. We have not had a decent, honest President in the 40 years I have been voting, and his rejection by the masses confirms what I have always believed. All of you RepubliCrats can join hands when the Feds single you out for opposing them. Your ignorance will indeed get you the “type of politicians you deserve”. Thank you Ron Paul for giving us the opportunity. We just seem to prefer the ideology that government in Washington should control our bedrooms, paychecks, children, property, and activity and we are very willing to follow their rules rather than the laws of God that was expressed in the Constitution.
February 9th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
This is not a spectator sport. The media portrays it as such because they are part of the statist machine. We had a chance, for once, to support a man who is honest, intelligent and patriotic, a REAL supporter of the Constitution, Ron Paul, not a phony like the others, who merely seek power for themselves.
I would like Austin Cassidy to tell us how he feels about supporting un-American idiots who offer only the spectre of big-government. Go ahead, Austin, tell us how smart and proud you are, keep lying … or maybe you really are stupid enough to believe the statist piffle.
I know that I am proud to have supported Ron Paul, just as I am proud to have supported Barry Goldwater in 1964, and Ronald Reagan in 1968. Yes, 1968! Back then the know-it-alls declared Ronald Reagan “unelectable” and the crux of Austin Cassidy’s position is that Ron Paul is “unelectable”, despite the fact that Paul smashed the others in debates stacked against him, that he did well and usually won in small venues where campaigning was done in person, (he beat Romney in the 2 or 3 counties in Nevada where he was able to focus his efforts) rather than by the MSM. Clearly the problem is the MSM, who lie and cheat under the guise of ‘rough and tumble’.
If the TRUTH were told, Ron Paul would win in a landslide, against any of these phonies. MSM never focuses on the candidates positions on the issues, they hide behind the ‘contest’. And the BM pushes their pathetic little statist candidates, to push their choice of who will win.
Ron Paul is not “unelectable” - - He is not anointed. Short of a miracle, he will not become the Republican nominee in 2008. Ron Paul is 72 years old and likely will not run again, but his revolution will continue, and his fellow patriots will win. I hope and pray that this happens before collectivists like John McCain or Hillary Clinton destroy this country, with the willing aid of their collectivist media shills. I also hope and pray that Ron Paul Patriots will win while Ron Paul can still enjoy at least the beginnings of the great r3volution that he has started.
Long Live Ron Paul!
February 9th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
All we know is what Dr. Paul said in his statement. We don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes. Several of his top long-time supporters (Justin Raimondo, Eric Garris, etc.) have urged him to run 3rd Party. Lew Rockwell, one of his closest friends, has reprinted those articles on his web site. (www.lewrockwell.com).
His first priority is getting the Republican nomination in the Texas Primary for his Congressional seat. The establishment Republicans have tried to defeat him there before, but they haven’t been able to. I think he’s right — if he doesn’t win, everyone will say that “he can’t even win his own district.” Once he gets the Republican nomination, he’ll be able to make a decision on going 3rd Party. If he were to go 3rd Party now, his enemy would have a lot more ammunition to use against him in the primary campaign. However, once he wins the campaign, it’s unlikely that his congressional district would elect a Democrat.
The Texas Republican primary on March 4. If he were to make a decision on running as a Third Party nominee (Libertarian, Constitution Parties), he could do so after he’s sewn up the Republican nomination on March 4. The CP and LP conventions aren’t until late April and early May. I would like to see these two join together — and both of them nominate Ron for their party’s nomination. Or perhaps he could run LP — and the CP could endorse him.
Hopefully he won’t lose the TX primary, but it’ll probably be a tough fight, because the Republican establishment, which has never liked him, and has tried to defeat him in the past (even going so far as to support his Democratic opponent in the general election), will be gunning for him. If he loses that primary, it wouldn’t look good, but he would then be free to run Third Party.
My guess is that he’s already in negotiations with trusted parties in the LP, and maybe the CP, about this and probably has been for some time. In the meantime, though, he has to stick to the little white lie that he’s “a Republican.”
I think cutting his staff and trimming his national campaign is a good idea. He can save that money for when he does decide to go 3rd Party.
All of this is just conjecture, of course. I really don’t have any insie info about what’s going on. Maybe he does think that the best way to go is to try to build a movement within the Republican Party. We’ll have to see what happens after March 4. It could be that Dr. Paul will do well in the next several Republican primaries and caucuses, and then he’ll take his fight all the way to the convention.
In the meantime, though, it’s up to all of us to keep the Revolution alive, keep working at the local level, keep donating, keep spreading the word, and keep building some momentum. We’ll have to wait to see how this plays out.