A Message from Ron - No 3P Run, we will continue the fight..

[A rope leash]

Reality

The Republican party has been fervently screwing Ron Paul and not even giving him a reach-around. He has NEVER had a chance at the nomination, and he has now been reduced to a set of "ideas", as opposed to an actual candidate.

At this point, Ron is more worried about his seat in Congress than he is about his run for President. I don't think he can run as a Republican for Congress, and as an independent for President. Maybe he'll get the keynote speech at the convention, but I sincerely doubt that he'll be on the November ballot, and I think the email reflects his own doubts regarding that.

Fight on? Sure...but I have to suspect that Ron has been a fringe magnet, leading would-be rebels into a closed alley. If we really want change now, all we have to do is vote for anyone other than a "D" or an "R". It really is that simple, but of course, we can't expect the average American to see what's right in front of their noses. The truth is, most of the population is frightened of real change, they just want the phoney change they always get.

It is as it ever was.

 

[Maltheus]

What a shame! Without a 3rd party/indy run, this movement will splinter. And if it's Hillary-McCain, then the ground has never been more fertile. This is how I put it in an e-mail to the campaign:

I know he's committed to the GOP, but if it comes down to Hillary vs. McCain then this country needs an alternative. I know it means giving up a congressional seat, but staying a factor in the race is very important right now. And the only way to raise the necessary money is to go with an independent run. Like it or not, we're just not a fit for the Republican party anymore and although I will continue to support you, as a delegate, I have no intention of staying in the party of Bush/McCain after that. The movement will have lost any focus it had.

 

[ceakins]

Washington State Caucuses are today too!

 

[rexsolomon]

Dr. Paul has not called it quits.

Neither shall I.

 

[emilysdad]

I woke up this morning to a message from Ron which has left an empty pit in my stomach. I want to cry, but am fighting back. I can't put my thoughts into words right now. I read some of this thread and a past post by BLS fairly sums it up for me. Although I have given up anything which resembles a personal life since May 2007, knowing what Dr. Paul has given up since then leaves me no room to gripe.

Please know, I will continue to educate and fight for a country I feel is dying a slow death.

Please do not take this negative as I have no desire to defend myself, but I need somebody to explain to me why his congressional seat is so important. How many of his bills pass? He is usually the lone voice, but what good does that really do? So he returns to congress representing the 14th district in Texas and goes back to being unknown? Why would Dr. Paul want to return to Congress where he will continue to be ignored and ridiculed?

Again, I am not thinking straight at the moment so please be kind to me. but does anybody else agree with me that if Dr. Paul is not our next President, that touring the Country, speaking to America would go a lot further in educating the masses than returning to a Congress that simply buries his ideas, ideas that the majority of America will never hear about anyway.

 

[OferNave]

Please do not take this negative as I have no desire to defend myself, but I need somebody to explain to me why his congressional seat is so important. How many of his bills pass? He is usually the lone voice, but what good does that really do? So he returns to congress representing the 14th district in Texas and goes back to being unknown? Why would Dr. Paul want to return to Congress where he will continue to be ignored and ridiculed?

What's the alternative? Giving up on Congress and burying our heads in the sand?

We've all united for the mission of restoring liberty. One of the most important goals is electing liberty minded people to Congress. Well, Paul is the best in the country, and already IS in Congress. It would be foolish to let him get bumped out.

Keep Ron Paul in Congress, and elect five more Ron Pauls to go with him. http://libertycongress.org/ Then, in 2010, let's get that number up to 20.

 

[mysticgeek]

Well, it was nice knowing you guys here. I might drop in from time to time, to see if there are any major developments, but other than that, it's over for me.

It's been fun! Take care all.

Later bandwagon patriot! This REVOLUTION will never end! It cannot! I will continue to fight! On and On just like Dr. Paul said! Until every last restriction is lifted from our personal lives! This is about FREEDOM! Liberty! and Prosperity! For our nation!

