I am a little worried on this Iowa debate

[Paul4Prez]

Not yet

How much can we really do about this? Most of the GOP base has been brainwashed into supporting the war, sanctions, etc. Aren't most of the people who can see through the lies already listening to RP, even if he isn't the most polished?

His name recognition just went over 50% in the past week or two. We still have a lot of work left.

 

[Billy Budd]

It's interesting that we all see something a little different. I thought his was one of his better debates.

As far as his persona goes, I think it's part of his charm. If he was slick like Romney maybe there would be less of us here.

I voted for Bush (stupid me) because he seemed like the type of guy you could have a beer and play a game of cribbage with. Paul gives off a similar "regualr person" vibe. I think it's an asset.

 

[xao]

The two questions were perfect for Ron Paul and the other candidates frankly took his position and articulated it better than him. He needs to step up his public speaking skills.

I disagree. He spoke far better than any of them. They just come off as flip-floppers.

 

[xao]

Ron simply needs to say,
"Well it's funny that some people are taking what I've been saying for the past 15 years and trying to copy me. But unfortunately those peoples voting records don't match what they are only now saying. Therefore those flip-floppers cannot be trusted. But I can. My voting record speaks for itself"

Something like this but only in better words/syntax and more to the point.

 

[partypooper]

I've written the campaign.

I've written to Carol Paul.

I've typed up a page of debate suggestions (drop toxic buzzwords like 'neocon', 'competing currency' and 'empire') and handed it directly to Dr. Paul.

And still his debate answers and style remain the same: steer everything to foreign policy and currency with the same strained high-pitched whine

same here. i wrote to campaign, put suggestions in campaign box and wrote to dr paul's son. debates are one of the most powerful weapons at dr paul's disposal and he didn't use them to their full advantage. i understand that we might lose regardless, but i wish we lose with the rest of the country understanding what dr paul stands for. and while msm has a big share of responsibility for not giving dr paul the opportunity to explain himself, a part of the responsibility is on his performance in the debates - especially the last few, which are progressively worse.

dr paul comes to debates unprepared and as as result resorts all too often to formulaic responses that everybody is already familiar with and that are - as all of us noticed - very easy to copy. dr paul needed to use debates to further expand his foreign policy proposal because many republicans are not convinced that it would in fact make us safer. he needs to use more historical examples, good analogies and fresh arguments. instead, he simply repeats himself.

when one does not practice how to answer specific questions he has a difficulty retrieving the best answer when asked that question. dr paul's debate performance basically reflects a failure of memory. he knows the answers to questions but can not retrieve them at the spot. as a result he retrieves whatever is immediately available and those are the items retrieved most frequently - cliches. all too often - and with increasing frequency - dr paul sounds as if he is addressing supporters at the rally - and not a skeptical audience at home.

yes, dr paul can answer all debate questions splendidly when given enough time to think them through and to select the best response over an interview. but these were not splendid answers! rather than being at his best in debates, he is close to being at his worst. his worst can be quite decent but it is obviously not enough.

there is a very easy solution for all this but, sadly, it won't be implemented. dr paul doesn't even need a coach, he just needs to spend more time arguing with people who disagree with him. he appears to be spending a lot of time with people who agree with everything he says. while that is totally natural it is also very counter-productive. many of us here have spend considerable time arguing with hostile audiences on the internet and, as a result, have not only converted some of them but have also become much more skilled in dealing with such audiences. yet, dr paul can not even handle glenn beck and oreilly - people whose hostility is below average neocon forum member and who most of us here would be thrilled to debate. this goes a long way to explaining where the problem comes from.

 

[JohnnyWrath]

I have said for months now that Ron needs a speech/debate coach and a voice coach on staff. His voice should not go high or we have the media calling him "squeaky" etc...people want him to sound presidential.

Many of his answers need to be directed at the mainstream morons who live amongst us....the other guys can just shout "America is the best country in the world" and get claps without even having any message...

 

[FreedomAndLaw]

I have said for months now that Ron needs a speech/debate coach and a voice coach on staff. His voice should not go high or we have the media calling him "squeaky" etc...people want him to sound presidential.

