GOP Establishment - an insider

[Highstreet]

Huckabee will not be president no matter how bad the social conservatives want him to be. He's not running against John Kerry. Them Clintons no the game and they'll spread his dirty laundry out all over the country. And while the Clintons have skeletons as well you have to remember something about that bunch, they're like teflon nothing sticks. Seriously only a candidate with a clean record and constitutional ideas is going to beat them. I just wish we could convince the rest of the republican party that.

Have you seen the Morton Downey Jr tape?

Someone needs to get that off the net, and quickly.

 

[Cowlesy]

Use a classic Barry Goldwater slogan: "Vote for Goldwater. In your heart, you know he's right."

I'm hoping that when people hear Paul's message, they'll have a powersurge to the brain, and even if they don't become a hardcore activist, when they pull that curtain and hit the lever, hopefully they make the right choice.

 

[bbachtung]

The GOP leadership will do a quick about-face on Iraq, etc. as soon as Paul is the nominee. This is a lot like sports to a lot of people: when you're winning everybody loves you.

 

[user]

Have you seen the Morton Downey Jr tape?

Someone needs to get that off the net, and quickly.

What was the problem with it? Wasn't it the others on the show who were being idiots?

 

[wgadget]

Based on the hostility I've encountered, while at the same time hearing rumors about local GOP insiders being pro-Paul, I think there may be quite a few establishment GOP in the closet regarding their Paul support.

When I went to the Cobb County GOP breakfast last Saturday there was an old guy (part of the local GOP) in his 70s who had Ron Paul bumper stickers plastered to both the front and back of his shirt. I gave him the thumbs up...

 

[Goldwater Conservative]

Yeah, considering a third of the party disapproves of Bush and another third (not sure what the overlap is) wants out of Iraq, I'm not surprised that Paul would have a respectable share of insider respect and approval. The establishment GOP also knows that tying their 2008 fortunes to the Bush legacy is almost certain disaster.

 

[user]

The GOP leadership will do a quick about-face on Iraq, etc. as soon as Paul is the nominee. This is a lot like sports to a lot of people: when you're winning everybody loves you.

That's a good point. Most of these political types just want to hold on to their power. If it looks like RP has the most GOP voter support, we can expect some support from them, too.

 

[daviddee]

...

 

[Bertrand]

I don't think the neoconservatives have as much influence in the actual party establishment as we would all like to think. I've been to a number of republican meetings and even the people who disagree with Paul on Iraq support greater discretion when using our military.

BTW, it's great news that John Derbyshire at NR endorsed Paul. People might start finally coming out of the closet for Paul. Hopefully Viguerie will support Paul as well.

We shall see, but to be quite honest, I'm becoming more and more sure of a RP victory everyday.

 

[xd9fan]

One thing is clear........it is anybodys to win.
This party wants direction...a platform
It wants to win
Paul can deliver both...
I have a feeling this will not be clear cut even after "Super Tuesday"
Paul should stay in this till the Convention....if possible (I'm not an expert on the bylaws of the party)

 

[Jobarra]

What was the problem with it? Wasn't it the others on the show who were being idiots?

Yeah. The rest of the show is also on Youtube and you can see how thinly veiled the attacks are on the guys on stage. If Dr. Paul's retort to the guy who is slightly chubby is the worst thing on him, he's going to have a field day with Hillary. If anything I have no doubt that Hillary will make up whatever she needs to in order to attack him. We'll know it's false due his 30 years long stated position, but the public may be swayed. Hopefully enough people will know his integrity and not be swayed at a crucial moment.

 

[ChickenHawk]

The GOP doesn't take him seriously because they have seen plenty of libertarian Republicans go down in flames. Based on past experience they don't think he has a snowball's chance in Hell.

I've been involved with the GOP in the past and it does have ( at least here in WA) a very strong libertarian streak. I have no doubt there is a lot of RP supporters that are currently planing to vote for other candidates for practical reasons. If it becomes clear that he can win those people will likely jump on the bandwagon real quick.

 

[McDermit]

We're handling a few counties. One GOP chair is RP-friendly and considering supporting him. One doesn't like him but is neutral and helpful to us, as new Republicans, knowing that we support RP. The other is a total bitch and either provides misinformation, lies, or straight up hangs up the phone if we have questions. (6 of us have been told that our delegate packets were mailed weeks ago by number 3, lies. When we show up at the office, we're told to speak with someone else and just get shuffled around between the same people, with nothing ever getting accomplished.) Mixed bag. The one county's GOP is just insane. They wouldn't even support our congressional candidate last time around. Sucks.

 

[liam]

I want to believe this but the debates and the cancelling od the San Fransico straw poll give me cause to disbelieve

 

[ChickenHawk]

I want to believe this but the debates and the cancelling od the San Fransico straw poll give me cause to disbelieve

There are no doubt people in the GOP establishment that are downright hostile to Ron Paul. This is going to be a very tough year for the GOP no matter who gets the nomination.

 

[robatsu]

At the county level here in Montgomery Co. Md, I am surprised at how many are for McCain. A few Romneyites, no Giuliani. People are open to discussion about Paul, but even w/in the party, it is amazing how little they know about him.

Or maybe it the truth is that it is amazing how much we know about him.

 

[Mark Rushmore]

Or maybe it the truth is that it is amazing how much we know about him.

Bingo!

I've often wondered to myself: if all I'd seen is perhaps his website one time where I'd read up on his "issue" statements - but had never seen him in a debate, never seen any of his Youtube videos or speeches, never read any of his writings, never followed the information flowing on boards such as these.

What would my impression of him be?

The videos are so crucial. New Hope alone is worth more than the entire campaign site - I almost wish they'd just forward it .

 

[azminuteman]

Biden? Are you serious?

Between all the Democrats, yes.
He is respected within his circles, he's just a pushover.
I know plenty of Republicans from Georgia and Louisiana that like him.

 

[LibertyEagle]

The GOP doesn't take him seriously because they have seen plenty of libertarian Republicans go down in flames. Based on past experience they don't think he has a snowball's chance in Hell.

I've been involved with the GOP in the past and it does have ( at least here in WA) a very strong libertarian streak. I have no doubt there is a lot of RP supporters that are currently planing to vote for other candidates for practical reasons. If it becomes clear that he can win those people will likely jump on the bandwagon real quick.

That is one of the more ridiculous things I have heard on this board. Ron Paul supporters not voting for RP, because they think he has no chance? If they would vote for him, he WOULD have a chance!!!

 

[freelance]

One thing is clear........it is anybodys to win.
This party wants direction...a platform
It wants to win
Paul can deliver both...
I have a feeling this will not be clear cut even after "Super Tuesday"
Paul should stay in this till the Convention....if possible (I'm not an expert on the bylaws of the party)

I'd bet my life this goes all the way to the convention, regardless of who "wins" the primaries. I think it's going to be a food fight. You guys who are delegates are in for the time of your lives--something you will never forget.