I am convinced that people who hate the official campaign do so out of ignorance of it.

[rockandrollsouls]

You say it won't change, I say it must to secure a win.

 

[devil21]

You say it won't change, I say it must to secure a win.

Maybe, maybe not. We have to work with what we can change. That's not one of them.

One of the biggest things that has separated RP from the rest of the pack is that he isn't a slick, rehearsed, coached candidate that regurgitates sound bites.

 

[Restore-America-NOW]

There are many people who felt their donations were wasted the first time around, and by promoting Jesse Benton (direct cause of so many problems), Paul has made the statement that he doesn't know or doesn't care.

May I ask why Jesse Benton is a direct cause of the campaigns problems?

 

[devil21]

May I ask why Jesse Benton is a direct cause of the campaigns problems?

I'm assuming you weren't involved in the 2008 campaign? Benton made numerous mistakes and cringe-worthy quotes. Media interview phone calls went unreturned, official statements from Benton (when he was campaign spokesman) tended to say exactly the wrong thing. It would be too hard to find examples now but trust me (and others) when we say Benton is a liability until he proves himself otherwise.

(He married RP's granddaughter after the campaign so he's not going anywhere)

----
eta: After reviewing RP's 2008 Wiki page I remembered one of Benton's snafus. There was a video released that said that RP was slimming down the pres campaign for a bit in favor of ensuring re-election in TX14. Benton went on TV and basically made it sound like RP was about to end his campaign. That led A LOT of supporters to give up publicly, on this forum even. It took Rand to come out and say that the campaign was NOT over. By then the damage had been done and mainly due to Benton's comments.

Heres CNN's take on Benton's comments:
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/07/ron.paul/index.html

March 7 2008
A spokesman for Ron Paul's presidential campaign said Friday that the Texas congressman is ending his run for the White House

Here's the Wiki portion from the RP2008 entry:

On March 8 2008, Paul released a video to his supporters[61] acknowledging that he would not be able to win the nomination, interpreted by some news sources[62][63] as a hint that the campaign was over. Ron Paul's son Rand Paul publicly denied the allegations and stated the campaign "will continue to contest the remaining primaries."[64] On March 10, Ron Paul appeared on CNN's American Morning to explain that he has not withdrawn from the race and he will keep campaigning to keep his ideas in the arena, and to fulfill an obligation to his supporters in states that have not yet held primaries.[65]

Still wonder why Benton is a liability? Watch any video of him and he does NOT look like he's into these campaigns at all.

 

[Danke]

May I ask why Jesse Benton is a direct cause of the campaigns problems?

Have you dealt with him in person?

 

[Maltheus]

May I ask why Jesse Benton is a direct cause of the campaigns problems?

I wish I could remember every incident (that affected our local campaign) right now. I just remember his name popping up whenever we felt like the campaign had screwed us. The one biggest incident I do remember was Benton essentially announcing that RP had dropped out, when he hadn't, on the eve of our County and CD conventions (pretty sure state was that weekend too). We kept finding undecided delegates who liked Ron Paul, but they wouldn't vote for him because "well, didn't he drop out." We had worked very hard for that moment, only to have it come crashing down the night before because of a communications director who was incapable of communications.

 

[Thargok]

Have you dealt with him in person?

Yes, have you?

I wish I could remember every incident (that affected our local campaign) right now. I just remember his name popping up whenever we felt like the campaign had screwed us. The one biggest incident I do remember was Benton essentially announcing that RP had dropped out, when he hadn't, on the eve of our County and CD conventions (pretty sure state was that weekend too). We kept finding undecided delegates who liked Ron Paul, but they wouldn't vote for him because "well, didn't he drop out." We had worked very hard for that moment, only to have it come crashing down the night before because of a communications director who was incapable of communications.

I'm sorry, you are upset that you didn't get delegates when the campaign didn't matter anymore and the only way to keep the ball moving was to move forward with YAL, C4L, etc., are you serious?

 

[amonasro]

He's not going to say things like that. He's not the slick speaker and he's not going to go off notes or anything else. His coaching is about delivery, particularly slowing his speech down as to not sound shrill, and to be more loose and funny during his delivery. I wish some would accept that he's 75 years old and he's not going to change his responses to questions as you suggest. Are your suggestions "better"? Probably, but it's a moot point because it's not going to happen. Let's focus on the things that can change instead.

Then we can kiss the nomination goodbye. I'm sorry but the GOP will not nominate someone who speaks like Ron. He often sounds nervous, his thoughts aren't organized and he's defensive. If Ron isn't willing to improve in this area then I probably won't donate again. I don't mean that he should change his message. He just needs to streamline easy talking points and present them in a calm, confident manner.