Many of his answers need to be directed at the mainstream morons who live amongst us....the other guys can just shout "America is the best country in the world" and get claps without even having any message...

Being anti-mainstream is mainstream. Ron Paul has his own appeal, turning him into John Edwards won't convert any of the "mainstream morons" unless the mainstream media tells them to convert. When/If his support rises i guess next suggestion from the wannabe political strategists will be to limit the message of freedom to that of Giuliani's.

 

[Austrian_guy]

is it me or does it seem like Ron Paul did way better in the summer debates? he used to answer the questions, and he had much more strength it seemed.

I agree.
He never fumbled for words, or took 3 times to articulate a word, etc.

Which is not to say, that I don't think he's answering the questions very well, just that there was more momentum and energy in the summer debates.

(ps. Though I should add furthermore, that for a man his age, bearing his schedule in mind, he's still doing more than formidably.)

 

[Brian in Maryland]

Needs less negativity.


Personally, Ron's no nonsense very plain 'truth to power' speaking style is one of the things that first attracted me to him. In a world of perfectly rehearsed political soundbytes, someone speaking from the mind and heart off the top of their head was more than a breath of fresh air. It shows understanding of the issues and not expensive speaking coaches and speechwriters.

I'm still not sure why some of you want to turn Ron Paul into the other guys, when he's the only candidate showing constant growth with income and volunteers.

What he said.

If I want to buy a used car I will go to one of the others. Dr. Paul knows what he is doing. Don’t try to change him.

 

[MadOdorMachine]

If someone had never heard of Ron Paul before, then I don't see how they would have been impressed by him in this debate. He didn't stand out at all. As previously stated, the other candidates took his position. This shows that he is a leader, but he needs to get a political advisor to help him with his public speaking.

 

[noiseordinance]

If someone had never heard of Ron Paul before, then I don't see how they would have been impressed by him in this debate. He didn't stand out at all. As previously stated, the other candidates took his position. This shows that he is a leader, but he needs to get a political advisor to help him with his public speaking.

I agree. He's not exactly standing above the crowd lately...

 

[LibertyEagle]

He did well, but he really botched the whole trade question that he did get. It was very weak, in my opinion. It's too bad that he wasn't allowed to address the later NAFTA question, because I've yet to hear him in the debates, tell people that NAFTA is NOT a free trade agreement. Unless and until he says that, a lot of people will not like his pro-free trade viewpoint. Because, they know NAFTA has hurt us and don't want anymore of it. He needs to distinguish between free trade and our current misnamed trade agreements.

 

[idiom]

It is possible he was taken aback by having everything he was going to say being said before it was his turn to speak.

That would freak me out too.

 

[Thomas Paine]

Imitation is the best form of flattery so don't be distressed if you start seeing the other GOP candidates starting to adopt Ron Paul positions. What Dr. Paul should do, though, is call them out on it by stating in his debate responses that he is pleased to see so and so finally adopt his position on taxes, or foreign policy, etc.

 

[partypooper]

Imitation is the best form of flattery so don't be distressed if you start seeing the other GOP candidates starting to adopt Ron Paul positions.

they are not adopting his positions, they are adopting his cliches. for reasons that i explained (memory failure) dr paul repeats himself a lot in the debates. as a result, he wastes time (of which he is given very little to begin with), doesn't advance the cause and gives others the opportunity to learn how to imitate him.

 

[acstichter]

Do not worry over that which you have no control.

Please hit the streets and the phones and lets win over voters in our neighborhoods. Ron Paul needs more exposure to win.

 

[dfalken]

Too many new - and - almost new members stirring up shit again.

Sorry, but it has to be said...

Great way to possibly alienate new Ron Paul supporters..congratulations.

 

[Pliny]

I doubt that anyone impressionable enough to vote purely on speaking ability and sound bites, rather than research and political principle, would be bothered to watch a debate anyway. I'm not terribly concerned about media coverage and debates because, frankly, we never had those to begin with. If we win we'll win despite those things.