We need to continue the fight! Continue the revolution! We need to guarantee Ron Paul is in congress! We need to guarantee our message is heard at the Republican convention! My life now has meaning and purpose! Dr. Paul opened my eyes! They will never be closed again!

 

[AlexMerced]

the GOP official need to be changed, that why we need our delegates in place, they elect the RNC officials at the RNC

so let's fight and co-opt the damn party, let's give the neo-cons the boot

 

[emilysdad]

What's the alternative? Giving up on Congress and burying our heads in the sand?

We've all united for the mission of restoring liberty. One of the most important goals is electing liberty minded people to Congress. Well, Paul is the best in the country, and already IS in Congress. It would be foolish to let him get bumped out.

Keep Ron Paul in Congress, and elect five more Ron Pauls to go with him. http://libertycongress.org/ Then, in 2010, let's get that number up to 20.

I just think Dr. Paul could educate more Americans by touring the country, speaking to colleges and other functions then returning to Congress where 30 years of history demonstrate he is completely ignored.

 

[mysticgeek]

the GOP official need to be changed, that why we need our delegates in place, they elect the RNC officials at the RNC

so let's fight and co-opt the damn party, let's give the neo-cons the boot

Agreed! We need to stick together now more than ever!

 

[ChooseLiberty]

Dr. Paul's run was also about educating and waking up the voters. Think about how many people are now shaken out of their myopic little boxes.

It was also about building a strong group in the Liberty Movement. He's taking the long term view for America. There are so many bright people that have become involved. There's a whole new generation that will carry these ideas and political participation into the future and will create a huge change in America and the world. Think about how the 60's generation changed things. The same thing will happen now.

Think about how many people now know about what the Constitution actually means. How many people understand the basics of Austrian economics now? Understand how the Fed works?

This can only grow in the years ahead. Once people wake up they can never go back.

And anything can still happen until the next President is elected.

Carry on.

 

[billjarrett]

I just think Dr. Paul could educate more Americans by touring the country, speaking to colleges and other functions then returning to Congress where 30 years of history demonstrate he is completely ignored.

Except... Now he has something he hasn't had for 30 years. US.

You think he's gonna wipe out his supporter databases if he doesn't win? Do you think there won't be a channel for him to tell us what is important to support and who to contact to get it through?

So much nowdays in the congress is buried in thick bills no normal citizen will try to interpret, let alone have time to read.

If he doesn't win the presidency, I believe he's still got his revolution and will be a major player. Huge grassroots support to get his message out on various issues/bills, and since constituents would now know that forces the other representatives to deal with the issues if we spread the word and people contact them about it.

Like he's said this whole time, this is only the beginning. How powerful is a democratically controlled congress and a McCain presidency if Ron Paul controls the activists?

 

[KewlRonduderules]

this is a good post from Bradley. Everyone please read:

By the time you're reading this post, you would have read the email from Dr. Paul disavowing a third party run and announcing the slimming down of the official presidential campaign HQ.

Thank God, and finally. Now we can move forward seriously.

There have been no shortage of reasons for frustration. We're frustrated with the what's going on with the direction of the country and the world--that's why we're part of the rEVOLution and here in the first place. We're frustrated with the lack of more and better choices among political candidates. We're frustrated that for all of our hard work, time and money, we get so little attention from the MSM, so few votes, even fewer delegates to the national convention, etc.

Why was I happy when I read Dr. Paul's email? Because it's the slap in the face the rEVOLution needs to move forward in a serious way.

I know it didn't make me universally popular for saying so, but the official campaign staff has been the weak link in our chain. That is by far the nicest way to put it. Getting rid of the dead wood will now let us grow to our full potential. Because I've not wanted to air dirty laundry in public that would adversely affect Dr. Paul, I've not said what all of the DC metro area volunteers and supporters know about the arrogance and incompetence of the Arlington HQ staff. We are better off without them.

Now of course, we, the real campaign, the grassroots, are going to have to pick up the slack. No more excuses of deferring to the official campaign.