I don't claim to be an expert in much but performing, presenting and entertaining is what I do for a living. I have a MM from one of the top conservatories in the country. Please believe me when I say that Ron is pretty bad in this area. If he were auditioning for anything anywhere he would not get the part. Every debate is like an audition for the role of President. They may ask you to perform something unexpected but you are still expected to nail it if you want to be in the running. Auditioning is all about how well you convince the judges in that short 5 or 10 minute timespan. No one really cares about your past or future. It's about being in the moment with yourself and the music and leaving emotional baggage at the stage door.

My advice to him is to consult Rand and develop some good talking points. Then work in front of a mirror or camera so he (and others) can watch himself deliver them. The goal is calm confidence, keeping the breath low and refrain from extraneous arm movement. When he does decide to articulate with them it should be to prove a point. And throw a sly smile, joke or laugh in once in awhile to appeal to his quirky side. IMO his goal should be to develop a "wise grandpa" persona. Like the one you used to love to visit because he was so smart. Not a nervous, defensive grandpa that talks about taking heroin.

 

[Maltheus]

I'm sorry, you are upset that you didn't get delegates when the campaign didn't matter anymore and the only way to keep the ball moving was to move forward with YAL, C4L, etc., are you serious?

So it's no big deal to now have a campaign manager who has accidentally dropped his candidate out of the race once before? Are YOU serious? It's not about the delegates, it's a matter of basic competence.

My only point was that people do have legitimate reasons to be upset with the official campaign and that it's not out of ignorance or some repulsion to being led.

 

[Charles Lupton]

The biggest turn-off for many would be potential RP supporters is like the turn-off of the Tea Party for some. ZEALOTS(especially those whose main support tactic is constantly bashing other candidates and their supporters which we at the GJ camp have one or two of). This is why I originally found it difficult to support RP last election. I came around not because of any supporter, but because of him and listening to him speak. Anyone who thinks RP can do no wrong is wrong. We are all human and make mistakes. That coupled with what some consider to be under-handed tactics like busing people into straw polls and giving away free tickets and such. While I think it's great to bring in as many supporters as possible and even paying for them to attend, it shouldn't be about winning polls but winning hearts and minds. The only polls that should matter are the Primaries and the General. I see the Caesar argument about swaying the people (people do look at polls and they do generate media attention, which is also BS) and if you can sway the masses...

Just my thought and not meant to criticize because like I said there are arguments either direction, but that is due to a flawed system and not right or wrong.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Then we can kiss the nomination goodbye. I'm sorry but the GOP will not nominate someone who speaks like Ron. He often sounds nervous, his thoughts aren't organized and he's defensive. If Ron isn't willing to improve in this area then I probably won't donate again. I don't mean that he should change his message. He just needs to streamline easy talking points and present them in a calm, confident manner.

Do not lose hope yet. He is making changes. That much is very clear. He would have never done this in the last election. http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...d-Ron-Paul-steals-the-show-at-Faith-Coalition

 

[LibertyEagle]

I wish I could remember every incident (that affected our local campaign) right now. I just remember his name popping up whenever we felt like the campaign had screwed us. The one biggest incident I do remember was Benton essentially announcing that RP had dropped out, when he hadn't, on the eve of our County and CD conventions (pretty sure state was that weekend too). We kept finding undecided delegates who liked Ron Paul, but they wouldn't vote for him because "well, didn't he drop out." We had worked very hard for that moment, only to have it come crashing down the night before because of a communications director who was incapable of communications.

Yeah, the way the campaign ended last time majorly SUCKED, didn't it?

But, this is a new ball game. I flat out couldn't stand Benton during the last campaign, but several years have passed and he has learned a great deal. Remember that he helped Rand win. Also consider this... he's already found his wife, so he won't be taking time from the campaign to court.

One thing is for sure, that he has Dr. Paul's best interests in mind. He has participated on a winning campaign (Rand), and I don't know who is causing these changes, but Dr. Paul is making more and more changes to what we saw the last go round. Good stuff. http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?297627-Doug-Wead-Ron-Paul-steals-the-show-at-Faith-

 

[amonasro]

Do not lose hope yet. He is making changes. That much is very clear. He would have never done this in the last election. http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showth...d-Ron-Paul-steals-the-show-at-Faith-Coalition

I won't If anyone embodies the "wise old grandpa" persona to me it is Ron Paul. He is smart enough to do it, and I know he can. Hell, if someone told me my career would be dependent on how well I acted onstage when I grew up, I would have laughed out loud. It's not my personality at all. But I learned how to do it. I'm certainly not the best but if you learn a few tricks it's not that hard. Especially in opera, where acting isn't exactly the strong point.

