Dr. Paul's Foreign Policy is #1 issue for Republicans

[jmdrake]

I've been saying this for aeons. He needs to stop saying we can't be occupying foreign countries "because we're broke." He needs to say that we are spread out too much and that we have gaps and weaknesses in our defenses and that he is appalled at how porous our defenses are. Then he needs to articulate a military plan for defense of the North American continent that he develops in consultation with military experts that are sympathetic to his views. He headed a little in that direction with the recent TV add but it wasn't nearly enough. He is almost out of time for this. He needs to reinvent himself by tomorrow as the most bad ass defense candidate. He should make it his highest priority topic for many weeks. Just go really overboard with it.

Wrong! The "We're broke" argument worked with Rush Limbaugh. He doesn't need to back away from it. He needs to expand it.

See: http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...h.com!-(And-it-s-positive)&highlight=limbaugh

RUSH: (laughing) I knew you wouldn't believe it. Kevin Williamson writing at The Corner, National Review Online: "Politico reports that Ron Paul is about to show the Republican presidential field what a serious fiscal-reform plan looks like, proposing $1 trillion in real spending cuts. I look forward to seeing the detailed version of the plan, but the summary sounds promising: He’ll propose immediately freezing spending by numerous government agencies at 2006 levels, the last time Republicans had complete control of the federal budget, and drastically reducing spending elsewhere. The EPA would see a 30 percent cut, the Food and Drug Administration would see one of 40 percent and foreign aid would be zeroed out immediately. He’d also take an ax to Pentagon funding for wars.

Quit panicking. Quit hoping for Ron to "repackage" his message, and get out and sell it. Tell your republican friends the even Rush Limbaugh agree with Ron on cutting foreign aid and war spending. Also send your republican friends these clips from Michael Savage.

 

[clint4liberty]

I agree with comments about being more like Rand Paul on foreign policy issues. Remember Rand Paul is a constitutional conservative where Ron is more of a Libertarian. So, since the campaign does not read our posts, I suggest people call, write, or e-mail the campaign on his national security, defense, and foreign policy problems.

 

[jmdrake]

It IS the number one Issue why Republicans WON"T vote for RP and the OP made that abundently clear in the text of his post.

Here's an opposite viewpoint.

http://elections.firedoglake.com/20...eveal-opportunities-for-anti-war-republicans/

47% of Republicans and 62% of independents want to see and end to the war in Afghanistan. Sure the numbers on Iran are worse with 68% republicans seeing Iran as a "dire threat". But that means that 32% of them do not. That's a high enough number to be in first place if they all supported Paul. We don't need to win over every republican, just a plurality of those who actually show up at the polls to vote.

 

[jmdrake]

I agree with comments about being more like Rand Paul on foreign policy issues. Remember Rand Paul is a constitutional conservative where Ron is more of a Libertarian. So, since the campaign does not read our posts, I suggest people call, write, or e-mail the campaign on his national security, defense, and foreign policy problems.

You think they don't already know this? But this is Ron Paul, not Herman Cain. He's not going to flip his views on foreign policy and if he did he wouldn't be able to get away with it like Rand because he has a longer track record. We can win with the hand we're dealt if people will just play it.

 

[jmdrake]

This interview today helps, in my opinion:



It won't help with everyone, but it gives a bit of his side in a nonconfrontational manner. He isn't being painted as a 'bad guy' for thinking it, for once.

Great video! And I love how he handled the Herman Cain question.

 

[clint4liberty]

Here's an opposite viewpoint.

http://elections.firedoglake.com/20...eveal-opportunities-for-anti-war-republicans/

47% of Republicans and 62% of independents want to see and end to the war in Afghanistan. Sure the numbers on Iran are worse with 68% republicans seeing Iran as a "dire threat". But that means that 32% of them do not. That's a high enough number to be in first place if they all supported Paul. We don't need to win over every republican, just a plurality of those who actually show up at the polls to vote.

If you could idenify the 32% that would be lovely, so another reason to support and participate the Phone from Home Program.

 

[JackieDan]

You're right, ron paul must do more foreign policy speeches.

 

[klamath]

Here's an opposite viewpoint.

http://elections.firedoglake.com/20...eveal-opportunities-for-anti-war-republicans/

47% of Republicans and 62% of independents want to see and end to the war in Afghanistan. Sure the numbers on Iran are worse with 68% republicans seeing Iran as a "dire threat". But that means that 32% of them do not. That's a high enough number to be in first place if they all supported Paul. We don't need to win over every republican, just a plurality of those who actually show up at the polls to vote.

It is not the wars that are killing him. Maybe four years ago but not now. What is killing him is the belief that RP would not defend the country ever or that he would set up a US defense posture that would make defending the country impossible.

 

[Badger Paul]

All the military's aircraft carriers, tanks and F-14s couldn't stop 19 yahoos from inflicting more damage on the U.S. than any foreign power had done since the War of 1812. Perhaps we should try a different defense posture.

