ABC News reports campaign working on backup strategy (Benton calls report 'asinine')

[bobbyw24]

Rep. Ron Paul says he’s in it to win it and the campaign boasts that it has a comprehensive strategy in place to ensure that happens.

But behind the scenes Campaign Manager Jesse Benton admits to ABC News that the team is plotting a back up strategy in case the congressman doesn’t pull in enough delegates to become the nominee.

If the campaign comes up short at the convention, Benton says the plan is to use all the delegates awarded to Paul as a bargaining chip to force the Republican Party to stick to its limited government platform.

Benton says this could include auditing the Federal Reserve and winding back several parts of the Patriot Act, including roving wire taps which he says were originally written with the intent of expiring.

“I think it would be wise for the Republican Party to allow them to sun set next time they come up for authorization,” said Benton, adding a good portion of the American people are with that.

Benton also admits the policy shift would help Republicans attract more independents, undercutting President Obama’s base.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politic...backup-strategy-while-seeking-the-nomination/




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mod edit: update from Jesse Benton

Ron Paul Has No Plan B
Jesse Benton calls reports that the campaign was exploring fallback plans “asinine".

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Ron Paul's campaign manager Jesse Benton dismissed a report that the organization was forming a Plan B in anticipation of Paul not winning the nomination as "asinine" after a town hall meeting today.

"Of course you always have fallback plans, but our plan is to win the nomination," Benton said. "Any report that we're not 100 percent focused on winning the nomination is just asinine."

Benton said that he stressed that point "over and over and over again" with the reporter who wrote the ABC story in question, and that he's "just going to stop talking to him if he doesn't stop misreporting what I say."

Paul deflected questions about a potential third-party run again today, telling the town hall audience that "The question is premature." While Paul isn't projected to win in South Carolina and didn't pull off a first-place finish in Iowa or New Hampshire, the campaign has mounted an effort to target as many delegates as possible going into the convention. The ABC report that annoyed Benton indicated that this was a ploy to get the Republican party to stick with a limited government platform, not just to install Ron Paul as the nominee.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/ron-paul-has-no-plan-b

 

[Badger for Paul]

I think Benton needs to keep his mouth shut on things like this, sometimes he talks a bit too much to the media, especially when it comes to strategy. Quit giving the media ammo to say that RP isn't really trying to win the nomination, just influence the Republican platform.

 

[69360]

I'm hoping ABC quoted Jesse out of context.

 

[Simple]

This is better than the 3rd party meme the presstitutes have been pimping.

 

[bluesc]

I think Benton needs to keep his mouth shut on things like this, sometimes he talks a bit too much to the media, especially when it comes to strategy. Quit giving the media ammo to say that RP isn't really trying to win the nomination, just influence the Republican platform.

Yes.

He has been doing it a lot recently. Pushing the campaign language towards it, in fact. Next moneybomb theme should be "$3M to influence the platform that Romney will absolutely not stick to in any way!"

 

[bobbyw24]

I think Benton needs to keep his mouth shut on things like this, sometimes he talks a bit too much to the media, especially when it comes to strategy. Quit giving the media ammo to say that RP isn't really trying to win the nomination, just influence the Republican platform.

Yep--thaw was my initial reaction.

 

[bobbyw24]

I'm hoping ABC quoted Jesse out of context.

Anyone find a transcript?

 

[bobbyw24]

When the camapgin ends I will feel sorry for all the people

who have made money off of Ron Paul and this campaign.

 

[walt]

I think Benton needs to keep his mouth shut on things like this, sometimes he talks a bit too much to the media, especially when it comes to strategy. Quit giving the media ammo to say that RP isn't really trying to win the nomination, just influence the Republican platform.

This^^^ +rep

 

[speciallyblend]

if the back up plan is to sell out to the gop status quo. I will never trust the gop status quo to follow thru on anything. I thank jesse for giving me the heads up. Now i can focus on getting my car legal instead of wasting my money sending it off.

 

[bobbyw24]

Yes.

He has been doing it a lot recently. Pushing the campaign language towards it, in fact. Next moneybomb theme should be "$3M to influence the platform that Romney will absolutely not stick to in any way!"

Ha--nice. Where is Matt Collins?

 

[bobbyw24]

if the back up plan is to sell out to the gop status quo. I will never trust the gop status quo to follow thru on anything. I thank jesse for giving me the heads up. Now i can focus on getting my car legal instead of wasting my money sending it off.

Right--a friend of mine in Fla. posted in response to this that he ain't sending in any more money to the campaign. Ouch.

 

[LawnWake]

Don't worry, folks. Ron Paul is infallible and therefore, the campaign is too. They know what they're doing and you shouldn't criticize them, trolls.

Seriously, though. I've been irritated to death by them sharing their strategy to this degree. What the hell? I sure they want to assure their supporters that they know what they're doing and.. I get that but.. you know, considering the bucket loads of money the campaign gets; WE KNOW. By actually sharing your strategy it kind of implies that you, uhh, don't know what you're doing.

Especially sharing that our strategy is delegate based. You know.. if this is out in the open.. Romney will start doing the same.

Whatever.

 

[bobbyw24]

Don't worry, folks. Ron Paul is infallible and therefore, the campaign is too

Amen

 

[goldpants]

This is a tactical off the record comment imo.

 

[bobbyw24]

This is a tactical off the record comment imo.

Could be

 

[Godmode7]

This is a tactical off the record comment imo.

Can only hope. Better buy ammo while I donate to RP

 

[xFiFtyOnE]

Yes.

He has been doing it a lot recently. Pushing the campaign language towards it, in fact. Next moneybomb theme should be "$3M to influence the platform that Romney will absolutely not stick to in any way!"

Agreed. You will never get Romney to hold any promises he would make. I mean all the candidates except Romney seem to be picking up Pauls policies little by little, what makes them think he would first change his postitions at the convention then actually stick to them afterwards.....remember he is the power flip-flopper.

 

[TheDriver]

The GOP has never followed their platform to begin with, why would they start now? Stupid! The goal should be win, or force them to make YOU VP!

 

[bobbyw24]

Agreed. You will never get Romney to hold any promises he would make. I mean all the candidates except Romney seem to be picking up Pauls policies little by little, what makes them think he would first change his postitions at the convention then actually stick to them afterwards.....remember he is the power flip-flopper.

Did RP do an ad to that effect????