The good thing is that he doesn't need to put on an acting hat or act like someone he's not. He's been defending liberty his whole adult life. Remember the first debate, all those great soundbytes? He was fired up, calm and wasn't worried about what others thought. He was calm and confident. People respond to that. They don't respond to timid. Unfortunately for us the Establishment will try to NOT let that kind of debate performance (that inspired a whole grassroots movement) happen again.

 

[LibertyEagle]

Yah, I thought the first debate was the best too. I LOVED when his comment about national ID cards made the others look so bad that they came out from behind their podiums all trying to pull their feet out of their mouths. lol

 

[Thargok]

So it's no big deal to now have a campaign manager who has accidentally dropped his candidate out of the race once before? Are YOU serious? It's not about the delegates, it's a matter of basic competence.

My only point was that people do have legitimate reasons to be upset with the official campaign and that it's not out of ignorance or some repulsion to being led.

You're acting like a child. Who cares if the rental car isn't washed when your rental is done. In all honesty if Jesse said that then it was probably based on the fact that the campaign was over with. Which makes since considering he couldn't win at that point. If you still believe that somehow people messed up a campaign that should have won, you are horrendously wrong. It was the hard work of the people you attack that got C4L off the ground, Rand elected and brought us multiple straw poll victories. In the next debate Ron will be beside Romney in the center as a frontrunner and you are complaining that they can't take care of this.

 

[libertarian4321]

You're seriously still thinking that there was any appreciable difference between a McCain and Obama presidency???

The only difference would have been how they sell the same agenda in different terms. McCain would have pushed health care reform but would have called it "Patriotic Duty" or some such nonsense. We would already be bombing Iran if McCain won, instead of Libya. Im amazed that some still think McCain would have been one iota better than Obama. Heck, I believe a McCain presidency would have pushed things even farther. Do remember that he supported amnesty but would have had the political capital to push it through with the support of Dems. In the big picture it's a good thing that another RINO wasn't elected. At least the election of the liberal woke up some in the GOP. If not for that the same people that supported Bush would have supported McCain in more RINO adventures.

I sure as Hell don't think McCain and Palin would have been any better. Just different. Obama spends on Healthcare, McCain would have had us at war with every Muslim nation on earth by now.

They both suck.

 

[libertarian4321]

Yeah. I read that thread. All he was arguing was that McCain wouldn't send things downhill as fast, and would give our movement time to grow. HE WAS RIGHT. And you donated money to Obama, justifying it with some self righteous BS.

Slutter McGee

I would like to clarify.

I gave the guy a chance to SHUT THE HELL UP with his pro McCain BS. I told him I'd donate to Obama only if he kept shilling for McCain on the RPF.

It was his call.

He chose to keep shilling for McCain and his vile little compatriot knowing that in so doing, he would force me to donate to Obama.

So I kept my word. Once he realized I wasn't kidding, he shut the Hell up.

Mission accomplished for a small fee. Money well spent.

 

[libertarian4321]

I'll add that someone who voted for Obama should not be giving advice to Ron Paul or the Ron Paul Campaign. Also should not be doing any message that reaches any Republicans. We've got to make sure that our message is one that is appealing to Conservatives. And someone who voted for Obama does not understand Conservatives.

I first campaigned for a Republican candidate when I put on my "Nixon Now" button and posted signs and went door to door for Nixon in '72. I've never voted for a Dem in any Presidential race prior to the last one (I vote either Republican or Libertarian). I've got a pretty good idea how conservatives think.

But I won't vote for a steaming pile of shit like McCain/Palin- bad candidates who ran an utterly vile campaign- even Bush, as dismal as he was, never pissed me off like they did (at least not while campaigning).

 

[libertarian4321]

Are you trying to alienate people?

I guess you are unfamiliar with Rock's work, lol.

 

[devil21]

Quoting myself...

Maybe, maybe not. We have to work with what we can change. That's not one of them.

One of the biggest things that has separated RP from the rest of the pack is that he isn't a slick, rehearsed, coached candidate that regurgitates sound bites.

http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?297891-Ron-Paul-On-How-He-Prepares-For-Debates

"I prepare by reading news, I don't have a system, and when I make my mistakes, people say "well, maybe you should practice more". But I deal in issues and principles and the things I believe in, and my answers are always the same. I've been practicing a long time, I've been practicing and voting this way, you know, for 24 years, So I don't think, you know, taking instructions and doing a little cramming for this test is going to help me much. People say "What are you going to do?". I say I'm going to try and get a good night's sleep and get exercise".