Are you opposed to Ron Paul running in 2012?

[Austin]

I'm sure we've all heard by now that Ron is considering running again, and will likely make a decision within the next 6 months. I've since heard a broad range of responses to this news, but it's all spread out across various threads. So, what do you think of Ron running in 2012?

 

[newyearsrevolution08]

Depends

Is he going to run in a FULL ATTEMPT to become president OR is he going to run AGAIN as an educator trying to get the word out about what all is wrong with our country?

If he is running to win the presidency at all costs then yes. We need to WIN that seat among many others and simply telling the rest of the world how wrong they are will not do it.

We need someone who will WIN the election and not simply end up with many of us saying "sure he lost BUT he stood by his convictions and the constitution the entire time!"

I think there needs to be a REAL campaign manager, a real marketing team and a real effort to get the general public backing him.

Complete overhaul of his campaign team and fill them with WINNING campaign strategists.

No matter how RIGHT he is, if he never can get into an office and actually make change happen then what all did we accomplish? We need to get our candidates into the right offices no matter what so that we can get our nation back. For that to happen we need to get the average mccain supporter or average obama supporter backing him and currently they will not.

His morals are stronger than mine so odds are he would never do anything against his morals and convictions and simply continue NOT winning the presidency but I personally wouldn't care one damn bit if he put up a platform of, attack iran, more spending, more government and free cars for all JUST TO GET INTO OFFICE and then as president take away the fed EVERYTHING and put things back into how they should be BEFORE they odds are try and assassinate him.

I would want to know who his campaign manager is going to be as well as the campaign team itself and how many elections they have currently won and WHICH candidates exactly.

 

[Cowlesy]

I doubt he'll run, but if he does, I'll support him.

I am sure if he decides to do so, it will be a very different campaign with more options than the 2008 campaign.

Let us play it by ear as developments emerge.

 

[Dreamofunity]

If he runs I'll support him no doubt, however I don't believe it to be the best idea given his age and people who already wrote him off.

 

[anaconda]

Let's not forget Carol. But if her health is fine, it might be a blast for her!

 

[Matt Collins]

Let me clarify my vote.. I would give him support, but I would not work as hard as last time because he has much less chance of winning this time due to his age.

 

[evilfunnystuff]

Let me clarify my vote.. I would give him support, but I would not work as hard as last time because he has much less chance of winning this time due to his age.

the age might slightly reduce his chances but not that much imo especially when you consider that will be off set by many factors

his name recognition is a million times bigger than it was during the primaries

his grassroots teams are basicly in place and ready to roll + he will have a couple year head start on the 2008 campaign and a huge mailing list to get the word out and donations in instantly

also consider many of his detractors have or are starting to come around

 

[Matt Collins]

Let me further clarify it... I don't think the public would be very accepting of his age. And another campaign or even the Presidency at that age would probably kill him as it would anyone. Do you forget that a strenuous schedule ages people more than twice as fast as the normal rate of aging? I wouldn't want to see Ron go through that. And it would happen to anyone his age, even if they are in perfect physical health like Ron is. The best hope we have is to get someone into the debates to "educate" and and change the course of dialog, while getting liberty candidates into Congress and State offices.

 

[Number19]

The economy is going to keep tanking. Ron Paul is going to be on the news a lot. He already has a start on name recognition. Being right on the economy is going to build his cred. If he decides to run, he will build and improve on this past year's learning experience. Remember, his campaign really began to gather steam only in the middle of last year. He will have 18 months more leading up to 2012.

 

[nobody's_hero]

Let me further clarify it... I don't think the public would be very accepting of his age. And another campaign or even the Presidency at that age would probably kill him as it would anyone. Do you forget that a strenuous schedule ages people more than twice as fast as the normal rate of aging? I wouldn't want to see Ron go through that. And it would happen to anyone his age, even if they are in perfect physical health like Ron is. The best hope we have is to get someone into the debates to "educate" and and change the course of dialog, while getting liberty candidates into Congress and State offices.

Old age might be a problem, in the public's eyes.

I don't think stress is much of a factor, though. I think he's learned to deal with it, after years of 434 -1 or 432-3 votes and stuff. He tends to let things roll off of his back, like, hurricanes in his home district.

They attacked McCain for being old, and he actually acted old. Ron Paul has some sort of special liberty juice or something that seems to revive him when he's on the trail.

As to the poll, of course I would not be against Ron Paul running, but I'm not going to put all my chips on it this early in the game. We should be working on a very close plan B to go ahead with should he decide not to. We also have a very important 2010 election to focus on.

 

[Anthony T]

I would support him. Not expecting him to win but to get in the debates and spread the message would be a good idea.

 

[Mister Grieves]

I think Ron Paul would have a much larger, more effective impact if he supports someone who is younger and more energetic the next go around. I mean this as no slight to Paul, but I'm afraid the reality of the situation is that if he runs at age 77 in 2012 that he will be regarded as a Ralph Nader sideshow type who soley runs to get a message out there and not to really win.

I'm sure Ron will do what he thinks is best, and I doubt that would be to run.

 

[hypnagogue]

I'm opposed only so far as we can find someone younger and more energetic to run instead. If we really can't find someone to take up the mantle, then of course I'll support him.

 

[yongrel]

I won't canvass hundreds of housesholds or make my own signs or ruin relationships for a Ron Paul 2012 campaign like I did the 2008, but I'll go so far as to say "woo! Ron Paul!"

He won't be running though, so no worries.

 

[tonesforjonesbones]

Here 's the way I see it. Why not put full effort into it and get that message out there even more. I just hope he starts MUCH sooner...the sooner the better. He might not win the primary...but look at the forum he will get! More attention to the message...he caused quite a stir last time..and he's had even more television exposure now. I will support him full force and keep pumping that message out and keep gaining more folks into the liberty movement. I actually can't wait to get started. GO GO GO! Tones

 

[RedLightning]

I'd support him and work harder then I did for 2008, that said I think he should pass the torch and support someone younger...

 

[Imperial]

I would support him as completely as possible. However, that doesn't mean he should run.

Either way, I will support Ron Paul. Once the decision is made, we will have to stand united and not splinter our votes.

 

[tonesforjonesbones]

Well i guess i'm not so worried about winning the presidency because it appears others are pulling the strings on that. i am looking at it as a way to continue to rally people and get more exposed to Ron Paul's message. tones (I am beginning to think it's a waste of energy to worry about the presidency...but be more focused on local and state where we actually do get our votes counted)

 

[WRellim]

WAAAYYYY too old.

He would be even LESS likely to actively campaign than he did this last election cycle (where he spent fewer days in even the early states than the MOST lazy of the other candidates, Fred "Idowannacampaign" Thompson).

In addition, we would probably get yet another incompetent campaign team that would, once again, proceed to throw millions of dollars down the drain on useless and ineffective ads and personnel. (And if Ron's non-management technique is any indicator, his ACTUAL administration would, sad to say, be a disaster!)

We need someone who stands on Ron Paul's principles, but who actually knows HOW to campaign (and furthermore, who actually WANTS to win) -- and some experience in management or executive office wouldn't be a bad thing either (Johnson, Sanford, etc).

 

[pastortony]

I would support him in a general sense, but I doubt I would volunteer or contribute any money. For one he would be too old, and more importantly he is not a good communicator of the message. We need someone to better articulate our principles in order to gain a the support needed to win.