First off, no more delusions of electoral grandeur. Blog posts saying Dr. Paul has really won a majority of the delegates are a load of crap. Dr. Paul wouldn't put out that email if it were true. We weren't really winning. The official campaign staff dropped the ball and wasted millions of dollars. Apologists for them are the traitors to our movement. John McCain, while born in Panama, is a natural born citizen. The scientific polls are far from perfect, but they aren't biased against us--use them to our benefit to learn how to craft our message to win. The deceptions need to stop now.

A few of us are working on a state-by-state strategy based on an examination of the actual rules as they are--not as we can twist them the way we want them to be. The same goes for the RNC by-laws. That strategy is going to depend on working with Huck's Army and others to have the greatest effect derailing the McCain train. Politics ain't pretty; if you ain't got the stomach for it, get out of the kitchen (or something like that).

The McCain train is going to derail. I just hope it happens in time for us to make the difference we want it to make before he gets our party's nomination. Let's face it, Senator McCain is an honorable man in many ways who has served our country with distinction. He is also, however, a walking time bomb. His "mercurial" personality will doom his presidential aspirations. For these and other reasons, the Romney people are helping the Paul supporters openly at CPAC, etc. We've already cut deals to our mutual benefit with the Huckabee camp in West Virginia. This is how we win.

Is the road before us easy? No. Do we have our work cut out for us? Hell, yeah. Likelihood of success? How should I know? This is politics. For all I know some six year old Cuban kid will wash up on the Florida shore and that will be the galvanizing issue in the campaign deciding the other half of the votes for delegates.

What to do from here? Work our tails off--in a smart way. Hard-headed and realistic ways. If you want someone to sing you lullabies, tell you the failure-seeking official staff was really doing a great job and that we were on the road to victory, you deserve another bitch slap.

It was after McCain fired his dead weight that his campaign retooled and took off--all the way to presumptive nominee. No more delusions. Realistic, hard-headed thinking. We need to act now, together, to push the rEVOLution forward. Make everything we do count, not just for Ron Paul delegates to the national nominating convention but coupled with other candidates for office to help save our country. EDIT: Dr. Paul as already done so much as a Congressman, we need more of us!

Peace and love.

Thanks Bradley!

 

[ForLiberty-RonPaul]

I don't think we want to embrace that attitude. We need to grow our numbers - not shrink them.

I am extremely disappointed in Ron Paul's unwillingness to do what it takes to win. I feel like he really let a lot of us down. However, there is no way I will abandon this base of grassroots supporters committed to Freedom, Peace & Prosperity.

I have no doubt we can find a way to prevail and a way to keep supporters like May the Ron be with You in the fold.

Ron has let us down!?!?!?!? Who the hell do you think you are?!?!?! Ron got you off of your freakin couch. Unfortunately you only made it over to your computer. How can these people be so short sighted?

Unwillingness to do what it takes to win? Last time I checked you weren't a political consultant. You people have no idea what's going to happen in the future. The Founders would be ashamed of you.

 

[nike]

The MSM is touting this that Ron Paul is conceding.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/paul-concedes-race-sort-of/

 

[Bradley in DC]

Yes, it certainly is good thing. Lulls can be hugely beneficial to regaining balance, perspective and focus...

BTW, are you that Bradley (in DC) featured in this Ron Paul article by the Stuttgarter Zeitung in Germany?
http://www.stuttgarter-zeitung.de/stz/page/detail.php/1628454
Great stuff, either way...

Thanks and yes. He interviewed me for about an hour at the GOP straw poll.

 

[emilysdad]

Except... Now he has something he hasn't had for 30 years. US.

You think he's gonna wipe out his supporter databases if he doesn't win? Do you think there won't be a channel for him to tell us what is important to support and who to contact to get it through?

So much nowdays in the congress is buried in thick bills no normal citizen will try to interpret, let alone have time to read.

If he doesn't win the presidency, I believe he's still got his revolution and will be a major player. Huge grassroots support to get his message out on various issues/bills, and since constituents would now know that forces the other representatives to deal with the issues if we spread the word and people contact them about it.