 

[Sola_Fide]

I disagree with the OP.

In my conversations, Republicans disagree with Ron's foreign policy because of a deeper agreement they have with big government and progressivism.

Liberty is one big package. You can't disagree with intervention at home and then advocate for it abroad.

 

[klamath]

All the military's aircraft carriers, tanks and F-14s couldn't stop 19 yahoos from inflicting more damage on the U.S. than any foreign power had done since the War of 1812. Perhaps we should try a different defense posture.

That is a good point. That makes a sound arguement for changing a 70 year old defense posture because it is now outdated.

 

[torchbearer]

we can't afford it. see collapse of USSR for details of our future.
questions?

 

[Working Poor]

What are we going to do about the fear mongering program?

 

[torchbearer]

What are we going to do about the fear mongering program?

after many years of trying i am here to report that you can't fix stupid.

 

[klamath]

You tried.

 

[Moebedda]

He's not a hawk, and I won't support Ron hawking it up. What he's doing is perfect. The electorate is in need of education, not appeasement.

Yes. This is the correct way. Especially these Christians who are brainwashed into this protectionism of Isreal. Isreal can take care of themselves. Meanwhile, these people who follow Christ, whose message was love and peace, want blood. I don't get it.

Is this Isreal crusade a fabrication to perpetuate war? I think it is.

 

[Babylon]

Agree with OP. Seems like all the major mainstream guys use the same meme. Ron needs to be portrayed as a bad muther f*cker who will kick a$$ and take names.

Agree.
Absolutely.

Remember the 'Big Dog' ad with the cool fast-paced graphics?

An ad in that style regard Paul's position on 'intervention' would be awesome.

A brief shot showing a bulked-up Rambo-esque graphic and copy that says Ron Paul is the only former military member in the race. (true?)

Then something along the lines of the following, with fast-paced Big-Dog graphics behind it.

"Ron Paul's Foreign Policy? Simple. If you mess with the U.S. it's Game Over. (explosion graphics.) If Paul goes to War, it will be done right. With a Declaration of War passed by Congress...
When the US declared War on Germany, we kicked the krauts' ass.
When the US declared War on Japan, we nearly wiped them out.
Fast, Furious, and by the book [show constitution].

Want to know what happens when the US doesn't declare War, and instead leaves it up to the Chicken-Hawks and Arms Dealers and Media to make the decisions? [slow mockingly childish music plays as graphics emphasizing the endless nature of Iraq, and Afhganistan (and maybe Vietnam as well).]

When it comes to War, only Paul knows how to do it right... [graphic of a united Congress marching forward.]

Without Paul? [graphic of congressmen and pundits and whatnot pointing fingers at each other... something to signify nobody taking responsibility.]

Strong Defense.
Support of the Troops.
You mess with the US, and Paul will kick your ass. [shot of Declaration of War being executed.]
"

Anyway, that's my two cent contribution to the Ron Paul Campaign of 2012.

 

[lilymc]

I agree with the OP and those who said that the #1 problem Republicans have with RP is foreign policy.

The thing is, SO many people have been convinced by the powers-that-be and the MSM that "Islamofascism" is the greatest threat facing this world. I have some friends who are extremely passionate on this issue, and they get PO'd at me for saying things like, "The government has been using that as a "boogeyman." I know one guy who posts about 10-20 status updates on facebook a day, in ALL-CAPS, screaming his head off about the EVIL of Islam and Islamic terrorists...it is just over the top.

I think this is one of the biggest obstacles we face, in regard to converting more Republicans... Because many of those people like RP on other issues, they just think he is either a "nut" or "naive" when it comes to foreign policy.

The question is, how do we show people what the bigger threat actually is? The problem I repeatedly encounter is these neocon types think that talk about global government or the intentional destruction of our freedom is nutty "conspiracy theory."

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Tell them to send their own sons and daughters to war if thats what they believe in. it will put a monkey wrench in their little mickey mouse wheels.

 

[mosquitobite]

I agree with the OP and those who said that the #1 problem Republicans have with RP is foreign policy.

The thing is, SO many people have been convinced by the powers-that-be and the MSM that "Islamofascism" is the greatest threat facing this world. I have some friends who are extremely passionate on this issue, and they get PO'd at me for saying things like, "The government has been using that as a "boogeyman." I know one guy who posts about 10-20 status updates on facebook a day, in ALL-CAPS, screaming his head off about the EVIL of Islam and Islamic terrorists...it is just over the top.

I think this is one of the biggest obstacles we face, in regard to converting more Republicans... Because many of those people like RP on other issues, they just think he is either a "nut" or "naive" when it comes to foreign policy.

The question is, how do we show people what the bigger threat actually is? The problem I repeatedly encounter is these neocon types think that talk about global government or the intentional destruction of our freedom is nutty "conspiracy theory."

It's the same reason he has such a hard time gaining the over 50 crowd. They lived with the fear of communism and so to them it's no big fear to live under a new fear (however contrived it is!)