Like he's said this whole time, this is only the beginning. How powerful is a democratically controlled congress and a McCain presidency if Ron Paul controls the activists?

No I don't think his supporter datases will be wiped out, but you make my point for me.

First, Congress has been and I suspect will remain an enabler of the establishment agenda, not representative of the people. Most in Congress are in the "club", insiders.

The point you make for me is this: Ron has spent 20 years in Congress over 30 years and was basically unknown until April of 2007. He has garnered more support over the past year than 30 years combined. That was because he was out in public view, not behind a congressional desk. Okay, so if Ron goes back to Congress, and lets say he gets 5 more Paul congresspersons, what then? 530-5? I am not trying to argue and respect all opinions, I am just trying to figure out what is the best approach for Dr. Paul to continue getting the message out to the masses. Do the masses really pay much attention to what Congress is doing? I am talking about the masses not his supporters.

Whatever Dr. Paul decides is the best approach, I will support him, regardless. The man opened my eyes to the great deceit called the American dream. I can never, ever go back to my apathetic slumber. I just want the masses to wake up like we all have and just not sure returning to a Congress that ignores him is the best way to do this.

Agree or Disagree with Global Warming, Al Gore will forever be known for this subject than anything he ever did as Vice President of the United States. Why? Because he was out speaking to the people.

 

[Molly1]

Take your lead from the nobility, honor, and enduring loyalty of man's best friend.

The Ron Paul corgi isn't going anywhere. And, neither should you!

He's carrying his weight and you should, too!




http://www.mmmnegativespace.blogspot.com/

 

[Jonadon]

Personally, I have benefited greatly from Ron Paul's bid for the presidency. I am far more informed, engaged, and less cynical than I was about a year ago when I first heard of Dr. Paul. I don't regret the time I've spent following his campaign, talking to my friends about Ron Paul, or the money I've donated. It's all been a great investment. The Ron Paul grassroots campaign is one of the most encouraging things in politics today--the evidence that ordinary citizens are capable of understanding the serious problems facing the country and able to organize to do something about it. I believe the internet has made this possible and this movement will only gain strength in the long run. Regardless of the short-term outcomes, I'm happy to participate with thousands of other like-minded Americans in fighting for a constitutional, fiscally responsible, liberty-protecting republic.

 

[Redcard]

. Okay, so if Ron goes back to Congress, and lets say he gets 5 more Paul congresspersons, what then? 530-5? I am not trying to argue and respect all opinions, I am just trying to figure out what is the best approach for Dr. Paul to continue getting the message out to the masses. Do the masses really pay much attention to what Congress is doing? I am talking about the masses not his supporters.

Agree or Disagree with Global Warming, Al Gore will forever be known for this subject than anything he ever did as Vice President of the United States. Why? Because he was out speaking to the people.

This comment might hurt people here.. but..

If Ron Paul got elected, he'd never be able to deliver on his promises. Ever. You cannot just by fiat abolish the FED, the IRS, the department of education. You cannot by fiat end treaties that the US has signed regarding troop placement. You cannot force the UN out of the US by fiat. You cannot by fiat do many things he promised.

IT NEEDS congress. It NEEDS Congressional backing. If Ron Paul won this election, he'd NEVER get the platform he ran on completed. Okay? It wouldn't happen in eight years, so you need to understand that to understand what is going on.

THe man has been in Washington for many, many years. Decades. He knows FULL WELL what it's like. He knows FULL WELL that without congress, the president gets nothing.

So please, understand this.. Ron Paul was never about winning this thing. It was about GETTING the base together. Organizing a new base. Next , it should be about doing what the Greens did after Ralph Nader.. running for election in small areas. Win your local alderman spots.. your state house spots. Move your way up.

For a bunch of states rightests, you seem to want so badly to start up at the top.

This is NOT something that is going to happen in four years. This is a thirty year process, at least.